Religious Freedom – Page 5 – Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

Pakistan Christians Protest “Black Day” Treatment of Minorities at UN

The Pakistan Christian Congress and other Pakistan human rights activists protested in front of the United Nations Offices in New York City on August 12, 2010 to address the plight of Pakistani Christians as an oppressed minority. Their protest was in recognition of “Minority Day” which was renamed “Black Day” in remembrance of the oppression and atrocities against Pakistani Christians. The protesters also provided copies of petitions to the United Nations delegates calling for UN Secretary General Ban Moon to repeal award refugee status to Pakistani Christians and to urge the Pakistani government to repeal the blasphemy law.

"Black Day to Freedom" - Recognizing the Oppression of Pakistani Christians

On August 2, 2010 in Washington DC, the Pakistan Christian Congress’ Dr. Nazir Bhatti and speakers from Christian, Muslim, and human rights organizations spoke on the plight of the Christians and religious minorities in Pakistan. The August 2 press conference was a remembrance of the August 1, 2009 Gojra mob attacks against Christian men, women, and children, burning people alive, and burning Christian houses and churches to the ground.

On the August 12 NYC United Nations protest, the Pakistan Christian Post reported that:

August 12, 2010 - NYC - Pakistan Christians Protesting Oppression (Photo: Dr. Nazir Bhatti)

“Pakistani Christian invite intervention of United Nations to end their constitutional genocide

New York: August 12, 2010. (PCP) The Pakistani Christian Diaspora in USA staged protest in front of United Nation Offices to observe “Black Day” on killing of Christians and to mark 1st anniversary of Gojra massacre
The protest of “Black Day” was organized by Pakistani Christian Association in North America PCA, Pakistan Christian Congress PCC and The Peace Worldwide which was attended by congregates of different denominations of Pakistani Churches.

The protestors hoisted cards with slogans to end persecution and killing of Christians in Pakistan. The copies of petition were also distributed among different UN delegates to highlight plight of Christians in Pakistan.

The petition to Mr. Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of United Nation sought intervention of United Nations to end killing of Christians and to press upon government of Pakistan to repeal blasphemy law.

The petition also appealed to Secretary General of United Nations to award Refugee Status to Pakistani Christians on continuous constitutional genocide.

At the end of protest, Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC and Mr. James Cyprian went in UNO building and presented petition to officer of Secretary General office.

Here is copy of petition submitted to UNO:

Mr. Ban Ki Moon,

Secretary General, United Nations

New York.

20 million Pakistani Christians observed “Black Day” instead of Minority Day by government of Pakistan on August 11, to demand repeal of blasphemy law and to end killing of Christians.

His Excellency,

We wish to draw your kind attention on rising violence against Christians on pretext to blasphemy law, enforced conversion, kidnap and gang rape of Christian women, vandalism of Churches, desecration of Holy Bibles, attacks on homes of Christians, killing of innocent Christians and destruction of Christian properties in Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The government of Pakistan have failed to ensure justice and to protect life and property of Christian citizens where fundamental Muslims attack and destroy homes of Christians under supervision of administration and walk free after killing them.

On July 31, 2009, thousands of Muslims attacked Gojra Town Christians colony setting on fire more than fifty homes and burning alive 7 Christian children and women in presence of local police but culprit are free mocking justice system of Pakistan. The Muslim mobs attack and destruction of hundreds of homes in village Korian and Bahminwala in Punjab province of Pakistan where culprits have been also protected and saved by administration to walk unpunished.

The arrests of Christians under blasphemy law have been doubled in present regime and incident of killing of Two Christian Brothers on July 19, 2010, in broad day light in District Courts of Faisalabad during hearing in blasphemy case is total failure of administration to protect life of Christians in Pakistan.

20 million Pakistani Christian have no voice in democratic institutions of Pakistan when Islamic parties are selecting their representation on reserved seats for minorities in parliament and using them as tool to mislead international community on situation of Christians in Pakistan. We have been deprived of our right to elect our representatives and turned to be second class citizens in Pakistan. Therefore, Pakistani Christians demand right of election of their representative proportional to population in parliament instead of selection by Muslim groups.

We appeal your honor to press upon government of Pakistan to repeal blasphemy law and to adopt necessary measures to protect life and property of Christians in Pakistan.

The thousands of Christians from Punjab province are fleeing to other cities on incidents of violence and arrests under blasphemy have forced them to take refuge in safe places. We also appeal your honor to award Refugee Status to Pakistani Christians that they may take refuge in other countries when they do not have equal basic democratic rights in Pakistan and treated as second class citizen.

Thanking you.

1. Nazir S Bhatti,

President, Pakistan Christian Congress PCC

www.pakistanchristiancongress.org

Editor, Pakistan Christian Post PCP

www.pakistanchristianpost.com

2. William Shahzad

Chairman, Pakistani Christian Association in North America PCA

3. James Cyprian

The Peace Worldwide

Dated: August 12, 2010.

New York.”

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On August 11, 2010, in other parts of the world, Pakistanis also recognized “Black Day.”

Pakistan - August 11, 2010: Black Day in Pakistan: Lahore: Christian marched in Lahore, Pakistan to demand repeal of blasphemy law. AssitNews Photo

UK - London: August 11, 2010: Pakistani Christian Diaspora observed "Black Day" instead of Minority Day to demand repeal of blasphemy law and end to atrocities against Christians in Pakistan: Photo Aap Ki Awaz Show by Taskeen Khan

UK - London, August 11, 2010: Black Day-2: App Ki Awaz with Taskeen Khan Show: Pakistani Christian in UK protest against atrocities on Christian in Pakistan: Photo Christian Social link UK

UK - Black Day-2 observed by Pakistani Christian Diaspora in UK, with protest in front of Pakistan High Commission in London on August 11: Photo by Christian Social Link UK

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Responsible for Equality and Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights to freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience for all people of all faiths, including the freedom of religion supported under Article 1 of the United States Constitution. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

We urge those who promote hate and intolerance to unburden the hate from their hearts.

We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.

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Rifqa Bary Case: Judge Says Christian Convert Should Not Be Deported

In Columbus, Ohio, in the case of Muslim-to-Christian convert girl, Rifqa Bary, a Franklin County Juvenile Court Magistrate Mary Goodrich granted findings that would her to apply for “special immigrant juvenile status,” by Tuesday August 10, 2010, when she turns 18.

For the past year, since August 11, 2009, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has been reporting and active in the case of Christian convert Rifqa Bary, who alleged on August 11, 2009 that her Muslim parents in Ohio threatened her with death for her religious freedom to convert from Islam to Christianity. There has been concern of her safety in America and concerns that if she was returned to Sri Lanka as an undocumented illegal alien that her safety may be in jeopardy, due to the alleged threats.

Columbus, Ohio: Christian Convert Rifqa Bary

Her parents refute the claims of such a threat. The Columbus Dispatch reports that “Rifqa continues to say that she is afraid of her parents, who have maintained that they love her and wouldn’t hurt her.”

Rifqa Bary had fled from Columbus, Ohio to Florida because of her fears. In October 2009, Rifqa Bary told the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) she was abused, and was supposed to have an arranged marriage. However, a Florida judge decided to return her to Columbus, Ohio to resolve the dispute with her parents, which has been ongoing since October 2009.

Regarding the latest court findings, the Columbus Dispatch quoted a member of the Ohio attorney general’s office, Ken Robinson, on the matter, stating: “An allegation of abuse is not usually sufficient. Still, immigration officials might be more lenient toward Rifqa, given the high-profile nature of her case, Robinson said.”

On November 13, 2009, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) held its own public awareness event on the campus of Ohio University and in the streets of Columbus, Ohio, where Rifqa Bary lives, in support of our universal human rights of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience for all people.

While some groups, such as the Dove World Outreach Center (that plans to burn Qur’ans) and others have sought to hold public awareness events to spread hate and condemn Islam, R.E.A.L. has held such events to promote our religious freedom for all faiths and identity groups.

Columbus, Ohio: R.E.A.L. Public Awareness Activities on Behalf of Rifqa Bary and Freedom of Religion

Women’s rights activist Phyllis Chesler wrote on August 5, 2010: “Kudos To The Legal Team of Angela Lloyd and Kort Gatterdam… She arrived here as an undocumented Muslim. Nevertheless, lawyers in both Florida and Ohio stepped forward to protect and defend her. The system-we-love-to-hate appointed these lawyers. No angry grassroots group, no Christian activist association did what the American state did: Actually pay for it all.”

The Executive Director of the Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) group has had different views on the Rifqa Bary legal team stating that it was an “inept, self-promoting, failed legal strategy,” led by “a clown,” “makes excuses for failure,” and “did not understand was the nature of the threat.”

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights of religious freedom, freedom of conscience, and freedom of worship for all people. R.E.A.L. rejects hatred and rejects the activities of those who seek to promote hatred towards identity groups and specific religions.

R.E.A.L. hopes for healing, peace, and safety in the case of Rifqa Bary. We recognize that this decision is not the end of her struggles, and we hope the immigration courts ultimately grant her sanctuary in the United States of America. We defend her and all others’ universal human rights.

Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

Update: On August 10, 2010, Rifqa Bary turned 18 years old and Franklin County Children Services’ custody of her ended. In September 2010, Rifqa received permanent residence status and can apply for United States citizenship once she turns 23.

Update: On September 19 2014, the Columbus Dispatch reported that: “In a news release, publisher WaterBrook Press said Bary is now a college student living in an undisclosed location and still convinced her life is under threat.”

United for Pluralism in Pakistan

On the first anniversary of the mob attack on Gojra, Pakistan, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)’s Jeffrey Imm issued the following online petition for the people of the world to promote pluralism to the Pakistan people and Pakistan government, stating:

“We support tolerance, freedom, and respect for all religions in Pakistan, including freedom of worship for all Pakistanis without oppression, harassment, attacks, or violence. We stand united for pluralism and united for the universal human rights allowing such freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience for all people in Pakistan.”

“We call upon the Pakistan government and the people of Pakistan to respect such diversity of religious views and protect such freedoms that are the inherent universal human rights of all people. We stand united in pluralism, with respect and love for our fellow human beings.”

We urge all those who support such pluralism and human rights, dignity in Pakistan to sign our online petition at:

http://www.petitiononline.com/pakhope/

http://bit.ly/pakhope

We Remember Gojra

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) remembers the tragic attack on Gojra, Pakistan, on August 1, 2009, where a reported mob of 20,000 murdered Christian men, women, and children, burned Christian homes, and burned Christian churches – all in the name of religious intolerance and a spurious charge of “blasphemy.”

UCAN reports on Pakistan mob attack: "A Christian house set ablaze by Muslims" — August 1, 2009 Pakistan mob attack in Gojra: "A Christian house set ablaze" (Photo: UCAN)

We will join the Pakistan Christian Congress and members of other faiths in Washington DC on August 2, 2010 to remember this horrific attack, and the ongoing pattern of religious intolerance, hate, and violence that continues against religious minorities throughout Pakistan.

Religious intolerance is not the problem for any one faith or identity group.

On July 21, 2010, two Pakistan Christian brothers were gunned down in the street in broad daylight on courthouse steps after being falsely charged with “blasphemy.” Christians not killed are being imprisoned for “blasphemy,” including a Christian in March 2010, who received a life sentence for such a charge. Mobs continue to attack Christian families, such as the May 2010 attack in Essa Nagri Karach, and have Christian church services disrupted. Some Christians have been put to death for refusing to convert to “Islam.” In Karachi, a Christian nurse was raped in July then thrown from a fourth floor of a medical building where she worked; the Pakistan Christian Post reports that there are hundreds of unreported rapes of Christian nurses. Anti-Christian banners are seen in Lahore. In March 2010, a Christian housemaid was burned alive.

On July 31, 2010, seven of a Hindu family were killed in Jaffarabad, Balochistan in an attack there, and Pakistan Hindus are routinely oppressed for their faith, not just by the Pakistan Taliban, but also by government officials, including government plans to destroy an 87 year old Hindu temple in Rawalpindi. On July 9, 2010, the Pakistan Hindu Post reported that 60 members of a Hindu family had to take shelter in a Karachi cattle pen, after a Hindu boy drank from a drinking fountain in a mosque. In June 2010, a Hindu trader was shot dead in Quetta, Pakistan Hindus have had forced kidnappings and conversion to “Islam.”

Sikhs have been beheaded and targeted by the Pakistan Taliban, and have also been harassed and victimized for their faith.

Minority Muslims are also not safe from such religious intolerance. On May 28, 2010, attacks on Ahmadiyya Community Muslim mosques during prayers left 98 dead. The terrorist attacks were against Ahmadiyya Community Muslim during worship services in Garhi Shahu and Model Town mosques. On July 1, 2010, a terrorist attack against a Sufi Muslim shrine in Lahore, left 43 dead. Shiite Muslims have been targeted by bombings and attack, including a bombing in Karachi, and truck drivers murdered for every providing supplies to Shiite Muslims.

Religious extremist hate does not only reach to minority religious members, but also to majority religious individuals as well. In Punjab alone from January to June 2010, there have been 102 “honor killings” reported.

Whatever your faith or none at all, religious extremist hate and intolerance is a threat to us all. That threat seeks to deny freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience, and our other universal human rights to all people, and rationalized such intolerance, hate, and violence based on religious views.

Peace in Pakistan and around the world begins respect for one another as human beings and respect for our universal human rights. This is why we call upon support for our universal human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18 states that:

“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

R.E.A.L. does not seek to suggest that such problems are limited to Pakistan alone. Such intolerance, hate, and, violence is unfortunately a universal problem. This is why we need a consistent, universal answer. We urge Pakistan’s government and the people of Pakistan, as well as people around the world to support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

George Washington Quoted on Religious Liberty and Tolerance

During a visit to Newport, R.I., in 1790, a year before the Bill of Rights was ratified, President George Washington received a letter from Moses Seixas, warden of the Touro Synagogue. President Washington replied, in part, to the the Touro Synagogue to state that:

— August 1790 – George Washington: “The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent national gifts. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.”

…

— “May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.”

United States President George Washington - 1789 - 1797 — United States President George Washington - President: 1789 - 1797

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Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

Pakistan Hindu Post: Persecution of Hindus in Pakistan and Pakistan Pilgrims to India

Pakistan Hindu Post reports on Pakistan Hindus “hounded” in Pakistan and Pakistani Hindu Pilgrims persecution in India

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights of religious freedom and worship for ALL.

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‘Hounded’ Hindus take shelter in Karachi cattle pen after drinking water from mosque, Pakistan

Karachi : In an incident which showcases the brutal hatred with which Hindus are seen in Pakistan, at least 60 members of the minority community, including women and children, were forced to abandon their house in Karachi’s Memon Goth area just because a Hindu boy drank water from a cooler outside a mosque.

Local tribesman, who hold a good clout in the area, thrashed several Hindus forcing them to run away and take shelter in a near by cattle pen, The News reports.

“All hell broke loose when my son, Dinesh, who looked after chickens in a farm, drank water from a cooler outside a mosque. Upon seeing him do that, the people of the area started beating him up,” said Meerumal, a resident of the area.

“Later, around 150 tribesmen attacked us, injuring seven of our people, who were taken to the Jinnah Hospital,” he added.

One of the injured, Heera, said that another 400 families of the area were also being threatened to leave their households and settle elsewhere.

“Our people are even scared of going out of their houses. We are also putting up with living in the filthy pen because we cannot go home for fear of being killed,” Heera said.

Police officials are aware about the incident, but they have failed to take any steps to stop the atrocities being meted out to theminority community.

“A trivial incident led to riots between the people of the area. Since both the communities happened to be illiterate, the matter just flared up,” said Memon Goth Station House Officer (SHO).

Meanwhile, Minority Affairs Minister Dr Mohan Lal has assured Hindus of full government protection.

“I have directed the DPO and the SHO to ensure that these people go back to their houses safely,” Lal said.

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Rajasthan : India is known for her hospitality, but we are sorry to say that our experience with the officials here is nothing short of a nightmare,” says Satya Ramprakash, a member of a 65-member Hindu pilgrim group that has come from Pakistan.

The group wanted to visit various places of religious importance to the Hindus, but so harried it is that many of them are planning to dump the tour midway and return to Pakistan.

The 65-member group left Sindh in Pakistan on June 18 for India on a month-long pilgrimage. They arrived in Jodhpur the very next day and their trauma began then and there. Rules are such that besides registering with the local police, they have to have a guarantor in each city they visit. Their local guarantor at Jodhpur, Acharya Gopal, washed off his hands of their onward journey, once they reached there.

“Despite valid visa, we had to go to the court to file an affidavit, stating that we are from Pakistan and have come to India on a pilgrimage. We sought residential permit so that we could stay at some places during our month-long tour. It took us as many as eight days to complete the formality,” said Nagji Thakor, a person of Gujarati origin who lives at Virpur village in Sindh province.

“Since we could not check into any hotel, we had to spend our days at courts and offices and nights at railway station,” he added. That the group had many elderly persons and women did not move the officials.

However, they expressed their gratitude to local people. “People are friendly. They have helped us and guided us. It is the set of rules that has balked us. If you have such rules what is the fun in running Samjhauta Express?” said Sardara Prajapati.

He pointed out that many groups have travelled to India in the past, but they did not face such problems.

The group arrived in Ahmedabad on Sunday and ran into the “Bharat bandh” on Monday. After wasting a day, they went to the police commissioner’s office in Shahibaug on Tuesday morning. It took the entire day for them to register themselves.

“The recent change in rules and procedure has sapped our spirit and energy. Registration that should take a few hours is taking days and instead of praying at shrines we are spending time in courts and offices,” Goswami Bhairopriya Maharaj who is from Dingan village in Sindh.

“Many are contemplating going back to Pakistan. I am not sure how many of us will continue with the tour,” he added.

The group’s next stop is Radhanpur in north Gujarat. Their itinerary included visiting 150 small and big religious places across India during the 28-day tour. Some of the important places included Jodhpur, Barmer, Ahmedabad, Radhanpur, Mathura and Hardwar. They entered India in Samjhauta Express via Attari in Punjab.

Belowares URL links from Pakistan Hindu Post –

‘Hounded’ Hindus take shelter in Karachi cattle pen after drinking water from mosque, Pakistan

Hindu Pilgrims from Pakistan spend days in courts, offices instead of shrines in India

Iraq: 12 killed in Baghdad on last day of Shiite holiday

Iraq: 12 killed in Baghdad on last day of Shiite holiday
— Shiite Muslims again targeted on July 8, 2010, after July 7 suicide bomber kills nearly 60 people

Malaysia: Three on Trial Over Firebombing of Christian Church

Asia news media are reporting on the trial of three individuals involved with the firebombing of a Christian church.

Channel News Asia reports that the trial began on July 6 at the Kuala Lumpar sessions court, and the three men were charged with firebombing the Metro Tabernacle church in January 2010. It states that the three men on trial are Raja Muhd Faizal and Raja Muhd Idzham, and Azuwan Sahah Ahmad, and that they have been charged under “436 of the Penal Code for causing mischief with fire.” Catholic Culture and Vatican News are also reporting on this story. The Vatican News states “Fr Lawrence Andrew, Editor of the Catholic weekly Herald, believes that the men on trial did not act alone.”

A Kuala Lumpur police officer inspects the damage to the Metro Tabernacle Church which was destroyed by a fire bomb in the Kuala Lumpur suburb of Desa Melawati,08 Jan 2010 (Photo AP)

See Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)’s January 8, 2010 posting on the initial church firebombings “Malaysian Churchs Firebombed,” as well as follow-up reports on attacks on Malaysia houses of worship, and other posts on Malaysia.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights, including Article 18 freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience — for all people – everywhere. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.” We support religious pluralism and tolerance around the world.

R.E.A.L. urges all people to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

Iraq: Sucide attacks kill 33 Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad

AFP/FA reports: “A suicide bomber wearing an explosives-filled belt murdered 28 Shiite pilgrims on Wednesday while five more were killed in bomb attacks against worshippers in Baghdad, a security official told AFP. The suicide attack occurred in Adhamiyah, a Sunni district across the Tigris river from Kadhimiyah, an area named after Musa Kadhim, the seventh of 12 revered imams in Shiite Islam, whom the pilgrims are honouring.”

Iraq Shiite Shrine (Photo: Channel News Asia)

Indonesia: Mob of 40 Disrupt Catholic Mass Service

UCAN reports on the disruption of a Catholic Mass service in Indonesia on July 1 that had to be abandoned after a mob objected to their religious practices and worship services.

UCAN reports: “Muslims break up Indonesian Mass “

“Up to 40 Muslims broke into the home of a Catholic family and forced a thanksgiving Mass in Indonesia on July 1 to be abandoned.”

“‘I invited dozens of Catholics to the Mass to thank God for the house I’ve just bought and to celebrate my third child’s 17th birthday,’ said Servulus Sihotang, a parishioner of St Paul’s Church in Depok, West Java.”

“‘But the Muslims suddenly forced their way in and made us stop.'”

“He said he had bought the house from a Muslim and Muslim neighbors had been present at a housewarming party the week before, but added that the attackers were from outside the area.”

“‘The area is pretty vulnerable,’ said Franciscan Father Taucen Hotlan Girsang, who led the Mass. ‘Some Muslim inhabitants do not allow any other religious activity, while some welcome it.'”

“He went on to say that he and local Catholics were constantly working to develop a dialogue so that people living in the area could have a better understanding of all religions recognized by the Indonesian government — Buddhism, Catholicism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam and Protestantism — and of every citizen’s right to follow the religion they choose.”

"Servulus Sihotang, whose new home was invaded during a private thanksgiving Mass " (Photo: UCAN)

R.E.A.L. urges all people to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.