COVID Christmas in Pakistan filled with sharia law

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that hundreds of Pakistani Christian families from Charar, a neighborhood in Lahore, have fled their homes after a mob of Muslims threatened to set fire to their neighborhood. Local sources report that the mob threatened the Christians after a faith-based social media post was published by a local pastor.

“Pastor Raja Waris published a faith-based post on Facebook on December 22, which Muslims claim hurt their religious sentiments,” Saleem Khokhar, a displaced Christian from Charar, told ICC. “The pastor apologized for the post and the issue was resolved the next day.”

To date, no blasphemy charges have been filed against Pastor Waris for the offending social media post. However, Pastor Waris and his family have gone into hiding due to threats issued against them by local extremists. Even though the issue of the social media post has been resolved, a mob of hundreds of Muslims continues to protest against the Christians of Charar. According to locals, the mob has demanded that Pastor Waris be beheaded for publishing the offending post.

“The situation turned dangerous when someone found out the Muslims were planning to set fire to the houses of Christians,” Khokhar told ICC. “This forced the Christians to flee the neighborhood.”

Police have been deployed to Charar to keep the mob’s protests from turning violent. Despite the police presence, many Christians have stayed away from the neighborhood and sought shelter with friends and relatives.

“This is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration,” Khokhar told ICC. “But we are out of our homes and begging our relatives and friends to protect and feed us. None of us are feeling good about this situation.”  

In Pakistan, false accusations of blasphemy are widespread and often motivated by personal vendettas or religious hatred. Accusations are highly inflammatory and have the potential to spark mob lynchings, vigilante murders, and mass protests.

Since Pakistan added Section 295-B and 295-C to the country’s blasphemy laws in 1987, the number of blasphemy accusations has skyrocketed. Between 1987 and 2017, 1,534 individuals in Pakistan have been accused of blasphemy. Out of that 1,534, 829 accusations (54%) were made against religious minorities. With Christians only making up 1.6% of Pakistan’s total population, the 238 accusations (15.5%) made against Christians are highly disproportionate.

Currently, 24 Christians are imprisoned on blasphemy charges in Pakistan. These 24 Christians are defendants in 21 blasphemy cases represented at various levels of the judicial process in Pakistan.

ICC’s Regional Manager, William Stark, said, “We here at International Christian Concern are concerned by the situation in Charar. We call on the Pakistani authorities to protect the homes of Charar’s Christians. No one should be forced to flee their home because of a social media post. Pakistan’s blasphemy laws must not be misused to justify mob violence. Too often these laws have been a tool in the hands of extremists seeking to stir up religiously motivated violence against minority communities.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Boko Haram stays crappy

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on December 24, 2020, Boko Haram militants invaded the village of Pyemi, near Chibok in Northern Nigeria and killed at least seven Christians. This attack followed a threat released by the group via message after an attack on a small town in Southern Niger that left 27 dead. The threat said that Christians would be attacked and killed during the Christmas season.

Not only were these seven people killed, but another seven people are still missing in Pyemi and five in Garkida. The local EYN Church in Pyemi, and the Anglican and Living Faith Churches in Garkida were also destroyed.

When asked about the current situation, EYN General Secretary, Rev. Daniel Mbaya said,  “There was an attack at Pyemi (Chibok) and Garkida (Northern Adamawa).  I am waiting for the names of those killed.  As at yesterday I was told that six persons were killed. The EYN Church was burnt (at Pyemi). There were abductions but I am waiting for specifics in terms of names of those abducted.  Five persons were abducted in Garkida, I am waiting for the names. The attack was in the evening, about the same time they entered Pyemi, (around 3pm) they also entered Garkida (around 4pm).”

Rev Mbaya said that rumors of an attack were known days prior. “We had the information three days before the attack, and Security agencies were informed. They (Boko Haram) had sent word that they were coming to do “Christmas” in town and specifically mentioned Garkida. Most people fled into the bush.”

Pastor Filibus the former CAN Chairman for the Chibok Local Council Area said, “They entered Pyemi and did havoc, killing some persons including the EYN LCB Pastor.  It was on Thursday evening. The Boys Brigade were holding their rehearsals when the attackers arrived. It is so sad. The Pastor was killed, the biggest EYN Church in Pyemi was burnt. Eight persons were killed, houses were also burnt. The burial was yesterday (December 25). Even those who fled returned and were at the burial.  Where will the people go? They have no other place to go.”

This is not the first time this year that Garkida has been attaked either.  Rev Mbaya said, “Recall that in an attack at Garkida earlier this year, three Churches – the Anglican, Living Faith and EYN were burnt down. The government had supported the rebuilding of the Churches and Anglican Church and Living Faith Church had been rebuilt. EYN was still at the roofing level. This time again they burnt down the Living Faith Church and the Anglican Church. The Garkida township road is being rehabilitated.”

  ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, Nathan Johnson, said, “Boko Haram promised that they would attack Christians and fulfilled this promise. Many say that Boko Haram does not hate Christianity, however, this attack shows their true intention torwards Christians in Nigeria. This is the second year in a row wehre Christains have been slaughtered by the group on Christmas Eve. It is time for the Nigerian government to end these atrocities.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Hate Crimes continue in Egypt

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on December 10, 2020, three extremists attacked Coptic Christians living in Alexandria (al-Wardyan district), Egypt. This resulted in the murder of one Christian man, the injuries of two, and significant damage to three Christian shops.

A relative of the victim explained about the attack’s instigator, “The extremist was in jail because of so many cases. Usually he was bothering Copts and bullying them so much. His mother was sick and she died on the night of December 10. He left his mother’s body, revealed his swords, and attacked three Coptic shops. He broke the goods and insulted the Copts. Then he slaughtered one Coptic man named Ramsis Bouls Hermina, stabbed his brother named Adel, then attacked a clothes shop owned by Tarek Fawzi Shenouda.”

Ramsis died as a result of the injury to his neck. Adel and Tarek both received treatment in the hospital. The Bishop of the West Alexandria Churches further stated, “Ramsis Bouls Hermina, owner of a plastic shop, was injured in his neck and stabbed in his left side of his belly. He was moved to the hospital and then died there. Adel Bouls Hermina, owner of an accessories shop, was tied by one of thugs and another stabbed him in his left side of his belly. Adel was moved to the hospital and is still alive. Tarek Fawzi Shenouda, owner of a clothes shop, was hit by thugs with a club weapon and stabbed in his chest near the heart. He was moved to the hospital and is still alive.”

Nasser Ahmed Muhammed, who goes by the name al-Sambo, and his two brothers, Ali and Anwar, instigated the attack. They have a history of frequent disputes with the Christian shop owners on their street. Sambo has a criminal record for thuggery and escalated his harassment of Christian shop owners following his parole, believing that they testified against him. When the mother of the three died on December 10, they blamed the Christians and carried out the attack.

Although arrests were made, local Christians have expressed fear that the extremists will be declared mentally ill and thus not receive the full punishment according to the law. This fear is based on an established pattern of Egypt using claims of mental illness to reduce the penalties of those who attack Christians. While acts of violence against Christians are commonplace in Egypt, it is noteworthy that this incident occurred in Alexandria, where sectarian tensions are normally subtler in comparison to Upper Egypt.

Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “The Christian community in Egypt is not okay, despite messaging from the authorities to the contrary. This tragedy not only shows the dangers Christians must navigate in Egyptian society, but also the hopelessness among Christians that help will come in the form of justice. Persecution is more than violent cases; it is also about how the authorities respond to these injustices. We mourn with the families of the victims, but also join with the voices of the broader community in asking the authorities: When will Christians in Egypt be equally protected under the law?”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Acquitted for blasphemy in Pakistan

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that the Lahore High Court has acquitted Imran Ghafur Masih, a Christian sentenced to life in prison under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. According to Imran’s family, they have moved into hiding following the acquittal due to potential threats from extremists.

On December 15, the Lahore High Court acquitted Imran after he spent more than 10 years in prison for allegedly committing blasphemy. The development came as a shock to Imran’s family. “It is a day of resurrection for us,” Naveed Masih, Imran’s brother, told ICC. “God has heard our cry and we are very thankful to him. It’s a Christmas gift for us.”

On July 1, 2009, Imran was cleaning his family’s bookshop in Hajweri town, located in Faisalabad. He was about to burn some trash he collected, which included some old books and papers, when he came across a textbook with Arabic writing. Concerned that the book contained religious writings, Imran consulted Hajji Liaquat Ali, his Muslim neighbor.

Ali told Imran to burn the book, so Imran threw it into the fire and walked away. When the book was partially burned, Ali returned and pulled it out of the fire. Ali used this partially burned book to falsely accuse Imran of burning a Quran. According to Imran’s family, Ali wanted the storefront leased to the family’s bookshop to expand his building materials business located next door.

News of the incident soon spread to local mosques which made announcements over their PA systems. A mob of approximately 400 enraged Muslims gathered at Imran’s home. The mob beat Imran, along with his brother, Naveed, and father, Ghafur, before dousing the Christians with paraffin in an attempt to burn them alive.

Local police intervened, arrested Imran, and took him to the police station. A mob of 1,000 reportedly gathered outside of the police station and demanded Imran be handed to them. The mob chanted, “Hang him who disgraces the Holy Quran… Christians are dogs. Imran is a dog.” Police soon registered a blasphemy case against Imran and copies of the charges were distributed to the mob.

On January 11, 2010, the Sessions Court of Faisalabad sentenced Imran to life in prison and a fine of 100,000 rupees under Sections 295-A and 295-B of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. Imran’s case was appealed to the Lahore High Court, but was postponed nearly 70 times over the course of the next 10 years. According to Imran’s lawyer, the appeal passed through the offices of at least 10 justices.   

“We went through a very painful time during Imran’s imprisonment,” Naveed told ICC. “Imran lost his parents and was not allowed to attend the funeral. We lost our business and jobs which has affected our children’s education and future. We have not seen any happiness during these years.”

In Pakistan, false accusations of blasphemy are common and often motivated by personal vendettas or religious hatred. Accusations are highly inflammatory and have the potential to spark mob lynchings, vigilante murders, and mass protests. Currently, 24 Christians are imprisoned on blasphemy charges in Pakistan. These 24 Christians are defendants in 21 blasphemy cases represented at various levels of the judicial process in Pakistan.

ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, William Stark, said, “We here at International Christian Concern are happy to see Imran Masih finally acquitted and released after more than 10 years in prison. It is great to see such a prolonged blasphemy case justly resolved at the High Court level in Pakistan. However, we remain deeply concerned for the safety of Imran and his family. Extremists in Pakistan are known to target individuals accused of religious crimes, like blasphemy, even after they have been acquitted. The abuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws must be curbed and false allegations must be rooted out and punished. Too often these laws have been a tool in the hands of extremists seeking to stir up religiously motivated violence against minorities. Without reform, religious minorities will continue to face false blasphemy accusations and the violence that often accompanies these accusations.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Review of the Radicalization of Turkey

 International Christian Concern (ICC) and Middle East Concern (MEC) have published a joint report entitled Turkey: Challenges Facing Christians 2016-2020. This report analyzes how the dynamics of historical revisionism and legal identity have impacted Turkey's Christian community, as well as those living in neighboring regional areas under Turkish influence.

These combined dynamics make the integration of religious freedom into society a challenge that directly influences Christians. The report examines relevant case studies about how these dynamics impact both churches and congregants. The following themes were found:

 

• Emphasis on forming and maintaining the Turkish identity around Islam
• Suppression of legal status for Christians and their institutions
• Historical revisionism as a type of virtue signaling
• Excluding Christians from full acceptance and participation in Turkish society
• Neglecting the place of Christians in the lands, their history, and suffering 
• Using intimidation tactics to suppress the cultural and ethnic expression of Christians
• No active promotion of human rights
• Exploitation of the vulnerabilities of Christians
• (Ab)use of Christians as an international bargaining chip and domestic political leverage.

 

"The institutionalized use of religious freedom as a political bargaining chip should prompt caution amongst human rights advocates," warns the report. "Turkey conditionally tolerates Christians based on factors which impact domestic and international affairs according to the ruling government's strategy."

As the report states in its conclusion, "Turkey has an obligation under national and international law to uphold Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). The authorities must provide a legal framework to accommodate its religious minorities and develop a national narrative that promotes social cohesion… This obligation extends to those territories under Turkish military control."

The report Turkey: Challenges Facing Christians 2016-2020 can be read here.

Claire Evans, ICC's Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, "It is our earnest hope that this report can facilitate an open dialogue about the ongoing challenges faced by Christians living in Turkey. Though the challenges may appear daunting, the underlying issue is primarily one of legal identity and status. This issue has been inherited throughout the decades, but now is the time to address it. Religious freedom is integral to social peace, stability, growth, and international connectivity. We hope that this report can contribute to a flourishing society throughout all of Turkey." 

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

MIT members that are not smart

 Following the November 27 terrorist attack on the Salvation Army’s service post in central Sulawesi, International Christian Concern (ICC) continued to follow up with its local contacts on the development of this case. The gruesome details of the attack were revealed to ICC as more information was made available.

According to survivors of the attack, on Friday around 7:30 a.m., Nei was having breakfast with her husband, Yasa, and saw approximately 10 unknown people visiting Naka, who was at a nearby house in Tokelemo, Lembantongoa Village.

Soon, suspects Ali Kalora and Jaka Ramadan from the Eastern Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT) terrorist group were seen entering the house and calling Yasa out, with his wife Nei by his side. Yasa was then tied by one of the suspects and decapitated with a machete and stabbed in the back. One of the MIT members was seen near Yasa’s house, giving a signal to the other witnesses to flee, which allowed several witnesses and children to escape.

Naka and his son Pedi, along with their house, were set on fire, while a fellow church member named Pinu was stabbed to death. The terrorists also torched a total of eight houses, including the building that the Salvation Army service post used as its house of worship.

Yasa’s son, Ulin, survived the attack and reported it to the police. The head of Lembantongoa village, Deki Basalulu, told Benar News that approximately 750 people fled their homes after the attack and took shelter at a safe location roughly 5.5 miles away.

Police suspect that Poso-based MIT militants, who pledge allegiance to ISIS, carried out the violence on Friday since the leader of the outlawed group, Ali Kalora, was seen at the scene of the crime. According to Yoga Priyautama, the chief of police in Sigi, a joint team has spread out and conducted searches in a number of areas which are suspected to be the perpetrators’ escape routes.

The victims were part of the communities that were impacted by the flash flood last October. Forty families were relocated, but only 12 families lived in the village which later became the crime scene, where the nearby forests provide hideouts for the suspects.  

Contrary to the authorities’ claim that the attack was not religiously motivated and “merely an effort by the MIT to fulfill their goals and show their existence,” MIT militants interacted with the community quite often, according to local Christians. The terrorists often asked for food from the church and the church fed them. Allegedly, the terrorists suspected that the community had reported their presence to the police and therefore retaliated.

The Salvation Army in Indonesia sent out a press release on November 28 to condemn the sadistic act and call for the government to arrest the perpetrators, take appropriate action, and investigate to eradicate these criminal networks. A funeral was held in remembrance of the victims on November 29.

Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, said, “While ICC appreciates the authorities for their swift actions to hunt down the perpetrators through the joint operation, it is disappointing to hear the official rhetoric that this attack was not motivated by religion and no church was burned down. Minority Christians in Indonesia have long suffered from discrimination and persecution and the Indonesian government should not cover the truth in the name of maintaining religious harmony.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Terrorists burn down Salvation Army's building in Indonesia

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on November 27, an alleged terrorist attacked the Salvation Army’s service post in central Sulawesi, before burning down six houses belonging to church members. Four Christians were murdered, with three being butchered.

Around 8:00 a.m., the Lewonu Lembantongoa Service Post, located in Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, set up as an outreach effort by the Salvation Army in Indonesia (Bala Keselamatan), was attacked by the alleged terrorist.

He set the church on fire, before attacking Captain Arnianto, Mrs. Mpapa, Lieutenant Abram Kako and his wife, and burning down six houses belonging to church members. Of the four victims, three were hacked to death, while the other was burned.

In the video seen by ICC, the charred victim was pulled from a pile of ruins, with smoke still rising in the background. The fowler position of the body suggests the agony and pain endured by the victim before death.

Lemban Tongoa is located in the forest, where access to information and transportation is limited. ICC will continue to follow up to learn more about the details of the attack. The Salvation Army is asking for prayers “for the family of the victims, for the church, and for the peace of the region.”

Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, said, “ICC mourns the death of our Indonesian brothers and sisters who were brutally murdered by the alleged terrorist. We urge the Indonesian government to take necessary measures to hold him accountable and bring him to justice. Such senseless acts cannot be tolerated in the country that boasts ‘Pancasila,’ the state ideology which promotes religious harmony and tolerance.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Quarantine in China and they will still arrest you for being at home

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on November 15, local authorities raided a church in Taiyuan, Shanxi province during its Sunday service, before detaining the preacher and six other members.  

Around 9:20 a.m., a team of officials hailing from the public security bureau, ethnic and religious affairs bureau, ministry of civil affairs, and police station raided Xuncheng Church as the service was underway. The public security commander went straight to the pulpit and confiscated the cell phone of the presider, before demanding that brother Zhang Chenghao go with them.

Next, the commander requested that the preacher, An Yankui, engage with them, to which An responded, “We are in the middle of our worship; please wait until our service is over.” The task force complied.

After the service, the commander and the staff from the ethnic and religious affairs bureau questioned An’s qualifications as a preacher. They wondered whether his credentials were approved by the state and whether their gathering was registered with the government.

Unsatisfied by his answers, the task force demanded to take An away. In turn, the churchgoers asked for proper legal documents for their actions, to which the team only showed a disbandment notice from the religious affairs bureau instead of an arrest warrant. They also failed to show a summons letter and claimed that they were doing so verbally.

Regardless of the flawed legal procedure, the authorities still posted the disbandment notice on the house church’s door, prevented people from recording the incident, and confiscated the members’ cell phones. They also recorded everyone’s personal information and confiscated Bibles, hymnals, and choir robes.

Around 1:00 p.m., along with their preacher and his wife, five other Christians were brought to the Pingyang Road Police Station for interrogation. The police tried to mislead them into disclosing unfavorable information about their church. They were asked to provide the passwords to their cell phones. In response to their resistance, the detained Christians were handcuffed and transported to another police facility. In the process, sister Zhang Xiao-ai, who was keeping watch at the entrance, was also taken away.

At 3:00 p.m., the Christians were asked to change into prison uniforms. They were then handcuffed in a detention room. It was not until 6:00 p.m. that they were able to change back into their clothes and asked to each provide a statement. These believers were only released around 9:30 p.m.

According to China Aid, Xuncheng Church was planted by Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) in Chengdu. Preacher An Yankui graduated from the seminary founded by ERCC and is under the influence of reformed theology and ERCC Pastor Wang Yi, who has been imprisoned since December 2018.

Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, said, “In this day and age, where any religion in China has to submit itself to the control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and President Xi Jinping, it is no longer a surprise that a house church is seen as an enemy of the state and clamped down upon. China’s blindness to its violation of religious freedom needs to be continuously exposed so that Beijing knows it cannot get away with performing these evil acts.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Egypt enforces sharia law through kidnapping

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on November 8, 2020, three unmasked gunmen kidnapped Coptic Christian Nabil Habshy Salama (61 years old) in Egypt’s North Sinai city of Bir al-Abd. The incident was reported by his son.

The kidnapping occurred at 8:00 p.m. while the streets were busy. It was followed by shots fired into the air, and the gunmen stealing an escape car. Nabil had left his home to buy an item at a shop less than 50 meters from his house when the incident occurred.

The family has expressed much distress regarding the event. Nabil’s son Peter told Copts United, “We work in the many fields of trading, such as phones and gold. Also, my father built the only church we have here. It is named Mary, Anba Karas, and Saint Abnoub Church. Our relations with others are good.”

He continued, “How dare unmasked people kidnap my father and steal a car in the full view of all passers. No security officers or police defended my father! Bir al-Abd is a city full of security bodies because it is a city which usually faces terrorism attacks. How could armed people enter the city and commit a crime?”

The kidnapping occurred just two months after another Christian was kidnapped in al-Abtal village, located on the east side of the Suez Canal. His fate remains unknown. The targeted kidnapping of Christians living in the Sinai Peninsula is common, and their fate often ends tragically. Given this trend, Nabil’s family has expressed concern for his life and has subsequently filed a report at the local police station.

Journalist Nader Shokry wrote that Peter has appealed to President Sisi to intervene and reveal the fate of his father.

This event occurred just days after Egypt announced that it will develop the city of Saint Catherine in Sinai for the purpose of promoting faith tourism, neglecting to mention that religious persecution in Sinai has driven most local Christians from the peninsula. Those who remain in Sinai are at risk of targeted kidnappings and assassinations by extremists. The government’s response on both a humanitarian and security level is often underwhelming at best for Sinai’s Christians.

Egypt is recommended for a Special Watch List by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom in its 2020 Annual Report.

Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “We are concerned about the welfare of Nabil Habshy Salama, who has now been missing for two days. It is critical that an investigation is launched during the early days following a reported kidnapping case, as each hour that passes decreases the likelihood of a positive outcome. Consequently, we ask that Egypt takes this report seriously. We pray for the safe return of Nabil, as well as protection and comfort for his family during this difficult time.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

 

Pedophilia is legal in Pakistan because of sharia law

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that the High Court of Sindh has used an interpretation of Sharia law to validate the marriage of Arzoo Raja, a 13-year-old Christian girl, to Ali Azhar, a 44-year-old Muslim man. Arzoo’s parents claim that Azhar forcefully married their teenage daughter after she was abducted from her family home and forcefully converted to Islam earlier this month.

Arzoo’s parents claim that their daughter was abducted from their home located in the Railway Colony of Karachi, Pakistan on October 13. Raja, Arzoo’s father, reported the incident to local police and filed a First Information Report (FIR). Two days later, on October 15, Arzoo’s family was summoned to the police station and informed that Arzoo had married Azhar and willingly converted to Islam. Police claim that Azhar produced a marriage certificate stating that Arzoo was 18 years old.

In an attempt to bring their daughter home, Arzoo’s parents challenged the validity of the marriage in court, claiming that it violates the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act. According to this act, marriages of minors under the age of 18 are illegal. To prove their claim, the couple produced a copy of Arzoo’s birth certificate, documenting her as 13 years old.

However, on Tuesday, October 27, the High Court of Sindh ruled in favor of the marriage, applying an interpretation of Sharia law that allows for underage marriages. The court order confirming the marriage read:

“The petitioner initially belonged to the Christian religion. However, after the passage of time, the petitioner understood and realized that Islam is a universal religion and she asked her parents and other family members to embrace Islam, but they flatly refused. 

Subsequently, she accepted the religion of Islam before the religious person of Madressah Jamia Islamia. After embracing Islam, her new name is Arzoo Fatima; per learned counsel petitioner contracted her marriage to Azhar of her own free will and accord without duress and fear. 

After registration of FIR police started harassing the petitioner. They are unable to pass a happy life. The SHO is directed to provide protection to the newly wedded wife.”

“The pattern in the high court is a replica of what we have seen in the past,” Sabir Michael, a human rights activist, told the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN). “The parents of Arzoo even touched the feet of the police to meet their daughter. We have never witnessed such helplessness. My heart was broken today.”

This is the second time in which the High Court of Sindh has used Sharia law to justify an underage marriage in a forced conversion case. On February 3, the same court concluded that Huma Younas, a 14-year-old Christian girl, was legally married to Abdul Jabbar, an adult Muslim man. Similar to Arzoo’s case, Huma’s parents claim that their daughter was abducted from the family home and forcefully converted to Islam before being forcibly married to Jabbar.

According to a 2014 study by The Movement for Solidarity and Peace Pakistan, an estimated 1,000 women and girls from Pakistan’s Hindu and Christian community are abducted, forcefully married to their captors, and forcibly converted to Islam every year. The issue of religion is also often injected into cases of sexual assault to place religious minority victims at a disadvantage. Playing upon religious biases, perpetrators know that they can cover up and justify their crimes by introducing the element of religion.

William Stark, ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, said, “We here at International Christian Concern are deeply saddened by the court’s decision to validate the marriage of a 13-year-old girl to an adult man. This decision has placed Arzoo’s safety at risk and will likely mean any testimony she is able to give in court will be tainted by the threats she will endure in the custody of her alleged abductor. Pakistan must do more to combat the issue of abductions, forced marriages, and forced conversions. For too long, perpetrators have used religion to justify their crimes against Pakistan’s religious minorities.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Muslims beat up 10 year old child in Egypt

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on October 5, 2020, a group of extremists attacked the homes of Coptic Christians in the Egyptian village of Dabous (Minya Governorate).

The mob attack was planned on Saturday evening, following an incident at a neighboring village's wedding. Two young Muslim adults bullied and beat a 10-year-old Coptic Christian child. Some Christian adults subsequently confronted the two attackers. Mina, a 25-year-old resident of the village, explained to ICC, “The cause of the story was that two Muslim men who don’t belong to our village beat a young Coptic kid. The Coptic men didn’t accept that.” The confrontation became violent and resulted in the Muslim individuals receiving injuries.

On Monday morning, one of the Muslim individuals involved in this incident retaliated by beating a Coptic man and his son with a hose in Dabous, causing them to fall off their motorbike. Mina continued, “At the end of Monday, all of the Muslims gathered to beat the Copts. They damaged the windows and doors, and injured around five or six persons.”

Describing the incident, one Coptic man said, “The attack started with a Muslim woman screaming. The extremists attacked the Copts’ houses, [even though] there were security bodies whose job it is to protect the church. They did not call the police, but the Copts did. Then the police came, and the extremists escaped to the farms and grass.”

Pointing to some of the damage, Mina said, “This was a car damaged which belongs to a Coptic man. The Muslims suggested to make a reconciliation meeting and they will fix all the damages. Now my father has gone to the police station to follow the situation, but I will stay home. They are treacherous and traitors.”

The Deputy of the Salmalout Eparchy, the Priest Nashed Daoud, told Watani, “This was an unjustified attack. We are in contact with the investigation officers and prosecution. We want officers of wisdom to work in this case, so they don’t let any party raise violence here.”

Multiple injuries were reported from the incident. Reconciliation meetings are often used following mob attacks to prevent Coptic Christians from seeking justice through a formal legal system and frequently result in victim-blaming rather than accountability. The situation in Dabous remains tense, and the outcome uncertain. The village is located within an Egyptian governorate heavily populated by Christians, and community-based violence toward them by Islamic extremists is common.

Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “We cannot forget that this incident started because Christian adults defended a young child from the violence of Muslim men. The subsequent mob attack against Christian homes sends the clear message that Christians should remain silent when witnessing abuse. Neither the targeting of a child, nor of a community, because of their shared identity should be accepted by the authorities. We urge local officials to hold those who planned and participated in the mob accountable, as well as those who facilitated the abuse of the child before Monday's incident.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Ray of hope in Pakistan

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that the Lahore High Court has acquitted Sawan Masih, a Christian man sentenced to death under Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws. Masih was convicted in March 2014, just over a year after he allegedly committed blasphemy.

“A Lahore High Court division bench headed by Justice Syed Shehbaz Ali Rizvi acquitted Sawan Masih,” a court official told PTI on Tuesday. The court official went on to say that the Lahore High Court also ordered Masih to be released from custody.

On March 8, 2013, Sawan Masih was accused by his Muslim friend, Muhammad Shahid, of insulting the Prophet Muhammad during a conversation on March 7. According to Shahid, Masih said, “My Jesus is genuine. He is the Son of Allah. He will return while your Prophet is false. My Jesus is true and will give salvation." The incident allegedly took place in the primarily Christian neighborhood of Joseph Colony, located in Lahore.

The next day, March 9, local mosques recounted the accusation against Masih over their PA systems, inciting mob violence. A mob of more than 3,000 enraged Muslims attacked Joseph Colony, looting and burning approximately 180 Christian homes, 75 shops, and at least two churches. Amid the violence, Masih was handed over to the police and was later charged under Section 295-C of Pakistan's Penal Code.

On March 27, 2014, Masih was sentenced to death under Section 295-C by Judge Chaudhry Ghulam Murtaza in a trial held in the Lahore Camp Jail due to security concerns.

On appeal, Masih’s lawyer raised several objections to the police investigation and the prosecution. The lawyer told the court that the police registered the case 35 hours after the alleged incident and claimed that this showed mala fide intent in the case. Masih’s lawyer also pointed to contradictions in the First Information Report (FIR) and the testimony narrated by the complainant before the trial court. 

After hearing arguments from both sides, the Lahore High Court decided that the prosecution had failed to establish that Masih had committed blasphemy. The court went on to acquit Masih, reversing his death sentence, and ordered his release.

In Pakistan, false accusations of blasphemy are widespread and often motivated by personal vendettas or religious hatred. Accusations are highly inflammatory and have the potential to spark mob lynchings, vigilante murders, and mass protests.

Currently, 25 Christian are imprisoned on blasphemy charges in Pakistan. These 25 Christians are defendants in 22 blasphemy cases represented at various levels of the judicial process in Pakistan.

ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, William Stark, said, “We here at International Christian Concern are happy to see Sawan Masih finally acquitted and released after six long years in prison. It is rare to see such a high profile blasphemy case against a Christian justly resolved at the High Court level in Pakistan. However, we remain deeply concerned for the safety of Sawan and his family. Extremists in Pakistan are known to target individuals accused of religious crimes, like blasphemy, even if they have been acquitted. The abuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws must be curbed and false allegations must be rooted out and punished. Too often these laws have been a tool in the hands of extremists seeking to stir up religiously motivated violence against minority communities. Without real reform, religious minorities, including Christians, will face more false blasphemy accusations and the extreme violence that often accompanies these accusations.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Jailed for selling books in China

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a Chinese Christian online bookstore owner, Chen Yu, was charged with “illegal business operations” on September 27. He was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined 200,000 RMB ($29,450 USD).

According to a document from the People's Court of Linhai City, shared by Father Francis Liu from the Chinese Christian Fellowship of Righteousness, in addition to the seven-year sentence and imposed fine, Chen will also have his iPhone confiscated. Additionally, the 12,864 Christian books from his bookstore will be destroyed by the Linhai City Public Security Bureau.

On September 1, 2019, Chen, who operated his online bookstore in Zhejiang province’s Taizhou city, was detained for selling unapproved religious publications imported from Taiwan, the US, and other countries. Consequently, the police launched a nationwide investigation to track down the bookstore’s customers through sale records and confiscated their purchased books.

On November 6, 2019, ICC also published the accounts of many Wheat Bookstore customers who were harassed by local authorities. According to China Aid, the Chinese government was utilizing this investigation opportunity to search for “illegal [religious] activities locally.”

A house church pastor from Shenzhen city in the southern province of Guangdong also told Bitter Winter, “People who buy Christian books are practicing believers, so the government looks into them to determine how dangerous they are to the stability of their regime.” He, too, was summoned for purchasing from Wheat Bookstore. “The Communist Party has done too many shameful deeds and continues to suppress people. Our government has a guilty conscience,” the pastor added.

Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, said, “The sentence for Mr. Chen Yu shows how the Chinese government is increasingly frightened by all things religious. From religious symbols, Chinese couplets, to Christian books, anything that features religious elements is no longer tolerated by the Chinese Communist Party. The disproportionate sentencing of Christians, such as Early Rain Covenant Church pastor Wang Yi and Chen Yu, under the same charge implies that the crackdown against Christianity will only intensify. The US government and international community should continue to stand up to the tyranny in Beijing.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Sharia law strikes again in Pakistan

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Asif Pervaiz, a 37-year-old Pakistani Christian, has been sentenced to death for allegedly sending blasphemous text messages in 2013. According to Pervaiz’s attorney, the death sentence was announced by the court despite there being “no evidence” to implicate his client in the case.

Earlier today, Saif-ul-Malook, the attorney representing Pervaiz in court, tweeted that his client had been sentenced to death under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. “Asif Pervaiz sentenced to death by trial court at Lahore for committing blasphemy although there was no such evidence,” Malook’s tweet read.

The court’s decision comes almost seven years after the initial blasphemy accusation was made against Pervaiz by a Muslim co-worker in October 2013.

On October 2, 2013, a Muslim named Saeed Ahmeed Khokar accused Pervaiz of sending him blasphemous text messages from his mobile phone. Blasphemy charges under Sections 295-A, 295-B, and 295-C of Pakistan’s Penal Code were registered against Pervaiz at the Green Town Police Station in Lahore.

When Pervaiz became aware of the charges, he went into hiding. On October 9, after a week of searching for Pervaiz, police arrested several of Pervaiz’s relatives, including two brothers-in-law and his mother, Naseem Akhtar. According to Akhtar, police told her that they would kill Pervaiz when they found him unless she helped them locate her son.

Akhtar led the police to the home of Waseem Anwar, Pervaiz’s brother. There, police beat Waseem until he confessed to knowing where Pervaiz was hidden. On October 10, 2013, Pervaiz was arrested by police in Sahiwal.

According to Pervaiz’s family, Pervaiz and Khokar were co-workers at a garment factory named Shami Textile, located in the Youhanabad neighborhood of Lahore. At work, Khokar often pressured Pervaiz to convert to Islam, which Pervaiz refused. Prior to October 2, Pervaiz reportedly lost his mobile phone’s SIM card and did not request the company to deactivate it. According to Pervaiz’s family, Khokar used the lost SIM card to send the blasphemous text messages he used to register the false accusation against Pervaiz.

In Pakistan, false accusations of blasphemy are widespread and often motivated by personal vendettas or religious hatred. Accusations are highly inflammatory and have the potential to spark mob lynchings, vigilante murders, and mass protests.

Since Pakistan added Section 295-B and 295-C to the country’s blasphemy laws in 1987, the number of blasphemy accusations has skyrocketed. Between 1987 and 2017, 1,534 individuals in Pakistan have been accused of blasphemy. Out of that 1,534, 829 accusations (54%) were made against religious minorities. With Christians only making up 1.6% of Pakistan’s total population, the 238 accusations (15.5%) made against Christians are highly disproportionate.

Currently, 25 Christian are imprisoned on blasphemy charges in Pakistan, including Asif Pervaiz. These 25 Christians are defendants in 22 blasphemy cases represented at various levels of the judicial process in Pakistan.

ICC’s Regional Manager, William Stark, said, “We here at International Christian Concern are saddened by the court’s decision to sentence Asif Pervaiz to death under the blasphemy laws. We are especially concerned that the death sentence was made with reportedly no evidence being presented to support the blasphemy allegation against Asif. The abuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws must be curbed and false allegations must be rooted out and punished. Too often these laws have been a tool in the hands of extremists seeking to stir up religiously motivated violence against minority communities. Without real reform, religious minorities, including Christians, will face more false blasphemy accusations and the extreme violence that often accompanies these accusations.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

The Koran is viewed as being sewage in Pakistan

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a Christian man in Pakistan’s Khybar Pakhtunkhwa province has been arrested and charged under the country’s blasphemy laws. The arrest reportedly took place on August 30, 2020, in the Risalpure neighborhood of Nowshera.

A First Information Report (FIR) regarding the incident (FIR #460/2020) claims that residents of Risalpure discovered pages of the Quran in a drain. A video of the discovery was posted to social media on August 27 and reportedly went viral.

Days later, on August 30, police arrested David Masih, a Christian from the Kachi Line area of Risalpure. Masih was charged with committing blasphemy under Section 295-B of Pakistan’s Penal Code. With Masih in custody, police say they have started their investigation into the case. To date, no information regarding Masih’s connection with the desecrated Quran has been shared by police.

If found guilty, Masih could face life in prison.

In Pakistan, false accusations of blasphemy are widespread and often motivated by personal vendettas or religious hatred. Accusations are highly inflammatory and have the potential to spark mob lynchings, vigilante murders, and mass protests.

Since Pakistan added Section 295-B and 295-C to the country’s blasphemy laws in 1987, the number of blasphemy accusations has skyrocketed. Between 1987 and 2017, 1,534 individuals in Pakistan have been accused of blasphemy. Of those 1,534, 829 accusations (54%), were made against religious minorities. With Christians only making up 1.6% of Pakistan’s total population, the 238 accusations (15.5%) made against Christians are highly disproportionate.

Currently, 25 Christian are imprisoned on blasphemy charges in Pakistan, including David Masih. These 25 Christians are defendants in 22 blasphemy cases represented at various levels of the judicial process in Pakistan.

ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, William Stark, said, “We here at International Christian Concern are concerned by the news that another Christian has been arrested on blasphemy charges. We call on Pakistani authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the accusation to ensure that David Masih has not been falsely accused. The abuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws must be curbed. Too often these laws have been a tool in the hands of extremists seeking to stir up religiously motivated violence against minority communities. Without real reform, religious minorities, including Christians, will face more false blasphemy accusations and the extreme violence that often accompanies these accusations.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world. 

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org 
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org