Blasphemy law in Pakistan strikes again

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that two Christian evangelists are being charged with violating Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy law and could face a mandatory death sentence if found guilty. The two Christians are being accused of making derogatory remarks against Islam, the Quran, and offending the religious sentiments of a Muslim while preaching in Lahore. 

On February 13, Haroon Ayub Masih and Salamat Mansha Masih, two Christian evangelists, were reportedly preaching in Model Town Park, located in Lahore. While preaching, the two Christians met Haroon Ahmad, a Muslim, and several of Ahmad’s friends. 
 
According to the First Information Report (FIR # 61/21), the two Christians gave Ahmad a Christian book entitled “Water of Life” and began to discuss the divinity of the prophets and Jesus Christ. This discussion with Ahmad turned into an argument that ended with Ahmad accusing the Christians of making derogatory remarks against Islam. 

Police have charged the two Christians with committing blasphemy under Sections 295-A, 295-B, and 295-C of Pakistan’s Penal Code. If found guilty, the two Christians could face execution as Section 295-C carries a mandatory death sentence.

In Pakistan, false accusations of blasphemy are widespread and often motivated by personal vendettas or religious hatred. Accusations are inflammatory and have the potential to spark mob lynching, 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 have skyrocketed. Between 1987 and 2017, 1,534 individuals in Pakistan are being accused of blasphemy. Out of that 1,534, 829 accusations (54%), were against religious minorities. With Christians only making up 1.6% of Pakistan’s total population, the 238 accusations (15.5%) made against Christians is disproportionate.

Currently, 24 Christians are in prison due to 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 for the safety of the Haroon Ayub Masih and Salamat Mansha Masih. We are also concerned for the safety of the broader community these men represent. In many cases, the mere accusation of blasphemy against a Christian is enough to spark mob violence in Pakistan. This violence is often not limited to those accused. There are many examples in which a blasphemy accusation has exploded into violence against an entire Christian community. We call for a complete and fair investigation into the accusation against Haroon and Salamat. Too often Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are misused to justify mob violence or settle personal vendettas. 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 Alison Garcia: 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
Alison Garcia, Communications Fellow
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

5 churches burned down last week in Kenya by al-Shabaab

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Five churches were set ablaze in quick succession between January 21st and 26th 2021 in Otamba, Kisii county, causing a lot of fear among residents. The first one torched was St. Monica Church in the early hours of January 21st. The Worldwide Church, Nyang’eni Seventh Day Adventist church and a Legio Maria church followed on January 23rd and 24th. Two days later, the arsonists broke into the Otamba Pentecostal Church compound and set it on fire leaving a trail of destruction.

ICC spoke to Charles Mayara, the pastor of Worldwide Gospel church who is still coming to terms with the church attack. “This was least expected. We are still in shock because we were not prepared for it. We began the year well and asked the Lord to be with us.  Things have turned upside down and we are counting losses. We suspect that the attacks are being carried out by a gang of people who feel disgruntled by the stand taken by believers against the rape culture in this community, drug abuse and radicalization among the youth, and early marriages of school girls.”

Samuel Okello a pastor in Kisii town, reiterated the same concerns, asking the security agents to offer security to churches. He said, “We also know that apart from radicalization and drug abuse the church is preaching against, many young people have joined cults that hate the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We urge the security apparatus to protect our churches against such people that are used by the devil. The recent attacks portray a form of persecution to believers because now they even fear going to church.”

Ten suspects are in police custody and investigations are ongoing. In a statement to a local newspaper, Father Lawrence Nyaanga urged people “to extend an arm in helping to rebuild the churches and also buying new chairs, pulpits, Bibles and sound equipment.”

He added, “What we thought could happen in the Coastal and the Northeastern regions is here in Western with us. We ask for believers to join hands in prayer so that this heinous act does not occur again.”

ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, Nathan Johnson, states, “Kenya, a majority Christian nation, is often overlooked as a place where Christians suffer for their faith. Despite this, Christians in Kenya suffer at the hands of Islamic Extremists from Somalia on a regular basis. This kind of attack is expected along the border of Somalia where al-Shabaab is able to attack Christians easily. The worry is that Islamic extremism is spreading further into Kenya and will cost many more Christians their lives.”

For interviews, please contact Alison Garcia: 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
Alison Garcia, Communications Fellow
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

Turkey is looking for its Ottoman again

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has observed a marked increase of reported religious freedom violations within Turkey since the start of the New Year. While most of these recent violations mainly impact church buildings, they also include a lack of interest by the authorities of pursuing and protecting justice for Christian victims.

Turkey’s historic churches are often inaccessible for traditional Christians because of government regulations. Churches are seen as a source of income both by the government (faith tourism) and by society (treasure hunters). Otherwise, church buildings are neglected by the government and often turned into mosques. Recent incidents include:

• Restoration of Saint Michael Church in Trabzon Province completed with the intention to open as a museum later this year.
• Destruction of St. Toros Armenian Church in Kütahya Province despite its designation as an “Immovable Requiring Protection.”
• Frequent excavations by treasure hunters led to the collapse of the only surviving chapel of Ai Dimitri Monastery in Balıkesir Province.
• Treasure hunters defile Aya Yani Church in Bursa Province despite the government having placed the church under preservation.
• The Church of the Virgin Mary in Germuş is defiled by an organized barbeque party in Şanlıurfa Province.
• Announcement of transforming the Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Konya Province into an Art Center.
• The Armenian Catholic Church in Bursa is listed for sale at $800k despite it being reportedly located on a territory that is considered historical heritage.
• Turkish President Erdogan wishes the country a blessed Friday (Islamic holiday) by sharing a picture of Kars Armenian Cathedral converted into a mosque.
  
  It is important to note that though causality is not proven, this increase of religious freedom violations impacting church buildings has occurred while the US has negotiated and signed a cultural property agreement with Turkey. Many within the Christian community have expressed concern that such an agreement validates Turkey’s activities of erasing, appropriating, and profiting from church buildings and other Christian artifacts.
  
  In addition to these issues impacting church buildings, ICC is highlighting the following religious freedom concerns which occurred throughout the month of January:
  
  
• Syriac monk Father Sefer Bilecen has his trial delayed after the government filed terrorist charges against him for giving bread and water to monastery visitors.
• One year has now passed following the disappearance of elderly Christians Hurmüz and Şimuni Diril with no serious investigation by the Turkish authorities to identify and hold the culprits accountable.
• Fourteen years have now passed since the assassination of Armenian journalist Hrant Dink with no serious investigation by the Turkish authorities to identify and hold the culprits accountable
  
  These concerns are not an exhaustive list and do not include Turkey’s religious freedom violations that have occurred as a consequence of their military expansionism throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus.
  
  Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “Freedom of conscience is the bedrock of a diverse and healthy society. Yet we have observed Turkey’s religious freedom violations increasing for a period of years. The rapid escalation of these violations within the past several weeks is very concerning, and they run parallel to comparable escalations in countries where Turkey has a military presence. These violations should be taken seriously and they are indicative that something is very severely wrong as regards to religious freedom in Turkey.” 
  
  

For interviews, please contact Alison Garcia: 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
Alison Garcia, Communications Fellow
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