Christian mini truck driver being forced to convert to Islam

Written by: Jawad Mazhar (ROD)

Gulzar Masih, a Christian mini truck driver is allegedly being forced to recite Islamic Holy Kalima (Holy verses used to mark the conversion to Islam) and convert to Islam, by two Muslim men, Khawar Butt and Baatti. The sole wage earner of the family is living under the threat of being executed or tormented viciously by the Muslim men and scared to return to his home.

Gulzar Masih, a 45 years old Christian mini truck driver of Chak (village) # 2, Mandi Bhawaldin, Pakistan, was visited by Rays of Development Organization (ROD) fact finding team. Gulzar Masih told ROD fact finding team that he had been a professional truck driver for last 20 years at Mandi Bhawaldin. He said that he has his own mini truck. (Toyota Hilux # C .5990 Peshawar). Gulzar Masih said that he had been living and working with other drivers in a friendly and pleasant atmosphere, until they came to know that I am a Christian.

Masih said the difficulty started off about 6 months ago, when proprietor of the Ashraf Hotel allegedly asked him not to dine at his hotel, simply because he is a Christian, an untouchable.

Gulzar Masih told ROD that on August 15^th 2007, two Muslim men, Khawar Butt and Baatti allegedly forced him to utter the Holy Kalima and embrace Islam. While he, along with three other drivers, was relaxing and chatting under the cool shade of trees near the truck stand, Mandi Bhawaldin.

Terrified Gulzar Masih alleged that after two days of this incident, he was sitting at the shop of local iron smith Muhammad Iqbal, when Khawar Butt, Baatti and younger brother of the iron smith Muhammad Khalid, abused and forced him out of the shop, hurling death threats on him, as he had turned down the imposition of conversion. Masih also said “All these men were my good friends, until they learnt that I am a Christian”.

Appallingly poor Gulzar Masih father of Aamir Gulzar 20 and Suneeta student of class 9^th said that he is the lone bread winner of his family. Concerned Gulzar Masih went on saying that this incident has almost spoiled his freight business.

The police at Mandi Bhawaldin refrained from registering a case against the culprits. However after a long and steadfast struggle and with the help of Bishop Jamshaid John, High Court of Lahore has ordered the Station House Officer of the police station to register case against both the Muslim men on Oct 29^th, 2007.

Masih told ROD that he desires to live in perfect serenity and accord with other Muslims in the society. He appealed to ROD chairman to liberate him out of this dilemma.

ROD chairman Mr Ferhan Mazher was astounded to know the pitiable episode. ROD chairman denounced such threats to the religious minorities of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He also said that the law enforcement agencies and government should take notice of such horrible incidents and Islamic religious radicals.

Chief of ROD pressed upon the necessity of tolerance, peace and harmony. He added that followers of all faiths are ought to learn to co-exist peacefully in Pakistan.

Pilgrims pay tribute to Virgin Marry.

Written By: Jawad Mazhar (ROD)

Sargodha, Pakistan, Oct 21^st (ROD): Pilgrims from all across Pakistan flocked up at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church at Sargodha, Pakistan, to pay their respects and tribute to Virgin Marry. This Christian gathering has become the third most important Christian festival, which is celebrated annually with great religious fervor and devotion after the Christmas & Easter. This Holy event is called ‘Mela’ (Punjabi Word)

Some enthusiastic and dedicated youths arrived after covering long distances on Bicycles to pray to Saint Marry other came walking bare feet from

His Grace Bishop Anthony Theodore Lobo addressed the convention and explained the motive behind this great Congregational Gathering and underscored on the need of Interfaith Peace and Harmony. In his sermon he said that followers of all faiths including Christians, Muslims, Shiite, Ahamadis, Bhais, Hindus, Sikhs and Parsis must learn to co-exist peacefully in Pakistan. He condemned all kinds of terrorism in Pakistan. He also prayed for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

Enthusiastic Christian youth from all across the Pakistan participated in the Mela with great zeal and religious devotion and dedication.

Sister Lillian, a visitor from Italy told ROD that root purpose of the gathering is to deepen the faith of Christians.

Fr Mukhtar Alam said that people should come and pray for the Christianity in Pakistan. He also said that we should pray to Virgin Marry to bless Pakistan.

Fr William from Nowshehra, a small city of conservative North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan apprised ROD that reason of this Christian gathering is to glorify Virgin Marry. Catholics come here to receive the blessings of the Virgin Mother.

A choir from the Fatima Catholic Church, Jehlum participated in the Mela, and glorified the Lord Jesus Christ and Virgin Marry by hymns. A member of the choir Ms Huma Nasir told ROD that she is very happy to come and praise the Lord at Sargodha.

Chairman of Rays of Development Organization (ROD), Sargodha Mr Ferhan Mazher said that objective of this Christian gathering is to create mutual understanding and tolerance. He appealed to the followers of all the faiths and sects living in Pakistan to forget the past’s bitter experiences, leave parochialism far behind, and embrace each other with love.

Muslim mob ransacked and desecrated Church at Gowindhi, near Lahore, Pakistan

Written by: Jawad Mazhar (ROD / Special Correspondent for BosNewsLife in Pakistan)

Lahore, Pakistan, Oct 14^th, 2007: On Oct 10^th, 2007, a violent mob of Muslims allegedly ransacked and desecrated New Apostolic faith church at a village name Gowindhi, near Punjab province’s metropolis Lahore, near the Indian border. The attackers are at large because local Police have neither registered a case nor taken any action against them.

According to the Khalid Gill (Chief organizer Punjab, All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA)) Muslim mob mounted on the roof of the Church and hurled down the loud speakers of the Church.

Gill went on saying the mob of Muslim extremists also tried to destroy the boundary walls of the Church and put manure on them. Mob ripped up the Holy Bible, Book of Psalms and other Holy Books kept in the church. The mob also destroyed all the musical instruments, which were used during the praise and worship.

As the Muslim mob was desecrating the church a Christian youth Sattar Masih 26 informed local Christian clergy Pastor Pervaiz about the Muslim attack at the church.

Pastor Pervaiz contacted Police Station Hydiara immediately and asked for the rescue team. But the police not only failed to reach in time, it also blatantly refused to take action against the mob responsible for the desecration, damaging of loud speakers and ripping up of Holy Books at the Gowindhi Pentecostal Church.

A delegation of local Christian leaders comprising Rasheed Masih (Ex-Member District Council Lahore), Peter Gill (Ex-Member of Provincial Assembly of Punjab), Tariq Gill (Member District Council Lahore), Ayub Khawar Gill and Pastor Pervaiz protested and met Superintendent Police (Cantt) (SP)Ahmad Kamal.

Khalid Gill added that SP marked the application and forwarded to the Local Police Station Hydiara’s Station House Officer (SHO) for further action and investigation. Concerned Khalid Gill lamented that instead of taking action against the hard line Muslims responsible for this regrettable episode, the police is forcing local Christian community and leadership for reconciliation.

The situation is getting worse as Muslim shopkeepers of Gowindhi village have stopped selling kitchen and other house hold items to the Christian residents of the village.

APMA chief injured, two APMA workers killed

Written by: Jawad Mazhar (ROD)

Karachi, Pakistan, Oct 19^th (ROD): All Pakistan Minorities Alliance’s (AMPA) two Christian political activists killed, APMA chief Shahbaz Bhatti sustained minor injuries to his right hand, several wounded and number of APMA worker are missing after the bomb attack on Benazir Bhutto’s (BB) motorcade which was heading to the mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Faisal Highway Karachi. APMA’s Chief Shahbaz Bhatti accompanied Ms Bhutto in the plane from London to Karachi.

Khalid Gill told ROD that more than 25 thousand party workers of APMA flocked up to greet BB on her return to Pakistan after 8 years exile, outside and inside the airport at Karachi.

APMA’s Punjab’s Zonal Coordinator Khalid Gill said that Tahir Naveed Chaudhary, Pervaiz Rafiq, Naveed Amir, and Najmi Saleem led APMA workers from Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan and Lahore zones respectively to Karachi airport.

Gill said that their workers from North West Frontier Province (NWFP) were led by APMA Provincial President Prince Javed and APMA activists from Balochistan province were headed by Provincial President Mr Jaffar George. He added that Sikh members were guided by Sardar Kalian Singh and Hindu APMA members were led by Bearbal Ram Chohan.

Gill also said that more than 25,000 APMA activists from all across the country were present on the occasion to greet Ms Bhutto warmly back home. He added that APMA had the plans of freeing doves and displaying fireworks, but the topsy turvy created by the two bomb explosions ruined the peacefulness of the procession.

Khalid Gill also said that two (02) of the APMA workers Ashraf Raza (Karachi) and Ilyas Masih (Sargodha) were killed on the spot as the bombs exploded only 120 feet apart from the APMA’s truck. Gill maintained that these explosions left many APMA workers severely injured and many are still missing.

Gill announced APMA’s three days mourning from Oct 19^th to Oct 21^st, for the People killed or wounded in the bomb attack and condemned these attacks.

Chairman Rays of Development Organization (ROD) Mr Ferhan Mazher condemned these attacks on the BB’s caravan. He said this is the conspiracy against the democracy in Pakistan.