Christian sisters kidnapped, raped and forcibly converted

January 21, 2009
Pakistani Christian sisters Parvisha Masih (18) and Sanam Masih (14) face a long legal battle after escaping from Muslim kidnappers who raped and forced them to convert to Islam. The Masih family anticipates a long and difficult battle for justice, as the legal system typically favours Muslims and rarely rules against alleged conversions to Islam.

Pakistan was formed in 1947 as the Muslim section in the partition of British India. In 1971, as a result of a civil war, East Pakistan left Pakistan to form the state of Bangladesh. For more than half its history, Pakistan has been ruled by the military, deposing elected governments at will. Christians face severe opposition from militant Islamic groups. They are regularly barred from jobs or face troubles from their employers and co-workers. Christian merchants are often harassed. The war in Afghanistan intensified problems, with Pakistani Christians seen as being a part of an attack on Islam.

In 1998, Sharia law was adopted in Pakistan, under which Christians have limited rights. Many Pakistani Christians have been falsely accused under Law 295c of blaspheming Mohammed or the Koran, a crime punishable by death. Even if acquitted, those accused often face threats, violence and even death at the hands of mobs following their acquittal. Proposed amendments intended to stem some of the abuses of the law have had little effect. The North West Frontier Province has passed a bill that has been described by critics as the "Talibanization" of Pakistan. The law sets up a watchdog with the power to reform the society in accordance to "Islamic values," which includes ensuring that such values are observed in public places. The law is strongly opposed by the federal government. Christians are praying that this law will not be implemented, and that they can move toward more religious freedoms.

Imprisonment, torture and death continue to dog the path of Christians in Pakistan. In August 2004, 26 year old Nasir Masih was arrested on false charges of theft and subsequently beaten to death while in police custody. In all of this, Pakistani believers continue to remain faithful, even while risking their safety and property for the sake of Christ.

Pontiff Stands Up for Persecuted Christians

VATICAN CITY (Zenit) - Benedict XVI says that Christianity is a religion of freedom and peace at the service of humanity, and defended those who are persecuted for their Christian faith. The Pope spoke of anti-Christian persecution during 2008 in a traditional annual address to the members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See. The Holy See has diplomatic relations with 177 nations. In his French-language address, the Pontiff took up the theme of his message for the Jan. 1 World Peace Day, considering the need to fight poverty to build peace. But, he said, peace is damaged not only by material poverty, but also by "moral poverty," which he contended is at the root of "acts of discrimination and the very grave attacks directed at thousands of Christians in this past year."

The Pope also gave attention to another type of anti-Christian persecution, one he pointed to in the Western world. He expressed his hope that "prejudice or hostility against Christians will not be cultivated simply because, on certain questions, their voice causes disquiet." And he offered words of encouragement for "the disciples of Christ, in the face of such adversity," urging them not lose heart. At another point in the address, the Holy Father mentioned the Christian communities of Asia, "often numerically small," but with the "wish to contribute in a convincing and effective way to the common good, stability and progress of their countries, as they bear witness to the primacy of God which sets up a healthy order of values and grants a freedom more powerful than acts of injustice."

"Witness to the Gospel is always a 'sign of contradiction' vis-à-vis 'the spirit of the world,'" he said. "If the trials and tribulations are painful, the constant presence of Christ is a powerful source of strength. Christ's Gospel is a saving message meant for all; that is why it cannot be confined to the private sphere, but must be proclaimed from the rooftops, to the ends of the earth." Benedict XVI urged authorities to be active in their commitment to end "intolerance and acts of harassment directed against Christians, to repairing the damage which has been done, particularly to the places of worship and properties; and to encouraging by every means possible due respect for all religions, outlawing all forms of hatred and contempt."

Indian Supreme Court Rules on Bishops' Case: Orissa Must Protect Christians

BHUBANESHWAR (AsiaNews) – The Supreme Court of India has ordered the government of Orissa to increase security measures for Christians. At the same time it criticized the state administration for being late in taking action against the anti-Christian pogrom of late August. The Court’s order comes in response to a request filed by Mgr Raphael Cheenath, archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, who had turned to the court to ensure the safety of Christians in the district affected by the violence, the rehabilitation of the victims of the violence of the past few months and the reconstruction of the buildings destroyed or damaged by Hindu extremists.

Many leaders in Kandhamal’s Christian community remain sceptical. One, who asked to remain anonymous, said that the Court’s rulings have failed to make much difference. A ruling in October telling the state government to compensate Christians for damages and provide reconstruction aid and protection has largely gone unheeded. The Christian leader told AsiaNews that “murders and arson in Kandhamal have continued. This ruling leaves us sceptical about any improvement.” He added that money allocated for reconstruction “barely helps in rebuilding homes; it cannot help start life anew with dignity. We are frustrated by the slow pace of the wheels of justice and rehabilitation.”

So far of the 50,000 Christians who fled their homes and now live in camps, only 2,000 have been able to go back to their villages. The archbishop of Bhubaneswar was more positive in his comment. In his view “the Court understands well the situation in Kandhamal and the seriousness of the current situation.” For Bishop Cheenath, the Court’s decision is a sign of Providence and that ‘the Lord wants to create something new for our people.”

Restrictive religion law proposed in Tajikistan

A restrictive draft religion law was sent by Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon to the parliament for approval on November 19, according to a report from Forum 18. The draft law allegedly restricts the activity of religious organizations, limits religious education, and imposes state censorship over religious literature. If the law passes, religious organizations currently registered would be forced to re-register by July 1. However, the draft law's stringent requirements would make it difficult for some groups to continue to qualify for registration.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan became in independent republic in September 1991 and was quickly plunged into a five-year civil war for control of the central government. The war caused thousands to flee into neighbouring Afghanistan. The war finally ended in 1997 with the loss of tens of thousands of lives. Following the devastation of war came three years of droughts and natural disasters, resulting in a country suffering from great poverty.

Life in this predominantly Muslim country is difficult and the influence of Islam is great. Religious freedom is protected in the constitution, but the fear of militant Islamic groups provides the government with an excuse to closely monitor religious practice in the country. Though ninety percent profess to be Muslim, the majority are more influenced by superstition and Zoroastrianism than by Islam.

Christians make up around four percent of the population with most being from European descent. There is very little Christian literature available, particularly in the Tajik language. Proselytism is not illegal, but authorities work to prevent any activity which might cause religious tension. Action has been taken against some house churches, even though they are specifically allowed in the religion law. In 2000 a decree was issued that private homes are for housing only. This was to prevent houses from being converted to bars and restaurants. However, this decree has been used against house churches, including an evangelical church in Chkalovsk in northern Tajikistan in 2002. In July 2003, a Baptist in Khudzhand in northern Tajikistan, Andrei Reimer, was fined for conducting religious meetings in a courtyard and for "talking to passers-by about God." Street meetings are not banned by law.

Polish priest forced to leave Belarus

Belarusian authorities have refused to extend the visa of Father Zbigniew Grygorcewicz, a Polish priest, in an attempt to force him to leave the country, according to a December 24 report from Charter'97. Father Grygorcewicz, who ministers at the Borisov's Nativity of the Virgin Mary Roman Catholic parish, claims the refusal was related to his involvement in holding a Christian music concert in September. Authorities originally granted permission for the concert but then withdrew their support shortly before the event began. Grygorcewicz was reportedly told to be out of the country by January 1.

According to a December 23 report from Forum 18, four Catholic priests and three nuns (all from Poland) face a ban on religious work in Belarus as of January 1. These bans bring to 28 the number of foreign religious workers banned from working with local religious communities since 2004.

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Belarus became an independent state in 1991. Despite independence, however, the nation has struggled to find its national identity. It has maintained closer ties with Russia than any other of the former republics of the USSR, including an agreement signed in 1999 for greater political and economic integration.

Many of the Soviet economic policies were maintained, hindering development and foreign investment, as well as Soviet policies toward religious freedom.