Christian fears in Pakistan

Yaar, Samjha Karo THE SAD STORY OF PAKISTAN

Yaar, Samjha Karo’Ammar Shahbazi: No, you don’t get lynched or forcibly converted if you are a Hindu living in this city, unlike your brethren in certain parts of the country. But your sense of being different is often stoked in the unlikeliest of situations, especially when you interact with the wider community and identify yourself as a Hindu. A small, seemingly trivial incident, brings home this painful reality and offers a reminder of how deeply entrenched everyday discrimination can be. Rajesh*, a student and social activist who runs a school for poor children near Punjab Chowrangi, wanted to print a panaflex with a picture of the baby Lord Krishna, on the occasion of Janmashtami — the birthday of Krishna — which is being celebrated across the world today (Friday). To a Muslim and someone not aware of this attitude, it seemed surprising that Rajesh felt his routine task would not be an easy one. He had delayed the job of getting the material printed, and his Hindu friends in the printing business were already overbooked with orders. Ambling from one printer’s shop to another on Pakistan Chowk, the hub of the printing industry in the city, Rajesh carries a sample color printout he has designed for the panaflex, and shows it to the shopkeepers. All he gets in return are blank looks and polite smiles and the address of a printer a few lanes away who prints ‘Hindu material’. With a wry smile on his face, Rajesh points out how terrible it feels to be put through this humiliation. “On major occasions like Janmashtami, we can’t afford to leave anything to the last moment; people here usually don’t print pictures of our deities, because they find them ‘jinxed’, I guess.” Agha, one of the printers who declined to print Rajesh’s ‘Hindu material’, doesn’t want to explain why he did not take the order. “Bus Yaar, Samjha Karo” (buddy, please try to understand!), he said with a sheepish smile. On my insistence, Agha divulged that some of his workers refuse to work on pictures of “Murtis” (statues) in Ramazan. However, Rajesh said that the printers routinely decline to print their religious material, irrespective of whether it is Ramazan or not. “I usually go to a Hindu printer because that’s the safest bet. They do the job without whining, keeping the sacredness of the material in mind.” Amar, a Hindu who works nearby, concurs with Rajesh. “Yes, there are people here who decline outright taking printing orders from Hindus, especially if the printers are of a religious bent,” he said. “But many Muslims do not mind either.” Amar said that discrimination surely exists but it is not something widespread. “I print this kind of material here and my employer, who is a Muslim, does not say anything to me.”

The Muslims printers, when approached, are usually evasive about their behavior. One of them, a twenty-something man named Qasim, said that it’s forbidden for Muslims to help spread the religious message of non-Muslims, so he does not want to become a part of this activity. Rajesh said he just wanted to print a panaflex for the Hindu children in the school he runs. “It’s an important event so I wanted to make it a bit special for them. But I think this year I will have to go without the panaflex. But who knows, somebody might just take the order.” So Rakesh kept on trying his luck, with the sample in his hand, moving from one shop to another on Pakistan Chowk. 

Pakistan is not Fit for Kaafir (Hindus/Christians)

Members of the Hindu minority in Pakistan fear persistent harassment at the hands of religious extremists and complain that there is little official protection accorded to them. Hindu activists argue that ‘secret files are kept on them and their integrity is always in question. They are not allowed into the armed forces, the judiciary or responsible positions in the civil service'. These allegations are substantiated by the facts, which reflect an almost negligible Hindu presence in the higher echelons of the administration, bureaucracy and armed forces. Discrimination and prejudice against the Hindus is reinforced by the religious orthodoxy, within educational institutions as well as by the state-controlled media. As a consequence of the oppression and discrimination, the last two decades have seen a steady exodus of Hindus from Pakistan. This exodus, however, has left behind a community that is most vulnerable and in urgent need of socio-economic protection. A significant proportion of the Hindus within the province of Sindh are the so-called untouchables, the Scheduled Caste Hindus. As haris these Scheduled Caste Hindus make up part of the pool of landless bonded labour of the province of Sindh. Sindh's agricultural wealth, to a large extent, has depended on the intensive and strenuous work of bonded labour in producing hugely profitable cash crops such as sugar cane. While huge profits are made by the wealthy landlords, this landless bonded labour, consisting of substantial number of Scheduled Caste Hindus, continues to suffer from abject poverty. They remain tied to the land where they are forced to work literally as slaves. The landlords ensure that these bonded labourers and their future generations remain illiterate and unable in any way to challenge the unfair system of exploitation. The National Assembly of Pakistan abolished bonded labour through the Bonded Labour Abolition Act 1992. However, the banned practices continue to thrive in many parts of Sindh; officials remain reluctant to interfere for fear of incurring the wrath of powerful ruling families. Hindus who do manage to break the vicious cycle of repression of bonded labour, nevertheless fail to gain any support from the general community. Existing taboos and rampant discrimination ensure that their employment prospects are confined to menial labour as Jamadars. Recent reports suggest increasing harassment and intimidation of women belonging to these Hindu communities. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, during 1998 a number of disturbing cases came to light where Hindu women have been kidnapped, raped or forcibly converted to Islam. With overt, state-sponsored discrimination and repression, the Hindus of Pakistan remain deprived of their fundamental human rights. The Hindus are ‘unwanted' and ‘unwelcome' and continue to be associated with India. During the recent armed uprising in Baluchistan (2005-6) members of the small Hindu community were targeted and attacked by the Security Forces. All Hindus residing in the town of Dera Bugti were forced to take refuge either in the Sui region of Baluchistan or other provinces of Pakistan. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 33 Hindus, mostly men and young children. As with Christians, Hindus too constantly face the issue of forced conversion. Minority groups have expressed concerns about the persecution of Hindus and threats to their places of worship. In 2007 the only Hindu temple in Lahore was demolished to make way for a commercial building.

Hindu Temples in Pakistan

Gorakhnath Temple, Peshawar, NWFP

Hindus at the historic Gorakhnath temple in Peshawar, Pakistan. The temple was recently reopened after six decades on the orders of the Peshawar High Court. (November, 2011)

Katas Raj Temples, Chakwal, near Lahore, Punjab

Katas Raj Temple is situated in Chakwal district of Punjab in Pakistan. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple has existed before the days of Mahabharata and the Pandava brothers spent a substantial part of their exile here.

It is said that the five Pandava brothers, heroes of the Historical epic Mahabharata, stayed here four out of the 14 years that they spent in exile.

Its origin involves the death of Shiva's wife Satti. When she died, Shiva cried so much and for so long, that his tears created two holy ponds - one at Pushkar in Ajmer, India and the other at the Katas Raj Temple.

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Hindu Temple, Rohtas Fort, near Islamabad, Punjab

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Hindu Temple, Mari-Indus, near Kalabagh, Punjab

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Hindu Temple, Rawalpindi, Punjab

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Hinglaj Mandir or Nani Mandir, Hingol National Park, Baluchistan

An important Shakti Peeth of Goddess Sati, Hinglaj Mandir or Nani Mandir is situated in Hingol National Park in Baluchistan province of Pakistan.

It came into existence when Lord Vishnu cut up Sati's dead body into 52 pieces so that Lord Shiva would calm down and stop his Tandava. These pieces got scattered all over the Indian subcontinent whilst Sati's head fell at Hingula or Hinglaj.

According to ancient scriptures, Lord Rama had also meditated at Hinglaj to atone for his sin of 'Brahmhatya' - killing of Ravana who was a Brahmin and a great devotee of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga.

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Hindu Temple, Umerkot, Sindh

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Hindu Temple, Sialkot, Punjab

Kalka Cave Temple, Arore, near Rohri, Sindh

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Hindu Temples, Tilla Jogian, Punjab

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Hindu Temple, Anarkali Bazaar, Lahore, Punjab

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Hindu Temple, behind Juma Mosque, Rawalpindi, Punjab

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Sri Varun Dev Temple, Manora Cantt, Karachi, Sindh

Situated on the seashore off Manora Cantt, this Temple is about 160 years old and has been specifically designed as per Hindu architecture. The Temple was abandoned & illegally occupied by land grabbers after the 1947 partition. In 2007, Pakistan Hindu Council brought back the sanctity of the Temple by taking a bold step to renovate the same. The Station Commander, PNS Himalaya, Manora Cantt handed over the control of this Temple to Pakistan Hindu Council in June, 2007.

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Hindu Temple, Taxila, Punjab

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Hindu Temple, Taxila, Punjab

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Sadhu Bela Temple, Sindh

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Hindu Temple, near Luddon, Vehari, Punjab

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Hindu Temple, Thar

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Hindu Temple, Thar

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Hindu Temple, Nagar Parkar, Sindh

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Toomri Temple, Ghakkhar Mandi, Gujranwala, Punjab

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Hindu Temples, Malot, Punjab

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Sri Badoki Temple, Gujranwala, Punjab

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Hindu Temple, Lahore, Punjab

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Sharda Devi Temple, POK

Dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of learning, Sharda Devi Temple is located in Neelum valley just across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). In the past, it has been a site of a Buddhist University and Adi Shankara is also known to have visited the Temple during his travels across India.

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Hindu Temple, Chiniot, Punjab

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Hindu Temple, Thar

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Hindu Temple, Saidpur village, Islamabad, Punjab

Hanuman Statue, Lahore Museum

Angry Mob Torches Christian Neighbourhood in Pakistan

Riled by blasphemy charges, a Muslim mob of 3,000, torched 100 houses in Joseph Colony, a largely Christian neighbourhood in Pakistan's second largest city Lahore, on Saturday, March 9, 2013.

The residents of Joseph Colony, within Lahore's Badami Bagh area had already fled their homes on Friday night and the early hours of Saturday, after the police warned them of a potential revenge attack over an alleged blasphemous remark made by Sawan Masih, a 28-year old sanitation worker from their community.

Pictures of Joseph Colony's burnt houses were circulated on social media by the Express Tribune Facebook page. In these pictures, a jubilant mob is setting beds, washing machines and household stuff on fire.

@norbalm (i N O R B A L M ™) With Pride I BURN & Record it with my Mobile #Lahore #BadamiBagh pic.twitter.com/3agi09KxE2

Mob setting fire and recording via mobile. Image courtesy Twittter user @norbalm

@TahaSSiddiqui (Taha Siddiqui): See burnt homes in #Lahore via @etribune pic.twitter.com/rJBRFBj0vz

Pakistan's Blasphemy Law is a sensitive issue; Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and the Federal Minister for Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti were assassinated for their opposition to the law.

Reza Habib Raja writes in Pak Tea House:

In countries like Pakistan, it is the reverence of religion (which at times does not even have neat correspondence with actual adherence to its rituals) which is the main culprit. A law implemented in the name of religion is often impossible to repeal. People may not be following religion in their personal capacities, but fully understand its power in collective settings.

The Blasphemy Law is often used against religious minorities in the country. The Constitution of the country also discriminates against religious minorities. Non-Muslims are barred from becoming head of the state and other institutions according to the1973 constitution.

Pakistan's Christian minority shouts slogans against the attack on their community members in Lahore, during a protest in Hyderabad. Image by Rajput Yasir. Copyright Demotix (10/3/2013)

Reza Habib Raja in his blog in Pak Tea House states it's not only the law:

Much more than the law, it is the mindset. I really don’t think that merely repealing the law will change anything. In fact law can only be repealed if there is a sufficient majority in the assembly. And that majority will only repeal it, if majority of the electorate wants it to be repealed. I really don’t think that any party has the political courage to even present the possible repealing as an agenda point in its political manifesto.

BoloBhi, a right-based organization tweeted a video made by Saad Sarfaraz Shiekhabout the Badami Bagh incident.

@BoloBhi (Bolo Bhi): “As sweepers, we clean their houses. They would die in the garbage if we didn't ” voices from #Josephcolonyhttp://vimeo.com/61458898

@salmansid (Salman Siddiqui): Just imagine being a Christian or an Ahmedi or Shia 4 a second in #Pakistan what future will u think u'll have 4 urself, ur family here?

Blogger and columnist Sonya Rehman interviews one of the residents of Joseph Colony:

Beena Sarwar, a Pakistani journalist based in the US writes in her blog post, ‘Planned attack on Christian properties in Lahore; protest demonstrations Sunday':

The mob was given a free hand to burn and loot; it destroyed more than 150 houses and shops, as well as a church, including bibles and religious symbols (blasphemy case against perpetrators, anyone?). This is not the first time this has happened. Remember Shantinagar (1997), and Gojra and Kerian. (2009)

Pak Tea House blog sums up the situation in Pakistan:

Religion has been elevated to such level and in a way that any debate on it has become impossible. Consequently, as a society we are completely impotent to even condemn those who misuse religion for committing horrifying acts. This impotence is the real tragedy and is even more horrifying than the actual act.

HINDU MOST SACRED PLACE IS IN PAKISTAN HINGLAJMATA

Hinglaj Mata Mandir in Pakistan
It can be stated that political stance can counter on humans, but not humanity. A greatest example of such a cultural heritage is displayed by the citizens of Pakistan. We are familiar with ancient Muslim Pilgrimages like the famous "Ajmer's Darga" & "Haji-ali" located in India that were maintained by Indians even after the vicious Partition. Pakistan too has maintained the heritage of the most ancient Holy Shrine which was once a part of India. I am talking about "Badrinath Hinglaj Devi Mandir" located in Pakistan, which is considered as one of the 52 Shaktipeeths said to be originated from the fragmented corpse of "Devi Shakti".Geographical Details
Hinglaj is an holy shrine, located about 120km North West of Karachi, on the Banks of River Hingol at Makran. The reputation of Hinglaj as an holy place precedes the Arab invasion and the advent of Sufism towards the Sindh region. This sacred place of pilgrimage is particularly situated in a mountain cave "Hinglaj" on river bank of "Hinghol" at the foothills of "Kheerthar" mountains called "Kanraj" in Lyari district of Baluchistan, the province of Pakistan. It is considered one of the famous and biggest "Teeraths" of Indo Pak subcontinent.
It is about 170 miles (250 KM) from Karachi city. One has to go by road via main Karachi - Quetta Highway upto Zero Point for about 75 miles and then by road towards the west via Lyari town and then towards the signal Fauji Camp Stop, crossing Aghore River passing through Goongi River and then finally stopping at Asha Pura Sarai (INN)
Worship Spots
The worship spots for Ganesh, Kalika Mata, Guru Gorakh Nath Dooni, Brahma Kudh, Tir Kundh, Gurunanak Kharao, Ramjarokha Bethak, Aneel Kundh located at Chorasi Mountain, Chandra Goop, Khaririver and Aghore Pooja are the main pilgrimages (Tirthasthan) for devotees of Mata Hinglaj.
Historical Importance
This Teerath has its importance in the ancient human history. Devotees from all around the world worshipped the "Hinglaj Mata Teerath" for centuries. Many great historical heros like Shree Ramchandra the well known king of Ayodhya, Great Saints like Guru Gorakh Nath, Guru Nanak Sahib, Dada Mekhan, and other such great Saints, Rishes & Scholars paid visits to Hinglaj Teerath. In recent few years devotees from Africa and European countries have visited and performed rites at Hinglaj Mata Teerath. Hinglaj. According to the ancient mythology, it's believed to be the place where the head that was fallen apart from the immoluted corpse of goddess Sati applied with Hingul (sindhoor or vermillion applied just above the forehead on the visible portion of the scalp, after parting the hair in the middle - to denote that she was married and that her husband is alive) fell on the ground. Mythology also include inscription related to the visit by Rama, Sita and Lakshman to this holy site of Hinglaj in during their period of exile, according to the famous epic "The Ramayana".
This was a prime pilgrim location for Indians until the sore partition of 1947 where Indians lost access to this cultural heritage, since it was then bounded by Pakistan. Higlaj wasn't just the only Indian site for worship, there were many such locations in Pakistan that were worship spots for Indians, but the rage of politics destroyed the cultural heritage by storming such worship spots to abandoned dilapidated ramshackle premises. Such spots were Lakhi, the Phuleli site for Jhulelal, the Prahlad-Aditya temple in Multan.
One may still wonder, if that was the case then how come Hinglaj has till continued to be a famous pilgrimage. The reason lies in humanity displayed by the Residents of Baluchistan. The handful of Hindu residents who still reside in Pakistan wouldn't have resisted the tyrannical wave of demolition that ruined the cultural heritages, if it weren't the Muslim residents of Baluchistan who stood firm to protect this ancient holy asset of historical glory. It would be discrimination on part of Culture, Secularism and Humanity to call Hinglaj Temple solely as a Hindu Pilgrimage. The fact is Muslims worship it as "Nani-Ka-Haj" which means "Grandmother's Shrine".

Nani-Ka-Haj
Each year they organize a grand cultural-fair at this temple. Muslim residents actively take part in this celebration. They worship the Goddess with the same devotion as they do in the mosque. As for the offerings they carry mostly a Red Cloth, Attar (Perfume) and Agarbattis (Incense Sticks). Just like Hindus they too worship the temple for their cultural rites and rituals. It's impossible to predict whether it's a Hindu temple or a Muslim Mosque. That's the similar situation here in India too where the people from all the religions celebrate each and every festival with a great pomp. It's a fact that secularism and humanity can't be restricted by self centered political stance and tyrannical rules.
We can say that apart from Indians even Pakistanis believe in the concept of Unity in Diversity. It's the sheer politics that has developed the Distance among religions thus tampering the principles of Humanity. Remember there's one supreme religion in the world and that's "HUMANITY".

Minorities of Pakistan needs justice Civil Society should stand-up in Pakistan We,love Our Hindus-christians,Ahmadi,Jews

The Hindu population of Pakistan makes up a small minority of about 1.96 million, or 1.2 per cent, of the total population. An overwhelming majority of the Hindus (96 per cent of the total Hindu population in Pakistan) live in rural areas of Sindh. There are heavy concentrations of Hindus in Sanghar and Tharpakar district, which borders with India. There are also small pockets of Hindus in interior Baluchistan and Punjab. The Hindus of Pakistan - residing in the interior of Sindh or Baluchistan - belong principally to the so-called untouchable class, the Scheduled Caste Hindus. Many of them are landless bonded labourers, working on the lands of big Sindhi landlords (known as Jagirdars). Those who live in towns and cities also have a menial standing and are generally employed as sweepers or Jamadars. Sindh at one time had a very sizeable Hindu population; however, at the time of partition large numbers migrated to the Indian side of the border. The partition of India in August 1947 resulted in genocidal campaigns against religious minorities, with the Hindus in Pakistan suffering most. In addition to the genocide, several million Hindus were forced to become refugees. Those who decided to stay behind in Pakistan after partition had to face constitutional limitations and social stigma. One of the country's principal and primary constitutional documents, the Objective Resolution of March 1949 makes provision for non-Muslims to freely profess and practise their religion, and this tolerant spirit is reflected in the provisions of the 1956, 1962 and the 1973 constitutions. However, despite the presence of these constitutional guarantees, the Hindu community both prior to and even after 1971 has been a continual target of suspicion and has often been treated as a fifth column. Political expediency has allowed Hindus to be treated as scapegoats for the general incompetence of governments in power. While Islam has been used as the great rallying force for political ends, conversely, and for the same purposes, Hindus have been treated as anti-state and anti-Islamic elements, discriminated against and persecuted, arguably becoming victims of genocide during the secessionist war of 1971. Hindus generally lack equal access to education, employment and social advancement. The tiny minority of Hindus that remains in the truncated Pakistan of today, continues to find itself vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. The constitutional amendments introduced by General Zia-ul-Haq have adversely affected the position of the Hindu minority. More significantly, the rise in religious extremism within South Asia, with periods of tense political relations between India and Pakistan, has led to greater violence and physical attacks on Hindus. Thus the Hindus of Pakistan frequently suffer from outbursts of anti-Hindu sentiments generated through a backlash of violations against the rights of Muslims in India. The Babri Masjid incident (December 1992) provides a tragic example, when anger at the demolition of the mosque in Ayodhya (India) was vented against the Hindus and their properties in Pakistan. It is estimated that between 2-8 December 1992 about 120 Hindu temples were destroyed in various parts of Pakistan. In a number of instances, gangs of frenzied men entered these temples, smashed the idols of revered Hindu gods and goddesses, snatched the jewels that adorned them, and made off with the charity boxes containing donations. Several shops were looted or burnt, with the cost of damages running into millions of rupees. More than 500 non-Muslims, primarily Hindu families, were victimized and tortured; angry crowds entered their houses, destroyed their furniture and household goods and took away their savings and jewellery. There were also physical attacks on members of the Hindu community. A number of Hindus were killed, including a family of six who were burned to death in Loralia. Compensation for the damage to life and property has not been forthcoming

March 2013 Lahore, Pakistan - Incident of Attack on Christian Community in Joseph Colony, Badami Bagh Lahore

March 2013 Lahore, Pakistan - Incident of Attack on Christian Community in Joseph Colony, Badami Bagh Lahore -The tragedy’s roots is said to lie in a quarrel between two friends, Mohammed Imran, a local Muslim barber, and Sahwan Masih, a 28-year-old Christian municipal cleaner, who lived across the road. They were close, by all accounts. “They would sit together, drink together,” said Mr Chand Masih. Earlier in the week, on an afternoon when they were sitting outside Mr Imran’s barber shop, a fight broke out between them. It is not clear what was said, but residents claim sharp words were exchanged about each other’s faiths. By Friday, Mr Imran and another friend, Urf “Chico” Shafiq, told the local Muslims. The colony rests next to Lahore’s steel mills, and the quarrel coincided with local elections for the steel worker’s union. According to residents, the leading candidates decided to make the alleged blasphemy a campaign issue. A crowd - estimated to be more than 3,000 strong - first gathered on Friday. They gathered after Friday prayers, apparently urged on by the local religious leader. The police were there, although in just scores. The next day, the attackers returned to torch the colony. REFERENCE: Neighbours' row ends in a holy war against Christians of Pakistan Muslim mob goes on arson rampage in Lahore after alleged blasphemy
Joseph Colony Arson Attack

Joseph Colony Arson Attack from Saad Sarfraz Sheikh on Vimeo.

Clerics attack Ahmadi house, torture family in Punjab

By Rana Tanveer

Published: March 26, 2013

Mob reportedly attacked an Ahmadi man's house over his refusal to convert, PHOTO: FILE

KASUR: Local clerics attacked a house belonging to an Ahmadi family in the Kasur district of Punjab on Tuesday and subjected the family members to violence allegedly over their religious belief, The Express Tribune has learnt.

A mob led by a local cleric chanted slogans against Ahmadi families, their religious beliefs and their community before breaking into Mansoor’s* house in the Shamsabad area.

The five members of Mansoor’s family tried to take refuge in a room but the mob broke into the room as well.

Police personnel were reportedly present at the spot but did not take any action against the mob.

Mansoor was severely tortured after which he lost consciousness, while his wife and his 70-year-old uncle were also beaten.

Mansoor was shifted to a hospital where authorities claimed that he is in critical condition.

Sheikh Yousaf, Head of the Ahmadi community in Kasur, told The Express Tribune that he had repeatedly asked the DPO Kasur to establish a police check post in the area as they had been receiving threats since six months. He said that the DPO had agreed to his demands but the local MNA created hurdles in establishment of the check post.

He claimed that the police had deliberately left the Ahmadi family at the mercy of the mob, and the clerics who attacked that threatened the family to convert to their religion or face consequences.

The house was attacked when Mansoor refused to convert, Yousaf added.