In a heartbreaking saga of legal setbacks, Zafar Bhatti, a victim of blasphemy accusations and Pakistan’s longest-serving blasphemy prisoner, continues to endure the agony of extended detention. Zafar Bhatti was arrested on July 12, 2012, and has been in prison since that date. During a harsh police interrogation, he confessed to blasphemy, a statement he later recanted, asserting that his confession was obtained under duress. Read more (here) Despite hopes for his release, the High Court Bench in Rawalpindi has twice canceled the much-anticipated hearings, leaving his wife, Nawab Bibi, and their supporters in a state of despair. The Unsettling…
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Today, we mourn the loss of James Masih Shera, a distinguished politician, educationist, and the former Mayor of Rugby. Born in a small rural village in Pakistan, Shera’s life was a testament to his unwavering commitment to public service and community welfare. Career Highlights: In 1988, James Shera achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first Pakistani to be elected Mayor of Rugby. His leadership extended beyond this role, as he served as the leader of the Labour Group in Rugby from 2005 to 2022. Additionally, he chaired the Overview and Scrutiny Board at Rugby Borough Council from 2010 to 2014,…
In the heart of Youhanabad No.2, a vibrant Christian community on the outskirts of Lahore, the spirit of giving and spiritual growth collided as BACA’s Biblical outreach program reached out to deserving families, bringing the cherished gift of Bibles. This initiative aimed to empower those struggling to make ends meet with the invaluable knowledge encapsulated in the Holy Scriptures. Pastor James Chiragh, the dedicated leader of Ikhtiar-e-Masih Church, approached BACA with a heartfelt plea to provide printed Bibles for the underprivileged members of his congregation. Acquainted with BACA through another pastor who had experienced the joy of receiving Bibles, Pastor…
In the quiet village of Javaid Nagar, Pattoki, a heartbreaking incident unfolded on Christmas Eve that left a family shattered. Aqsa Riaz, a 17-year-old Christian girl with epilepsy, went missing from her home while her father and siblings attended a local church service. Aqsa, staying behind to care for her sick mother, seemingly vanished without a trace. Aqsa’s mother, Asiya Bibi, discovered her daughter’s absence around 11:30 pm when a cousin arrived home and revealed that Aqsa was nowhere to be found. As panic set in, Asiya desperately searched the nearby streets, calling out her daughter’s name in anguish. Despite…
In the midst of December’s global celebrations of joy and festivity, the month took a grim turn for a Pak-Christian family seeking asylum in Thailand, as they faced the haunting fear of arrest by Thai authorities. Every December, Thai authorities resume a crackdown on asylum seekers, resulting in the filling of Immigration Detention Centers with refugees and illegal immigrants. Unfortunately, the Royal Thai Government does not recognize applicants registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as they have not ratified the UN Conventions for Asylum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWZiTKKo0N8&t=852s VIDEO: BACA helped Chris Rogers to film this documentary on the…
#IndiangenocideofChristians On December 15, 2023, a mass burial ceremony was held for 45 Christian martyrs belonging to the Kuki-Zo tribe in Manipur. Subsequently, on December 20, an additional 87 individuals were laid to rest. This solemn event transpired following a directive from the Indian Supreme Court, instructing the state government to oversee respectful and dignified burials for those who lost their lives in the ongoing violence between the Meitei (predominantly Hindu) and Kuki-Zo tribes (largely Christian). Read more (here). In the face of a staggering death toll, Indian authorities have been unsuccessful in quelling the unrest, and the Christian community…
In the quiet village of Sindh, a devastating fire recently left Jammu Masih (28 yrs) and his family grappling with the harsh realities of loss and despair. However, amidst the ashes, a glimmer of hope emerged as BACA, driven by compassion, extended a helping hand to rebuild not just a house but shattered lives. https://youtu.be/_31Ld1gw6m0 VIDEO: Jammu Masih thanks BACA for helping his family restore their lives after a devastating fire. On the ominous day of October 24th, Jammu Masih’s life took an unforeseen turn while he was diligently working on a farm, just three kilometers away from his modest…
This Christmas, the staggering reality is that over 139,000 children will experience homelessness—an alarming increase of over 14% from last year. According to official government data, a distressing record has been set this year, with 300,000 people registered as homeless in the UK—the highest figure since records began. You can contribute to easing the hardships of homelessness by supporting BACA’s Meals for the Needy project this Christmas. As the festive season approaches, our hearts are drawn to the poignant reality of the homelessness crisis gripping our nation. Yet, for the dedicated volunteers at the British Asian Christian Association (BACA), the…
On December 18th, a dedicated team of Pakistani Pastors, who generously volunteer for the British Asian Christian Association, journeyed to brick kilns in Sheikhupura to distribute both printed and audio Bibles. The distribution of Bibles is anticipated to provide a valuable opportunity for some of the most underprivileged Christians in Pakistan to deepen their faith and engage with the transformative Gospel of Christ. Now, they can study and reflect on these teachings in their own time, rather than solely relying on the presence of a visiting Pastor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=379i_jo7wFg VIDEO: Pak-Christians share their joy in having their own accessible Gospel. In…
SHEIKHUPURA, PUNJAB — In a shocking incident, the family of a local pastor fell victim to a brutal attack and religious persecution at the hands of an intolerant Muslim gang in Sheikhupura, Punjab. Adding insult to injury, the perpetrators explicitly declared that Christians were not allowed to own a milk shop in the area. The perpetrators of the violence have now threatened to kill the Christian family of they pursue justice and if they continue to run their small milk and yoghurt business. On November 25th, Amir Masih was viciously assaulted while purchasing groceries from Muhammad Abdul Rehman’s shop. Present…