Three months ago 35 year old Mafia Bibi, her husband Raju Bashir, 34, and her extended family arrived in Thailand full of hope and expectation having
fled a desperate situation in Pakistan. They were targeted by extremists after a false blasphemy allegation, an extremely common persecution
in Pakistan, which left them terrified and fleeing for their lives.
The couple have three children: Andrew Isaac, 6, Matthew Hidden 5, and Adam Booker 18 months. Since their arrival the BPCA have been helping
them to resettle and have been providing infant milk and nappies for baby Adam.
Sadly one month ago Mafia’s husband Raju was arrested while out seeking illegal work. In a country where asylum seekers and refugees are deemed
surplus to requirements, life soon becomes untenable. Despite official UNHCR documents for asylum and refugee status, victims can be arrested on a
whim once they overstay tourist visas. Without the protection of her husband and the potential income he could have earnt through illegal work, however
small due to severe exploitation, Mafia is extremely fearful for her family.
The family are traumatised by Raju’s recent arrest, and whenever anyone knocks on the door the children scurry under their bed
fearful of being arrested too. They keep asking when their father will come home, but due to the closure of bail since the Erawan Shrine bomb attack,
to asylum seekers from nations such as Pakistan who are on a watch-list for terrorism, reuniting with his family is impossible for the foreseeable
future.
To compound things Mafia’s 20 year old brother Shahrooz Masih has been diagnosed with Tuberculosis, jaundice and liver infection and his health
is deteriorating day by day. The family is burdened with poor finances with all twelve family members currently residing under one roof, posing a high
risk of TB infection to the other relatives including the little children. BPCA is desperate to move Mafia and her children to a new room to
bring some safety for the young children. We would also like your support to help with the medical costs for her brother.
Mafia Bibi said:
“We are very grateful to God that we escaped persecution in Pakistan, but it’s been very hard as my family have continued to suffer since our arrival here. Thailand is our only hope for a new life and a future to our children, but with their father detained I don’t know what to do. Since my husband’s arrest the children are terrified and very easily upset. My brother Sharooz is very sick and we are desperately worried about him as he needs urgent treatment, but we have no way to pay for this. I pray every day that God will move in our situation”.
If you feel moved to give to this family please send what you can using these bank details:
Payee: BPCA
Sort Code: 20-44-22
Account number: 43163318
Bank: Barclays
Ref: Love for Mafia Bibi and family
For international donations please use these details:
IBAN: GB62 BARC 20442243163318
SWIFTBIC: BARCGB22
Alternatively you can give via PayPal, our email address is info@britishpakistanichristians.org.
Cheques should be made payable to the BPCA to our address: 57 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1XG.
BRITISH PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION is a trading name for BRITISH PAKISTANI CHRISTIANS LTD which is a charity entered onto the Register of Charities with the Registered Charity Number 1163363
Thank you.
With your support we hope to change the lives of millions of Pakistani Christians.
Sharooz Masih is suffering from TB and is living in a crowded room which includes children.