BPCA’s Nissar Hussain, a victim of 15 years of persecution by Muslims in the UK, delivered the petition to the Pakistan High Commission. He encountered apprehension from the officials.
Despite predictions of rain and the current holiday period, people of good conscience gathered outside the Pakistani High Commission in London to vent
their frustrations against the ongoing persecution of Christians in Pakistan.
In an event organised by the British Pakistani Christian Association, people from across the UK came together in solidarity to speak out for the voiceless
minority that have become targets of hatred and discrimination, simply for adhering to Christian their faith. Petitioners led by a bagpiper submitted
a petition and a wreath of flowers to an official at the Pakistan Embassy. The official refused to take the petition unless the envelope was
opened before a police officer, despite the envelope being extremely thin. The High Commission of Pakistan felt the need to exercise heightened
security measures against the Christian protesters despite no previous history of terrorism, yet conversely failed to protect the targeted Christians
in Pakistan a moment that caused some discontent.
Protesters than made their way to 10 Downing Street where a copy of the BPCA petition was delivered to the UK Government. At 10 Downing Street two
wreaths were placed on the enclosure where protesters are asked to remain on the opposite side of the road. Well wishers passing by joined the
protesters as we held a one minute silence for both the victims of the Brussels airport bomb attack and the Lahore Easter Day massacre. A lament
played by a Scottish bagpiper as the wreaths were carried forward created a sombre time of reflection.
Ooberfuse, a band who focus on songs that tackle issues of social injustice, led worship songs in a practice that may seem strange at a protest but
reflected the desire by the Christian community of Britain to keep God at the heart of their demonstration. Their song ‘Unshakeable’ spoke of
the invincibility of God and the words in the chorus said “Whatever tomorrow may bring – we will sing.” A reflection of the faith in God that
helps Christians in Pakistan pick themselves up after the continuing atrocities they face.
Cherrie from Ooberfuse led the worship. The band also produced a campaign song for the victims which can be downloaded for free on their website: www.ooberfuse.co.uk
Ooberfuse wrote a song in the wake of the Easter Day massacre at Gulshan Park, which they sung outside the Pakistan High Commission and 10 Downing
Street. The song called ‘Stand Up’ was a rallying cry for people of good conscience to represent persecuted minorities and to be a voice for
the voiceless. Band member Hal, said:
“There are so many social injustices in the world if people continue to ignore the plight of these victims, it will serve only to worsen the situation. Those privileged in the west need to stand up for the oppressed otherwise one day they too will end up as victims.”
Reverend Timothy of Nepalese origins, a minister at Family Life Church, joined us at the protest. One of his parishioners sang a Hindi worship song. Reverend Timothy said:
“The plight of Pakistani Christians has been ignored for so long. I was so moved by this latest attack I simply had to come out in solidarity. Our church will continue to pray for a change in the lives of this persecuted minority.”
Lyn Julius, leader of Harif a group that represents North African and Middle-Eastern Jews, spoke at the vigil. She shared the former
history of the Jews in Pakistan who once numbered over 3000 in Karachi alone until the victimisation of their community during the Arab-Israeli wars
led to their emigrating from the country. The last Jewish synagogue was demolished last year despite its historical value and attempts by the lone
openly Jewish man Fischel Benkald to have it adopted as a heritage site. Lyn Julius said:
“First it was the Jews who were targeted now it is Christians. The story remains the same, if you do not follow the Islamic faith in Pakistan you are considered an outcast and worthy only of prejudice and hatred. Sadly nothing by the government of Pakistan is having any effect in improving the lot of minorities. Quite conversely the situation on evidence seems to have deteriorated.”
John Michael, the former Chaplain of Dubai, joined the protest he said:
“Whilst in Dubai I presided over several churches with a total congregation of over 35,000 Christians. Many of them were Pakistani Christian
migrants fleeing the persecution in Pakistan. I had an early understanding of the difficulties faced by Christians in Pakistan who shocked me
by their entry to a country with a hardline Islamic teaching.”
Muslim campaigner Yasmin Whittaker-Khan, who was delayed by the traffic in London, sent this message that was read out:
On Easter Sunday I was with my family and friends, egg painting, followed by a egg rolling race where the dispute was who didn’t roll their eggs in the correct way followed by a scrumptious lunch. We are round a table of Christians, Muslims, fair weather faith followers, atheists and a Jewish friend. We had a love filled day my only sadness was that our dad who died last year wasn’t there with his twinkly blue eyes. But on the other side of the world in Pakistan horror had struck. Lives were lost, hatred was spread, hearts were wrenched, imaginations were torched and humanity was engulfed with flames . Easter Sunday in Lahore killed people from every faith group but their main target was Christians. What was the point that was being made by the misled with minds drowned in venom? Was there any gain… No… Because I believe that that Pakistani government has woken up to the fact these terrorists don’t have a moral compass, that it has to answer to the world and so will hold its side of providing basic human rights for all minorities in Pakistan. I love Pakistan and I love my mixed heritage. I am also proud to be British, despite the colonial history. We here in Britain have to demand more from those we have elected through a democratic process to address these unforgivable crimes, murder, brutality, rape, exploitation , corruption, lack of education, health and so much more, for those without a voice, those minorities who we publicly support with words but don’t follow through with actions. I, we, you all need to change our priorities and think/act on behalf or with all minority groups of Pakistan regardless of caste, religion. We need to learn from our histories and build a safe world.
Wilson Chowdhry coordinated the demonstration
Wilson Chowdhry Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association, said:
“This was not a call to war nor a chance to abuse Muslims or the nation of Pakistan – we did not burn any flags. This was a constructive demonstration that was simply a plea to the government of Pakistan to take seriously their position on the international stage. Promises and assurances that improvements will be made to the poor human rights record in Pakistan have failed miserably and can be blamed on institutional concerns, such as the caricaturing and demonising of Christians and other minorities in the national curriculum of Pakistan, which has created a society in which Christians hold pariah status and have become targets of bigotry, hatred and worse still persecution.”
He added:
“The Gulshan bomb attack and two previous bomb attacks in four years that have cumulatively killed over 150 Christians and injured over 400 are just the tip of the iceberg. Christians face daily abuses in their roles as domestic servants, sewage cleaners (for which the government of Pakistan promote adverts stating only Christian applicants should apply) and bonded labourers otherwise known as modern day slaves. Bullying, fear of Christian girls being kidnapped, raped and forced into Islamic marriage and fear of proselytising have made the educational experience for Christians a non-starter with a current literacy rate of 7%. The constant demoralisation has reduced Pakistani Christians to shadow citizens seen in the darkest corners and suffering extreme poverty and abuse.”
The great success of this protest was the fact that though few protesters came out Geo TV the largest mainstream TV channel in Pakistan joined the
protest and filmed it live. Thus the message of peace and the desire for change was broadcast to millions in Pakistan. Here is a link to the footage
(click here).
