One Saint
  • Home
  • Jesus Said
    • Matthew
    • Mark
    • Luke
    • John
    • Acts
    • I Corinthians
    • II Corinthians
    • Revelation
  • One Saint Blogs
    • Eschatology
    • Annie
    • All Saints
    • One Saint
    • David
    • Askakido
  • The Persecuted Church
    • Prayer
    • Crown of Life
  • Library
  • MP3s
    • Mystery Babylon
    • Pastors, Ministers and Priests
    • Run from the Devil
    • Miscellaneous Teachings
  • Music
    • Music of Heaven
    • Handel's Messiah
    • Miscellaneous Music >
      • Musical Library XXIII
      • Musical Library XXII
      • Musical Library XXI
      • Musical Library XX
      • Musical Library XIX
      • Musical Library XVIII
      • Musical Library XVII
      • Musical Library XVI
      • Musical Library XV
      • Musical Library XIV
      • Musical Library XIII
      • Musical Library XII
      • Musical Library XI
      • Musical Library X
      • Musical Library IX
      • Musical Library VIII
      • Musical Library VII
      • Musical Library VI
      • Musical Library V
      • Musical Library IV
      • Musical Library III
      • Musical Library II
      • Musical Library I
  • Video
    • DR S M Lockridge, Full Sermon
    • Enoch
    • Genesis
    • Gospel Of Luke
    • Greatest Biblical Archaeological Discoveries Of All Time
    • King Solomon
    • Leonard Ravenhill
    • One Saint
    • Paul, The Apostle
    • Rabbi Jonathan Cahn
    • Revelation, The Book
    • Roger Morneau
    • Ruth
    • Sermon On The Mount
    • That's My King!
    • The Bride, The Beast & Babylon
    • The Jesus Movie
  • Links

Pakistani Christians Urge Government To Take Action

1/11/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture







International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org  |  E-mail: icc@persecution.org
Pakistan's Christians Stand in Solidarity with Their Nation over Solemn Christmas Holiday
By ICC's Pakistan Correspondent,

1/7/2015 

Washington, D.C.
International Christian Concern

Christians across Pakistan scaled downed this year's Christmas celebrations out of respect for killing of over 140 innocent schoolchildren and teachers at the Army Public School in Peshawar and the grizzly murder of a Christian couple in Kasur over last quarter of 2014. This incident of extreme violence marked the end of another year in Pakistan, which is dominated by unrest, persecution and injustice for the country's Christians.

On December 16, militants belonging to the Tehrik-i-Taliban of Pakistan stormed the military-run Army Public School in Peshawar and opened fire indiscriminately on the students and teachers they encountered. When local authorities finally secured the school, around 150 schoolchildren and teachers had been killed.

In an interview with ICC, Rev. Father Samson Shukardin, a nominated Catholic Bishop, expressed his views on the attack, "We are highly sad for the loss of innocent lives of schoolchildren in Peshawar and in the same manner; we remember a Christian couple set on fire alive by religious extremists in Punjab. We stand in solidarity with all the victim families of terrorism and religious hatred during this Christmas."

Rev. Shukardin, who is set to be installed as Bishop in few weeks, urged the government to take affirmative action to curb terrorism and religious extremism in Pakistan. He informed ICC that special prayer services and candle vigils have been arranged in all of the churches in his diocese out of respect for those killed at the Army Public School in Peshawar.

Mr. Victor Mughal, the principal at St. Francis School in Lahore said, "This is the century's heartbreaking incident. Children are the future of the nation; therefore the government should introduce sincere legislation to control terrorism and securing the lives of common citizens."

In partnership with local NGO's, St. Francis School organized a prayer-walk in their school compound on the day following the school incident in Peshawar.

In response to the Peshawar tragedy, Christians all over Pakistan condemned the barbaric act and expressed solidarity and concern with the victims and their families. During midnight and morning Mass on Christmas Day, pastors and priests from different church affiliations led their congregations in prayer for the victims, the victims' families, and the survivors of the horrifying massacre.

Areel Bhatti, age 14 and a Christian student at Edwards's School & College in Peshawar paid a solidarity visit to the Army Public School, which has now been covered in flowers and lit candles in remembrance for the victims of the school shooting. Talking with ICC, Areel said, "The terrorists cannot keep us away from schooling. We, the students of different faiths, are united and committed to build a secure and peaceful country."

On December 20, at Caritas Pakistan Karachi, a prayer service was held in solidarity with the victims' families. At this service, Christians lit candles in memory of the children and staff of Army Public School, Peshawar.

Dozens of Christian organizations, groups, human rights activists, and individuals across Pakistan condemned the attack and expressed solidarity and concerns with the victims.

Haroon Johnson, age 12 and a Christian student from the Army Public School, was present at the school when it was attacked. In an interview with ICC, Haroon shared his first-hand information regarding the day of the incident. "I am happy and thankful to Jesus Christ for saving me at that difficult time," Haroon said."However, I am sad for losing hundreds of schoolmates, including two of my close friends."

"I felt almost dead when heard about the attack on my son's school and the casualties," said Haroon's father, Sohail Masih. "Searching and standing helpless in front of my son's school was an unbearable moment. Thank God, I have not lost my son. However, I feel extremely sad for the others parents."

Like most of Pakistan's Christian population, the Masih family canceled much of their holiday plans to show respect to those whose children were killed in the attack on the school. "To express concern and solidarity with the grieving families, I did not purchase new dresses or toys for my kids this Christmas," Masih added. "We even cancelled the family get-togethers, outings and dinner parties."

Haroon told ICC that he is committed to serving the country as an army officer in the future to help curb terrorism. Out of the estimated 1,500 students attending the Army Public School, only three are Christians, mainly due to the low economic status Christians face because of broad discrimination and persecution.

After visiting the school and interviewing survivors, ICC can report that none of the Christian students at the Army Public School were killed or injured during the attack. Despite this fact, the entire Christian community of Pakistan celebrated this Christmas in a solemn fashion out of respect for those killed in the school attack. These actions by Pakistan's Christian community should remind the world that the death of children is a tragedy, regardless of their religious identity.

For interviews, contact William Stark, Regional Manager for South Asia: RM-SAsia@persecution.org
 
# # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference International Christian Concern (ICC) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.


    Crown of Life Blog

    Picture
    The Martyrdom of ST Stephen, Pietro da Cortona, 1660

    News and Information about
    Persecuted Christians from all around the
    World

    Persecuted saints benefit most from your heartfelt and earnest prayer.

    Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;
    for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him
    .
    James 1:12

    'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the
    devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so
    that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
    Revelation 2:10

    New American Standard Bible 
    (NASB)

    Copyright © 
    1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971,
    1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995
    by
    The Lockman Foundation


    Picture

    HOW TO READ A PERSECUTION NEWS STORY

    Trials make the promise sweet;
    Trials give new life to prayer;
    Trials bring me to His feet,
    Lay me low, and keep me there.


    "God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and subjecting them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many long miles with heavy backpacks of sorrow. Well, Christian, may this not account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is the Lord bringing out your graces and making them grow? Is it for this reason He contends with you?"

    Read Why Do I Face Trials?,
    by Alistair Begg, Truth for Life Daily, at One Place

    Christian persecution is just a phenomenon in the
    Middle East.

    Christians aren’t greatly
    impacted by persecution.

    Whatever persecution there is, the damage is superficial - more a loss of multicultural diversity than anything else.

    Christians supposedly bring persecution upon themselves by proselytizing.

    Persecution couldn’t
    happen here.

    Please read 5 Myths about Persecution of Christians, by
    Kristin Wright, at Religion Today.


    Share



    email the webmaster

    RSS Feed


    Archives

    January 2018
    November 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012