Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – They are numerous, well organized, efficient, assisting only Muslim refugees; within them are hidden associations linked to Islamic extremism, banned by the government, “acting with ulterior motives”: this is the picture painted for Fides by bishops, priests, and Christian volunteers who speak of Muslim groups offering aid to flood victims. According to Fides sources, in the Province of Punjab alone, there are at least 65 camps run by radical Islamic organizations that have been declared illegal.
The Islamic charity groups are very active and move very well. They manage to win the sympathies of the population. They care for the displaced Muslims," said Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore, President of the Pakistani Bishops' Conference, in an interview with Fides.
"The numerous Muslim organizations now engaged in flood relief only offer aid to Muslims. When Christians approach them, they are driven away," Fides was told by Fr. Mario Rodrigues, Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Pakistan.
Fr. Robert McCulloch, a Columban Father in Hyderabad, emphasizes the distinction: "The vast majority of Muslims show great generosity in the aid effort. A few extremist groups pursue their goals in this tragedy and want to exploit the desperation of refugees to their advantage."
Alwin Murad, a Catholic volunteer, told Fides: "Some fundamentalist organizations distribute food and encourage people to pray to Allah. It is possible that if non-Muslim refugees approach them for aid, they are asked to convert to Islam. This occurs especially in areas like Charsadda, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or in South Punjab. Groups banned by the government have changed their names and are registered as Islamic NGOs. They are exploiting the humanitarian assistance. The refugees are an easy target."
Ayub Sajid, a Catholic and Director of the NGO “Organization for Development and Peace,” tells Fides: "These groups seek and find room in society, due to the dimensions of the tragedy and the fatigue of the government in the relief effort. They also work towards electoral ends, seeking consensus and votes. Christians are told to go to seek assistance from their representatives."
Confirmations come from the dramatic testimonies sent to Fides by local NGOs. Abid Masih, the father of four young children and a refugee from Muzaffargarh, said: "After some wandering, we found ourselves in a refugee camp run by the Islamic religious organization 'Sip-e-Sahaba'. We were given the option to leave or become Muslims."
Basharat Gill, a resident of Shakargarh, in Punjab, said: "With my family of 12, I headed to Narowal. We reached a camp administered by the group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. They gave us food for a day. Then, in the middle of the night they threw us out." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/09/2010)
