Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Fides Service) - "Bin Laden is dead but the crucial issue now is how many more Bin Laden`s are being born in Pakistan. Today the town is a hub for terrorists. In this situation there are disturbing questions about the involvement of institutions, and even the common people, in protecting the leader of Al Qaeda. So we ask ourselves: what will the future hold for Christians? "This is what Haroon Barkat Masih, Director of the Masihi Foundation says in an interview to Fides, a foundation that deals with the defense of religious minorities and in particular the protection of the Christians rights in Pakistan. The Foundation provides free legal assistance to Christian victims of violence and oppression. It currently provides, legal assistance to the Christian Asia Bibi (the first Pakistani woman sentenced to death on charges of blasphemy) and the protection of her family.
While the country is in a heated debate and there is a split in the Pakistani society (see Fides 05/07/2011), Haroon Masih talks about the political implications of "post Bin Laden:" On the political scene in Pakistan, there are several parties based on Islamic extremists or religious leaders or representatives close to the ideas of Bin Laden. I believe that the death of Bin Laden may generate the emergence of new leaders. We will see how the current leader of the extremist parties react. With regards to the government, there is now a coalition between the Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Q party based, in the past on rigid and fundamentalist positions. It is to be seen what fruits this alliance gives and how religious minorities will be treated, even thanks to the new Federal Minister for Harmony and Minorities. "
One key issue is the respect for human rights for all citizens: "The issue which regards respect for human rights is serious: violations starting from the denial of social rights, shortage of essential public services such as electricity and water are denied to large sections of the population. Or are evident in education or poverty conditions, " says Haroon Barkat Masih.
In this context, notes the Director, minorities suffering in particular: "In Pakistan, religious minorities - about 5% of the population - are victims of oppression by fundamentalist groups and their related political parties. The Hindu and Christian communities, but also the Ahmadi (considered a Muslim sect) are strongly discriminated. I would also like to mention the abuse of the blasphemy law, which - under the pretext of defending the name of the Prophet Mohammed or the Koran - has become a tool to target religious minorities. "
On the situation concerning the community of believers in Christ, Haroon Masih notes: "For Christians (about 2% of the population), the choice is: to suffer, leave the country or die. Today Christians are under constant threat of death, undergo forced conversion to Islam, forced Muslim marriages, forced Islamic education and unwarranted removal of assets and property. It must be said that those who suffer most are the poorest and most marginalized populations, and their social status and lack of proper education prevents economic, social and cultural development. " For this reason, claims Haroon Barkat Masih, "Pakistan after Bin Laden`s death has major challenges to face , and the international community can help keep attention focused on respect for human rights and religious freedom." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 05/10/2011)
