Lahore bombings

Time.com, Outpouring of Sadness and Solidarity for Pakistan as World Reacts to Lahore Blast, 28 Mar 2016

'Defending Pakistani women against honour killings'

Aurangzeb Qureshi, aljazeera.com, Defending Pakistani women against honour killings opinion piece "Although it may be understandable, shooting the messenger is never justifiable. Having the fortitude to look in the mirror and acknowledge societal flaws is the first step to correcting them."

'Owning Qadri, disowning Sharmeen'

The Nation, Owning Qadri, disowning Sharmeen, 3 Mar 2016 "#WeDisownSharmeen was the top social media trend on February 29. On a day the most illustrious terrorist in Pakistan was executed, petrol prices were slashed by almost 12% and Pakistan won an important cricket match at the Asia Cup, the most urgent message that the nation wanted to give out on social media was its denunciation of its only

Shutdown of seminaries in Pakistan

indianexpress.com, Pakistan shuts down 254 religions seminaries involved in extremism, 25 Feb 2016 "167 suspected seminaries in Sindh, 13 in Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa, two in Punjab, and 72 unregistered seminaries in Sindh have been closed."

Qur'an teaching online

Tim Craig, Washington Post/ndtv, 'Read It Correctly!' Via Skype, Islamic Teaching Flows Out Of Pakistan, 1 Feb 2016, "With lax telecommunications laws, a large pool of potential teachers and relatively new technologies such as Skype, Pakistan has become a global hub for computerized training courses on how to become a properly observant Muslim."

Six best cartoons on BJP's defeat and grand alliance's victory in Bihar: Cartoonists' response to election result

While millions of words have been written on the electoral outcome of the Bihar Assembly poll and the analyses continue, the cartoonists and artists have said it with a few strokes of their pens and brushes.

See these five cartoons that describe the BJP's loss and Nitish Kumar-Lalu Yadav's JDU-RJD-Congress alliance's victory. Clearly, 'Cow and Pakistan' are part of every illustration as BJP had made them a poll issue.

Surendra's cartoon touches the topic of reservation too. Others are by Manjul, Satish Acharya, Shreyas Nevare. The penultimate cartoon was published in Punjab Kesri. All these cartoons are about the results, except the last, which was about the exit polls.

Pakistan: Christian Flood Victims Forced to Renounce Jesus Christ, Become Slaves to Muslims or Die

Sharia applied to disaster relief for Christians in the Muslim country of Pakistan: 

"More than 60 Christian families in the western Pakistani region of Kasur lost their homes and all worldly possessions when the deluge hit this summer... left to starve if they don't convert to Islam or become modern-day slaves in order to receive help from Muslims or the government..."

by Samuel Smith, Christian Post, via Pravoslavie, August 26, 2015

As torrential flooding spanned across various regions of Pakistan this summer and washed away thousands of homes, Christians in Kasur have received very little humanitarian aid and have been left to starve if they don't convert to Islam or become modern-day slaves in order to receive help from Muslims or the government.

Wilson Chowdhry, the president of the British Pakistani Christian Association, told The Christian Post that there are more than 60 Christian families in the western Pakistani region of Kasur that have lost their homes and all worldly possessions when the deluge hit this summer and washed their mud homes and everything inside them away.

While Muslims in the region have benefited from temporary shelter, clean water and food provided by Pakistani government agencies and Muslim charities, Christians have largely been without those bare necessities and medication needed to fight illnesses that can occur after flooding.

Chowdhry explained that some Muslim charities are giving Christians the option to convert to Islam and renounce Jesus if they want to receive help.

"We are are aware that this community has previously been offered aid from Muslim charities if they convert but they never accept conversion. They hold strong to their faith. They believe God will be their provider," Chowdhry explained. "These families have literally been struggling without food. Churches have opened up their doors but can't provide them much aid because the churches themselves in the region are struggling. We are talking about a very rural part of Pakistan."

Chowdhry added that as desperation started to get the best of the Christian population in Kasur, many Kasur Christians ended up signing bonded labor contracts in order to receive aid from Muslim landlords before BPCA arrived in the region.

"We have come in very late. We first went to Layyah and Gilgit, but if we could have arrived [in Kasur] seven days earlier, there could have been more lives that we potentially could have saved from this modern-day slavery," Chowdhry said. "Several families have already now signed contracts, which has now made them slaves for their Muslim landlords."

Although the flooding hit other regions like Layyah and Gilgit, Chowdhry stated that through "the grace of God," Christians in those areas were "unaffected" by the flooding. After BPCA officer Naveed Aziz visited Christians in Layyah and Gilgit, he then made his way to Kasur where he noticed that Christians in that region were not as fortunate.

"I was shocked at the immense devastation before me it was a lot to take in," Aziz said in a statement. "People are in real desperation and children are starving. I am surprised and shocked at the lack of help from Pakistani authorities."

As flooding has become a consistent problem for Pakistan over the last five years, Chowdhry said it "is not unusual" for the government to overlook helping the Christian communities.

"When it comes to flooding of Christian communities, the government seems to back away. Whereas with Muslim communities, they go straight in there, so do the Muslim charities," Chowdhry said. "Muslim charities depend upon their Muslim supporters for their donations to continue. So, helping Muslims helps support their particular group and the publicity that it generates for them."

The BPCA will aid 60 Christian families from two different Christian communities in Kasur. BPCA will provide basic food items like rice, flour and curry to help prevent those communities from starving. Additionally, the BPCA will provide medication for Dengue fever.

"I'm sure there is more, but these are the 60 families that we are going to be able to help. Anything larger scale than that, we are going to need to have a lot more resources," Chowdhry asserted. "They will literally be eating bread for the duration of the time that we are helping. That's what we can provide. It is a very basic but healthy enough to help them continue in the sustenance they need."

With donations from an unnamed African church, BPCA also plans to build three water pumps in the region to help get those communities access to fresh drinking water.

BPCA would love to provide more for the distressed community in Kasur, but only has enough funds to provide what little the organization can. BPCA started a fundraising effort to help Christian flood victims, however, the effort has only raised the equivalent of $392.

"To be honest with you, Christians and their lack of support, its very frustrating," Chowdhry admitted. "We do what little we can with the donations that are coming through. We are giving very basic meals at the moment. Luckily, we have the funding for the pumps from another group. People really need to dig down."

"In Matthew 25:40, which goes something like the King will say, 'When you have done it for the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you are doing it me,'" Chowdhry recited. "People need to kind of reflect on that, as Christians we need to help the needy."

Chowdhry is also calling on the Pakistani government to stop ignoring the Christian community and put in place infrastructure that will help limit damage caused by flooding.

"Our dams are outdated. There needs to be more dams restored. They need to be larger-size dams, those that would work more efficiently," Chowdhry argued. "In tandem with this, there has to be a more coordinated approach toward the damn [sic] infrastructure with India."

Inauguration of First ROCOR Parish Office in Pakistan

The Orthodox Mission in Pakistan continues to grow and thrive, thanks be to God. May the Lord and His Most-Pure Mother, the Archangel Michael and St Sergius of Radonezh, continue to guide and protect Fr. Joseph Farooq and his faithful flock.

Related:

• Support the Orthodox Mission in Pakistan
• Celebrations of Holy Pascha in Pakistan
• Celebrations of 700th Anniversary of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Sargodha, Pakistan
• The Blessed Feast of the Nativity of Christ in Pakistan

Inauguration of First ROCOR Parish Office in Pakistan

Pravoslavie � July 29, 2015

With the blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Outside of Russia, Saint Michael the Archangel Orthodox Mission in Pakistan celebrated the establishment of the first ROCOR parish and proper worship space for the Orthodox faithful in Pakistan. They are thankful to the Lord Who is gracious and that the mission work is expanding with every passing day and the number of Orthodox faithful is also increasing day by day. The ROCOR parish in Pakistan is working under the kind protection of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand under the omophorion of and with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion.

July 26, 2015 was a very important and historical day for the Orthodox congregation in Pakistan. The inaugural ceremony of the ROCOR parish took place with the blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion. In attendance on this auspicious day were all the Orthodox faithful from Sargodha and surrounding areas, as well as others who wish to embrace holy Orthodoxy.

The Orthodox youth and parish council played an active role in setting up the worship space and parish house in displaying the beautiful icons of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Most Holy Mother of God and various saints on the walls. With much honor and pleasure they hung the pictures of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion and a picture of the both of them in a meeting in Moscow. With these pictures the faithful say the parish office really feels the presence and blessings of the hierarchy in the Holy Russian Orthodox Church.

The faithful began arriving early to the parish house, filled with excitement and joy. The inaugural ceremony formally commenced with prayers, including for the good health and many years of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia and His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (the ruling Bishop of Pakistan). Fr. Joseph Farooq, in the presence of the congregation, cut the inaugural ribbon and joyfully invited all the faithful to the Sunday Divine Liturgy. After the Divine Liturgy Fr. Joseph preached on the history of Russian Orthodox Church and its presence in Pakistan.

Last but not least, Fr. Joseph humbly thanked His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion and the ROCOR Fund for Assistance which helped the Orthodox mission in Pakistan through its kind donors, so that today they are able to have a parish office and worship space in Sargodha. Although it is a rented place the parish is thankful to the Most Holy Mother of God and Blessed Father Sergius of Radonezh who internally strengthened them to set up the parish house for the congregation. It was a great day for the faithful who now have a sense of belonging in this place.

Previously there was no fixed space for pastoral activities and so Fr. Joseph reached out to the people to find a place for meetings and other activities. All the mission assets were safely kept in the houses of the faithful and are now gathered in the parish house and they have started keeping parish records.

At the end of the ceremony all the faithful and guests were treated with tea and sweets as a traditional Pakistani sign of happiness and sharing. The guests returned home joyfully with hope that holy Orthodoxy will flourish in Pakistan with the help and blessings of our Heavenly Father! In Pakistan there are many hardships and sufferings for Christians and the families are extremely poor and barely make both ends meet. Hence the parish does not have local income sources to fulfill its basic missionary and pastoral needs, but the ROCOR mission is going well under the protection of our Heavenly Father. May our Gracious God guide us and protect us and may the Most Holy Mother of God save us as through Her intercessions we are all saved! Humble request: With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, Archbishop of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, the Pakistani mission has dedicated the year 2015 to buying land and building the first holy Russian Orthodox Church in Pakistan as well as a school for Orthodox and non-Orthodox Christian Children. The faithful earnestly pray to God that He may provide kind and generous donors for the completion of this sacred project. Mission: Saint Michael Archangel Orthodox Mission in Pakistan. Parish: St. Sergius of Radonezh Orthodox Church in Sargodha, Pakistan. For queries about the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia in Pakistan, kindly contact: fr.joseph.rocpk at gmail.com 29 / 07 / 2015

Politicians' iftaar angers right-wingers: Is there a world beyond the word 'appeasement' in India?

Some people are unhappy with Indian politicians attending 'iftaars', especially, about the politicians who wear the skullcap (topi).

It is disturbing to see so much anger on social media and abusive messages about these politicians.

The anger is because they feel hosting 'iftaar' is appeasement of Muslims. A guy reacted, "Look, why don't they attend Hindu functions?"

He didn't realise that the politicians attend so many religious functions of the majority community--at least in North India, that it is no longer news.

From Bhagwat Katha to the Dussehra celebration, 'praan-pratishtha' to 'yagnas', they attend every religious function. This is natural because Hindus form the majority.

The 'iftaar' is hosted once a year, and hence it becomes news, the photos are splashed in media. The other guy said, 'Why should Muslims' be entertained separately'.

They are not entertained, buddy, there is something called multi-culturalism and goodwill gestures. Incidentally, he is the same guy who was delighted when US president hosted Diwali party and had posted the video on his Facebook wall. 

Why Barack Obama does it? Hindus are a minority in US, is it appeasement? No. There are certain basics, a few courtesies, decencies. I may not like it but I won't oppose it either. Another guy was upset that these politicians wear 'topis'.

He tweeted that why Muslims don't sport 'tilak'. If you haven't seen a Muslim politician sporting 'tilak', then that's your issue! When confronted with photographs of Muslim leaders sporting 'tilak', there was no answer, rather, a query comes quickly about other forms of appeasement.

To set the record straight, Hindus are six times the number of Muslims in India. And when it comes to politicians, the ratio is even more skewed. So you will see more Hindus politicians than Muslim politicians.

But if you start observing carefully the next time, a Muslim MLA or MP goes for campaign in your area, you may surely see some of them breaking coconuts, going to temples, seeking blessings of the priests. 

Upset with politicians for wearing topi, say no Muslim would ever sport 'tilak' but when confronted with photographs of Muslim politicians with 'tilak', there is a another accusation of appeasement of other kind..

Others zealously shared a report on a Hindi website that dealt entire with 'iftaar' and 'appeasement'. It expressed concern that politicians were not going to Christian and Sikh events. This is plain stupid. In areas where Christian and Sikh minorities are significant, the politicians go to there events too.

The politician is a human being too, he lives in the society, he is expected to interact with all sections of the society. I don't go to any politician's iftaar. It's my choice. Some 'right-wing' leaders host 'iftaar' because of their relations with Muslims, while many leaders popular among Muslims don't do it.....

APPEASEMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER!

....it's totally up to them. But, at least, show some basic intelligence, before talking about 'appeasement'. So what's appeasement? Whatever happens as per your ideology, vision, experience and intellect, is fine but whatever is beyond that, is appeasement! Isn't it!

Sorry, things don't work that way. The country and the world can't run like your household or my household.

Ending this post with a photograph from our neighbouring country, where Muslim politicians seek blessings from Hindu gods, yes, in Pakistan.

SEE THESE LINKS TOO [IN CONTEXT WITH PHOTOS ABOVE]

1. Of 'tilaks' and 'topis'...

2. Diwali in Pakistan....

Filmmaker Wants To Stop Fathers From Giving Up Their Daughters

 

She fights for the rights of women by telling stories about heroic men.

"The struggle to end violence against women has always been carried out by women activists," says Samar Minallah Khan, who makes documentaries about gender-based violence in her native Pakistan.

"Women have worked very hard to bring awareness, but it will never be enough." That's why she brings men into the picture. And her approach has won acclaim from both men and women.

Khan is one of five women honored with a Global Leadership Award by Vital Voices, a group founded by Hillary Clinton after the World Conference of Women in Beijing in 1995. At the presentation ceremony, held at the Kennedy Center last month, a packed house of women gave her a standing ovation when she dedicated the award to the men in her life: "my amazing supportive and loving father, my husband, my brothers and my son."

Khan's films focus primarily on the practice of swara, where a daughter is given away as compensation for a crime. Swara happens mainly in poor, rural areas.

Source

�THE WORLD EXISTS ON HOPE� � MUKHTAR MAI

 

Ramadan Mubarak.

Many of you know the story of Mukhtar Mai, one of my personal heroes.

In 2002, Mukhtar, a Pakistani village woman, was brutally gang raped by four men of a powerful neighboring tribe, on the order of a local council; the attack was said to be punishment for an alleged affair that her young brother had with a girl from another tribe. To humiliate her further, Mukhtar was forced to walk home, nearly naked, as villagers looked on. People expected her to commit suicide; she thought about it. But instead, Mukhtar took the rapists to court. Initially, six men were sentenced to death for the rape. Then in 2011, the Pakistan Supreme Court overturned all but one of the convictions and the men were freed; they continue to live in her neighboring village.

I first met Mukhtar seven years ago when she was in Washington, D.C. for a Vital Voices event. I was asked to be her translator when she was invited to speak with Hillary Clinton at the inaugural Women in the World Summit in 2010; unfortunately she had to cancel at the last minute due to illness. In April we had the chance to meet again when she was in town for a Developments in Literacy (DIL) fundraiser.

She smiles when she greets me, remembering that we had met before; she laughs as she shares some of her stories; but it�s her eyes � her eyes can�t hide the unfathomable pain that she�s endured. Her voice is soft, I sit right beside her to hear her. She seems timid, a bit withdrawn. But Mukhtar Mai has the courage of a warrior, and a voice that has challenged centuries of brutality and injustice against women.

We talk about her typical day, her schools, her children, life for women in Pakistan, her fears, her dreams, who inspires her, what makes her so strong.

�Allah jin sey kaam laina hota hey, leta hey,� (loosely translated, �God chooses certain people to do certain things�).

Mukhtar runs the Mukhtar Mai Women�s Organisation. It includes a resource center, which deals with 500 cases of violence against women each year, and includes legal support, a hotline and a mobile emergency unit; a shelter, which started in Mukhtar�s bedroom with women sleeping beside her; and two schools, which provide free education, books, uniforms and supplies; the schools are for both girls and boys until primary, and for girls until high school.

In 2003, she used funds she won from her case to start a school for girls, the first in her village. Illiterate herself, she understood that only education could bring about change.  She laid the bricks with her own hands, she tells me proudly, and enrolled herself as her first student; she made it through primary school, she laughs, then got too busy running her organization. Now the school has 700 children; the second in a neighboring village has 300.

People used to slam the door in her face when she tried to encourage families to send their daughters to her school; now their only wish is for their girls to attend. �If they miss the bus, the parents themselves bring their daughters to school. One way or another, they have understood that girls should get an education,� she says smiling. Visiting the schools is the brightest part of Mukhtar�s day. The kids crowd around her, they all want to shake her hand; sometimes three hands hold on to hers, she says smiling. �The kids love me; the children are very happy at school. And we feel the same way. We consider them our own kids.�

The children of her rapists attend her school too.

Mukhtar got married in 2009, and has two kids of her own, a daughter who is almost five and a son who is three; she also adopted her sister�s daughter, 9. We share stories, and stresses, about our children. She fears for their security. �For myself I don�t worry; whatever happens to me will happen; I worry for my children.� She also worries that her kids are not taking school seriously; since it�s located next to their house and their mother is always there, they don�t see it as a place to study.  Mothers� worries are always the same � our children�s safety, well being, and education.

Her other big stress is funding for her schools; for the past six years, it�s been very difficult to get funds; DIL helps with some of the teacher salaries. �I�ve been so tense; I don�t want the schools to close down. I hope this mission continues.� She has faith that she will get through this difficult time too.

Mukhtar has big dreams, even if limited resources. �I want to open schools all over Pakistan,� she says, �wherever there isn�t a school.� She also wants to make a college for girls so they can continue studying. �One wishes for so many things, our dreams never stop. But what happens is what Allah wants to happen; if He wishes, then this will happen too.�

We talk about her case, and if things have gotten better for women in Pakistan. She�s frustrated that laws for women are made on paper, but not implemented. �If no one gets punished, there�s no justice. A country that does not have an effective justice system, that country will perish.�  Maybe her kids will see justice, she says, even is she doesn�t. And adds, �Omeed pay dunya kaim hay,� (the world exists on hope).Hakumat mai nai, lekin Allah pey to hai (not in government, but [we have faith] in God).

I ask her what gives her so much strength. �First of all, Allah,� she says, �what Allah wants done, he enables it to happen.� She also gains courage from her mother; and from the support of all of us. �I know that the whole world�s duas are with me,� she says.

I set aside my notebook, hold her hands, and ask her how she�s really doing. She says, unconvincingly, that she�s ok, Allah ka shukr. Adding, �Aik cheez insan key andar ajai, phir wo jatee nahi� (one thing if it gets inside you, then it never leaves you). She hasn�t been able to sleep well in 13 years. �But you have to go on; you still have to laugh; no one likes someone who cries all the time. Zindagi to gozarnee hai�(You have to continue to go on with your life).

I assure her that she�s not alone, that we�re by her side; I tell her that I will share her story during Ramadan, and that we will give generously to make sure her schools stay open; I promise her that I will pray for her children, and ask her to pray for mine.

To learn more about Mukhtar Mai�s work and to donate to her efforts, please visit:http://www.mukhtarmai.org

Source

Nine Muslim Women Who Have Ruled Nations

MUSLIM WOMEN RULERS | WORLD MUSLIM CONGRESS
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2015/06/nine-muslim-women-who-have-ruled-nations.html 


Historically, Muslim women have been rulers as well like Razia Sultan in India, and others in Egypt and other place.


Courtesy - Egyptian Street 

DALIA GEBRIAL  

Dalia Gebrial is an Egyptian writer and journalist living in South-East London. Currently, she is particularly interested in raising awareness about the historical and current labour and feminist movements in the Arab world.

Here are the nine Muslim women who have ruled nations � how many have you heard of?

1. TANSU �ILLER, Prime Minister of Turkey, 1993-1996

Tansu �iller was the 30th Prime Minister of Turkey, and lead the conservative True Path Party (DYP). Her tenure as Prime Minister took place during intensified armed conflict between the Turkish Armed Forces and the Kurdish separatist PKK. As leader of the DYP, she went on to later serve as Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey and as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Born in Istanbul in 1946, �iller graduated from the School of Economics at Robert College in Turkey and received her PhD from the University of Connecticut.

2. MEGAWATI SUKARNOPUTRI, President of Indonesia, 2001-2004

Megawati Sukarnoputri is the current leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), one of Indonesia�s largest political parties, and served as President from 2001 to 2004. She is also the daughter of the Indonesia�s first President, Sukamo. She is widely considered to have stabilized the overall democratization process and relationship between legislative, executive and military institutions of the country.

3. MAME MADIOR BOYE, Prime Minister of Senegal, 2001-2002

Born in 1940 and educated, along with her three brothers, as a lawyer, Mame Madior Boye is known for her strong feminist ideals, having frequently raised women�s concerns in her time in government. Upon leaving politics, she was appointed as the special representative of the African Union for the protection of civilian populations in countries with armed conflict. She also founded and was president of the Association of Senegalese Lawyers from 1975 to 1990.

4. ATIFETE JAHJAGA, President of Kosovo, 2011-present

Atifete Jahjaga is the fourth and current President of Kosovo, and is the youngest to ever be elected to the position. Born in 1975, she graduated from the faculty of law at the University of Prishtina in 2000. Before going into politics, she worked in the Kosovo police force, progressing her way up to the rank of Major General. During her presidency, Jahjaga has led many initiatives for the furthering of women�s empowerment, including hosting an international women�s summit in 2012 which was attended by 200 leaders from Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East

5. ROZA OTUNBAYEVA, President of Kyrgyzstan, 2010-2011

Roza Otunbayeva was sworn in as President of Kyrgystan in 2010 after acting as interim leader following the 2010 April revolution that deposed President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Born in 1950, Otunbayeva graduated from the Philosophy faculty of Moscow State University in 1972, and went on to head the philosophy department at Kyrgyz State National University for six years. Her other political and diplomatic posts include being the first ambassador from the Krygyz Republic to the United States and Canada, and the first ambassador to the United Kingdom.

6. SHEIKH HASINA, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, 1996 � 2001; 2009 � Present

Sworn into office for the second time in 2009, Sheikh Hasina is the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh, having previously served in the role from 1996 to 2001. She is the eldest of five children of Shiekh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father and first President of Bangladesh. Her political career has spanned more than forty years, during which she has been both Prime Minister and leader of the opposition. She was arrested in 2007 on charges of extortion, however returned as Prime Minister in 2008 after a landslide victory.

7. BENAZIR BHUTTO, Prime Minister of Pakistan, 1988 � 1990; 1993 � 1996

In 1988, Benazir Bhutto � the daughter of former Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto � became the first woman to be elected as the head of a Muslim state. At the young age of 29, she became the chairperson of the centre-left PPP, one of the major political parties in Pakistan, and was known for her charisma and intelligence. Her feminist legacy, however, is complicated. Whilst she often spoke for the empowerment of women, many criticize what is seen as limited action � for example, her inability to repeal the controversial Hudood Ordinance, which implemented a literal form of Shari�a that limited women�s freedoms. Nonetheless, despite her controversial tenures, she was globally mourned following her tragic assassination in 2007.

8. KHALEDA ZIA, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, 1991 � 1996; 2001 � 2006

Born in 1945, Khaleda Zia was the second woman in the Muslim world to become a head of state, after Benazir Bhutto. She was the First Lady of Bangladesh during the presidency of her husband Ziaur Rahman, and is currently the chairperson and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Her more than decade-long tenure makes her the longest serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

And finally, the most recent addition�.:

9. AMEENAH FAKIM, President of Mauritius, 2015 � Present

Sworn in on 5 June 2015, Ameenah Fakim is Mauritius� sixth President, and the first woman to ever run the Hindu-majority country. As well as her successes in politics, Fakim is a highly distinguished biodiversity scientist, having worked in the roles of Dean of Faculty and pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Mauritius. Despite having just started in the position, Fakim has already demonstrated a strong commitment to feminist principles, particularly advocating the importance of education for young girls. She has also expressed deep environmental concerns, pinpointing climate change and sustainable development as primary focuses of her incoming tenure as President.

Silent Veil a documentary by Depilex Smileagain

Silent Veil a documentary by Depilex Smileagain by depilexsmileagain

Pakistani Christian leader receives threats from Muslims, told to �stop building churches or we will kill you'

Muslims warn, "This is an Islamic nation. We cannot allow church building. Either you convert to Islam or you leave this country! Stop building churches or you�ll pay the consequences!"

Related:

• Freedom, Provocation and Targets
• Celebrations of Holy Pascha in Pakistan
• Jihadis Cleansing Pakistan of Christians

To help support the Orthodox Christian Mission in Pakistan, kindly contact: fr.joseph.rocpk@gmail.com

Pakistani Christian leader receives threats from Muslims, told to �stop building churches or we will kill you'

by Shafique Khokhar, AsiaNews, May 11, 2015

via Jihad Watch and The Religion of Peace

Lahore (AsiaNews) � For the past three months, Javed David, a Christian leader in Lahore, has been receiving death threats from a group of unidentified people because of his involvement in the construction of several churches in the area.

Three of his associates � John Akram, Ata-ur-Rehman and Saman Joy Alexander � have also been threatened. David is president of a Christian association, �Hope for the Light Ministries�.

The latest incident occurred on 4 April, the day before Easter, but the Christian leader spoke to AsiaNews about only today.

�I had been to church in Sheikhupura to attend a meeting with colleagues,� he said. �It was 8 o�clock in the evening when we left to return to Lahore. We were about to reach the main road when a motorbike drove up and blocked the way. Maybe they were following us. The two bikers were wearing a helmet. One of them came up to my window and spoke to me. �We know what you are doing here,� he said. �Stop building churches. Convert to Islam, which is the true religion. Otherwise we will make a horrible example of you.�

A similar incident occurred on 22 February, after he visited another church under construction. �On that occasion too, I was going home,� he noted, �when a motorcycle stopped in front of me. The driver knocked on the window and threw in a piece of paper. I did not open it before I got home. It said, �This is an Islamic nation. We cannot allow church building. Either you convert to Islam or you leave this country! Stop building churches or you�ll pay the consequences!�

Since 2013, David and his associates have helped poor communities build churches. The first one was erected in a village in Shekhupura district. In 2014, they built a second one in Jaranwala district, near Faisalabad. This year, another one is being built, also in Jaranwala district.

�Right now we were shocked and frightened,� Ata-ur-Rehman Saman said. �Previously, when we bought land to build the church in Sheikhupura, we met resistance from some members of the local Muslim community, but then it all worked out. The head of the local madrassa laid the first brick. Both communities live in peace there, although we have seen rising religious intolerance.�

�My family and I are scared and worried because I continue to receive threats,� Javed David said. �Where can we go to enjoy religious freedom? This is our country; we have lived here for generations.�

�After the tragedy in Youhanabad, circumstances have changed and now there is more fear,� he added. �Still, I dedicated my life to Christ and I shall continue to serve His people, no matter what happens.�

Celebrations of Holy Pascha in Pakistan

I am deeply moved by the quiet bravery and dedicated faith of Fr. Joseph Farooq and these congregations, who shine as Light in the midst of the darkness of the Islamic nation of Pakistan.  ~ CHRIST IS RISEN! ~

See also:

• Palm Sunday in Pakistan�Spiritual Preparation for Holy Pascha
• Celebrations of 700th Anniversary of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Sargodha, Pakistan
• The Blessed Feast of the Nativity of Christ in Pakistan

Celebrations of Holy Pascha in Pakistan
Pravoslavie � April 15, 2015

With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan HILARION, Archbishop of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, on April 12, 2015, the ROCOR faithful in Pakistan joyfully participated in the Paschal Divine Liturgy. The congregation was given the chance to prepare themselves during the Holy week. The parishioners participated in the services starting from Palm Sunday; it is the most joyous feasts of the year, as we commemorate the Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem and with full passion and true spirit the Orthodox faithful were taught well by Fr.Joseph Farooq how to follow the holy traditions of the Orthodox Church during the Passion Week. All the main services were well attended, with many parishioners receiving the sacrament of Confession and Holy Communion.

This year a seminar was held on �Great Lent and Holy Traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church.� In this seminar Fr. Joseph Farooq described to the faithful that fasting is very important for Orthodox Christians, and according to the holy traditions, the Orthodox faithful observe the fast on Wednesday and Friday throughout the year. Further he mentioned that we Orthodox Christians fast before Christmas, �The Nativity fast.� The faithful were also taught that Holy Saturday is a day of strict fasting for Russian Orthodox Christians. The motive of the seminar was the spiritual preparation of the Orthodox community for Holy Pascha.

Metropolitan Hilarion's 2015 Paschal Epistle:

His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion in his Paschal Epistle greeted all the faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia in Pakistan on the Great Feast of the Resurrection of Christ. This Paschal Epistle strengthens the Orthodox clergy and faithful with the unique teaching of the undivided apostolic Church, and His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion encourages the believers on the great feast of the splendid Resurrection of Christ by saying, �In the midst of our sorrows and temptations, renew us all with the joy of His Life-bearing Resurrection, support faith and piety with within us, illumine us with trust in the coming, eternal celebration on the never-waning day of His Kingdom. Amen.�

Active Participation of the Congregation:

This year all the Orthodox faithful and catechumens joyfully participated in all services and went through the spiritual experience of the Holy Week. Beside this they learned the holy traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church. The youth of St. Sergius Orthodox parish voluntarily and with full spirit and passion decorated the Church arena with buntings, banners and colorful ribbons. The Paschal Joy, Triumph of life, Christ's Resurrection bring many blessings for the Orthodox Church in Pakistan and throughout the world.

Humble Request:

With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan HILARION, Archbishop of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, dedicated the year 2015, that God willing we shall be able to buy land and build the first Holy Russian Orthodox Church in Pakistan and school for Orthodox and Non-Orthodox Christian Children. I earnestly pray to God that He may provide us the kind and generous donors for the completion of this sacred project.

Mission: Saint Michael Archangel Orthodox Mission in Pakistan.

Parish: St. Sergius of Radonezh Orthodox Church Sargodha Pakistan.

For queries about the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia in Pakistan, kindly contact: fr.joseph.rocpk@gmail.com

Women�s groups campaign in D.C. to help victims of forced marriages

 

Mariam was a sixth-grader in Toronto when her family started pressuring her to get engaged. They sent her on a summer trip to their native Pakistan, ostensibly to study but actually to meet a fiance chosen by her aunt. When she protested after returning home, she said, her mother kept insisting and wearing her down.

�She cried a lot. She prayed loudly to God that I would change. She refused to speak to me for days. She told me the family�s honor was at stake,� recounted Mariam, now 20, who asked that her last name not be published. �I wanted to finish school and go to college, but at times I almost said yes, just so she would stop crying.�

Finally, when she turned 17, Mariam decided to leave home � an unthinkable act in her culture. With encouragement from a women�s rights group, she slipped out early one morning, taking a small bag. No shelter would accept her, because she had not been physically abused, and she felt racked with guilt and loneliness. Eventually, though, she found housing, friends and a measure of emotional independence.

Today, Mariam is active in a growing movement in the United States and Canada to promote public awareness and legal protections for victims of forced marriage.

Full article

Jihadis Cleansing Pakistan of Christians

Imagine what it must be like to worship the Holy Trinity during the Divine Liturgy under the constant threat of gunfire and bombings. 

Sometimes when I hear the Beatitudes sung during the Liturgy, I wonder what our brothers and sisters must think and feel when they sing and hear Christ's words, "Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My Name's sake. Rejoice! And be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in the heavens!"

For our Christian brethren in the Islamic world, these words are made real. They are experiencing the truth of Christ's words day-by-day in a profound, life-and-death manner we cannot even begin to apprehend in our land of comfort and entertainment.

God forgive us and help us to remember and pray for our persecuted brethren � these confessors and martyrs � and that we may strive just a little more earnestly to deepen our own faith, that we may share in the Resurrection with these witnesses for Christ!


Jihadis Cleansing Pakistan of Christians
by Raymond Ibrahim; March 21, 2015

On Sunday, March 15, as Christian churches around the world were celebrating morning mass, two churches in Pakistan were attacked by Islamic suicide bombers. At least 17 people were killed and over 70 were wounded.

The two churches (located in Youhanabad, Lahore�s Christian quarter) were St. John�s Catholic Church and Christ Church (Protestant). The Taliban claimed responsibility. It is believed that the group had hoped for much greater death tolls, as there were almost 2,000 people in both churches at the time of the explosions.

According to eyewitnesses, two suicide bombers approached the gates of the two churches and tried to enter them. When they were stopped � including by a 15-year-old Christian who blocked them with his body � they self-detonated. Witnesses saw �body parts flying through the air.�

Thus did the jihadis �kill and be killed,� in the words of Koran 9:111, the verse most often cited to justify suicide attacks.

According to an official statement of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Episcopal Conference of Pakistan, despite all the threats received by the churches, authorities only provided �minimal� security:

Agents present at the time of the attack were busy watching the cricket match on TV, instead of carrying out their duty to protect churches. As a result of this neglect, many Christians have lost their lives.

The statement further urged:

� the government to adopt strong measures to protect churches and other religious minorities in Pakistan [since] the Christian community of Pakistan was targeted by extremists in the past.

Less than a year-and-a-half earlier, on September 22, 2013, in Peshawar, suicide bombers entered the All Saints Church right after Sunday mass and blew themselves up in the midst of approximately 550 congregants, killing nearly 90 worshippers. Many were Sunday school children, women, and choir members. At least 120 were injured.

One parishioner recalled how �human remains were strewn all over the church.� (For an idea of the aftermath of suicide attacks on churches, see these graphic pictures.)

In 2001, Islamic gunmen stormed St. Dominic�s Protestant Church, opening fire on the congregants and killing at least 16 worshippers, mostly women and children.

Less dramatic attacks on churches occur with great frequency. Days before last Sunday�s twin attacks, three armed men entered Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Kasur district, Punjab, and took church personnel, the assistant parish priest, and congregation hostage. Before leaving the premises, the terrorists stole mobile telephones, cameras, and a computer.

Earlier, Father Leopold, the ailing parish priest, was robbed by thieves:

[They] pretended to be ordinary members of the faithful wanting to enroll some children at the parish school. Then they suddenly pulled out guns.

Christmas season is an especially dangerous time for Christians meeting in churches. On last December 25:

Heavy contingents of police were deployed in and around the churches � citizens were allowed only after [a] thorough body search � while the entry points leading to the churches had been closed by placing cemented blocks and barbed wire.

During another Christmas, the following attack came in response to fatwas condemning Christmas celebrations:

When Christian worshipers were coming out of different churches after performing Christmas prayers, more than one hundred Muslim extremists equipped with automatic rifles, pistols and sticks attacked the Christian women, children and men.

There have also been general attacks on Christians, especially in the context of accusing them of �blaspheming� against Islam. Last November, a mob � not the �Taliban,� and not �terrorists� � consisting of at least 1,200 Muslims tortured and burned to death a young Christian couple (the wife was pregnant) in an industrial kiln in Pakistan.

Someone had accused the Christian couple of desecrating the Koran.

Even when not in church and not accused of blasphemy, Christian minorities are always in danger. Last December, Elisabeth Bibi, a 28-year-old pregnant Christian mother of four, was �beaten, scorned and humiliated, deprived of her dignity [and] forced to walk naked through the town� by two Muslim brothers � the pregnant woman�s employers � following an argument.

In the ordeal, she lost her baby.

Rights activists say the attack �was motivated because of Bibi�s [Christian] religious beliefs.�

Speaking last Sunday from Rome, Pope Francis said:

It�s with pain, much pain that I was told of the terrorist attacks against two Christian churches in Lahore in Pakistan, which have caused numerous deaths and injuries. These are Christian churches and Christians are persecuted, our Christian brothers are spilling their blood simply because they are Christians. I implore God � that this persecution against Christians � that the world seeks to hide � comes to an end and that there is peace.

Pope Francis is often criticized for his apologetic approach towards Islam. Even here, he does not note who is persecuting these Christians, leading to confusing assertions (�our Christian brothers are spilling their blood� sounds like Christians are killing Christians). But the pope is forthright as to why Christians are being killed: �simply because they are Christians.�

Others, such as the U.S. government, will not even concede that much.

When the world heard and saw how 21 Coptic Christians had their heads sawed off by Islamic jihadis in Libya, the White House issued a statement condemning the beheadings � but referred to the beheaded only as �Egyptian citizens.� Not Christians, or even Copts, even though that is the sole reason they were slaughtered according to statements issued by their executioners.

Such obfuscation ensures the Muslim persecution of Christians �that the world seeks to hide� will continue indefinitely.