Christians In Crossfire In Pakistan
Thursday, May 14, 2009 (1:33 am)
By Jawad Mazhar, Worthy News Special Correspondent reporting from Pakistan
LAHORE , PAKISTAN (Worthy News) -- Pakistan's military on Thursday, May 14, continued pounding suspected positions of the militant Taliban group, which investigators say has created an atmosphere of hatred towards Christians and other religious minorities.
The fighting in Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley came amid reports that Islamic extremists have threatened Christians, jailed rights investigator Hector Aleem, 51, who was denied bail for his own safety April 30 after an Islamist lawyer threatened his life in a court hearing, observers of the trial said.
Aleem, who was detained in January, has been accused of blasphemy against Islam, charges his supporters have strongly denied. Rights groups say militants have been emboldened by the Taliban to follow strict interpretation of Islam in several areas of the country including in Punjab Province.
MORE PROTESTS
Sikh and Christian protesters have taken to the streets in Punjab's key city of Lahore, saying they would not surrender to "the Taliban radical clerics, who wish to enact their own kind of Shariah", or Islamic law, Worthy News and its news partner BosNewsLife learned.
A former federal minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman, who supports the protests, also said that "extortion demands" by "Taliban radical Islamic fighters, from Christians and Sikhs is a criminal act" and needs "to be addressed seriously."
She condemned the demand of ‘Jaziya’, a special tax imposed by Taliban war-lords, saying "Christians, Sikhs and all other religious Minorities are equal citizen of Pakistan and therefore they have equal rights."
However rights groups say a crackdown on the Taliban in the strategic Swat Valley and nearby areas is key to prevent what they view as the "Talibanization' of Pakistan."
UN CONCERNS
Yet, the United Nations and other organizations have expressed concerns over the growing number of refugees fleeing bombardments and shooting in the troubled region, including injured children, who in some cases saw family members die in front of their eyes.
The UN has said it had so far registered over 500,000 people who have fled the fighting in the Swat valley and neighboring districts since May 2. Of these, about 73,000 are staying in temporary camps, while the others are with relatives or friends, according to United Nations estimates.
The military has intensified efforts to wrest control of the Swat valley and neighboring districts from Taliban gunmen as Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, defended requests to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for further financial aid to Pakistan, news reports said.
Pakistan's military says it has killed over 750 militants since the operation began on April 26 against insurgents who reneged on a peace accord and advanced toward the capital.
LAHORE , PAKISTAN (Worthy News) -- Pakistan's military on Thursday, May 14, continued pounding suspected positions of the militant Taliban group, which investigators say has created an atmosphere of hatred towards Christians and other religious minorities.
The fighting in Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley came amid reports that Islamic extremists have threatened Christians, jailed rights investigator Hector Aleem, 51, who was denied bail for his own safety April 30 after an Islamist lawyer threatened his life in a court hearing, observers of the trial said.
Aleem, who was detained in January, has been accused of blasphemy against Islam, charges his supporters have strongly denied. Rights groups say militants have been emboldened by the Taliban to follow strict interpretation of Islam in several areas of the country including in Punjab Province.
MORE PROTESTS
Sikh and Christian protesters have taken to the streets in Punjab's key city of Lahore, saying they would not surrender to "the Taliban radical clerics, who wish to enact their own kind of Shariah", or Islamic law, Worthy News and its news partner BosNewsLife learned.
A former federal minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman, who supports the protests, also said that "extortion demands" by "Taliban radical Islamic fighters, from Christians and Sikhs is a criminal act" and needs "to be addressed seriously."
She condemned the demand of ‘Jaziya’, a special tax imposed by Taliban war-lords, saying "Christians, Sikhs and all other religious Minorities are equal citizen of Pakistan and therefore they have equal rights."
However rights groups say a crackdown on the Taliban in the strategic Swat Valley and nearby areas is key to prevent what they view as the "Talibanization' of Pakistan."
UN CONCERNS
Yet, the United Nations and other organizations have expressed concerns over the growing number of refugees fleeing bombardments and shooting in the troubled region, including injured children, who in some cases saw family members die in front of their eyes.
The UN has said it had so far registered over 500,000 people who have fled the fighting in the Swat valley and neighboring districts since May 2. Of these, about 73,000 are staying in temporary camps, while the others are with relatives or friends, according to United Nations estimates.
The military has intensified efforts to wrest control of the Swat valley and neighboring districts from Taliban gunmen as Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, defended requests to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for further financial aid to Pakistan, news reports said.
Pakistan's military says it has killed over 750 militants since the operation began on April 26 against insurgents who reneged on a peace accord and advanced toward the capital.
Copyright 2009 Worthy News. All rights reserved.
This is an open forum. Any opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Worthy News, or its parent ministry Worthy Ministries.
Increase
Decrease
Praying!
“Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.” Zephaniah 2:3
Sikh and Christian protesters, Taliban radical clerics, .Taliban radical Islamic fighters, other religious Minorities ,Taliban war-lords, refugees, Taliban gunmen ,injured children, relatives or friends, U.S. special envoy,750 militants
Jesus of Nazareth would not see the separate factions that we have created in an attempt to understand the conflict.
Why not take his example and see with his eyes, the tired and the hungry the sick and the lame. Those that mourn and need comforting, those that have known only hate and cruelty and need love and healing.
This should be the concern and what should be addressed by the true followers of Christ…Corvidillis
Dear People, the Universal Mind cannot be imprisoned by the belief systems of any one religious or philosophically based group, claiming to be the standard bearers of knowledge and truth. Aspects of Light are found within them all – as all are connected to the Essence, (the Ultimate Reality), of which life – wherever it is found, is but a reflection of its existance.
Cognitive understanding of this fact is still – (painfully at times) evolving. As such a new understanding of the identity of both the Universal Mind, and hence of the human race itself, will then occur. However this process will happen in a way that does not upset the cognitive equilibrium of the human race – and of civilisation as a whole, and the ability to adapt to such a powerful revelation.
The Universal Mind – Essence of Light in all its meaning(s), Present Present – having Presence beyond parameters of time and space, yet is intrinsically part of those parameters in which the human mind seeks to define its Presence, but please not at the cost of further loss of life etc.
Dear One
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18
The Great Either Or – The LORD Jesus
“He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” Luke 11:23
The Universal Mind Set – Sinner’s Heart Revealed
“But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:36
From Beyond Time And Space – The One True Light Rejected
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
“For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”
“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:17-21
The New Creation The Hope Of The Faithful – The City Made Without Hands
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4
The Narrow Way To The City Made Without Hands – The LORD Jesus Christ The SON Of God
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:”
“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:13-15
Dear One It’s Your Choice, Choose Wisely
“The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.”
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:35-36
Love, Joe
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16
Hallelujah!
THEIR IS ONLY ONE TRUTH HIS NAME IS JESUS CHRIST. I’AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. THE CARNAL MIND IS ENMITY ROMANS 8:7 AGANIST GOD.JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. THAT EVERY KNEE WILL BOW AND EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS INTHE HEAVENS IN THE EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH.JESUS IS LORD