Christian man on trial in anti-terrorist court in Pakistan dies in prison

Christian man on trial in anti-terrorist court in Pakistan dies in prison

By Sheraz Khan, South Asia Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM (ANS -- December 10, 2017) -- Usman Shaukat Masih, a 29-year-old Pakistani Christian man, who was in Kot Lakh Pat jail in Pakistan while he was on trial in an anti-terrorist court following accusations that, alongside a charged mob, he had attacked government properties in the wake of the 2015 Lahore church bomb attacks has died on Saturday December 9, 2017, ANS has learnt.

Masih was one of the 83 people named in the police First Information Report (FIR). Forty accused were later acquitted and one Christian man died in prison two months ago leaving Masih amongst 42 people who were still on trial in the anti-terrorist court on charges of attacking government properties in the wake of 2015 Lahore church bombings.

Saleem Khurshid Khokhar, founder of Minority Inqlabi Tehreek Pakistan (Minority Revolutionary Movement Pakistan) told ANS that he disputes the police version which holds that Masih died of a heart attack in the Kot Lakh Pat jail in Lahore.

Khokhar went on to say that the Minority Revolutionary Movement Pakistan declares Masih’s death a “murder” until the Pakistani authorities launched an investigation to determine what led to Masih’s death in the prison.

ANS could not independently verify what caused the death of Masih in prison.

Mr. Khokhar, a former member of provincial assembly Sindh, who now lives in Liverpool, United Kingdom, told ANS that the deputy attorney general of the Punjab government had in the past allegedly offered a “pardon” to Masih if he embraced Islam.

“Masih declined to convert to Islam and stood firm in his Christian faith,” Khokhar told ANS.

Mr. Khokhar called for a high court judge-led inquiry to establish the true cause of Masih’s death, and also called upon Mian Saqib Nisar, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, to take a suo motu action following Masih’s death.

Mr. Khokhar alleged that the government of Punjab and the federal government had failed to protect the lives and properties of Pakistani Christians, and other religious minorities.

He stated that all minority lawmakers in Pakistan, including Senator Kamran Michael and Khalil Tahir Sandhu, the provincial minister of human rights and minority affairs, should look into the circumstances that led to Masih’s death in the prison.

“Pakistani minorities are equal citizens of the state. It is unfortunate that their rights continue to be violated despite the past and present governments promises that they would protect and safeguard minority rights,” regretted Mr. Khokhar.

He told ANS that he recently wrote a letter to Pakistani Prime Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, urging him to protect minority rights in Pakistan.

He also urged parliamentarians in the UK, and around the world, to exercise their influence on the Pakistan government, so that it takes “concrete” steps to protect and safeguard minority rights in Pakistan.

Mr. Khokhar added: “We urge human rights organisations in the UK, and around the world, to join hands with us in promoting the cause of Christians, and other religious minorities in Pakistan.

Commenting on Asia Bibi, the Christian mother-of-five who is on death row in Pakistan since 2009 after having been accused of having committing blasphemy, he said: “The continued incarceration of Asia Bibi shows the ever-increasing influence of religious fundamentalists in Pakistan.

“As we are going to soon enter 2018, I urge human rights organisations, human rights activists, minority rights leaders, church pastors, church leaders and church- based organisations around the world to step up their efforts aimed at getting Asia Bibi freed,” said Khokhar.

Asher Sarfraz, Chief executive of the Christian True Spirt (CTS), who lives in Germany, confirmed the death of Masih in Kot Lakh Pat Jail, stating that his team in Pakistan were working to ascertain the circumstances leading to Masih’s death. Founded in 2010, CTS has been working to advocate the cause of Pakistani Christians. Mr. Sarfraz claimed that his group had been representing Pakistani Christians in the European Parliament breakfast for last two years. “We advocated the cause of the Pakistani Christians at the European parliament breakfast on December 6, 2017,” he said.

Expressing lack of confidence on serving Christian and minority lawmakers in Pakistan, Mr. Sarfraz stated that they have failed to protect the lives and properties of Pakistani Christians and other religious minorities.

Asked what CTS does in Pakistan, he replied that they were working on bringing about a decrease in incidents of sexual harassment against Pakistani Christians.

“We have set up basic education and adult schools in Pakistan to promote the literacy rate amongst Pakistani Christians,” he said.

Photo captions: 1) Sign outside the Pakistan jail where the Christian man died. 2) Saleem Khurshid Khokhar. 3) Asher Sarfraz. 4) Asia Bibi. 5) Sheraz Khan.

About the writer: Sheraz Khan is a Pakistani-British journalist. He lives in Scotland and can be contacted by e-mail: sheraz@btinternet.com

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Wassulu in Guinea

Wassulu in Guinea A warm and hospitable people, the Wassulu of West Africa claim to originate from the Futa Jalon (Fulani) of Guinea. Geopolitical borders do not define the area inhabited by the Wassulu people. The Wassulu region expands from the southwest corner of Mali, to the northwest corner of Ivory Coast and the northeast part of Guinea. Their villages are often remote. Although there is strong evidence of Muslim practices in their villages, many of the Wassulu also continue to follow traditional African religious beliefs and practices. Ministry Obstacles To follow Jesus among the Wassulu is to create division between oneself and family and friends. Such divisions are very significant barriers to belief. Outreach Ideas The Kissi tribe in Guinea has a large number of Christian believers. Perhaps the Kissi will carry the Gospel of Christ to their Wassulu neighbors. Pray to this end. Pray for the followers of Christ Pray for the followers of Jesus among the Wassulu community, that they will find each other in order to fellowship. Pray for accuracy in understanding the Gospel of grace. Pray they won't mix the teachings of Christ with traditional African religions. Pray for the entire people group Pray that each mature individual in the Wassulu tribe will have at least one opportunity to clearly hear the good news about Jesus in his or her mother tongue. Pray even for more than one opportunity, since it usually requires several in order to really understand and believe. Scripture Focus "Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see." Matthew 22:9		People Name: Wassulu Country: Guinea 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 130,000 World Population: 339,000 Language: Maninkakan, Eastern Primary Religion: Islam Bible: New Testament Audio NT (FCBH): No Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level:

Nisu, Jianshui in China

Nisu, Jianshui in China The Jianshui Nisu have been a dominant group in southern Yunnan for many centuries. They worship numerous spirits, some of whom are considered benevolent and others evil. The first missionaries in Jianshui arrived in 1933 and stayed for two years, and today there are a small number of Nisu Christians in Gaoda District. Ministry Obstacles Spirit worship must be overcome and replaced by worship of the living God. Outreach Ideas Han Chinese believers may be able to help disciple the Jianshui Nisu believers, giving them a vision to reach the remainder of their people group. Pray for the followers of Christ Pray for the believers among the Jianshui Nisu, that they would be properly taught in the faith, making the most of every opportunity, understanding what the Lord's will is. Pray for the entire people group Pray that all of the Jianshui Nisu people group will increasingly desire to learn of Jesus, his life and finished work on the cross. Scripture Focus "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance." Psalm 33:12		People Name: Nisu, Jianshui Country: China 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 226,000 World Population: 226,000 Language: Nisu, Southern Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions Bible: None Audio NT (FCBH): No Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: No Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level:

Yadav (Hindu traditions) in India

Yadav (Hindu traditions) in India The Yadav believe they are the descendants of king Yadu, from whom Krishna descended. Their traditional occupation is animal husbandry. They have expertise in oral traditions like sevagaridi, i.e. group singing in praise of Lord Vishnu. They freely share wells, roads, schools, crematoria, temple, etc. with other villagers. Ministry Obstacles Our natural human pride often prevents us from humbly accepting the free gift offered through faith in Christ. Outreach Ideas Christians need to build bridges of friendship with the Yadav. Their interest in oral traditions suggests an oral approach to the presentation of the Gospel message. Pray for the followers of Christ There are few if any believers among the Yadav today, but pray for the fellowshipping believers that will soon emerge from this community. Pray they will be zealous to know and serve the one who created them and redeemed them. Pray for the entire people group Pray for the Yadav community to have good schools available for their children, and for good employment opportunities. Scripture Focus "And those who lead many to righteousness [will shine] like the stars for ever and ever." Daniel 12:3		People Name: Yadav (Hindu traditions) Country: India 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 62,476,000 World Population: 63,730,000 Language: Hindi Primary Religion: Hinduism Bible: Complete Audio NT (FCBH): Yes Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level:

Teli (Hindu traditions) in India

Teli (Hindu traditions) in India "A community which derives its name from the Sanskrit word talika or taila, used for the oil extracted from sesame and mustard, thus alluding to their traditional occupation... Mythological origin of the Teli is traced to Lord Shiva who created them to destroy five demons. However, their legend also says that the first Teli was created by Shiva to rub him with oil." (Singh, K. S., India's Communities, p. 3462) Ministry Obstacles The Teli may have little concept of a loving creator God who has made provision for the forgiveness of sin and for an abundant life. Outreach Ideas Several teams of workers will be needed for this large community that speaks many languages. Pray for workers. Pray for the followers of Christ There are a few followers of Christ among the Teli community, pray they will hunger to learn of Christ, and follow him wholeheartedly. Pray for the entire people group Pray the Teli community will be able to properly provide for their families, and will have good schools available for their children. Pray for their material well-being as well as for their spiritual needs. Scripture Focus "The time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My glory." Isaiah 66:18		People Name: Teli (Hindu traditions) Country: India 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 19,600,000 World Population: 20,105,000 Language: Hindi Primary Religion: Hinduism Bible: Complete Audio NT (FCBH): Yes Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level:

Golden Window of Opportunity Opens in Syria

Golden Window of Opportunity Opens in Syria

November 2, 2017

Syrians displaced by war bring physical and emotional pain to an indigenous ministry's medical clinics.

When a Muslim soldier finally met up with his wife and three children at a camp for people displaced by Syria's civil war, they found there was literally less of him to embrace.

It wasn't just that Sayid* had less muscle mass in his injured arms and less skin on his side, thanks to an Improvised Explosive Device that Islamic State (ISIS) militants had detonated yards away from him. Nor that the blast seemed to have ongoing effects on his lungs and liver.

They noticed that he was moody and had difficulty concentrating. He sometimes seemed confused. Making decisions was difficult, and he had frequent headaches. Sayid couldn't recall things from their shared lives that he normally would. He was not fully the Sayid he was before, and it was unclear if he ever would be.

He had undergone 12 operations to reduce swelling of the brain, get skin grafts and repair internal organs.

Overworked doctors were too hurried to determine whether to attribute his cognitive problems to complications from concussion (purely physical) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (emotional), which delayed treatment options. Sayid was dejected about this and the gruffness of the doctors and other hospital staff members; they seemed to regard him as someone who had brought his injuries on himself, or at the very least as an interruption in their busy schedules.

This did not help in his recovery.

"When they're coming to church and asking us to pray for needs, I can see that God is working in their life," the ministry leader said. "People asking for prayer are Sunni Muslims, extremist Muslims too."

He learned about a three-day medical clinic at the camp for displaced people and decided to see if there was anything they could do for him. Run by an indigenous Christian ministry based in the undisclosed city in Syria, the clinic offered him something the health-care system had not: a listening ear. Every member of the medical team heard some part of his story – from life before civil war broke out, to the atrocities he'd witnessed, to the blast that left him limping both physically and emotionally.

He couldn't remember every detail, but family members remarked that he was summoning more from his memory banks than at any time since the blast. They also noted that he had been listening to the medical workers talk about Christ as the Son of God.

"I am very happy with their Jesus," Sayid told them. "What they are doing is Jesus through them."

Having learned about Christ's love, he saw it expressed through the medical workers. He was happy to tell the ministry director about what he had found there.

"He shared about feeling the love and presence of Jesus here, and he said, 'This is the first time ever I feel like a human with medical workers,'" the director said. "He said he wished all the medical people in the country could come and learn about Jesus so they would treat people well."

Yet to make a formal decision to follow Christ, Sayid is learning about Him and, more importantly, is experiencing God directly. Having tasted of the Lord, the goodness of the Word and the powers of the age to come, he is well on the path to eternal life, the director said.

The clinic gave him medicines as part of his follow-up treatment, and they left him with something far greater.

"At the end he said, 'I don't need any medicine or any treatment, because I am filled up with joy and satisfied,' even though he did need medicine," the director said.

Golden Opportunity

Christian literature is available to children at congregations that have formed among displaced people.

The ministry has shown Christ's love in other ways this year, including distribution of food, water and blankets – and Christian literature – to people displaced by war. Through partnership with another organization, the aid arrived in a shipping container that brought 270,000 food bags, each bag feeding two people.

From these distributions more than 500 people put their faith in Christ, forming dozens of house churches, the director said.

"There's even more than 500, probably – there could be thousands, but personally I've seen hundreds," he said.

Many more are, like Sayid, experiencing Christ in prayer and church attendance while not having yet made a decisive commitment, he said.

"When they're coming to church and asking us to pray for one need or another, I can see that God is working in their life," the director said. "People asking for prayer are Sunni Muslims, extremist Muslims too. It's more than preparing the soil, we're already putting down the seeds.

With rare, official permission, the ministry has an unprecedented opportunity to distribute aid in more areas of the country as ISIS militants have been driven from cities they had seized. Syria's civil war involves a complex set of factions, however, and the opportunity to provide aid and gospel literature may not last long, the director said.

"We have to take this opportunity now, because things could change – ISIS is not totally gone," he said. "It's more than a golden opportunity to move more deeply – we have access everywhere, anywhere."

The Arabic-language, "Life of Jesus" books distributed with relief items cost $110 for each 100 sent. Relief items have been donated, but the director appealed to Christian Aid Mission donors to provide assistance to buy Christian literature to bring eternal life to displaced people suffering in Syria.

*Name changed for security reasons

Home Fires

Photo of the Week

Home Fires   A family returned to their village in Iraq and found what remained of their home after coalition forces drove out Islamic State militants. An indigenous ministry team visited the village several times, and the predominantly Shiite Muslim community began to feel their love and concern. "Jesus was presented here, and we told them that this is what makes us care about you," the ministry leader said. The mayor of the village welcomed them and Jesus, he said. "He asked us to come for weekly meetings to talk about Christ in his home, and he invited all the people of the village to also come," the ministry leader said. "In a matter of days, all the people of the village were given Bibles, both children and adults, and everyone came to hear the message of Christ. Many of them asked the Lord to come into their hearts and save them." Please consider a gift to help Iraqi Christian workers bring the Word of God to their people.