Pakistan's Minorities Citizens
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Hopefully not murdered by a Muslim...
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ghazi52
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Tribal way: Lone church in South Waziristan continues services
Our Correspondent / Shahabullah Yousafzai
December 26, 2018
A man decorates a Christmas tree at the St. John Cathedral Church ahead of Christmas celebrations in Peshawar,
PESHAWAR: On a bright chilly winter day, people of all ages are gathered in a small building greeting each other, two beaming boys Binyamin and Youzarsif are tugging their father’s jacket and asking if they can have the cake now that the sermon is over and the official cake cutting ceremony has taken place.
As soon as they get their share, the two rush out going door-to-door in this small Christian community to spread Christmas greetings like so many other children of the neighbourhood.
As young men and women were making plans for picnic trips and family parties in the neighbourhood, a young and educated youth was asking his community members to remember their district, country and especially security forces in their prayers.
These are the scenes of a Protestant Church in Wana, a town which was once a hotbed of Taliban in South Waziristan.
The Christian community has been living here for over a century. Now nestled inside a Pakistan Army base, it is the only proper Church building in the seven tribal districts. Pastor Nazir Alam’s family has been running the affairs of the church for over a hundred years. Alam expressed his pleasure that he was among the people who have been selected for spreading the message of love and peace in a volatile area like Wana, formally known as headquarters of the Taliban.
History
Zeeshan Alam the new Pastor and the grandson of Nazir Alam said that when missionaries came to India, they travelled the length and breadth of the region spreading the message of the Church.
During the first and second Anglo-Afghan War some of the missionaries accompanying the British-India Army decided to stay behind in the buffer zone between Afghanistan and India now known to the world as Fata.
They continued to serve their missionary duties and today, every tribal district has a Church, said Pastor Zeeshan Alam. However, in North Waziristan there are two Churches, one in Miranmshah and the other in Razmak.
Population wise, Khyber tribal district is home to the largest and the oldest Christian community in the tribal areas, Pastor Alam said.
According to a report released by the government of Pakistan on the state of minorities, there were some 50,000 minorities living in ex-Fata region.
These include 20,000 Sikh, 20,000 Christians and 10,000 thousand Hindus.
According to a report published by an independent Fata Minorities Protection Group, none of the minority community member has been injured, abducted nor their houses ever damaged even during the Taliban occupation in the previous Fata.
The report stated: “no one has been hurt, killed, abducted for ransom or his or her house been razed to ground, however, few families have been displaced on the directives of the Pastor.”
Professions
Wrong notions have been associated with the minorities about their professions, especially with the Christians. But in ex-Fata most of the businesses and marketplaces are occupied by these minorities. Sikh community are mostly associated with trade and business all the way from Bajaur to South Waziristan. The Hindu community is famous as grocers and their centuries old Ayurveda medicine. Tribal people have more trust in herbal medicine of the local experts than the tablets and capsules of multinational companies.
The Hindus are also famous for trade in cloth and garments.
The Christians are more literate among the minorities and enjoying government jobs in the district administration office.
In the settled districts, they live in worst of the localities, but in the tribal areas, they are housed in highly protected government colonies.
In the past, the political agents were responsible for ensuring that all Christian children get education.
Arshad Masih who works with the South Waziristan administration as computer operator for years said: “Nurses from our community were tending to injured soldiers in Razmak during the war on militancy.”
Minorities under Taliban
“Even in the Taliban era, our services in our Churches continued,” said North Waziristan Pastor Yousaf Masih, who hails from DI Khan.
The state was no doubt responsible for our security, but the Taliban too had given special permission for Church services, Masih told The Express Tribune.
“The security forces went out of the way to protect us and would time and again ask us to avoid unnecessary traveling during the unrest,” he said.
While the services were uninterrupted, our pastor was travelling from DI Khan to the militancy-hit area, but no one ever bothered him not even the militants.” Masih said.
The pastors of North and South Waziristan in their respective sermons asserted that the Christian people are as much Pakistani as any other community living in this country, and that they should not hesitant to sacrifice their lives if it comes to protecting our motherland.
Special prayers were offered for the stability Pakistan in Christmas services held across the tribal districts.
Our Correspondent / Shahabullah Yousafzai
December 26, 2018
A man decorates a Christmas tree at the St. John Cathedral Church ahead of Christmas celebrations in Peshawar,
PESHAWAR: On a bright chilly winter day, people of all ages are gathered in a small building greeting each other, two beaming boys Binyamin and Youzarsif are tugging their father’s jacket and asking if they can have the cake now that the sermon is over and the official cake cutting ceremony has taken place.
As soon as they get their share, the two rush out going door-to-door in this small Christian community to spread Christmas greetings like so many other children of the neighbourhood.
As young men and women were making plans for picnic trips and family parties in the neighbourhood, a young and educated youth was asking his community members to remember their district, country and especially security forces in their prayers.
These are the scenes of a Protestant Church in Wana, a town which was once a hotbed of Taliban in South Waziristan.
The Christian community has been living here for over a century. Now nestled inside a Pakistan Army base, it is the only proper Church building in the seven tribal districts. Pastor Nazir Alam’s family has been running the affairs of the church for over a hundred years. Alam expressed his pleasure that he was among the people who have been selected for spreading the message of love and peace in a volatile area like Wana, formally known as headquarters of the Taliban.
History
Zeeshan Alam the new Pastor and the grandson of Nazir Alam said that when missionaries came to India, they travelled the length and breadth of the region spreading the message of the Church.
During the first and second Anglo-Afghan War some of the missionaries accompanying the British-India Army decided to stay behind in the buffer zone between Afghanistan and India now known to the world as Fata.
They continued to serve their missionary duties and today, every tribal district has a Church, said Pastor Zeeshan Alam. However, in North Waziristan there are two Churches, one in Miranmshah and the other in Razmak.
Population wise, Khyber tribal district is home to the largest and the oldest Christian community in the tribal areas, Pastor Alam said.
According to a report released by the government of Pakistan on the state of minorities, there were some 50,000 minorities living in ex-Fata region.
These include 20,000 Sikh, 20,000 Christians and 10,000 thousand Hindus.
According to a report published by an independent Fata Minorities Protection Group, none of the minority community member has been injured, abducted nor their houses ever damaged even during the Taliban occupation in the previous Fata.
The report stated: “no one has been hurt, killed, abducted for ransom or his or her house been razed to ground, however, few families have been displaced on the directives of the Pastor.”
Professions
Wrong notions have been associated with the minorities about their professions, especially with the Christians. But in ex-Fata most of the businesses and marketplaces are occupied by these minorities. Sikh community are mostly associated with trade and business all the way from Bajaur to South Waziristan. The Hindu community is famous as grocers and their centuries old Ayurveda medicine. Tribal people have more trust in herbal medicine of the local experts than the tablets and capsules of multinational companies.
The Hindus are also famous for trade in cloth and garments.
The Christians are more literate among the minorities and enjoying government jobs in the district administration office.
In the settled districts, they live in worst of the localities, but in the tribal areas, they are housed in highly protected government colonies.
In the past, the political agents were responsible for ensuring that all Christian children get education.
Arshad Masih who works with the South Waziristan administration as computer operator for years said: “Nurses from our community were tending to injured soldiers in Razmak during the war on militancy.”
Minorities under Taliban
“Even in the Taliban era, our services in our Churches continued,” said North Waziristan Pastor Yousaf Masih, who hails from DI Khan.
The state was no doubt responsible for our security, but the Taliban too had given special permission for Church services, Masih told The Express Tribune.
“The security forces went out of the way to protect us and would time and again ask us to avoid unnecessary traveling during the unrest,” he said.
While the services were uninterrupted, our pastor was travelling from DI Khan to the militancy-hit area, but no one ever bothered him not even the militants.” Masih said.
The pastors of North and South Waziristan in their respective sermons asserted that the Christian people are as much Pakistani as any other community living in this country, and that they should not hesitant to sacrifice their lives if it comes to protecting our motherland.
Special prayers were offered for the stability Pakistan in Christmas services held across the tribal districts.
ghazi52
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New tunnel to lead straight to Nankana Sahib
LAHORE: To facilitate Sikh pilgrims, a tunnel will be constructed from the railway track to the Gurdwara Kartarpur in Nankana Sahib.
Lahore Division Commissioner Dr Mujtaba Piracha said that in order to ensure the hassle-free entry of Sikh pilgrims to the Gurdwara of Baba Guru Nanak Sahib, a tunnel will be constructed. It will not only provide direct entry of Sikh pilgrims, but will also ensure their security and that of locals.
Presiding over a meeting on Saturday, Piracha said the proposed tunnel would be 205 metres long and 15 to 16 metres wide. He added a large number of Sikh pilgrims were being expected to attend the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Sahib in 2019.
LAHORE: To facilitate Sikh pilgrims, a tunnel will be constructed from the railway track to the Gurdwara Kartarpur in Nankana Sahib.
Lahore Division Commissioner Dr Mujtaba Piracha said that in order to ensure the hassle-free entry of Sikh pilgrims to the Gurdwara of Baba Guru Nanak Sahib, a tunnel will be constructed. It will not only provide direct entry of Sikh pilgrims, but will also ensure their security and that of locals.
Presiding over a meeting on Saturday, Piracha said the proposed tunnel would be 205 metres long and 15 to 16 metres wide. He added a large number of Sikh pilgrims were being expected to attend the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Sahib in 2019.
ghazi52
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In a first, Pakistan appoints Hindu woman as civil judge
January 28, 2019
Suman Bodani from Shahdadkot clears examination for judicial officers with flying colours. PHOTO: FILE
For the first time in Pakistan’s judicial history a woman belonging to the Hindu community has been appointed as a civil and judicial magistrate.
Suman Bodani, hailing from Sindh’s Shahdadkot district, was declared eligible for the post after passing her judicial officers’ examination with flying colours –
Speaking to a foreign news outlet, Bodani said she belonged to an underdeveloped rural area of Sindh, where she witnessed poor struggling to cope with various challenges life throws at them. “They cannot even afford to lodge cases, and that is the reason behind my decision of joining law [studies] so I can bring justice to them,” she was quoted as saying.
After completing her intermediate from her native town Shahdadkot, Bodani persuaded law and acquired Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Hyderabad and Master of Laws (LLM) from Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST) in Karachi.
Bodani also said she faced resistance form her own community as they did not like girls working in the law field. However, her family including her father and siblings extended their full support to her. “My family did not pay any heed to what people would say and helped me achieve my goal.”
Last year, Justice Syeda Tahira Safdar made history after becoming the first woman chief justice of a high court in the country.
She was also the first woman appointed as a civil judge in Balochistan and holds the distinction of being the first woman in the province appointed as a judge in the Balochistan High Court.
January 28, 2019
Suman Bodani from Shahdadkot clears examination for judicial officers with flying colours. PHOTO: FILE
For the first time in Pakistan’s judicial history a woman belonging to the Hindu community has been appointed as a civil and judicial magistrate.
Suman Bodani, hailing from Sindh’s Shahdadkot district, was declared eligible for the post after passing her judicial officers’ examination with flying colours –
Speaking to a foreign news outlet, Bodani said she belonged to an underdeveloped rural area of Sindh, where she witnessed poor struggling to cope with various challenges life throws at them. “They cannot even afford to lodge cases, and that is the reason behind my decision of joining law [studies] so I can bring justice to them,” she was quoted as saying.
After completing her intermediate from her native town Shahdadkot, Bodani persuaded law and acquired Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Hyderabad and Master of Laws (LLM) from Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST) in Karachi.
Bodani also said she faced resistance form her own community as they did not like girls working in the law field. However, her family including her father and siblings extended their full support to her. “My family did not pay any heed to what people would say and helped me achieve my goal.”
Last year, Justice Syeda Tahira Safdar made history after becoming the first woman chief justice of a high court in the country.
She was also the first woman appointed as a civil judge in Balochistan and holds the distinction of being the first woman in the province appointed as a judge in the Balochistan High Court.
ghazi52
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This Gurdwara is in Namak Mandi, Raja bazar, Rawalpindi
Nirankari sect was born in this very place. Bhai Dayal Singh was the founder of this sect.
Dayal Singh used to recite the word "Narankar" and opposed idol worship.
Nirankari sect was born in this very place. Bhai Dayal Singh was the founder of this sect.
Dayal Singh used to recite the word "Narankar" and opposed idol worship.
ghazi52
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Holi festival organized at Nishtar hall in Peshawar
March 30, 2019
A function in connection with religious festival of Hindu community “Holi” was held in Peshawar this evening.
Addressing the function, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Dr. Hisham Inamullah Khan said the minorities are enjoying equal rights in Pakistan.
He said minorities had also played a key role in creation of Pakistan.
Hisham Inamullah Khan congratulated the Hindu community on eve of their religious festival.
March 30, 2019
A function in connection with religious festival of Hindu community “Holi” was held in Peshawar this evening.
Addressing the function, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Dr. Hisham Inamullah Khan said the minorities are enjoying equal rights in Pakistan.
He said minorities had also played a key role in creation of Pakistan.
Hisham Inamullah Khan congratulated the Hindu community on eve of their religious festival.
ghazi52
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ghazi52
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Over 2000 Sikh Yatrees from India arrive in Lahore to participate in annual Baisakhi festival
April 12, 2019
About 2,206 Sikh pilgrims arrived in Lahore from India today to participate in the annual celebrations of Baisakhi festival to be held on Sunday at Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hassan Abdal.
Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Tahir Ehsan, Secretary Board Tariq Wazir, Pardhan Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Sardar Tara Singh, local Sikh leaders and board officials received them warmly.
According to spokesman of Evacuee Trust Property Board the main ceremony of Baisakhi festival called Bhog Akhand Paath Sahib will be held at Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hassan Abdal on April 14.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noor ul Haq Qadri and Chairman ETPB Tahir Ehsan will be chief guests on this occasion.
April 12, 2019
About 2,206 Sikh pilgrims arrived in Lahore from India today to participate in the annual celebrations of Baisakhi festival to be held on Sunday at Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hassan Abdal.
Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Tahir Ehsan, Secretary Board Tariq Wazir, Pardhan Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Sardar Tara Singh, local Sikh leaders and board officials received them warmly.
According to spokesman of Evacuee Trust Property Board the main ceremony of Baisakhi festival called Bhog Akhand Paath Sahib will be held at Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hassan Abdal on April 14.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noor ul Haq Qadri and Chairman ETPB Tahir Ehsan will be chief guests on this occasion.
ghazi52
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Sikh Yatrees visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur
April 19, 2019
Sikh Yatrees visited Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur amid tight security on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, Leader of Sikh Jatha Party Sardar Harvinder Singh Khalisa said Sikh Community will always remember the historic announcement of Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding establishment of Kartarpur Corridor.
He thanked Pakistani government and Evacuee Trust Property Board for making excellent arrangements for their visit.
The Sikh Yatrees will return to India through special trains after completing their visit on Sunday.
April 19, 2019
Sikh Yatrees visited Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur amid tight security on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, Leader of Sikh Jatha Party Sardar Harvinder Singh Khalisa said Sikh Community will always remember the historic announcement of Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding establishment of Kartarpur Corridor.
He thanked Pakistani government and Evacuee Trust Property Board for making excellent arrangements for their visit.
The Sikh Yatrees will return to India through special trains after completing their visit on Sunday.
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