Imran Khan Addressing Minorities at Rally in Lahore

Hi everyone, it's been so long since I added a post but I am at a critical point in my studies and have been totally emersed in my textbooks. But I'll definitely have a lot of updates coming this month.. As for this video brought to us by the facebook group Christians in Pakistan.. What do you think of his speech? A valiant effort or just another political speech? Let's hope it's more than that for the sake of Pakistan and it's minorities...

November 10th, 2011 - LTNI Meets with Hamilton-Area NDP Member Parliaments

___________________________________________________________

Love thy Neighbour International extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to MP David Christopherson (Hamilton Center), for coordinating and inviting two other Hamilton area New Democratic Party MPs, to meet with an LTNI delegation at his constituency office. On November 10th, 2011 LTNI Chair Vincent Samuel, Director Rafique Masih and Executive Member Simon Arif met with MP David Christopherson and MP Chris Charlton (Hamilton Mountain East), as well as a constituency office staff member of MP Wayne Marsdon (Stoney Creek).

Initially, Vincent spoke regarding the lack of religious freedom and human rights around the world. According to recent REW research reports, approximately one third of the countries in the world have high or very high restrictions on religion, and nearly 70% of the world's population live in countries with heavy restrictions on freedom of religion. These restrictions on religion originate from both national authorities and religion-related terrorism undertaken by private individuals, organizations and extremist groups. Government restrictions included constitutional limitations or other prohibitions on free speech. Countries in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa have the most severe restrictions on religion. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iran top the list of such countries. While most countries provide for the protection of religious freedom in their constitutions or laws, only a quarter of these countries fully respect and implement these legal rights in practice.

In 75 countries i.e., 4 out of every 10 countries in the world - governments limit the efforts of religious groups to preach and in 178 countries or 90% percent of the world’s countries: members of religious groups must register with the government. India and China also have extreme, but different restrictions on religion. China has very high levels of government restriction but few incidents of social hostilities, while India has very high social hostilities but few government restrictions. The governments with most religious restrictions are Saudi Arabia, Iran,Uzbekistan, China, Egypt, Burma, Maldives, Eritrea, Malaysia and Brunei. Whereas, countries with highest religion related terrorism are Iraq, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Somalia, Israel, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Saudi Arabia.

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: Despite death sentence, Asia Bibi’s family holds firm.

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: Despite death sentence, Asia Bibi’s family holds firm: Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman sentenced to death for blaspheming the Islamic prophet Muhammad, has become the focus of global attention. Believers around the world have rallied to take action on behalf of the 45-year-old wife and mother (for more information on her, click here).



Check out this blog posted on the VOM website and the video above to see how the family of Asia Bibi are coping. It's a strange thought, I mean how does one really cope with a situation like this? It just breaks my heart every time I see her daughters, and how brave and optimistic they are. God bless them. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to my own mother, the relationship a girl has as she grows up with her mom is irreplaceable.

Asia Bibi's story has really touched millions, and taught others about the reality of sharia and the injustice of blasphemy. I'm so glad that they are being made aware of just how many people are standing strong for them and lifting them up in prayers. So community, please continue to do so, make it a specific act of faith to verbalize your prayers for Asia and her family and others that are suffering in this persecution. I have seen it again this weekend, how prayer has effects that we may not even understand or see come to fruition but God does. He hears our prayers and our desperation for His grace and mercy in these situations that are beyond our control.


To learn more from the Voice of the Martyrs reports about persecution in Pakistan, please visit their Pakistan Country Report. For more videos like this one, visit their multimedia site.

The Power of Prayer: before you even voice one it has an impact!

This month I’ll be volunteering at The Call Detroit. On November 11^th, 2011 thousands of Christians from all over America (and my mom and me from Canada, among others I’m sure) will gather together and pray for the future of Michigan, the United States, and the world.

According to the Transform Michigan website:

“It is widely said how Detroit goes will indicate the direction our nation will take.  It was once an economic and automotive engine of the United States.  Detroit is ground zero for the spiritual war in our nation. Poverty, racism, and Islam are most powerfully rooted here - more than anywhere else in the nation.”

Thank you for 2000+ views!

Thanks to everyone who's been keeping up with the blog, I appreciate all your time, advice, comments and constant encouragement both for me and my family. We all know no good deed goes unpunished but thankfully thus far our efforts have been reciprocated extremely positively! THANKS!

If you haven't seen this, here's a documentary that's quite an interesting watch; it's a bit basic for people who already have researched islam, however if you're new to the topic and want a bit of breakdown regarding the islamic culture and why it is the way it is, it'll give that to you.

Also keep watching out soon for some new upcoming event and news blogs!

Warning: it is LONG, a full documentary about an hour and a half so if you're busy working or studying like me you might want to watch it in parts!

Leave no man behind.

I think the most amazing leisure time I’ve had recently has been spent with friends and family in discussion; anything and everything can come up and often does in these conversations and it’s so amazing to have like-minded individuals around who share a mutual love for this fellowship. Recently during one such occasion, one of our friends brought up a point that has been on my mind ever since I heard it: that of the value of a life. 

Nowadays people seem to think that everything has a cost, but what is the cost of a life; it’s real value? uncle Rafique Masih gave me the recent example of the Israeli soldier;

Gather up your baggage, it's time to clean up your life!

A friend of mine posted her devotional on Facebook a couple of days ago and it has been stuck in my mind since, I thought it was important to share this with others as I completely agree with her in so many ways..

God is a forward moving being. You can see that in all of His creation: from time and aging to the way we grow mentally, physically.. etc. Should we not be adding spiritually to that as well? What about in other successes? Job growth, finances, family relationships, etc. Why remain stagnant and fear growth (sometimes as though we don't deserve it, or don't even care for it), when the only perfect example for us wants us to GROW, prosper and flourish in the life He has given us....?

October 17, 2011
Devotional- by Christal Wilson
Selah - Holy Dissatisfaction

"There comes a time in every persons life were they must examine the context of their own lives. We must actively and intentionally look at where we've been, where we are and where we should be. Being sure of this, that the urging of God in Christian life should not ever be muted, ignored or overlooked. Being comfortable where we're at spiritually should never supersede being constantly desperate for the next level of who we are by Kingdom standards.

I think that the best picture I could use to describe this is the process of laundry. In cleaning a garment, neither the detergent nor the water have much to do with an item getting clean on their own or together.  Rather, it becomes the process of agitation that instigates a process of change for the item to become clean. If we would adopt a Holy dissatisfaction with just being where we're at and become unsettled in the mundane in hopes of being propelled into our true calling, everything we say we want to see would be within our sights and reach.

There is no rest in our sleeping, but true peace is found in becoming the fullness of who God created us to be. Psalm 119:45 says, "I walk about in freedom, for I have sought your precepts." If we are comfortable and not stirred to see the atmosphere of heaven in everything we seek to do, we will undoubtedly miss each burgeoning opportunity for God's will to come to pass in and through us."

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to... You would cry too if it happened to you. (*NEW* commenting is now available! try it out!)

I used to love this song when I was younger, and for some reason it popped into my head when I wrote this blog last week so I thought I’d post it for you to listen to as well:

(*I mean absolutely no disrespect with this, actually I'd think of it kind of like a satirical version of life today.. evil's always crashing the party. Kids can be mean but mean adults can do a lot more damage.*)

Last week was my birthday and I celebrated with the two joys that students quite often miss out on: sleep and a home cooked meal (or several). The one thing that I did not miss out on between my “eat-sleep-eat-sleep-eat-sleep-day” was what was going on in Egypt. The protests of early October were all over the news and I couldn’t help but sit in my warm comfortable living room and cry out in shock when I saw those tanks rolling up towards my brothers and sisters there.

The Background of Blasphemy

Thanks to YouTube User: EmpaticNo for producing and posting this very well made video on the background of how Blasphemy Law came into existence prior to the creation of Pakistan.

PC Community Flash - October 3, 2011 - LTNI Participates in Roundtable Consultation on Office of Religious Freedom

Here is the report on the event from the LTNI website:

Conference on the Office of Religious Freedom
Foreign Affairs Canada, 125 Sussex, Robertson Auditorium, Ottawa
October 3, 2011

The conference was attended by approximately 100 participants from all spectrums of the society including; Federal Ministers, MPs, Academia, NGOs, and human rights organizations. Canadians of Pakistani Christian background were represented by a dozen delegates, seven of which addressed the conference and presented community views and concerns. 

Hon. John Baird Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, in his opening speech to the conference assured Canada’s commitment to the promotion of freedom of religion around the world and specifically paid tribute to Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti and Salman Taseer, who give their lives for this cause. The tribute the Shahbaz Bhatti was echoed by all panelists and many conference attendees, who also thanked Peter Bhatti Chairman International Christian Voice (ICV) for the participation in this conference.

Mr. Bhatti, attended the conference accompanied by two ICV executives. He was very well received by Hon John Baird, MP Robert (Bob) Dechert, a majority of the panelists, and conference attendees. In his remarks to the conference Mr. Bhatti applauded the Prime Minister and his team for this undertaking, and offered suggestions by ICV for the need and working of this office.

Hamilton South Asian Christian community was well represented by Mrs. Phoebe Samuel and Mr. Vincent Samuel at this conference on the office of religious freedom in Ottawa. Mr. Samuel thanked Rt Hon Stephen Harper, Hon John Baird, and MP Bob Dechert, for their leadership in championing this cause. He also thanked MP David Sweet for extending an invitation to attend the conference.  In his presentation Mr. Samuel spoke of the context of a religious / Christian minority in the oppressed society in Pakistan to the conference, to help develop this new office. He presented these following six approaches to promotion of freedom of religion:

PC Community Flash - Oct 3, 2011: Hon Minister John Baird Holds a Roundtable Consultation on Office of Religious Freedoms

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird holds a roundtable consultation on October 3, 2011, regarding the establishment of Canada's Office of Religious Freedom at the headquarters of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in Ottawa. Minister Baird welcomed close to 100 religious leaders, association representatives and experts from across Canada to give their input as the government prepares to deliver on its promise of establishing an Office of Religious Freedom.

‪"It is our common duty to defend the rights of the afflicted, and to give voice to the voiceless," Minister Baird said. He added, "Our positions will not soften, our determination will not lessen, and our voices will not be diminished until all citizens can enjoy the freedoms and rights we hold to be universal and true."

This is one of several consultations the government is conducting across the country and around the world. The Office of Religious Freedom is a key priority for the government. The commitment was included in the Speech from the Throne on June 3, 2011, and again in Minister Baird's speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 26, 2011.

http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/speeches-discours/2011/2011-034.aspx

Address by Minister Baird at Office of Religious Freedom Stakeholder Consultations

No. 2011/34 - Ottawa, Ontario - October 3, 2011

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to join you this morning. This is an opportunity to exchange ideas on a key priority for our government: establishing an Office of Religious Freedom.

We announced our intention to do so in the Speech from the Throne on June 3. And I repeated our commitment most recently at the United Nations General Assembly this past week in New York.

This office will be created to promote and protect freedom of religion and belief, consistent with core Canadian values such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Most importantly, it will demonstrate that Canada truly is a free society.

Canadians enjoy the rights and privileges that come with living in a free and democratic society in which human rights are respected. We are also keenly aware of the struggles that religious minorities face around the world.

From Radio Hamseda Ottawa:

Thanks for sending this comment I thought I'd repost it for everyone to see:

Attention: www.lenziran.com was hacked by the Iranian regime after publication of this clip: Rahim Poor Azgadi call for war in Europe and America. In his televised speech titled “A Model for Tomorrow,” aired on Friday 23 September. Hassan Rahimpour Azghadi criticized the detente policy of previous government and call for a war in Europe and America for protecting the Muslim brothers. The web site www.lenziran.com was hacked on Saturday morning after publication of the clip With Eng. subtitle

Ezra Levant Interviews Peter Bhatti - SunTV

You might agree with what he says, you might not.. but there's no denying it's high time someone's able to speak up in the media for the suffering of our Pakistani minorities!

Reccomendations for the Government

We are exclusively publishing the cover letter given with the petition signed by over eight thousand Canadians to the government of Canada regarding the Blasphemy Law and persecution in Pakistan.


Included in this letter are the recommendations for the Canadians government (written by Vincent Samuel on behalf of the International Christian Voice). Read and spread around, the government can't do anything without our support! We hope to use these, as a basis for claiming religious freedom for Christians around the world, starting with our brothers and sisters in Pakistan.

PC THANKS YOU!

Greeting and Blessings!

My family and I are so grateful for all the overwhelming continued comments and thanks from our community and supporters towards the success of the event on September 9th. It was indeed a triumph for ICV, and our Canadian Pakistani Christian community to see how far we have come towards creating a solid relationship with our government, but also how far we must go together in order to carry forward the goals that Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti has set out for us; including freedom of religion, equality of human rights, and the economic and social development of religious minorities in Pakistan.

We want to extend our warmest thanks to all of our friends and family that helped us to make this a successful event for the ICV as well as our community as a whole.

September 9th, 2011 - Pictures

MC Serena Samuel

Arrival of Hon Bal Gosal (Minister of State - Sport)

Hon Minister Jason Kenney arrives.

Hon Jason Kenney speaking with Mr. Vincent Samuel.

PC Community Flash – Happy Birthday Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti! Sept 9th, 2011.

Dinner with the Canadian Government and

Tribute to Shahbaz Bhatti

Hon Jason Kenney speaks to the audience gathered at the tribute dinner

September 9^th, 2011 the International Christian Voice hosted a dinner on the birthday of Shahbaz Bhatti to pay homage to his life and work; something that this organization wishes to carry forward after his martyrdom. The event also congratulated the newly elected Progressive Conservative Government for their recent election successes as well as to thank Rt Hon Stephen Harper for his announcement regarding the creation of an Office for International Religious Freedom.

A petition containing over eight thousand signatures, and demanding the condemnation of the Blasphemy (Sharia) Law in Pakistan as well as giving specific, attainable recommendations for the government of Canada on how to help the religious minorities of Pakistan, was presented to Hon Jason Kenney (Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism); for the Prime Minister.
 The first part of this petition was presented on August 13^th, 2011 to Deputy Counsel General Imran Ali (Toronto Consulate) to be given to President Zardari (Pakistan). This part of the petition demanded (on behalf of Canadian citizens) the repeal of the Blasphemy (Sharia) Law, due to its clear violation of human rights.

Special guests present at the event were Hon Jason Kenney (Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Hon Bal Gosal (Minister of State – Sport), MP Brad Butt (Mississauga – Streetsville), MP Ted Opitz (Etobicoke – Center), Dr. Bikram Lamba, Rev Bishop Paul Zabel (Lutheran Church), Rev Dr. W.J. Clyde Ervine (Centeral Presbyterian Church, Hamilton), Pastor Steve Long (Catch the Fire – formerly Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship), Chantal Desloges (One Free World International), Councillor Vincent Crisanti (Etobicoke North). In attendance were also the pastors of approximately thirty different churches, organizations such as Voice of the Martyrs Canada, Canadian Coptics Association, Canadian Hindu Advocacy, Christian Heritage Party, many community leaders, and over five hundred concerned Canadians.

Minority Day 2011 Pictures

MC Raheel Masih addresses the audience, with MC Serena Samuel

Presentation of the Petition (from left to right):

Mr. Peter Bhatti, Nitasha Bhatti, Deputy Counsel General Pakistan Imran Ali, Community Leader, Rev. Riaz, Pastor Javed Akthar, Community Leader, Community Leader, Mr. Vincent Samuel.

Click to see more!

PC Community Flash - Minority Day 2011

On August 11^th, Pakistan officially celebrates Minority Day, thanks in large part to martyr Shahbaz Bhatti, former Minister for Minorities Pakistan. The recognition of minorities did not openly occur in Pakistan’s government prior to the creation of this day.

Why August 11^th? On this day in 1947, while addressing the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam (father of the nation) Mohammad Ali Jinnah announced that minorities would have equal rights in the newly created Islamic Republic (sort of – but that’s another story). Nevertheless, this event gave the minorities a positive outlook for their future; minorities without whose vote – Pakistan would not even be in existence today.

In Mississauga, Ontario on August 13^th, 2011, the International Christian Voice (ICV) hosted a celebration for Pakistan’s Minority Day in the presence of chief guest Mr. Imran Ali (Deputy Counsel General of Pakistan - Toronto Consulate); elected officials from the Canadian government: Hon Tim Uppal (Minister of State - Democratic Reforms), MP Kyle Seeback (Brampton West), MP Parm Gill (Brampton-Springdale), Mr. Frank Domenichiello (President Conservative Party Vaughan) from the office of Hon Julian Fantino (Minister of State - National Defense); representatives of Pakistani political parties in Canada; church leaders and over a hundred Canadians of Pakistani Christian heritage and faith, as well as representatives of other religious minorities of Pakistan. This event highlighted the valuable and continued contributions of minorities in the development of Pakistan in various fields (judiciary and civil services, health care and education, and defense) and discussed the present situation of these Pakistanis.

Please check out and sign this petition for Asia Bibi

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: The Voice of the Martyrs launches petition for Asi...: "The Voice of the Martyrs USA has launched a web campaign calling for the release of Asia Bibi. Asia Bibi, a Pakistani woman, was arreste..."

DID YOU KNOW: that currently over 200, 000 people have legitimately signed this petition since it was started from 10 different countries! Every minute more are added as they come.

**edit**

The website for the actual petition is: http://www.callformercy.com/

Casual Hate: The Subtle Side of Christian Persecution

 Casual Hate: The Subtle Side of Christian Persecution

Here is an EXCELLENT blog written by Raymond Ibrahim discussing the issue of "Casual Hate" that affects the day to day lives of Christians living under Islamic governance. It's not unlike what happened to Jews during the holocaust era whereby they were slowly made to feel as though they truly were inferior. It's ironic that we resign ourselves to this kind of prejudice..

The WORD is Sharper and more Effective than any weapon.

PART TWO: LIARS DESIRES AND PULPITS OF PRIDE

Although it is clear that our society as a whole has been deteriorating morally, and lying and deceit have become commonplace. In fact many people are so deluded that they begin to lie so much it seems like truth to them; that does not mean that we as Christians are to be desensitized to the seriousness of this sin. One particular place that our community has been ridden with lies is in the area of leadership and politics; our leaders have in some cases been particularly plagued by this problem-man’s dishonesty with each other, spreading lies about each other and others, slander of personal and professional reputations, and dishonesty in friendships/relationships.

Hey Community! We can go places too...

Yes it’s true, we have a LOT to be proud of as Pakistani Christians; there is talent galore and many faithful and wonderful God-fearing families. That being said, why are our people still such a hidden gem? Do other religions and even other Christian communities have greater numbers than us? Are they working harder than us?

The answer is a loud echoing NO. We have numbers and strength that may even exceed others but what we have many other communities have been able to bypass when it comes to furthering their causes and lifting up individuals with unique opportunities. We have GOSSIP and LIES.

Oh yes, that’s what it’s all about right? Godforsaken bitter jealous gossip and lies, the recipe for all our successes (or lack of) together.  How could any Christian man or woman in their right minds feel that this kind of deceitful and wicked behaviour causes any positive outcomes? We are pastors, fathers, mothers, daughters and sons, uncles, aunts and more than anything we are people of a TRUE and JUST God. How can you claim to be a follower of Jesus and associate yourself with evil?

So as our first blog here at The PC Inquirer we’ll be splitting these topics into a two part article:

PART ONE: GOSSIP IS NOT OF GOD.