Appeals

'Creating a voice for Pakistani Christians'

PAKISTAN FLOOD APPEAL

The British Pakistani Christian Association is running an appeal to support victims of the Recent Flooding in Pakistan.

Reports from leading Bishops in Pakistan state that many Christians are being ignored by the larger Islamic charities and few Christians are being allowed access to wider International aid. Often they are being hindered by prejudiced communities.

The BPCA will be endeavouring to help the forgotten minorities in particular, but will show grace to people from the Muslim majority who live among Christian Communities. We intend to be a beacon of hope, peace and unity to a beleaguered Nation and pray that you will support our appeal.

Ref: BPCA/Flood Appeal

Learn more by following the links below:

http://britishpakistanichristian.blogspot.com/2011/06/bpca-flood-appeal-food-distribution.html

http://britishpakistanichristian.blogspot.com/2011/05/where-our-flood-appeal-money-went.html

ASIA BIBI


Asia Bibi the mother of 5 children who has been incarcerated in prison cells with poor hygiene levels resulting in a recent serious bout of illness, has become the emblem of the Pakistan freedom and equality movement.  Asia remains confident that God will release her from her current imprisonment and prays and reads her bible daily.  Her family in the meanwhile are suffering the ignominy of having to suffer instability of residence due to a lack of finanace and support.  We are collecting funds to find them permanent safe accomodation in a secret location and provision of food and sustenance.  Asia's fate was decided when she simply spoke of the love of Christ in making the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life for hers a sacrifice she believed was bigger than any Muhammed had made.  Who will support her family and make a small sacrifice to see her brave family made safe?  If you wish to be one of the contributers please reference funds:

 Ref: BPCA/Asia Bibi

Further details can be found following the link below:

http://britishpakistanichristian.blogspot.com/2011/06/asia-bibi-is-in-good-health-but-her.html  

EDUCATIONAL BURSARIES FOR POORER CHRISTIAN FAMILIES:

Recently the BPCA has called for a cessation to Foreign aid to Pakistan and we encourage visitors to thsi site to sign our on-line petition:

Aid that is targeted at Pakistan generally, particularly in education, will almost certainly serve to perpetuate the ongoing discrimination and oppression of religious minorities, given the fact that such discrimination is endemic and inbuilt into the fabric of Pakistani society. Whilst raising levels of illiteracy is good, they say, the fact is that levels of illiteracy are far greater among Christians and other minorities than among the wider population – only seven per cent of minorities gain an adequate level of literacy.

Primary causes are the fact that due to poverty worsened by discrimination, many Christians can’t afford to send their children to school, but instead must send them out to work and earn money for the family to survive. There are free schools in Pakistan, but their standard is generally poor, and most minority parents can’t afford the travel costs as they are often in awkward areas. In addition, these schools are often in areas where Christian children are especially vulnerable whilst travelling – the kidnap, rape, and forced marriage and conversion of teenage Christian school girls whilst travelling to school is far too common an occurrence.

Even when at school, Christian children are frequently subjected to discrimination, bullying from teachers and other pupils, and are required to recite Muslim prayers. In other words, education in Pakistan is frequently Islamicising in a coercive manner. Islamic studies is mandatory, and parents are afraid of proselytising, and forced conversions of their vulnerable children, as well as the way minorities are pilloried and falsely depicted in history lessons.

A report produced by USICRF stated: "Our review of public-school textbooks and other materials has found intolerant references against religious minorities, particularly Hindus, Christians and non-Sunni forms of Islam. Fifth-grade-level textbooks have accused Hindus of dishonest dealings with Muslims. In addition, some of Pakistan's thousands of religious schools include texts with an interpretation of Islam that promotes religious extremism and provides ideological training to those involved in religiously motivated violence, both in Pakistan and abroad."

To address these problems, the BPCA is proposing a bursary to help vulnerable Christian students get into better schools, whilst having a system of monitoring by local agents to monitor the schools to make sure no bullying or inappropriate behaviour towards the children occurs. The BPCA educational benevolent fund will award bursaries to students of all levels, allowing them access to high quality schools in Pakistan, so that the most poverty stricken members of that community can find that essential voice which will empower them to live with dignity as Christians and equal citizens of Pakistan, and make them less vulnerable to exploitation through legal, economic and other mechanisms.

Read our article in Christian today here:

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/the.uk.should.cut.aid.to.pakistan/28387-2.htm

Ref: BPCA/Education 

ART TO PROMOTE CULTURAL CHANGE AND PROMOTE MINORITY CONTRIBUTION:

We are collecting funds towards two art monuments to be installed in Pakistan. We envisage the overall cost for each scheme will be £10,000.

A monument is proposed for Islamabad and will remind people in the city of the sacrifice made by Pervez Masih who sacrificed his life to save the 400 Muslim Girls in the Islamic University of Islamabad on the 20th October 2009. This college janitor ran to shield students - a target for the suicide bomber who had entered the grounds of the college he wrked for. In the ensuing struggle, Mr Masih was killed without any further loss of life or injury. Art has been an intrinsic factor to global legislative and cultural reform and the BPCA wish to use our monument to promote peace, hope and unity by highlighting the compassion and love shown by this Christian hero.  He scarificed his life in the pursuit of the safety of others, all of whom were of a different faith - see love can overcome all differences. 

Ref: BPCA/Masih Monument

A second monument to commemorate the life of former Governor of Punjab Salman Taseer is proposed for the rhetorical heart (dil) of Pakistan - Lahore. The monument which will be installed in his former city of residence and will remember a great humanitarian and one of Pakistan's most progressive statesmen. Simple themes and epitaphs will highlight the great sacrifice made by Governor Taseer and the need for people to work together for a better Pakistan.

Ref: BPCA/Taseer Monument



In April we will also be visiting the family of Qamar David the man found dead in Prison after two years appealing against the life imprisonment imposed on him under false charges. We intend to provide a donation towards the upkeep of a family that have lost their main bread winner Ref: BPCA/Qamar David.

INTERFAITH HARMONY IN THE UK:

We also intend to hold several large debates in the UK with prominent religious and political figures debating the need for a blasphemy law in Pakistan. Ref: BPCA/debates

BPCA FREE ASIA BIBI INTERFAITH CONCERT:

Finally, we would also like to organise a peace concert at Trafalgar Square after our 2nd March protest proposed for 2012. The concert will raise the profile of persecution in Pakistan and will increase awareness of the existence of Pakistani Christians. The event will be a multi-faith celebration of Pakistan and will only proceed if enough funds are secured. We need around £10,000 to make this event a reality. Ref: BPCA/Peace Concert


We seek funding towards our ongoing administration costs and are seeking churches, groups or individuals that would like to contribute between £10 - £50 per month or more. Our work has done much to highlight the plight of Pakistani Christians, has created better awareness of our community and continues to unite the international Pakistani Christian diaspora.

If you would like to support any of our schemes please do send your contributions by cheque payable to;

British Pakistani Christian Association.

Post to;

British Pakistani Christian Association

57 Green Lane

Ilford

Essex

IG1 1XG

Alternatively should you wish you can pay by BACS, direct debit or standing order by paying into the following account details:

Sort Code: 20-67-90

Account Number: 63468976