In pursuit of justice - Christmas message from CLAAS

Lahore: December 18, 2009, (PCTV Newsdesk)

What does Christmas mean to you?  Gathering the family together around a warm fire and delicious turkey dinner?  Seeing the joy on the faces of loved ones as they tear the paper off their presents? Heading to the church for midnight mass and singing generations-old carols that rejoice in the birth of our Saviour? 

We would all like Christmas to be a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a time of joy with the people we love but for many Christians in the world, violence and intimidation cast long shadows over the season.  For them, the celebration of our Lord is often something that can only take place on the inside. 

In Pakistan, hundreds of Christians will be celebrating Christmas in the tents they've been living in since their homes were destroyed by Muslim extremists five months ago.  No tinsel, no stockings stuffed with gifts, no comfort.  Only the longing to have their homes rebuilt and to see the perpetrators of the attacks brought to justice. 

The muted celebrations cap what has undoubtedly been the worst year of violence against Christians in Pakistan this decade.  In 2009, religious extremism and instances of hatred and intolerance against Christians has increased, as the attacks in Tessar town, Kasur, Korian, Gojra and Smberial demonstrate.  At least seven Christian settlements and churches were attacked this year and nine innocent Christians murdered by extremists under the pretext of the blasphemy law. 

In spite of the clear evidence that the blasphemy law is being misused to attack churches and Christian settlements and to tragically murder innocent believers, the Pakistani government has so far failed to introduce any effective legislation to ensure the protection of Christians and their properties.  In October this year, we handed a petition signed by 9,357 people over to the UN voicing opposition to the blasphemy law and we will continue our campaign to see it repealed.  Thank you to everyone who supported us by signing the petition. 

Throughout the year, we've sent you regular updates on the plight of Christians in Pakistan and what we are doing to support them.  It is our hope that you have found these reports not only informative but also an inspiration to pray more for the work of CLAAS and the Christians we support.  This is our last e-newsletter of 2009 but we will be back in the New Year with more updates.  

In the meantime we would like to thank you for all your prayers, encouragement and support towards our campaigns.  Without that we could not be there for Pakistan's voiceless Christians.  We believe that 2010 will be a very significant year and our hope is that we will ease the suffering of many more. 

The entire CLAAS team wish you a very merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year. 

Nasir Saeed
CLAAS UK Coordinator