Appeal for Freedom: Pakistani
Christian Asylum Seekers in Thailand Strive for Release from Bangkok Immigration Detention Centre
Dear all,
Firstly, I extend heartfelt wishes for a prosperous new year as we release the first newsletter of 2024. May this year mark a time when we collectively draw closer to God, and may all circumstances align for our collective good.
In reflection, Romans 8:28 reminds us, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
Regrettably, it is with sadness that we inform you of the passing of James Shera MBE, the first Mayor of Rugby of Pakistani origin and the longest-serving councillor in Rugby's history. Mr. Shera peacefully departed on January 15, 2024, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family. Please find a memorial tribute (here).
The onset of the new year has brought challenges, notably for the family of Aqsa Naveed (17 years old). She mysteriously disappeared from her home on Christmas Eve, only to be discovered
lifeless in a nearby irrigation field on New Year's Day. For further details, please read more (here).
Additionally, Zafar Bhatti (57 years old) and his honorable wife Nawab Bibi (75 years old) continue to face adversity as they confront setbacks in appealing Zafar's blasphemy conviction, stemming from an arrest on July 12, 2012. This makes him the longest-serving blasphemy prisoner in the nation's history. The recent unexplained postponement of his court case adds to their ongoing challenges. Further details can be found (here).
In Thailand, we bring you news of the arrest of two Christian asylum seekers, Noshleen (39 years old) and her son Nadeem (18 years old), both duly registered with the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). They now find themselves detained by the Royal Thai Authority as part of the annual crackdown on asylum seekers initiated every Christmas. Regrettably, this separation occurred during one of the most significant festivals for Christians.
In their quest for release, the family has sought assistance through
a bail system. Various organizations, including BACA and other charities, have urged the Royal Thai Government to introduce such a system. For further details, please read more (here).
We are delighted to announce that we have initiated the process of securing freedom for the two Brick Kiln slave families, the focal point of our primary Christmas appeal (here). We
extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who generously donated. Further updates and more detailed information will be shared in our next newsletter.
We conclude with uplifting news as we reflect on the distribution of written and audio Bibles to profoundly disadvantaged families residing on the outskirts of Lahore. These families, facing financial constraints and, in some cases, illiteracy, could not afford Bibles of
their own. Providing them with accessible copies of the Gospel aims to empower them to better understand our faith. It is our sincere hope and prayer that this initiative will bring them closer to God in the coming year. Read more (here)
In addition to this we are extending support for our program in Ukraine. Pastor Vasilev, exemplifying remarkable courage, has opted to stay in Ukraine instead of returning to his native Russia. Read more (click here). We are still in search of volunteers who are willing to assist us in writing reports. Additionally, if you reside near Ilford, we are
looking for volunteers to contribute to our Meals for the Needy Project, which serves an ever increasing number of visitors every week. We have prepared this video to detail what we do at the homeless shelter: Reviewing all the projects
mentioned above, it's evident that fulfilling these appeals requires a substantial amount of funding. We are hopeful that many of you will join us in reaching these goals and that you'll share details of the appeals that resonate with you with others. Together, we can initiate a program of tangible change this New Year. Your support and collaboration can make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need. Blessings to you all. Hannah Chowdhry If you are a regular reader and want to support our work, you can find a range of options for giving
donations (here). If you are already giving donations and reside in the UK you may want to switch from Paypal or Stripe payments and pay directly into the charity bank account as we will receive more of your donation. Our bank details are in the same link above. For donors in the US, we have recently established a partnership with a US charity who act as a conduit allowing US Citizens to have tax relief on their donations. If you wish to receive details on how to donate to us through them, please feel free to request details via email at admin@britishasianchristians.org. We upload videos for all our stories on YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and you can join any of our groups for free. But in most cases it is easier to read our news in real-time blog via our 'Current
News' page in the header of our website.
      
For those who prefer to await our newsletter, we have conveniently compiled all our recent news chronologically below. This comprehensive list encompasses all the updates that were not featured in our prior newsletter. In case any of the provided links encounter issues, you can access all our international news articles by clicking on the designated box below. This will lead you to our website, where you can navigate to the 'Current News' section and select 'BACA News.' Furthermore, you can find additional updates under 'Current News' followed by 'Community Projects' for an overview of all our projects within the UK. Your continued interest and engagement with our work are greatly appreciated. You can review our previous newsletters (here) and (here). If any appeals resonate with you, we invite you to consider making a donation. Your contributions enable us to expand our efforts and make a meaningful impact. |
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