Christian Teen Fights Back in Court rape trial, Brother Freed from Slavery Starts New vocational Journey

Published: Tue, 12/31/24

Updated: Thu, 01/02/25

British Asian Christian Association Update for 31st December 2024

Dear Friends,

We hope you had a blessed Christmas and wish you a prosperous and joyful 2025.

We are deeply grateful for your generous support throughout 2024, which has allowed us to achieve so much for the communities we serve. The final months of the year were particularly impactful, as we experienced a heartening surge in contributions.

We are pleased to share some updates on our progress:

Legal proceedings are underway for the two brothers who were tragically murdered (click here).
Eman Khuram, who bravely survived a brutal rape ordeal, is set to begin a stitching course in January, taking her first steps toward rebuilding her life (click here).
Her brother, whom we helped free from slavery, has already embarked on a vocational course in hairdressing, giving him the tools for a brighter future (click here).
We have several joyful updates to share as we met most of our Christmas targets.

Additionally, we are thrilled to announce plans to purchase our first permanent safehouse by March. With the necessary funds now secured, we aim to open this vital facility by Easter 2025, providing a safe haven for those in need.

As we look ahead, a few of our Christmas appeals remain outstanding (see below), and we hope for your continued support to help us meet these needs.

Advocacy for Basharat Masih

We are still seeking a lawyer for Basharat Masih a blasphemy victim who has been ignored by other charities and desperately needs help, We have raised the funds to support him but are still negotiating with several solicitors one of whom we hope to appoint by January.

Building Dignity for Women
We need £1,500 to construct a toilet and shower facility for the women of Saif Ul Mari village, where we recently installed a clean water pump. This will not only restore their dignity but also protect them from the dangers of venturing into unsafe areas to relieve themselves. Read more (here)

Support for Kuki-Zo Christians in Manipur
We aim to raise £2,000 to support the Kuki-Zo Christian community in Manipur, India, who are enduring relentless attacks from Hindu militia in a deeply troubling, religiously motivated insurgency. Disturbingly, these atrocities are being largely ignored by India’s army and police, who are often complicit in the violence. So far we have raised and sent £1000 however, the Christmas distribution has been delayed due to concerns regarding travel to shops. We will however, be conducting a late distribution in early January. Your help can bring relief and hope to this persecuted community during their time of great need. Read more (here)

To inspire you as we step into the new year, we are pleased to share two significant updates: a question raised in the House of Lords (click here) and a recent parliamentary discussion on the persecution of minorities in Pakistan (click here).

We hope these political developments will spark meaningful change in Pakistan, as they bring renewed attention to the dire situation faced by vulnerable communities there.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." – Matthew 25:40

Thank you for standing with us and making a profound difference in the lives of so many during 2024. Your compassion and generosity inspire us every day.

With gratitude and blessings,

Hannah Chowdhry

British Asian Christian Association

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BACA Brings Christmas Cheer to Ibrahim Khan Mari, Sharing Love and Hope with Christian and Hindu CommunitiesSample Article Headline

On December 21st, 2024, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) brought Christmas joy to the Christian and Hindu communities of Ibrahim Khan Mari, Sindh, with a special meal and a delicious Christmas cake. This heartfelt gesture of love, hope, and gratitude was a reminder to these families, who endure difficult living conditions and low wages working on Muslim landlords’ farms, that they are not forgotten. Over 20 families gathered to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, sharing in worship, a message of faith, and a festive meal that brought light to their holiday season.

Beleaguered Pakistani Christian Asylum Seekers Celebrate Christmas with Joyful Gathering in Bangkok

Pakistani Christian asylum-seeking families in Bangkok, Thailand, came together on December 24th for a heartwarming Christmas celebration hosted by the British Asian Christian Association (BACA). Held at Joyous Celebration Church, the event provided over 20 families with a rare opportunity to share the festive spirit, savor traditional Pakistani cuisine and witness children’s heartfelt performances of Christian worship songs and traditional carols. With gifts for children, food grants for families, and a delicious cake-cutting ceremony, the celebration brought much-needed joy and connection to those who have endured years of hardship while awaiting resettlement.

Christian Teen Fights Back in Court rape trial, Brother Freed from Slavery Starts New vocational Journey

After a Christian teenager was abducted and raped by a Muslim man, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) stepped in to support the victim with legal representation and advocacy. In a significant development, the pre-arrest bail of the rapist, Ansar Shah, has been canceled by both the Sessions Court in Sheikhupura and the Lahore High Court, signaling progress in the fight for justice. BACA has been instrumental in gathering crucial evidence and assisting the police in a raid on Shah’s residence. Despite these efforts, Shah remains a fugitive, hiding at an unknown location to evade arrest. To prevent his escape abroad, BACA has filed an application urging the police to block his passport and national identity card.

Celebrating the Spirit of Christmas with Christian Families in our safe houses

On Sunday, 22nd December, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) organized a heartwarming Christmas dinner to bring hope and joy to Christian families under their care. This special event aimed to foster a sense of belonging and encouragement for families who have endured significant hardships due to their vulnerable status in a predominantly Muslim society. The gathering offered these families an opportunity to connect, build solidarity, and find comfort in knowing they are not alone during challenging times.

Exposing the Truth: How BACA Confronted Forgery and Evasion in a Double Murder Case

On 24th October 2024, two Christian brothers, Imran Denial (30) and Arslan Denial (24), were tragically gunned down by drug lords Ali Butt, Qadir Butt, and their accomplices in the bustling main bazaar of Rachna Town. The violence erupted following a heated confrontation when the brothers courageously refused to allow the sale of drugs in their hair salon. Imran was killed instantly, while Arslan succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital.

The assailants’ rampage left a trail of devastation, with multiple rounds fired indiscriminately. Alongside the brothers, an innocent girl passing through the bazaar was struck, and their cousin, Waleed Masih, along with Shahid Masih, sustained injuries.

The family now lives in constant fear, as the perpetrators remain at large, and law enforcement has yet to apprehend any suspects. This inaction has compounded their grief and heightened their sense of vulnerability.

Growing Homelessness Crisis Drives Demand for BACA’s Free Hot Meals Service in Ilford

The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) is witnessing an unprecedented surge in demand for its free hot meals service for the homeless in Ilford, as homelessness in London reaches record levels. Visitor numbers at BACA’s service have nearly doubled, with over 70 individuals, including families with young children, attending some distributions.

On 14 April 2023, the Manipur High Court directed the state government to recommend Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community, a move later criticized by the Supreme Court. Protesting this demand, the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur organized peaceful marches on 3 May. Following one such march, clashes erupted between Kuki and Meitei groups near the Churachandpur and Bishnupur district border, escalating into widespread violence, house burnings, and targeted attacks. Within a week, 100 Kukis had been killed some burned alive within their own houses. Christmas celebrations were subdued and sombre in 2023 as nearly 200 bodies were laid to rest in two mass burial.

Since then, tensions have escalated, with over 300 churches destroyed and numerous militant attacks. Over 70,000 Christians have been displaced, further impacted by severe flooding during June’s monsoon. On 7th November, 10 more Christians were killed under suspicious circumstances involving security forces, sparking a coffin rally of 10,000 people. Peace continues to elude Christians in Manipur.

UK Politicians Lead the Charge for the Protection of Religious Minorities in Pakistan

Date: 7th December 2024

Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee of the British Asian Christian Association (BACA), expresses her heartfelt gratitude for the tireless efforts of UK politicians working towards improving the human rights conditions for Pakistani Christians and other religious minorities.

Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee of the British Asian Christian Association (BACA), has expressed her profound joy and appreciation for the significant progress made by UK politicians in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons regarding the issue of persecution of Christians in Pakistan. These developments are a beacon of hope for marginalized religious minorities who continue to endure abuse, violence, and even killings in Pakistan’s increasingly intolerant society.

One notable development arose from Lord Marlesford’s recent parliamentary question, which aimed to bring international attention to the ongoing persecution of Christians in Pakistan. His question was inspired by an article published by the British Asian Christian Association (BACA), which called for the UK to grant asylum to Zafar Bhatti—Pakistan’s longest-serving blasphemy prisoner—and urged greater involvement from Western nations in securing his acquittal after 12 years of unjust imprisonment.

Shining a Light on Religious Persecution: UK Parliament’s Strong Stand Against Pakistan’s Abuses

On 28th November 2024, the House of Commons witnessed a crucial debate on the deteriorating state of religious freedom in Pakistan. MPs from across political lines came together to raise their voices against the systematic persecution faced by religious minorities, including Christians, Ahmadis, Shi’a Muslims, and the Baloch people. The session marked an important step in holding the Pakistani government accountable and galvanizing UK support for the human rights of these vulnerable communities.

The debate began with Jim Shannon MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, who delivered a compelling opening speech. He highlighted some of the most urgent human rights issues in Pakistan, inclChristians in Jaranwala province,” the uding “barbaric attacks on “relentless persecution of Ahmadis,” and the “genocidal violence against Shi’a Muslims in Parachinar,” issues that have been widely reported and condemned by international human rights organizations. His speech set a strong tone for the debate, calling for concrete actions from the UK government and the international community to address the abuses faced by religious minorities in Pakistan.

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Help for Persecuted Christians
PO Box 6945 London W1A 6US
UNITED KINGDOM

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