Harrowing Failure of Justice: Chunian District Court Acquits Key Accused in Saleem Masih Murder Case

Published: Fri, 01/10/25

Updated: Mon, 01/13/25

British Asian Christian Association Update for 10th January 2024

Dear Friends,

We apologize for not sharing all updates on our Christmas appeal success last month due to our busy workload over the holiday period. However, in this week’s newsletter, we are excited to provide details of the impact your generous contributions have made.

Warm Jackets for Displaced Children in Manipur, India:
Thanks to your support, we have provided 100 waterproof jackets to children who have been living unsettled lives after being displaced by violent Hindu militants last year. While this is a significant step, we aim to purchase an additional 100 jackets to ensure more children are protected. This appeal remains open, and your continued support is greatly appreciated. Read more and donate (here). These events brought some solace to a Christian community that has recently faced increased violence. In a shocking incident, over 30 Christian women were brutally beaten on New Years Eve and hospitalized by security forces who were meant to protect them, with one woman tragically losing an eye. Read more (here).

Christmas Events and Grants in Thailand:
We successfully organized a Christmas event and distributed grants in Thailand, bringing joy and relief to those in need. Additionally, we provided gifts to the orphaned children of Shama and Shahzad, who were tragically killed while working as brick kiln slaves. Read more and donate (here)

Sharing the Gospel in Sindh: Bringing Hope to Flood-Affected Communities:

In Sindh, we had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with a Hindu community during a special Christmas event. This community had previously received our support through the reconstruction of their homes, distribution of mosquito nets, and provision of food after devastating floods ravaged their village.

Building on this foundation, we aim to return to the area soon to distribute free written and audio Bibles, ensuring the message of hope continues to reach more lives. Read more and donate (here)

Building Dignity for Women in Saif Ul Mari Village

We are delighted to share that we have raised £500 towards our £1,500 target to construct a much-needed toilet and shower facility for the women of Saif Ul Mari village. This initiative follows the recent installation of a clean water pump in the community. The new facility will not only restore dignity to these women but also protect them from the dangers of venturing into unsafe areas to relieve themselves. Read more (here). Please help us raise the remaining £1,000 to bring this vital project to fruition. Every contribution makes a difference!

Support for Shabbir Masih:
With your help, we have secured two more years of financial support for Shabbir Masih, who has been struggling with declining health and the trauma of losing his wife and son. They were brutally murdered for living near a water source that passed by a holy shrine. After his previous donor could no longer provide support, your generosity ensured he could continue receiving the assistance he desperately needs. You can read the appeal (here).

Legal Advocacy for Ghafoor Masih:
We have restarted legal efforts for Ghafoor Masih, whose son was tragically killed for rinsing himself in a tube well designated for Muslim use. Local courts thwarted justice due to police errors, medical negligence, and pressure from influential individuals. We are now taking the case to the High Court, where we hope for a fairer hearing. To ensure the appointed solicitor is adequately compensated, we need to raise an additional £1,000. Read more and donate (here).

Your unwavering support has been instrumental in achieving these milestones. Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Welcome News from MP Joel Powell:

Joe Powell, MP for Kensington & Bayswater, has reaffirmed his commitment to the global fight against religious persecution. In a recent email to BACA Trustee Juliet Chowdhry, Mr. Powell expressed his unwavering support for defending freedom of religion or belief, emphasizing the importance of standing against oppression in all its forms. Read more (here).

Thanks to your generosity, we have raised enough funds to proceed with our permanent safe house project. We are currently looking at 4 shortlisted properties and hope to complete the purchase by Easter 2025.

Your donations can help bring justice, safety, and joy to those who are vulnerable. Together, let us live out the words of Jesus:

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done." – Proverbs 19:17

Thank you for standing with us throughout 2024. We look forward to even greater things in 2025 through Christ.

With gratitude and blessings,

Hannah Chowdhry
British Asian Christian Association

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. 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.

Although we receive the majority of our donations when we send out appeals, establishing regular donations would enable us to better respond to emergencies. We extend our encouragement to those of you who eagerly await our newsletters to consider regular donations, as this would significantly alleviate waiting times for the individuals we support. For those residing in the UK, the most cost-effective donation method is via bank transfer. Our bank details are available on our donate page for your convenience. Please email us a confirmation when you make a one-time or recurring donation so that we can provide receipts if needed and be informed of any specific restrictions. Your ongoing support is invaluable in helping us make a positive impact in the lives of those in need.

Some appeals remain unsatisfied due to a shortage of donations, which may be attributed to our recent email delays and an increase in the number of appeals. We're sharing our last newsletter with you again (here), inviting you to review and consider contributing to any outstanding appeals. Your support is greatly appreciated in helping us meet the needs of those we serve.

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Aid Delivered: Warm Jackets for Children of Christian Families Displaced by violent Hindu Militant

The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) has made a significant contribution to those affected by the ongoing crisis in Manipur, India, by sending a large assistance grant of £1000 to Rev. Dr. S. Chongloi, Principal of Restoration Theological College and Assistant Executive Secretary of the Kuki Christian Church Manipur Synod. This generous donation was used to purchase 100 jackets, which were distributed among children at two relief camps in Imphal. This is default placeholder text. Edit and replace with whatever you want.

BACA News

British Asian Christian Association Welcomes MP Joe Powell’s Commitment to Religious Freedom

The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) has welcomed the heartening commitment of Joe Powell, MP for Kensington & Bayswater, to the global fight against religious persecution. In a recent email response to BACA Trustee Juliet Chowdhry, Mr. Powell expressed his unwavering support for defending freedom of religion or belief and standing against oppression in all its forms.

A Harrowing Failure of Justice: Chunian District Court Acquits Key Accused in Saleem Masih Murder Case

In a deeply disheartening development, the Chunian District Court has acquitted all primary accused in the brutal murder of Saleem Masih. The judge granted the benefit of the doubt to the accused, citing insufficient evidence to secure a conviction.

The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) has expressed profound disappointment at this verdict and has promptly filed a petition at the Lahore High Court, challenging the judgment. BACA remains committed to seeking justice for Saleem Masih and ensuring accountability for this heinous crime.

On 10th October, the Chunian District Court acquitted all accused in the murder of Saleem Masih, a 22-year-old Christian man who was brutally beaten and tortured for rinsing himself at a Muslim-owned tube well in his village.

Violence in Manipur: Christian Kuki-Zo Women Brutally Attacked by Security Forces Amid Ongoing Tensions

A recent series of violent incidents in Manipur have led to widespread international outrage following the brutal assault on Kuki-Zo women by security forces. The attacks, which occurred on 31st December 2024, left over 30 women severely injured as they courageously defended their homes and land from encroachment. This marks the latest chapter in a long history of targeted violence against the Kuki-Zo community, with many villages, churches, and homes having been destroyed as part of an ongoing campaign of persecution. Read more about the attacks on the Kuki-zo community.

BACA Brings Christmas Joy to Orphaned Children of Shama and Shehzad

The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) continues to provide unwavering support to the orphaned children of Shama and Shehzad, the young Christian couple who were tragically tortured and burned alive in 2014 after false accusations of blasphemy. This heinous act left their children orphaned and in need of care, which BACA has steadfastly provided over the years.

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

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.

A News

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.

Video Updates for Our Newsletter
We have experienced significant delays in receiving videos of the impactful work we are doing, which has often resulted in them being missed or inserted into stories after they have already been distributed. To ensure you can see these important updates in a timely manner, we will now begin sharing the videos directly below the articles in future newsletters. Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we strive to keep you informed about the lives being transformed through your generosity.

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

BACA Brings Christmas Joy to Orphaned Children of Shama and Shehzad

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

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

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