Dear Friends,

Belated Easter greetings to you all. As we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Christ—the moment that broke the yoke of death and granted us eternal salvation—we are reminded of the power and promise of His victory.

“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.”
– Matthew 28:6

We’re pleased to share two uplifting updates that have come since our last newsletter:

The home of Shama and Shahzad’s children has now been freshly repainted, bringing renewed comfort and dignity to their living space.

Shabbir Masih’s hernia operation has been successfully scheduled for next week.

These positive steps are made possible by your continued generosity—thank you.

Please take a moment to read the updates below, as well as a few ongoing appeals that still need your further support to reach completion.

From Ashes to Easter: Renewed Hope for the Children of Shama and Shehzad

In November 2014, the world watched in horror as Shama and Shehzad, a young Christian couple from Pakistan, were brutally tortured and burned alive in a brick kiln after false accusations of blasphemy. Their tragic deaths shocked the global community and left behind three young children—Suleman, Sonia, and Poonam—suddenly orphaned and vulnerable in a hostile environment.

Since that heart-wrenching day, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) has committed itself to ensuring that these children are not forgotten. With the help of our generous donors, we have been able to provide a nurturing and secure home environment with the support of a live-in nanny, education, clothing, food, and emotional care.

Ongoing Hope: Medical Relief for Grieving Father Shabir Masih

The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) has stood beside Shabir Masih through unimaginable tragedy. In 2021, Shabir lost his son Usman Masih and daughter-in-law Yasmin Bibi, who were brutally murdered in Kathor Kalan, Wazirabad, by an intolerant Muslim neighbour (click here). The brutal attack left his two granddaughters, Gul Janat and Asma, without parents, and plunged Shabir into a deep well of grief.

In March 2025, Shabir reached out to our operations manager with another heartfelt plea—not for justice or vengeance, but for medical help (click here). He had developed a painful inguinal hernia that caused intense discomfort and needed urgent surgery. BACA swiftly intervened, arranging a check-up at a trusted private facility where Dr. Usman Bada confirmed the need for an operation.

Brutal Assault on Christian Man in Factory: Muslim Supervisor Attacks After Refusal to Convert

A horrific incident took place at a paper factory, where a Christian man was brutally assaulted by his Muslim supervisor after he refused to convert to Islam. The attacker used a sharp paper cutter to violently cut the Christian man’s throat in a gruesome act of violence. The police swiftly took action by registering an FIR against the supervisor and apprehending him.  The incident has sparked widespread outrage, and the victim is receiving support from the community as authorities work to bring the perpetrator to justice.

Raped at Gunpoint by Muslim Gang, But Not Defeated: Stand with Shumaila and Adnan

In Faisalabad, a Christian woman was brutally assaulted by three Muslim men at gunpoint after they tied up her husband in a sugarcane field while the couple was on their way home from work. The police have since arrested the perpetrators and placed them in judicial remand. The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) has visited the family, providing them with legal support and financial assistance to help them seek justice and recover from this traumatic ordeal.

Six-Year-Old Girl Brutally Assaulted: Indian Christian Family Seeks Justice Amidst Police Inaction

Lalu Nagar, India – Six-year-old Santhusti Bee, daughter of Pastor Ramshish Manjhi (35) and Mrs. Sabitha Devi (30), was brutally assaulted on January 10, 2025, in a horrific crime that has left her family and community in deep distress. The couple, who also have a two-year-old son, run a small house church with 30 worshippers and sustain their livelihood as daily wage labourers in agricultural fields.  Read more (here)

A Beating, a Donkey, and a Cry for Justice: The Brutal Humiliation of Mr. Masih

A Christian man was brutally assaulted and humiliated by a group of influential Muslims in his village for collecting firewood. The attackers shaved the man’s head, eyebrows, and mustache before parading him through the streets on a donkey in a degrading display. The police have registered an FIR and arrested two individuals involved in the incident, while the main perpetrators are currently on pre-arrest bail. In response to this act of violence and humiliation, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) team visited the family to offer their support and stand in solidarity with them.

BACA Secures Justice for Murdered Christian Brothers, Seeks Further Legal Support

Two Christian brothers, Imran Daniel (30) and Arslan Daniel (24), were brutally shot and killed by drug lords Ali Butt, Qadir Butt, and their accomplices in the main bazaar of Rachna Town, a suburb of Ferozwala, in October 2024. The attack stemmed from a heated confrontation after the brothers refused to allow drug sales at their salon. Imran was killed instantly, while Arslan succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital.The British Asian Christian Association has been standing by the grieving family, providing ongoing support as they fight for justice

Aleeza’s Fight for Mobility: A Story of Survival and Strength through God

Aleeza was just 1.5 years old when she survived a horrific terrorist attack on the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church during a nativity service on 17th December 2017. The brutal assault claimed the lives of nine innocent worshippers, leaving a deep scar on the Christian community in Pakistan. Aleeza’s survival was nothing short of miraculous, made possible by the courageous efforts of volunteer Christian security officers who risked their lives to protect others.

Five Pastors Arrested in Rajasthan for Alleged Forced Conversions: A Call for Justice

On January 10, 2025, a disturbing incident unfolded in Parthapur village, Banswara District, Rajasthan, where five Christian pastors were arrested under allegations of forcefully converting Hindus to Christianity. The accused pastors, including Jyoti Garasiya (42 yrs), Hurmal Valwai (27 yrs), Peter Garasiya (22),  Badra Garasiya (29) and Rajesh Garasiya (49 yrs), were detained for five days before securing bail. The case has sparked concern among the local Christian community, raising fears of religious intolerance and persecution.

Following our last newsletter and appeal for support, we gratefully received crucial funds to aid Sunaiha and Saba Shafique. Thanks to your generosity, we’ve been able to expand our support for these families during their time of great need. However, we still urgently require at least £3,000 to cover the full cost of legal advocates for both cases.

We’re also grateful to share a powerful breakthrough—Saba Shafique has been safely reunited with her family, freed from the control of the man who raped her and forced her into marriage under the guise of Islamic law.

A full update on her case, and our continued efforts to support both families, will be featured in our next newsletter.

Deprived Children in Peru (sorry I added the Challenges Abroad main donation link last time)

In addition to my work with BACA, I am traveling abroad with my university’s Challenges Abroad team to support deprived children in Peru. This follows the impactful experience in Thailand I had last year, where I gained valuable insights into how charities uplift vulnerable children. I hope to build on that knowledge to enhance BACA’s work in supporting disadvantaged communities. 

To help cover the costs of this program, the Challenges Abroad team has launched a Chuffed Campaign (click here), and any donations would be deeply appreciated. Your support will allow me to participate in this important initiative while continuing my mission to bring hope to those in need. So far, I have raised £40 towards the £2,000 needed for the volunteer experience, and I hope more of you will join me in supporting this cause.

Your generosity enables us to fight for justice, safety, and freedom for those who need it most. Please consider making a donation—every contribution helps us continue this vital work.

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” — Psalm 82:3

With gratitude and blessings,

Hannah Chowdhry

British Asian Christian Association

For more ways to support our work, please visit our donation page. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.