Shafique Khokhar

The US State Department gave prestigious award for Jacob’s commitment to religious freedoms and human rights in Pakistan. For Judge Nasira Iqbal, this is “a remarkable achievement for all Pakistanis, as human rights defenders like Peter Jacob work hard to promote social cohesion and equality of rights for all.”

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has ended around the world. Pope Francis together with the Anglican Primate Welby gave a group of bishops the mandate to "witness together to the unity willed by God by spreading mercy and peace". The joint celebrations in Pakistan and Bangladesh: "If we are not united among ourselves, how can we bring others to Christ?".

While former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, considered the favourite to win the February general elections, will only start his campaign next week, the Centre for Social Justice organised a conference on the participation of minorities in the elections and the broken promises of the last legislature on the political inclusion of minorities and anti-discrimination

After Christian homes and churches were torched last summer on the pretext of blasphemy, street sweepers, who are mostly Christian, were not paid for two months before Christmas. “During the year, we lack proper equipment and tools for the job and because of this we often get sick,” street sweeper Khurram Masih told AsiaNews. Before Christian holy days, “we never get paid on time,” forcing them “to take out loans”.

Fear among the Christians of Jaranwala in Pakistan after the August assaults on their churches and homes is still high. After losing their homes nearly a thousand families are even more socio-economically excluded. To restore hope and confidence during Advent, the Cecil&Iris Chaudhry Foundation organized a Christmas fair for the victims of Islamic fundamentalists' rampage

Christians are socially and economically excluded, accused of blasphemy, victims of violence and forced marriages. While their lives in Pakistan are constantly threatened, the work of Capuchin friar Lazar Aslam is a glimmer of hope, providing help to individuals and families who are victims of violence and outreach to others overcome religious barriers and build social peace.

Forced conversions, child brides, and abuse of blasphemy laws are just a few examples. Christian and Hindu girls and young women are especially targeted in the Muslim-majority country. Greater commitment and accountability are needed from police, government, and judiciary. In one year, 3,914 rapes, 664 cases of domestic violence, 174 honour killings, and 44 acid attacks were recorded in Punjab alone.

While the controversial COP28, the international climate conference, is underway in Dubai, the pastor of the Sacred Heart parish in Pakistan planted some trees with his faithful and prayed with them for peace to mark the beginning of Advent; for him, “it is necessary for each of us to be an informed and active citizen in our community.”

In recent days, a Muslim radical killed a 20-year-old Christian. The attack was based on alleged social media posts by the young man in support of the Jewish state in the war in Gaza. A similar motive had triggered an assault in October, forcing more than a hundred people to flee. Activists call for justice and government intervention.

Msgr Samson Shukardin, bishop of Hyderabad, elected to lead the Bishops' Conference. He tells AsiaNews about the mission's priorities, starting from the defence of a minority that is 'too often the victim of abuse'. Countering the distortions linked to the blasphemy laws and accompanying married couples to counter the escalation of divorces.

The bishop has organised weekly prayer meetings and seminars. Pope Francis also spoke today about the tragic situation in Gaza when he met with the participants in the Consulta of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. After 10 hours of fighting, Israel says it has taken control of areas in the north of the Strip.

In Pakistan, those who kidnap Christian or Hindu girls and young women to convert and forcibly marry them are increasingly using counter-suits to slow down the courts and weaken the thirst for justice of the victims' families.