This is Islamic law to this day: Sharia stipulates that dhimmi Jews and Christians under the “protection” of the Islamic state — are “forbidden to openly display wine or pork, (A: to ring church bells or display crosses,) recite the Torah or Evangel aloud, or make public display of their funerals and feastdays” (Reliance of the Traveller, o11.5(6)).
“For Christians Living In Rural Punjab, It Is Best To Abandon The Holy Cross And Biblical Names,” by Rebecca Gill, Friday Times, March 15, 2022:
Punjab is a highly populated province where most Christians reside. There are many Christian institutes, schools, and churches in the region. Yet, the community becomes a victim of persecution, blasphemy, abduction, killing, and murder. The discrimination faced by Christians in rural Punjab is largely underreported.
Christians are the second largest minority group in Pakistan. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 1.59 percent of the total population of Christians are living in Pakistan, a majority are living in Punjab (2.31 percent) out of which 1.87 percent live in Rural Punjab, and 3.27 percent live in the urban part of Punjab.
I recently met some Christian families in Sheikhupura, Punjab, who shockingly deny being Christians and identify as Muslims. They have abandoned their Christian names and have adopted the Muslim ones.
“I changed my name because I faced discrimination by the instructors of Islamiyat classes in school,” says forty-year-old Saba Kamran*. “I have started to wear a hijab so people can’t find out more about me. My life has become much easier,” she adds.
Her husband, Asmat Ullah*, worked in a cement factory where all the employees were Muslims. He was the only Christian. “I was always discriminated against because of my faith, and some of the Muslim employees used to harass me and make slogans to tease me. I resigned from the job in 2012,” he says.
Thereafter, Asmat Ullah adopted a Muslim lifestyle. “I wear shalwar kameez on Jumas and pretend to be a ‘fake’ Muslim, so that my office staff feels I’m a Muslim.”
Saba and Asmat have given their three children Muslim names. “We have strictly instructed them to never disclose their religion,” he says.
“I was always discriminated against because of my faith, and some of the Muslim employees used to harass me and make slogans to tease me. I resigned from the job in 2012,” he says.
Ayesha Sohail* started wearing an abaya and hijab when she was in school. “My mother suggested I cover myself in school and college like other Muslim girls. Since then my life has been free of discrimination and harassment, as no one in my class knows I am a Christian. I take Islamic Studies classes with them and pretend to be a Muslim,” she adds.
A young Christian boy, who works in a clothing factory, says that he is proud to be a Christian, “But because of my faith, I often face challenges.” He used to wear a cross till some time ago. He stopped wearing it because Muslims would ask weird questions on seeing it around his neck….
tgusa says
Well islam is anti-Christian but that type of thinking is banned in Germany Think of an islamic Ten Commandments. You can use the Christian version but that would have to be a complete opposite.
No other Gods before me.
No idols.
Never take Gods name in vain.
Keep the Sabbath Holy.
Honor your father and mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet.
7 of the 10 are routinely violated as a commandment of standard islamic doctrine.
I have to believe that most caring thinking humans would agree that those commandments are polite, civilized and not a terrible way to go about your life.
Proud Islamophobe says
If there any born-again Christians on this page, this news story is why we need to pray for the persecuted Christians, not necessarily that they will escape persecution (because that would contradict Scripture), but that they have the strength to *not* deny Him. By wearing that giant vagina cover (because women are “awra”), they’re denying Him.
somehistory says
A couple of things stand out:
The writer says, “killing and murder.” That, to me, is the same thing.
Jesus said all of these things would be used against Christians to turn them away from Him.
quote in part: “like other Muslim girls” This girl is already identifying with those who would persecute her by saying “other” mozlum girls…which includes her as being mozlum.
Reading and listening to the lying filth can cause one to forget the “healthful teaching” of the Bible and the “good news about the Christ.”
Jesus said that His followers would need to “count the cost,” but that He would be with Christians “until the conclusion” of this evil system set up by satan. He warned that all would be “persecuted,” and did not say to become like the persecutors in order to avoid it. One thing He said was to “flee” to another city.
Since the persecution is so widespread, and so many cities are ruled by mozlum terrorists, that may not be an option. If it is, they should act on it as soon as possible.
However, it is important to pray for direction; to pray for Holy Spirit to give one discernment and protection and strength to do what is *right.*
I feel bad for these people, but taking part in the things that lead others to believe that one is mozlum does not seem to be the best thing to do. I don’t wear a cross, never have. So not wearing one would not be an issue for me.
But, for those who see it as a part of their spiritual life, their spiritual duty, it seems they are making it easy for satan to overcome their faith. The Bible says that the day would come when preachers would pretend to be farmers in order to escape what satan has in mind for them, but it does not recommend such actions.
All Christians everywhere need to remember the things Jesus Christ said we are to pray for: God to sanctify His Holy Name, to bring His Kingdom to earth and to do His Will on earth as He does in Heaven.
Everywhere on earth is now dangerous for Christians, as satan is at war with us and doing all he can to kill our faith.
These ones in pakistan need to pray constantly from the heart for strength to do right, not give up the “fine fight of the faith,” and for God to bring in those things for which Jesus Himself prayed.
Andrew Blackadder says
islam really is a Fascist Religious Cult in every way.
It truly blows my mind that The Left in the Western World fall over themselves to defend everything that is islamic and yet denigrates the Church every chance they get.