Man of Letter and Spirit

(ISLAMABAD) - The life of the slum settlers is perhaps the most heart-wrenching thing that I have ever encountered... I have had the privilege of traveling to many places, but in all of my visits, I have never encountered poverty like this – streets flowing with open sewage, garbage rotting everywhere.

I know that this is where Jesus would be if we were here right now. If we are not willing to be here, too, then perhaps something is wrong with us.

Perhaps we have grown callus to what Christ has done for us - to the call to dedicate our lives to serving Him and “Going into the entire world to share the Good News!” let’s forget about ourselves long enough to lend a helping hand to other marginalized community.

I usually write and try to be the voice of the people who face persecution by any means. And sometimes people facing violations ask for help which is beyond my control. I have to say sorry as I am not this position to do so.

Frankly speaking; I am one of those who needs support. Anyway, sometimes I request some human rights champions for this; sometimes they make promises which they do not fulfill.

In the past months, two young Christian girls from the slum area of the capital were accused of theft in a case involving a beauty parlor. Unfortunately, when asked to provide them legal assistance, human rights champion Joseph Francis (CLAAS) said this doesn’t come in our policy. I have not been able to understand... is their policy important or is the life of a common Christian, he is getting funds.

Should I ask the policy makers therein, whether blasphemy accusations come under persecution? I don’t know about the donors’ agency's policy, what are the criteria they have derived for it? The families were being helped out by one of my Muslim colleagues. He smashes on Christian’s organization who always claim so.

As every Pakistani knows damned well, Christians are among the most downtrodden and vulnerable people in Pakistan, especially since the passage of the despicable blasphemy law during the Zia ul Haq dictatorship. The moral and political health of any society is expressed in how it treats its most vulnerable citizens.

In spite of this critical situation, we lend our hand to the entire minorities, especially Christians. I still love Pakistan, despite everything. That should not be surprising; I love my own country, and my friends and family, despite their faults, as I trust them to love me despite mine, says Tahir Naveed Ch.

Yes! He is man who accepts this challenging role in this society. Yes, he is the man, who has been Rimsha’s attorney during the time when she was no more worldly, and in need of such help. Rimsha, a minor Christian girl accused in a blasphemy case in Islamabad (the capital). Yes, he is the man, who not only struggled for her freedom but protected her during her case trial.

It was a day on August 11, 2013, when he has taken an initiative to launch his political party at his home place Sarghoda Distt. There were more than 300 participants there, listening carefully his future plan. Let’s see and pray for how long he could be able to prove himself a man of letter and spirit.

Shamim Masih is a "Christian rights activist and freelancer Pakistani journalist specializing in writing about Christians rights for the different papers in the world. My aim is to create a peaceful environment in the society and to help eliminate Christian persecution through my writing as I bring the plight of these brave people under the spotlight of the whole world."

Shamim Masih was born in Sheikhopura's village and raised in Gujranwala, a city in Pakistan's Punjab province. He earned his Bachelors Degree from the University of the Punjab, Lahore majoring in English, Economics and Statistics; he also received a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

As a freelance writer and author, Shamim has written for different papers in the world; his expertise is in writing articles highlighting different social issues. He has served as freelance chief reporter and column writer in “Minority Times” in Islamabad, and a number of Shamim's articles have been published in local papers as well.