Salmaan Taseer, the Governor of the Province of Punjab is assassinated by the man who was supposed to protect him and whilst the police call for justice many others see him as a hero and celebrate him (whilst others still, through fear of reprisal, stay silent). The Minister for minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti, dies in a hail of bullets - the response to an appeal against the blasphemy laws.
Qamar David, a Christian, dies in prison whilst being held on claims that he'd insulted the prophet Muhammad.
And today we have the news that a mentally impaired fourteen year old girl, Rimsha Masih, who has been in custody for two weeks now on charges of blasphemny appears to have been set up by Iman, Khalid Chishti! Witnesses have come forward to say that Chishti planted the remains of burnt pages of the Koran in her bag, persumably because she was from a Christian family.
Can I ask my Muslim friends and colleagues how Taseer, Bhatti, David, Rimsha Masih and the many others who have suffered death, or been abused, honours the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) or does anything to show Islam in a positive light? How can those who believe other than them or have the courage to stand and speak out for justice (and mercy) be so sorely treated?
In the same vein perhaps is the fact that this week three British people are appealing to the European courts over their apparent loss of the right to choose and act as their faith demands. Integrity, honesty and tolerance are at a premium everywhere it appears - how sad :-(
Pax
Showing posts with label pakistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pakistan. Show all posts
Sunday, 2 September 2012
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Breast Implants, Pakistan, Iran and Education
Midweek communion over it is time to start writing stuff and getting services sorted and as I do the news starts to descend into April the First mode again.
We have the Harley Medical Group in the form of Chairman Mel Braham saying that they wouldn't be removing or replacing any of the c. 14,000 breast implants without charging for the privilege. Mel takes what he probably considers a high moral stand and which I consider to be highly imoral as he witters on about the responsibility being with those who approved them (MHRA, NICE & NHS then I assume) and that they have no liability.
So the good old taxpayer will be footing the bill to remove the faulty products! Mind you if I understood the news item correctly the NHS won't be fitting new implants because they don't do cosmetic surgery (well not that sort!) not even if Harley provided the replacements. I would imaging the best course of action would be to resolve the problem and then remove all and any licence from those companies who took the cash and ignored their own liability and the customer services indicative that these faulty implants provide.
For some time now part of my answer to why is Britain involved in Afghanistan has included an area that stated that once we weren't involved in the region the potential for Pakistan ceasing to be the nation state that it is would diminish greatly. Seems that alongside those who have sought to bring about the fracturing of the nation by terrorism and other nefarious means from within and without we now have the presence of the Pakistani forces to consider as well The 'Memogate' saga and the apparently split loyalties of those in Pakistan's political and military life are also conspiring to make the continuation of a secure and stable nation state of Pakistan something of a diminishing hope!
Moving on the news of the murder of Iranian nuclear expert, Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan, who worked at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, by means of a magnetic explosive device which a passing motorcyclist fitted to the man's vehicle. I don't know what's more bizarre, the fact that this wasn't the first of the nuclear experts to be killed or that the authorities felt that whilst it looked like Mossad it could equally have be laid at the CIA's door. This statement came without any hint of surprise or comment. It was just one of those, "That's how it is!' statements. Still, only a short trip from Iraq to Iran if someone is really stupid enough to pick up the gauntlet!
And as the news wound down we find Education Minister, Michael Gove, being all surprised that ICT is a waste of time, money and effort and have him telling us how these boring and pointless lessons will be replaced by something more effective and attractive. My question is where's he going to find the money. AHA, he's not - our kids are going to be taught by Microsoft and Google!
What is going on today? Perhaps God is trying to get us praying (or satan is hoping we'll despair and give up?)
PAx
We have the Harley Medical Group in the form of Chairman Mel Braham saying that they wouldn't be removing or replacing any of the c. 14,000 breast implants without charging for the privilege. Mel takes what he probably considers a high moral stand and which I consider to be highly imoral as he witters on about the responsibility being with those who approved them (MHRA, NICE & NHS then I assume) and that they have no liability.
So the good old taxpayer will be footing the bill to remove the faulty products! Mind you if I understood the news item correctly the NHS won't be fitting new implants because they don't do cosmetic surgery (well not that sort!) not even if Harley provided the replacements. I would imaging the best course of action would be to resolve the problem and then remove all and any licence from those companies who took the cash and ignored their own liability and the customer services indicative that these faulty implants provide.
For some time now part of my answer to why is Britain involved in Afghanistan has included an area that stated that once we weren't involved in the region the potential for Pakistan ceasing to be the nation state that it is would diminish greatly. Seems that alongside those who have sought to bring about the fracturing of the nation by terrorism and other nefarious means from within and without we now have the presence of the Pakistani forces to consider as well The 'Memogate' saga and the apparently split loyalties of those in Pakistan's political and military life are also conspiring to make the continuation of a secure and stable nation state of Pakistan something of a diminishing hope!
Moving on the news of the murder of Iranian nuclear expert, Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan, who worked at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, by means of a magnetic explosive device which a passing motorcyclist fitted to the man's vehicle. I don't know what's more bizarre, the fact that this wasn't the first of the nuclear experts to be killed or that the authorities felt that whilst it looked like Mossad it could equally have be laid at the CIA's door. This statement came without any hint of surprise or comment. It was just one of those, "That's how it is!' statements. Still, only a short trip from Iraq to Iran if someone is really stupid enough to pick up the gauntlet!
And as the news wound down we find Education Minister, Michael Gove, being all surprised that ICT is a waste of time, money and effort and have him telling us how these boring and pointless lessons will be replaced by something more effective and attractive. My question is where's he going to find the money. AHA, he's not - our kids are going to be taught by Microsoft and Google!
What is going on today? Perhaps God is trying to get us praying (or satan is hoping we'll despair and give up?)
PAx
Monday, 2 May 2011
Osama Bin Laden Dead
Today's news that Osama Bin Laden has been killed (and his body taken possession of so that there is no doubt it is him) in Pakistan by US forces is a triumph for retribution and justice. It is an act of revenge for the Twin Towers and the lives lost and spmething that will undoubtedly win Obama approval points.
What it will do for Pakistan, a nation who has been accused of hiding Bin Laden and training terrorists. What it will do for those who engage in terror and what backlash it might bring, remains to be seen.
Beyond the triumphalism the reality is that we need to be praying for:
+ Our forces on the ground in Afghanistan (and for all those engaged in military, NGO and charitable efforts there),
+ The nation of Pakistan, where for many Bin Laden was a hero, that the rule of law and peace is maintained,
+ For the peace of the world, that men will dialogue rather than destroy, build up rather than break down.
Those who live by the sword, die by the sword and the death of Bin Laden (and his son) demonstrates the reality of hatred - death. A good operation by the US apparently well done.
Please pray - this is more than a headline, it's potentially a lighting of a touchpaper as some will look to respond with wicked acts whilst (undoubtedly) others will seek to make capital out of it for their skewed theologies and distasteful utterances.
A time to remember those who have lost their lives and think of their friends and families rather than celebrate the loss of another life.
Pax
Monday, 11 April 2011
Jones and Sapp - Don't speak for Pakistani Christians
In Pakistan yesterday, Christians gathered in Lahore to show their support for Muslim believers over the burning of the Koran by Muppets Jones and Sapp (AKA 'the saps'). Denouncing the Koran burning as nothing more than an attempt to flame clashes amongst muslims and Christians, they came out in force to show their unity with the Muslim believers and their contempt of the Saps.
The Christian leader behind the gathering told reporters that the incident shows that, "Neither men believe in any religion." and their the action "Reflects an extremist mind set which has nothing to do with Christian peaceful teachings." (AMEN to that!)
A news report tells of how the two men's act has "stoked fear amongst Christians who are in the minority in Pakistan."
The Pakistan government says it has ensured the safety & rights of the minorities in the country and has also assured its nationals that the culprits will not escape punishment.
Taking a lead that others should follow (are you listening Rowan?), Christians have asked the government to take action over the incident and have urged U.S. to prevent its people from taking such extremist actions under the guise of 'freedom of speech'.
See it for yourself, here:
Pax
The Christian leader behind the gathering told reporters that the incident shows that, "Neither men believe in any religion." and their the action "Reflects an extremist mind set which has nothing to do with Christian peaceful teachings." (AMEN to that!)
A news report tells of how the two men's act has "stoked fear amongst Christians who are in the minority in Pakistan."
The Pakistan government says it has ensured the safety & rights of the minorities in the country and has also assured its nationals that the culprits will not escape punishment.
Taking a lead that others should follow (are you listening Rowan?), Christians have asked the government to take action over the incident and have urged U.S. to prevent its people from taking such extremist actions under the guise of 'freedom of speech'.
See it for yourself, here:
Pax
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
The Cost of Integrity
Today all of the sane world will be mourning the loss of Shahbaz Bhatti, the only Christian member of the Pakistan government and minister for religious minorities who was apparently assassinated for opposing Pakistan's blasphemy. This man, a brother in Christ knew that he faced danger and yet knew that he could do nothing but stand.
Don't read my words, but hear his:
One of my friends pointed out that the in the Islamic calendar we are in 1432. When the Christian world was in 1492 it too was in an age that was both bloody and brutal, for this was the bloody and awful Middle Ages, a time when war was waged by fundamentalists and life was cheap, but at lease we didn't have nuclear weapons!
Those who wish for peace, for truth and for justice should spare a thought for Shahbaz's family and for the nation of Pakistan as he joins the governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, Salman Taseer, as another martyr for the cause of truth and justice.
For those who see the death of these men as honouring god, might I suggest that they look to Surah 5, Ayat 32:
“To cause the death of one innocent – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely.
Whoever saves one life – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.”
For those of other faiths, or no faith, might I point you to the words of Micah 6: 6 - 8:
"What does God want from you? Not money, not sacrifice. What He desires is that one lives in humility and exerts justice for all and shows mercy to those who are condemned or downtrodden!"
Listen to the music and as you do, offer up prayers for those who stand, for those nations who are subject to the actions of wicked men, for those who are wrongly accused and for those who mourn.
And for Shahbaz Bhatti - dona eis requiem [grant him rest eternal]
Pax
Don't read my words, but hear his:
One of my friends pointed out that the in the Islamic calendar we are in 1432. When the Christian world was in 1492 it too was in an age that was both bloody and brutal, for this was the bloody and awful Middle Ages, a time when war was waged by fundamentalists and life was cheap, but at lease we didn't have nuclear weapons!
Those who wish for peace, for truth and for justice should spare a thought for Shahbaz's family and for the nation of Pakistan as he joins the governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, Salman Taseer, as another martyr for the cause of truth and justice.
For those who see the death of these men as honouring god, might I suggest that they look to Surah 5, Ayat 32:
“To cause the death of one innocent – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely.
Whoever saves one life – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.”
For those of other faiths, or no faith, might I point you to the words of Micah 6: 6 - 8:
"What does God want from you? Not money, not sacrifice. What He desires is that one lives in humility and exerts justice for all and shows mercy to those who are condemned or downtrodden!"
Listen to the music and as you do, offer up prayers for those who stand, for those nations who are subject to the actions of wicked men, for those who are wrongly accused and for those who mourn.
And for Shahbaz Bhatti - dona eis requiem [grant him rest eternal]
Pax
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