Mr. Shiam Kumar laments over the abduction & refuge of Hindus in Balochistan, Pakistan

By Gopinath Kumar ( Editor-in-Chief )
Sunday, January 23, 2011

 (Photo : Mata Hinglaj Shaktipeeth in Balochistan State of Pakistan attracts thousands of Hindu devotees every year in April)

Balochistan : Mr. Shiam Kumar, a prominent Intellectual &  poet from Balochistan was interviewed by BBC`s Urdo Service reporter, Mr. Ayub Tareen .

Mr. Shiam Kumar laments over the abduction of Hindu business-men and the members of the minority Hindu community are seeking refuge in Sindh and in India.

 

Mr. Shiam Kumar appeals to the "Civil Society" of Pakistan to help the minority religious groups, including Hindues in Pakistan.

 

Please watch below Vedio link ,A interview of Mr.Kumar on Baloch Hindus from BBC URDU

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/2011/01/110106_hindu_kidnap_ms.shtml

Muslim Girl Electrocuted For Marrying Out of Caste in Pakistan

By Mohammad S.Solanki (Executive Editor)
Sunday, January 23, 2011

ISLAMABAD : Although it was buried towards the end of the story, IOL News reported a less known fact about Islam as it is practiced in India and Pakistan. There is in many Muslim communities a caste system, similar to that found in Hinduism.

Saima Bibi, 17, a  Pakistani Muslim girl who fell in love with a neighbour boy and ran off with him to Karachi. Unfortunately for her, there is a local honour code that punishes not only fornication but elopement as well. A village council, known as the panchayat, decided that Bibi had besmirched the honour of her family and declared a death sentence upon her. IOL described Bibi’s condition as follows.

“There are signs of torture and burns on her neck, back and hands which are most probably caused by electrocution,” said the police official, Zahoor Rabbani, from Bahawalpur district in east Pakistan where the alleged killing took place. He was speaking to Reuters by telephone.”

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani publicly expressed his dismay at the attacks, which shed a sorry light on unIslamic traditions and practices that are tolerated in Pakistani Islam.

What is the origin of a caste system in Pakistani Islam? Professor Yoginder Singh Sikand, head of the Centre for Studies on Indian Muslims at Hamdard University in New Delhi wrote as follows

“The vast majority of the Indian Muslims are descendants of converts from what is today called ‘Hinduism’. Individual conversions to Islam in medieval times were rare. Rather, typically, entire local caste groups or significant sections thereof underwent a gradual process of Islamisation, in the course of which elements of the Islamic faith were gradually incorporated into local cosmologies and ritual practice while gradually displacing or replacing local or ‘Hindu’ elements. In other words, conversion was both a social as well as a gradual process. Because it was a collective social process, the original endogamous circle prior to conversion was still preserved even after the group undergoing the process had witnessed a significant degree of cultural change. Hence, even after conversion to Islam marriage continued to take place within the original caste group. This is how Muslim society came to be characterized by the existence of multiple endogamous caste-like groups. Because mass conversion to Islam was also rarely, if ever, a sudden event, but, rather, generally took the form of a gradual process of cultural change, often extending over generations, many of the converts retained several of their local, pre-Islamic beliefs and practices. It was thus not the influence of Hinduism among a previously ‘pure’, ‘uncontaminated’ Muslim community as such, but, rather, the continued impact of Hindu beliefs and customs on the converts who still remained within a largely Hindu cultural universe and retained many of its associated beliefs and practices, that explains the continued hold of caste-related practices and assumptions among large sections of the Indian Muslim community.”

This is not the only instance of Muslim caste related murders in Pakistan. Many of the estimated 650 yearly “honour killings” in Pakistan are related to violations of caste restrictions that are highly questionable under Islamic law. It is ironic that this murder that was committed to protect the “purity” of Bibi’s family is based upon a thoroughly contaminated version of Islam.

How often do Muslims coopt non Islamic practices to convert entire communities. Another instance where this has taken place is with “female genital mutilation, practiced in many African Muslim countries. Female genital mutlilation persists despite its widespread repudiation by Islamic scholars.

Killing and mutilating in the name of religious purity all too often masks a profound religious impurity. Saima Bibi’s father and uncle stand accused in her murder. It is they and not she who have disgraced her family.

No one safe in Balochistan : Mr. Ansar Burney

By Gopinath Kumar (Executive Editor)
Friday, January 21, 2011

( Photo : Mr.Ansar Burney a Chairman of the Ansar Burney Trust International )

U.K. : Chairman of the Ansar Burney Trust International and former Federal Minister for human rights, Ansar Burney has said that hundreds of Punjabi speaking families, Muslims from Shia sect and more than hundred Hindu families of Baluchistan province are making efforts to migrate to some safe place in other provinces after becoming the target of extremist and fundamentalist groups who kidnap them for ransom or brutally murdering them.

In a statement, Burney said thousands of Punjabi and Shia sect families have already been left Baluchistan after being targeted, brutally murdered or kidnapped for ransom. "They can not go out for their jobs or bussiness or their children can not go out for education even they can not travell with their family members and are living worst like in jail." Ansar Burney added.

These startling revelations were made by International Ambassador for Peace and human rights, Ansar Burney while talking to media in Quetta.

During his stay in Balochistan, Ansar Burney who is also the United Nations Expert Advisor on Human Rights had visited several Baloch dominated districts including and territories inhabited by Marri and Bugti tribes where Punjabi speaking, Shia sect Muslims and Hindus have been living for centuries - following the kidnapping of Maharaj Lakhim Chand Garji (85) by extremist and fundamentalist groups from Kali Mata Mandir in Qalat on December 21.

Criticizing the Baluchistan provincial government he said, "Government has failed to protect the lives and properties of Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and different sects of Muslims including Punjabi speaking community as the incidents of kidnapping for ransom have become common. Several people have been kidnapped for ransom and government has not been able to trace or recover them. In many cases family of victims had paid huge ransom for their release."

He urged upon the Federal as well as Baluchistan government to take stern action against the fundamentalists and extremist elements those involved in kidnapping and killing of innocent Hindus, Sikhs and Christians in Pakistan and harassing them in the name of blasphemy act.

Hindu Mahasabha held protest against Congress Govt appeasement policies, India

By Purushottam Singh (PHP New York)
Friday, January 21, 2011

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: HINDU MAHASABHA
Date: Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 10:43 PM
Subject: Agitation of Hindu Mahasabha against Anti-Hindu Policies of Congress Government

P R E S S      I N V I T A T I O N

TO,

        The Editor/Representative

        T.V. Channel / News Papers       

        New Delhi.

Subject-Agitation of Hindu Mahasabha

Sir,

        That this government and its agency like C.B.I and N.I.A. working as Anti-Hindu agent and they are torturing Hindu saints, Armed Forces Personals and Police Officers etc. In the leadership of Dr.Santosh Rai President Reception Committee of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha and Baba(Pt.) Nand kishore Mishra Sr. leader going to agitate against policies of this present Government and missuse of C.B.I and N.I.A  Against Hindu Community. Workers of Hindu Mahasabha will burn effigy of Antino Mino (Sonia), RahuI (Raul Paul), Digvijay Singh(Helper of Muslim Terrorists) and P.Chitamberam (Acting Home Minister of India and Pro - Pakistani).Hindu Mahasabha will appeal to President immediate release of Sadhavi Pragya, Col. Shri Kant Prasad Purohit, Major Ramesh Upadhyaya, Sameer Kulkarni, Shankaracharya(Sumeru Peetham), and Swami Ashimanand Ji  Maharaj.

Place of Agitation  :-                    JANTAR MANTART, NEW DELHI

Date                         :-                    19^th January 2011, Wednesday  

Time                         :-                    1.00 P.M.                      

 

Devendra Sharma

(Media Incharge)

Mo. No. +91-9289792209

Office :- F-67,2^nd Floor, Bhagat Singh Market, New Delhi – 110001

Ph. +91-11-32928342, Telefax. +91-11-47340165, Email:- info@hindumahasabha.net

(Photo : Hindu Mahasabha supporter protesting at Jantar Mantar at New Delhi, India)

HRCP (Press release) Baloch CM to allay fears of Hindus, Pakistan

By Mohammad S.Solanki ( Managing editor)
Friday, January 21, 2011

 (Photo : Dr. Mehdi Hasan Chairperson of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) following Ms Asma Jahangir’s resignation.

ISLAMABAD : The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Wednesday urged the Balochistan Government to address the concerns of non-Muslims living in the province in the wake of frequent abductions. ``Balochistan has long enjoyed considerable reputation as an area where non-Muslims have lived in relative peace and safety. No effort should be spared to ensure that that reputation remains untarnished,’’ HRCP said in a statement. 

With a number of Hindus being abducted in the restive province over the past year, there is a growing apprehension within the community there amid reports of many seeking asylum in India. According to the HRCP statement, it has conveyed the concern among non-Muslim communities in the province over the recent increase in abductions of non-Muslims in Balochistan to Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani.

The latest incidents include the abduction of Maharaj Lakhim Chand Garji of Qalat on December 21 and Rajeev Kumar from Noshki on January 10. While those abducting Mr. Lakhim Chand have asked his community to raise funds for his release, without mentioning any amount, the abductors of Mr. Kumar have not contacted the family so far. 

``The families of the abducted individuals are obviously in great mental agony and fear for their safety. This spate of abductions has also increased a sense of insecurity and vulnerability across the non-Muslim population in the province,’’ HRCP chairperson Mehdi Hasan said; requesting the Chief Minister to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to allay the fears of non-Muslim citizens in Balochistan and restore a sense of security among them.

Dr Mehdi Hasan

Chairperson

India : Hindu Terrorism OR A journalism agenda?

By B. Raman
Friday, January 21, 2011

(Photo : Samjhauta Express Blast)

New Delhi : Often, I get phone calls from Delhi-based journalists to discuss with me the disturbing phenomenon of some Hindus taking to terrorism and the reported confession before a Magistrate of Swami Assemanand, who is stated to be a follower of the Hindutva ideology.

Many of these journalists are not interested in analysing this phenomenon and the investigation made so far. They are only interested in exploiting it to suit their own agenda.

They never tell me that they want to have a discussion with me in order to better understand the phenomenon. They always start the conversation with the remark:" Sir, I want to have a couple of quotes from you." They are not interested in facts. They are not interested in an objective analysis. They are not interested in the truth. They are only interested in quotes. If they are dissatisfied with my quotes or if they find that my quotes would not suit their agenda, they do not hesitate to substitute my quotes with their own and attribute them to me.

There were only four incidents of terrorism in which some Hindus were probably involved...there could be more acts of reprisal terrorism by some Hindus against the Muslims...

This pernicious practice of agenda and motivated journalism, which came to the fore during the recent dissemination---one does not know even now by who and why--- of the tapped conversations of Niira Radia, the lobbyist, has acquired new dimensions in the wake of the leak of the confession made by the Swami.

I am proud to have sounded the wake-up call as early as in 2006 to the dangers of some angry members of the Hindu community taking to reprisal acts of terrorism against our Muslims if the Government does not take note of the perceptions in sections of the Hindu community that it has been soft towards the jihadi terrorists. I have been writing and speaking on this from time to time since then.

While welcoming a professional and vigorous investigation into the alleged involvement of some Hindus in acts of terrorism against the Muslims, I have also been expressing my disquiet over the way the investigation was being done with motivated leaks to suit some hidden agenda.

In my assessment on the basis of open source information,there were only four incidents of terrorism in which some Hindus were probably involved. My fears that there could be more acts of reprisal terrorism by some Hindus against the Muslims in the wake of the 26/11 terrorist strikes in Mumbai were happily belied.

I now sense a new wave of anger in sections of the Hindu community over what they perceive as attempts being made by the Congress (I) and some agenda journalists to exploit the confession of the Swami to divert attention from the serious threat of jihadi terrorism that we still face and to whitewash the horrendous crimes of the jihadi terrorists, including the July 2006 explosions in some suburban trains of Mumbai and even the 26/11 terrorist strikes.

It is important for the Government to remove such perceptions. The investigating agencies should be given a free hand to investigate the confession of Swami Assemanand to its logical conclusion and to arrest and prosecute those found responsible. At the same time, this should not be allowed to slow down or distort our fight against jihadi terrorism.

Las Vegas City Council in USA opened with Hindu mantras

By Gopinath Kumar (Executive Editor)
Friday, January 21, 2011

(Photo : Just before the reportedly historic first Hindu invocation at June 22 Boulder City Council meeting, from left to right, are: Travis Chandler, Duncan McCoy, Rajan Zed, Linda Strickland, Cam Walker. Except Zed, others are Councilmembers)

USA :  City Council of Las Vegas, world's entertainment capital, reverberated with Sanskrit mantras from ancient Hindu scriptures on January 19.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed delivered invocation from Sanskrit scriptures before Las Vegas City Council on January 19. After Sanskrit delivery, he then read the English translation of the prayer.
Sanskrit is considered a sacred language in Hinduism and root language of Indo-European languages.

Zed, who is the president of Universal Society of Hinduism, recited from Rig-Veda, the oldest scripture of the world still in common use, besides lines from Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), both ancient Hindu scriptures. He started and ended the prayer with "Om", the mystical syllable containing the universe, which in Hinduism is used to introduce and conclude religious work.

City Council members, City employees and public stood quietly in prayer mode with heads bowed down during the prayer. Wearing saffron colored attire, a ruddraksh mala (rosary), and traditional sandalpaste tilak (religious mark) on the forehead, Rajan Zed sprinkled few drops of sacred water from river Ganga in India around the podium before the prayer. He presented a copy of Bhagavad-Gita to Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman and Las Vegas Fire Chief Mike Myers.

Reciting from Brahadaranyakopanishad, Zed said "Asato ma sad gamaya, Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, Mrtyor mamrtam gamaya", which he then translated as "Lead me from the unreal to the Real, Lead me from darkness to Light, and Lead me from death to Immortality." Reciting from Bhagavad-Gita, he urged Councilmembers and others to keep the welfare of others always in mind.

Zed is one of the panelists for "On Faith", a prestigious interactive conversation on religion produced by The Washington Post. He has been awarded "World Interfaith Leader Award" and is Senior Fellow and Religious Advisor to New York headquartered Foundation for Interreligious Diplomacy, Director of Interfaith Relations of Nevada Clergy Association, Spiritual Advisor to National Association of Interchurch and Interfaith Families, etc.

Zed will read the opening invocation at Sparks City Council in northern Nevada (USA) on January 24.
Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

Home of 17 of the 20 biggest hotels in USA, Las Vegas reportedly hosts about 38 million visitors and over 19,000 conventions annually and its Strip is designated as a "National Scenic Byway". Also known as "ultimate escape", its tagline is "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" and its temperature sometimes can go as high as 117 degrees Fahrenheit. Famous Las Vegans include tennis player Andre Agassi, wrestler Rico Constatino, adult-entertainer Jenna Jameson, singer Toni Braxton, etc. Oscar Goodman, self-proclaimed "happiest mayor in the universe," is in his third term, while Elizabeth N. Fretwell is the City Manager of City of Las Vegas.

Sindhi Hindus suffering brunt of child kidnappings, Pakistan

By Amar Guriro (Karachi City, Pakistan)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011

(Photo : Thari Hindu female in Sindh, Pakistan)

KARACHI - Kidnapping for ransom of minor children in the northern parts of Sindh notorious for crimes, particularly Kandhkot in Kashmore district, is becoming a lucrative business.

This was revealed in a detailed research study conducted by Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) National Manager Salam Dharejo.

He informed that the majority of children kidnapped in the area were Hindus – the biggest religious minority of Pakistan. The three-year (2008-2010) study states that between January 2008 to December 2010, at least 23 minor children – some even aged three – were kidnapped for ransom and out of them 9 were Hindus including four girls. The majority of children kidnapped were aged between three to 12 years. These cases could be much more than actually reported, as the kidnappers threaten the parents of killing the child, if they approach the police.

During the last year, around 12 cases of child kidnapping were registered with six of them belonging to Hindu families.
“Due to consistent kidnapping incidents, the families are under perpetual fear and insecurity while many Hindu families have migrated to India. The parents are compelled to stop sending minors to school and even do not allow them to go out of the home in Kashmore and Kandhkot towns,” Dharejo said.

When asked why he selected the particular areas for his research, he said that keeping in view the particular focus on kidnapping of Hindu children, the analysis was carried out in the district to understand the nature and prevalence of kidnappings, and to analyse the role of police with reference to child protection.

Most of the kidnapped children were recovered within a week to two months. In most cases the parents had to pay huge sums of money as ransom with the police playing the role of middle-men in negotiations with criminals.

The district police record shows that in every case, the police arrested one to 10 persons. All kidnappings cases were proceeded at anti-terrorism courts but not a single offender has been convicted since 2008 due to lack of evidence.

For the last many years, child kidnapping for ransom cases in Kandhkot at Kashmore district have created an environment of insecurity. Around 90 percent of the total Hindus population of 2.7 million lives in Sindh. The northern parts of Sindh comprise large Hindu population involved in business, which appeals to the criminals for targeting them. Although kidnapping adult Hindu females for forced conversation is not new, kidnapping of minor children has become an emerging industry in the province.

“The Hindu community is particularly targeted because of their vulnerable socio-political status. Having no political patronage and relationship with the criminal mafia and business backgrounds, they are comparatively easy to exploit. Even after the recovery of abducted children, they do not go for litigation in fear of hostility and in almost all cases, the culprits were set free due to absence of witnesses,” explained Dharejo.


AmarGuriro.com

PAKISTAN: Government must file FIRs for attempted murder against the religious leaders calling for the killing of innocent persons

 (Photo : 2011 Muslims Activists chant slogans against the Blasphemy Law during a protest in Karachi. PHOTO: IRFAN ALI)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Gopinath K. Rajput (PHP) <namastepakistan@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jan 10, 2011 at 8:43 AM
Subject: PAKISTAN: Government must file FIRs for attempted murder against the religious leaders calling for the killing of innocent persons
To: publicmail@president.gov.pk


Dear President of Pakistan,

PAKISTAN: Government must file FIRs for attempted murder against the religious leaders calling for the killing of innocent persons

Name of victim: Ordinary citizens of Pakistan
Names of alleged perpetrators:
1.Maulana Fazlur Rehman,
Chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam
2.Mr. Munawar Hassan,
Chief of the Jamat-e-Islami,
3.Sahinzada Abul Khair Zubai,
President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan
4.Maulana Yusuf Qasuri,
Markazi Jamiat Ahl-Hadith,
5.Hafiz Hussain Ahmed,
Jamiat-e-Islam,
6.Hafiz Saeed,
Tanzeem-e-Ilami,
7.Maulana Allah Wasaya,
Majlis-e-Khatm-e-Nabuwat,
8.Qari Hanif Jalundri,
Wafaqul Madaras,
9.Pir Abdul Qadir,
Markazi Jamat Ahle Sunnat,
10.Qari Mohammad Yaqub,
Jamayud Dawa,
11.Mr. Halim Adil Shiekh,
Mulim league Q

Date of incident: January 9, 2010
Place of incident: Karachi, capital of Sindh, PAKISTAN.

I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding a rally of Muslim extremists in Karachi on January 9, 2010 where all Muslim leaders threatened the common citizens of the country
to face the same fate as the late governor of Punjab, Punjab, Mr. Salama Taseer faced while cricising the blasphemy law.

It is for my shock that there was more than 3000 police officers and no one has moved to take action against the speakers who were openly threatening to kill and announcing a killer as the hero. No case yet has been lodged against the speakers.

For my knowledge the details of the case are; on January 9, 2011 according to police officials over 40,000 people gathered in the streets of Karachi, the capital of Sindh Province for a rally. The rally was organised by Tahaffauz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat which is a conglomerate of religious parties opposed to amendments of the country's blasphemy laws. It is these possible amendments that were behind the assassination of the governor of the province, Salman Taseer by one of his own security guards. The rally, while demonstrating against the amendments also showed support for the assassin, Mumtaz Quadri. "He is a hero and we salute his courage," the speakers declared. It is known that more than 3,000 police officers were present, supposedly to maintain law and order. However, when the speakers announced over their public address system that anyone showing support for the amendments to the blasphemy laws should face the same fate as Salman Taseer no officer or government of ficial moved to silence them. The vast majority of the participants were students from the Madrassas. One of the speakers was a member of the banned organisation, Jamaat-ud-Dawa which is banned by both Pakistan and the United States; however, once again, no move was made to prevent him from publically representing this banned organisation.

Salman Taseer was assassinated by Quadri on January 4 while the other members of his security detail and regular police officers looked on and took no action. Quadri was able to expend 40 rounds from his machine pistol before placing it on the ground before him and surrendering. The speakers announced that if the government was to prosecute Quadri then thousands of 'Quadris' would emerge from their houses to copy the example of what he did to Salman Taseer. The liberal and progressive elements of society would be particularly targeted and would face the same fate.

I am appalled know that in similar fashion to the lack of action by the police and the security detail during and following Salman Taseer's death the government has taken no action whatsoever to curtail the hate speeches and religious intolerance by the fundamentalist. Likewise following the rally of the 9th and despite the fact that the speakers openly called for the death of anyone showing support for the amendments to the blasphemy laws the Provincial government of Sindh has taken no action to file cases of incitement to murder against any of the speakers or organisations involved. In a previous Urgent Appeal by the Asian Human Rights Commission, dated 8 December 2010 we called for the government to prosecute the Muslim leader of Mahabat Khan Mosque, Peshawar who urged his followers and all Muslims to kill Aasia Bibi, offering them a reward of Rs. 500,000.00 for the act. Aasia Bibi is a 45-year-old Christian lady who was sentenced to death by a court for committing blasphe my. Her sentence is under appeal.

I am shoked to know that Mumtaz Quadri has become a national hero and throughout the country posters containing his picture are being distributed proclaiming him as a fighter against liberal and secular ideas and even against the United States who is believed to be behind the move to amend the blasphemy laws.

It was believed that immediately after the assassination of Salman Taseer the government would follow criminal and legal procedure in prosecuting the killer and taking action against the perpetrators of the hate speeches that urged him to commit the crime. However, the government's indifferent attitude regarding religious intolerance has proved it incapable of any sensible action. This is what allowed the rally in Karachi to proceed in turning the country into a narrow minded religious state based on hatred, sectarianism and violence.

I call upon you that where is the law that should protect the ordinary citizen, be they Muslim, Christian or otherwise from the religious intolerance of one group that declares openly that anyone opposing them is marked for death? Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan explicitly states:

Security of person -- No person should be deprived of life or liberty save in accordance with law.

So, where and how is the government enforcing this article? According to Pakistani law anyone threatening to kill another person or inciting a third party to kill another person is liable to be tried for attempted murder.

Section 503 of the Pakistan Penal Code states that it is an offense to: Threaten a person with any injury. It further states that it is an offense to: ... cause that person to do any act which he is not legally bound to do as the means of avoiding the execution of such threat,.......

I urge that the government must take advantage of the existence of these laws to rein in any person or party that threatens anyone else with death or harm for whatever reason and bring them before the rule of law. It is vital at this time, when the citizens of the country are living in fear in an extremely volatile environment, that it must show courage. Action must be taken immediately against all of the religious leaders openly advocating murder to any person opposing the ideas and beliefs of the fundamentalists. The Sindh government must instruct the police to file FIRs against the speakers of the religious rally of January 9 who urged their followers and the public in general to kill anyone opposed to the misuse of the blasphemy laws. How is it possible that the killer of an innocent man, the chief executive of the province, is made out to be the hero? What message does this send to society? It is because of the silence of the government that sectarian strife will become rampant in Pakistan, not in the months and years to come, but in the days to follow.

I also urge that the government must ban the distribution and exhibition of any posters portraying the killer, Mumtaz Quadri, as a hero and prosecute him according to the law.

I look forward to your prompt action to provide substantial and comprehensive policy responses on the freedom of expression and prosecution of the religious Muslim leaders who openly justifying the murder of a governor and inciting the religious bigots to kill to who so ever asking for the amendment in blasphemy laws so that laws should not be misused.

Yours sincerely,
Gopinath K. Rajput (PHP)
USA

Introduction to Saharo Foundation

By Arun Nandani (PHP Coordinator Sindh)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011

 (Photo : Relief Camp of Saharo Foundation in Sindh ,Pakistan)

Introduction : Saharo Foundation is a non partisan, non political, not for profit foundation based in the World with it's headquarters in United States. This Foundation is not based on religion, race, color or origin. We do not discriminate. We are here to save the Humanity.

In March 2005, we realized to form a plate form to alleviate the poverty, we formed teamsindh blogspot and started working in social services.

On 18th July 2005, a 15 years old girl Arifa Shaikh attempted suicide in Larkana Pakistan, because she was hungry for 2 days (Local newspaper daily kawish 19 july 2005), we immidiately took action and sent appeal for donation on internet, this was the start of our organization, received donations and helped this poor family.

On October 26, 2007, Hanif Sangi founded the SAHARO FOUNDATION to work more effectively in the social sector, same day registered the domain and launched the website. This mission is expanding every single day and there is no doubt in our success


Our mission is to help the poor people of World, there are so many areas in the World, where no water, food or shelter is available. People are simply dying from hunger and disease, they do not have resources and access to those facilities.

We will provide help to all and for general social welfare of a common person.

Saharo Foundation (Pakistan)

Distribution to Flood affected Families by SCRM- HAF, Pakistan

By Mohammad S.Solanki
Tuesday, January 18, 2011


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ramesh Jaipal
Date: Sun, Jan 9, 2011 at 8:41 AM
Subject: Started the packing of material
Cc:Pakistan Hindu Post (PHP)

Respected
 
      Hope you will be fine there, Please see an attach file of flood affected clothes material  packing. Today we are started the packing, we will print out the handbags for distribution please read the label of hand bag. In this hand bag we have printed Donated by HAF and Hindu Heritage Endowment.

 For more details please feel free contact with us.

With Regards,
Ramesh Jaipal

 (Photo : Mr.Ramesh Jaipal of SCRM during distribution of stuffs to Hindu womens, Pakistan)

New Photo of President Zardari confers award on Hindu leader in Islamabad

By Gopinath Kumar (Executive Editor)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011

 (Photo : President of Pakistan Mr.Zardari with Awarded Hindu Leader Bhayya Ram Anjum in Islamabad)

ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari has conferred Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Human Rights Award, for the year 2010, to Bhayya Ram Anjum, a Scheduled Caste Hindu Community leader of Southern Punjab.

What is HARE RAMA FOUNDATION?

The Hare Rama Foundation Pakistan is non-Government & non-profit Organization, registered under Society Act (1860) with Government of Pakistan, Working for the development of the poor and deserving people of Pakistan who aim to contribute their practical services to uplift and develop the whole community.

HRF is working for the Minorities (Scheduled Caste) rights, Women rights, Interfaith Harmony & Educational Improvements in rural areas without any discrimination of race.

HRF being an Organization, have logically realized that this part of the country or race. (Bahawal Pur Division) & specially the rural areas had never been (focused for practical education, technical education, Interfaith Harmony and Economic development.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mr.Raisani orders early recovery of abducted Hindu cleric

By Mohammad Zafar
Tuesday, January 18, 2011

(Photo : Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani during press conference in Pakistan)

QUETTA : Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani has issued directions to the police and Balochistan Levies for early and safe recovery of Hindu spiritual leader Maharaj Lakshmi Chand Garji, who was kidnapped along with four others while traveling from Kalat to Khuzdar a few weeks back.

        According to reports, Lakshmi Garji, 82, the maharaj of a historic Hindu temple in Kalat, Kali Mandir, was abducted, presumably for ransom, near Surab area some weeks ago. Following the high profile kidnapping of the Hindu cleric, CM Raisani paid a visit to Kalat to review the security situation and ordered the provincial home minister and the IGP to take tough action against the culprits and ensure peace and order in the province.

         Earlier, a delegation of Hindu leaders, led by provincial minister Basnat Lal Gulshan, met the CM and informed him about the abduction of Maharaj Garji. Raisani assured the leaders that a comprehensive strategy was being prepared by the provincial government to eliminate criminal activities on the RCD Highway.

         Reports say that a number of people have been whisked away for ransom in Kalat area in recent weeks, while looting of passenger vans and highway hold-ups are also on the rise.

Pakistanis mourn a once tolerant, relaxed nation

By Dr. Radhe-Shyam Kumar
Tuesday, January 18, 2011

 

(Photo : 2009 Pakistani Taliban fighter or called TTP in Swat Valley of NWFP, Pakistan)

ISLAMABAD : A 60-year-old university administrator in Karachi is wistful as he recalls the more tolerant, freewheeling Pakistan of his youth.

Once, when a teacher suggested no book can be perfect, the boy asked if that included the holy Quran. That sparked a candid class discussion about religion. But in today’s Pakistan, Muqtida Mansoor said he would never dare to ask the question in public.

After all, “anyone could shoot you”. Days after the assassination of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, one of the few politicians openly challenging the onslaught of religious extremism, Pakistani moderates are facing a new and troubling reality: Pakistan is a country where fundamentalism is becoming mainstream, leaving even less room for dissent, difference and many once-prevalent leisures such as public music, dance parties or other social contact between the sexes.

More liberal-minded Pakistanis have been left with a profound sense of loss, alienation and fear for the future. One rights activist forecast that at the rate extremist groups are rising, a religious party could be ruling the country in 10 to 15 years. The transformation is particularly disheartening for many younger Pakistanis.

“There is no concept of freedom of speech in this country,” said Aaisha Aslam, 25, who works for a non governmental organisation. People with fanatic mindsets are “out to snatch this country from us”. The poles have shifted so much that it was not just bearded students from religious seminaries who this week praised the suspected killer of a politician who opposed blasphemy laws. Some religious scholars who oppose the Taliban also joined in – and lawyers showered him with rose petals.

“The silent majority does not want to take out a gun and shoot anyone, but at the same time they’re not appalled by it when somebody else does,” complained Fasi Zaka, 34, a radio host. “The majority are enablers.” Well before Tuesday’s killing of Taseer, Pakistan’s liberals had grown increasingly cautious about speaking out for minority protections, women’s rights and other causes. Activists who once publicly advocated repealling the blasphemy laws - which mandate death for those deemed to have insulted Islam or the holy Quran - are now willing to settle for mere amendments.

“We are vulnerable,” said Asma Jahangir, a small, hard-charging woman who is perhaps Pakistan’s best-known human rights activist. “My name has come up, and of course you have to watch as you move around, how you move around,” she added.

Some Pakistanis are frustrated with what they perceive as a lack of Western support for their causes. They complain of receiving little more than lip service from the US, which is dependent on Pakistan’s aid to turn around the war in neighbouring Afghanistan and eliminate Taliban and al Qaeda hideouts on its soil.

“We don’t matter for anybody,” said Marvi Sirmed, a 38-year-old activist.

Extremists in Pakistan have flourished in part because governments have failed to provide for people’s needs, such as in education and health care. Extremists fill the gap through their welfare organisations, clinics, mosques, religious seminaries and other networks. The impoverished masses then support their philosophies and political activities.

It doesn’t help that those in Pakistan’s small, liberal, secular wing tend to be wealthier and more educated than most Pakistanis, a cultural divide that is hard to bridge, said Burzine Waghmar, who teaches about Pakistan at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. And so many liberals are increasingly nostalgic for the past, before the 1980s rule of General Ziaul Haq. He , infused Islam into everything from school textbooks to the legal code - including pushing through harsh blasphemy law and statutes that treated rape victims as adulterers.

Javed Ali, 70, remembers how cinemas once flourished in Pakistan, and dance parties were advertised in newspapers. While visiting Karachi, Ali would go to The Moonlight Club, where dancers would entertain middle and lower middle class visitors. “Now, that’s a dream,” says Ali, who lives in Multan. Mansoor remembers a more live and let-live society. “I was a handsome man and had good taste as well,” he said. “I had many girlfriends and I would liberally take them to my home and nobody would mind. I would take my girlfriend to the beach and no police would harass us. But later on, the police would ask for marriage papers even if you were with your wife.”

Photographer Nazir Khan, 50, of Karachi, recalls how relations between majority Sunni and minority Shias were far more cordial. “I used to offer my Friday prayers in any mosque without consideration to which sect it belonged,” Khan said.

The radicalisation has accelerated since 9/11. Although Pakistan’s government officially abandoned its alliance with Afghanistan’s Taliban regime, the US-led invasion in the neighbouring nation was viewed by many as an attack on the Muslim world. Thousands now routinely show up for anti-US rallies.

In cosmopolitan centres such as Karachi, far more women now wear face veils than in years past. Girls as young as 6 or 7 are wearing headscarves, said Roland DeSouza, a Christian who is a partner in an engineering firm. “That stuff you didn’t see 10 years ago,” he said. Even in the northwest, which is dominated by ethnic Pashtuns and their conservative culture, life used to be more free. Men would take their wives to the movies, and musicians were routinely hired to perform at weddings. Pakistani Taliban threats and attacks have changed that.

By Naeem Tahir, The Blood of a distinguished son of the soil, Pakistan

By Naeem Tahir
Tuesday, January 18, 2011

(Photo : Mr.Naeem Tahir with wife in Pakistan)

The religious fanatics have silenced a voice of sanity. If the extremists continue to infiltrate the different ranks of society and its disciplined forces, then more murders will happen and the sane will continue to lose their lives

Pakistan : Blood on the concrete pavement was what the television screens showed. It was the blood of a distinguished human being, Salmaan Taseer, an outstanding son of the soil who worked hard and achieved a lot. He was a professional, a businessman, a politician, a friend and a family man. He also had the most valuable human asset — a sense of humour. Salmaan Taseer was and will remain a role model for a long time. May God bless his soul.

He laid down his life for a cause. He was one of the very few outspoken politicians and he did not mince his words. He boldly stood up for principles and justice for all. He believed that the innocent should not be persecuted without the appropriate process of the law. He believed that any law made by men could be reviewed if its practical implementation were faulty. Significantly, the first person to lay a bouquet of flowers on the blood stained pavement in Kohsar Market, outside the restaurant Table Talk, was the Ambassador of Spain in Islamabad, symbolic of the fact that Salmaan’s voice for justice was heard around the world.

The religious fanatics have silenced a voice of sanity. If the extremists continue to infiltrate the different ranks of society and its disciplined forces, then more murders will happen and the sane will continue to lose their lives. History is a witness to the fact that the voices of Khulafa-e-Rashideen (caliphs) were also silenced. What is going on? Are the Kharji, Salafi, Qutubi and other such extremists now using their sleeper cells after being pushed back in Waziristan? How deep has the cancer of extremism spread in the polity? Can the nation survive or is it going to succumb? It is a matter of life and death now. The learned ulema, civil society, establishment and particularly all the services that are issued arms must act immediately to control the menace. It is shocking that some lawyers presented flowers to the murderer of Salmaan Taseer when he was produced in the court. Who were they? Have the security forces identified them yet?

There is no question about a security lapse. Surely, it was a huge security lapse and the involvement of security personnel other than the murderer is almost certain. It is said that other members of the ‘elite force’ did not fire or overpower the assailant because there was an understanding between some of them to let Qadri complete his crime and only then arrest him alive. Obviously, there is planning in the crime and the desire to gain publicity after the assassination during court appearances. There are also statements being issued by some religious extremists showing no regret. If such people call themselves Muslims, then they need to study the Quran once more and understand the message of the Almighty, “He is the most Merciful and Beneficent.”

Also consider that this was not a case of an individual losing control in anger; the assassination was premeditated. On November 23, 2010, the Almi Tanzeem-e-Ahle Sunnat issued a decree saying that Salmaan Taseer was no longer a Muslim because he considered Aasia Bibi innocent and desired a review of the relevant law and the procedure of its application. Then Pir Afzal Qadri threatened that there were many like Ghazi Ilm Din who had killed a Hindu for blasphemy. This was an obvious indication for potential fanatics to follow suit. The Governor’s House started receiving threats of bomb blasts. Tehrik-e-Hurmat-e-Rasool leader Qari Sheikh Yaqoob demanded the death penalty for Salmaan Taseer. These actions were also reported in the national press. There were echoes of similar demands and edicts from other groups that claim to be very righteous. In short, Taseer was being labelled a non-Muslim, threatened to meet with the fate of a Hindu blasphemer and liable for the death penalty. Following all this, tempers were whipped up further with rallies and sermons. In spite of the clarifications issued by Salmaan Taseer, it is clear that the intent to eliminate him persisted.

In this situation, the responsibility of the security providers should have increased manifold. It is shocking that the assassin, Mumtaz Qadri, found his way back into the Punjab Elite Force protecting Salmaan Taseer. Five years ago, Qadri was declared unfit for VIP duty due to his religious fanaticism. It is almost impossible to believe that some of the providers of security to Salmaan Taseer were not involved in the conspiracy. Also responsible are the higher-ups that recruit such persons. An immediate cleanup must be taken in hand. One expected a crackdown within 24 hours. Exemplary punishment must be given immediately; delay is counter-productive.

May I ask the honourable courts why they are turning a blind eye to the threats? Has there been an enquiry pertaining to whether the court in Nankana Sahib announced the conviction of Aasia Bibi under threats or on merit?

Threats and incentives for murder were issued in the case of the Governor Punjab, Salmaan Taseer, and continue to be issued to others. Head money is being offered for other murders as was offered in the case of Salmaan Taseer. Are the judges so concerned for their own personal safety that they do not take suo motu notice? Talal Bugti, a cleric in Peshawar, and another in Rawalpindi have been reported for open incitement for murder. The press has done its duty and has brought such activities to the notice of public. What is the use of all this if the law does not take its course and justice is not enforced? If a government, federal or provincial, cannot find protection for its citizens, even for its distinguished leaders, or apprehend those issuing threats and incitements, then does it have any justification to be there? I hope the sectors responsible for security see this crime as their last chance to prove their worth in enforcing justice and cleansing the system. Please do not wait for all the voices of sanity to be silenced.

NOTE : The writer is a culture and media management specialist, a researcher, author, director and actor

Daily Inspiration from Pakistan Hindu Post (PHP)

By Mohammad S.Solanki (PHP Islamabad)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011

(NOTE : Commemoration of 107th Birth Anniversary of Saeen G. M. Syed, Saturday worldwide.)

"Man's material and spiritual development is not possible without creating a spirit of universal peace and tolerance. For this, the land of Sindh has an exemplary message: a truly generous respect for mankind. Our venerable ancestors and great saints regarded it as real worship and, for centuries, our people have been a living, proof of the truth and success of this message."

                          – Saeen G M Syed

Kerala : Disaster strikes at Hindu festival of Makara Jyothi, India

By PHP India
Tuesday, January 18, 2011

(Photo : An injured Hindu pilgrim is carried into an ambulance after the accident in Kerala, India)

India : Up to 102 Hindu worshippers were killed when they were caught in a crowd crush caused by a runaway jeep during a ceremony in a remote area of the Indian state of Kerala yesterday.

Another 44 people were injured in the accident where pilgrims had gathered at the Sabarimala hilltop shrine for the annual holy day of Makara Jyothi, 14 January, and the culmination of 45 days of fasting.

They came to view a sacred fire at around 8.15pm local time. With the festivities over, the crowds made their way back down, but a jeep stalled on the dirt road. As several people tried to jumpstart the engine, they lost control of the vehicle and it rolled down the hill, crashing into people.

Police official Sanjay Kumar said all the injured had been taken to hospital, some in serious condition.
"We have recovered 102 bodies. The rescue work is almost over," he said.

Thomas Isaac, the state finance minister, said police had scoured the forest area near the stampede site and did not expect to find any more bodies.

"So far 56 bodies have been identified. Our priority now is to identify the rest of the bodies and hand them over to the families of the victims."

RS Gavai, governor of the southern state, said he was shocked and saddened by the accident. "I share my profound grief with that of the bereaved families, and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured."

Stampedes with fatal consequences happen at temples in the district and elsewhere in India, when large crowds often of hundreds of thousands gather in enclosed areas with no safety measures or crowd control.

One person died early this month in a crush near the temple, and 53 people were killed there in January 1999 when a hill collapsed.

In 2008, more than 145 people died at a remote Hindu temple at the foothills of the Himalayas.

Help Sewa International Win a $50, 000 Grant, USA

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

http://www.sewausa.org

USA : We need your help!  We need all hands on the deck untill January 31st to help us win the $50,000.00 grant for the Bhutanese Refugee Empowerment Project.

Pepsi Co. has accepted about a 1000 proposals for this grant program and whichever proposals will get the highest number of votes will win the grant.  We need to be in Top 10 voted ideas to receive this grant and our rank has gone from 95 to 85 in the last 24 hours!  Vote every day and with your help we can easily be in Top 10 by January 31st.  

Every individual is allowed to vote three times a day by these three methods:

• Sign-up and vote for our proposal at http://www.refresheverything.com/sewausabre
• Text 105295 to 73774
• Vote using the Facebook Application: http://www.facebook.com/pepsi?v=app_4949752878

Please call us at 574 329 4238 if you have any questions.

Sewa International and the Bhutanese refugees say a heartfelt thank you.

Nepal, Changing its Laws, Becomes a Destination for Gay Weddings

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/

 (Photo : Diya Mahaju (left) and Anil Mahaju kiss at their wedding, Nepal\'s first public gay marriage. Saturday\'s ceremony at the Blue Diamond Society office in Lajimpat is not legally recognised)

KATHMANDU, NEPAL : Two years ago, Nepal became the first country in South Asia to decriminalize homosexuality, a move the government hoped would invite gay tourists to tie the knot and honeymoon in the Himalayas.

 

Since then, the country's Supreme Court has approved same-sex marriage, asking lawmakers to guarantee gays equal rights under the new constitution. Nepal now issues "third-gender" national ID cards and elected its first openly gay lawmaker to parliament, Sunil Babu Pant, in 2008.

 

Now, the country is promoting Mount Everest as a destination for gay weddings.

 

But many Nepalis oppose gay rights and the idea of gay tourism, and the government has had to act cautiously. The majority of Nepalis are Hindus who do not view homosexuality favorably.

 

During the insurgency, transgender men and women were regularly harassed and beaten by Maoists, and gays faced widespread harassment.

 

Nepal, which used to be the only Hindu kingdom in the world, became a secular country in 2006. After the war ended, small ethnic and minority rights groups began demanding equality and power - and in the name of a secular and new republic, the country started passing laws against discrimination. But what is legal may not yet be socially acceptable. Some Nepalese homosexuals hesitate to come out in the open. The population might find it easier to accept foreigners who are gay than their own people.

Devotees Take Holy Dip to Mark Makar Sankranti, India

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

http://www.sify.com/

INDIA, January 15, 2011: Thousands of devotees took a holy dip in the River Ganges on the concluding day of the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

 

According to Hindu beliefs, taking a dip in the river purifies the soul, fulfills wishes of the devotees, and enables them to escape the cycle of rebirth. Around 10 million pilgrims have come this year alone for the holy dip at the Gangasagar in West Bengal, the site where the Ganges River flows into the Bay of Bengal.

 

"By bathing in Gangasagar waters all wishes get granted, and that is why all take a dip in the waters," said Shikha Sharma, a pilgrim from Madhya Pradesh.

 

"Most of the devotees take the holy dip according to the calendar date of January 14, but it was today (January 15) at half-past midnight that the sun changed its position. And this is why a lot of them are taking the holy dip today, especially women. On this occasion, devotees donate to cleanse one from his sins," said Satyanarayan Pandey, a priest.

 

On the occasion of Makar Sakranti, preparation of 'Khichdi' made of sesame seeds, jaggery, rice, pulses and turmeric is eaten and also offered to the poor.Today the Ganges is prayed to, and sesame seeds, jaggery, rice, pulses and turmeric is donated and also 'Khichdi' prepared out of it is eaten," said Indrakala, a devotee.

 

Makar Sankranti is one of the major festivals celebrated in various parts of India under different names, custom and rituals. It can be considered as a Pan-Indian festival with regional flavor.