Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Pakistani Christians Fleeing to Thailand Due to Muslim Persecution

Once again, it is long past time for the West and America in particular to open their doors to all those non-Muslims being persecuted by Muslims. 

FROM TRIBUNE.COM.PK:

Packing their bags: Christians moving to Thailand to escape violence, insecurity

By Rabia Ali
Published: July 15, 2014

KARACHI: It was on a warm October day that human rights activist Noel Alfonce received a call. A man simply asked him to stop his work or his 10-year-old daughter would suffer the consequences.

With a heavy heart, nearly six months later, he left his home and country behind for good.

“I wouldn’t have been bothered had they threatened me, but when it comes to your children, you sometimes have to take harsh decisions,” said the balding man, speaking over the phone from a busy marketplace in Bangkok as Thai announcements blared in the background.

The ‘crimes’ that forced him out of the country were helping victims of forced conversions and their families and visiting the burned down and bullet-riddled churches after they were attacked. His actions irked the wrong people, and Alfonce, who had been working at the National Commission for Justice and Peace for the last four years in Karachi, had to wind up his work and leave.

Mass migration

There are no official figures but community members and activists say that thousands of Christians have left Pakistan and are seeking asylum in other countries.

From Karachi, many Christian families have fled silently; from Dastagir, Pahar Ganj, Mianwali Colony, Akhtar Colony and Essa Nagri. A majority of them opt for Thailand, which offers cheap airfare and easy access to tourist visas.

“Apart from personal attacks and threats, the Badami Bagh incident in Lahore and the church bombing in Peshawar have led to an increase in migration of Christians. Unemployment and lack of security are making them leave,” said former parliamentarian and minority representative Michael Javed.

Article continues
HERE.