Convert hunted by Islamists seeks asylum
From radical Islamic extremist determined to convert “infidels” to his faith, to the leader of a Christian organization in Germany, Raza Muhammad’s journey has been fraught with danger at every step of the way.
Younis Gil is a small man who struggles with English. Years of stress, uncertainty and hard labour have left an imprint. But he squares his shoulders, straightens his back, meets your gaze and smiles. With his wife Saleema Bibi and surrounded by three of his adult children plus a son-in-law, he is a proud pater familias embracing a life that a few months ago was hard to imagine.
Pakistan blasphemy law ‘costing lives’
Canada can do more to counter Pakistan’s blasphemy law — a law that made refugees of the Younis family and thousands of others, whose lives are on hold in Bangkok and other places around the world — the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief told the All-Party Parliamentary Interfaith Caucus in an online presentation earlier this month.
After 60 years, zeal for justice remains
Celebrating 60 years of priesthood, Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha, who migrated to Toronto after his retirement in Pakistan, has taken up the cause of supporting persecuted Pakistani Christians who seek asylum in Canada.
Bangkok asylum seekers appeal to Pope Francis
BANGKOK -- When Pope Francis celebrates Mass in a Bangkok sports stadium Nov. 21, tens of thousands of Catholics from across Thailand will congregate to celebrate with him.
Pakistan blasphemy law not going away: lawyer
Pakistan’s blasphemy law and the fanatic, fundamentalist politics behind it aren’t going away anytime soon, Asia Bibi’s first lawyer told The Catholic Register at a celebration of the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees in Toronto’s St. Philip Neri Church on Sept. 29.
Canadians respond to refugees’ plight
Catholics from coast to coast are rallying to answer a call to help resettle Christian Pakistani refugees stuck in Bangkok.
EU official: Release of Asia Bibi shows promise for religious freedom
BUDAPEST, Hungary (CNA) -- A European Union official who played a role in working for the release of Pakistani death row inmate Asia Bibi said the outcome shows the potential of international cooperation to promote religious freedom.
Asia Bibi: People must help Pakistanis falsely accused of blasphemy
MANCHESTER, England -- The "whole world" should put pressure on Pakistan to either scrap or reform its controversial blasphemy laws, said Asia Bibi, the Catholic mother freed after eight years on death row.
Archdiocese reaches out for helping hand
BANGKOK, Thailand -- For 63 families, the strangers from Toronto represented something they’ve lived without for years — hope.
Living in the shadows: Families hide and hope
BANGKOK, Thailand -- It’s not Joshua’s fault. He was born into statelessness more than three years ago in Bangkok and immediately suffered a stroke that left him seriously brain damaged. But Joshua scares the rest of his family daily.
Editorial: They need our help
Wanted: 63 Canadian parishes with the resources and the heart to rescue 63 Christian families who are huddled in a nation which scorns them as outcasts but who are too scared for their life to go home.
BANGKOK, THAILAND -- A plea has been issued for Canada to rescue a Pakistani Christian refugee who is in hiding after a viral video calling on jihadi fighters to kill him swept through Bangkok's refugee community.