Question: Are Christian citizens in Pakistan treated equal to their Muslim counterparts?
Our Constitution and government would say yes, but fact of the matter is, our very own people view Christians as outcasts.
“You are free – free to go to your temples, mosques or any other place of worship in the state of Pakistan..”
What I personally heard yesterday was perhaps the most shocking piece of discrimination I have witnessed in my life.
Background Story
Younis is our sanitary worker (that’s the political term for sweeper) and he’s a Christian.
We recently shifted into a new house. Shifting is, of course, not the most pleasurable of experiences. You have to pack everything, dump it into a truck, then send it ahead, unpack what you packed just a few days back and put things back where they belong.
During this ordeal of sorts, Younis gave us a big hand. If it hadn’t been for the fella’, we’d still be dumping under the bridge and pissing by the wall.
We ourselves get our lunches and dinners from the local officer’s mess, he had to get his from lungar (read: eating place).
Yesterday, for reasons I don’t remember, me and Baba had to drop him right into his room before dinner time at the lungar. We did so and left.
What Happened at the Lungar
The next day Younis came to work, he was disgruntled and disheartened. When asked what had happened, he told us,
“Sir, three other sweepers threw me out of the room and took away my floor fan…”
Why?
“Because they said that I’m a Christian and that they were Muslims and that I could not eat or sleep in the same room as them”
Younis repeats their original words in disgust,
“Oy, too yahaan humare saath beth kar nahee kha sakta. Tu na-paak christian hai aur hum musalmaan. Iftari kay waqt tum yahaan aenda kabhee na aana”
Literal English Translation: Hey, you cannot eat here with us. You are a filthy Christian and we are Muslims. Don’t ever come here during iftar time.
No Equality
Who in fuck’s name is he to say that?
Is it Younis’ fault that he was born into a Christian household? Is he “superior” to Younis if he was, as they say, ”lucky enough” to be born straight into a Muslim ghar?
“You may belong to any religion, caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state…”
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I would’ve given a proper ending to this post, but instead, the article demands your opinion on the matter at hand. So go ahead and leave a comment!
#1 by Taimour on August 30, 2009 - 1:26 am
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Hmm..Well just do me one favor..Whenever you drop Younis again at his room please give those three some education about how Islam treats others and what are the rights of minorities in Pakistan….Thts all i can say…
#2 by Psycho on August 30, 2009 - 2:06 am
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Those sons of bitches! They have no right to be called muslims!
“Arey, wo christian nahi, balke wo kameene napaak hain!”
Their fast was of no use, hurting that guy’s feelings! Islam doesn’t stop us from eating with our fellow brothers! Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon him) used to himself eat with non muslims.
I am just too pissed off to say anything else! What you are gonna here from me, you won’t like it! >(
#3 by Maria on September 5, 2009 - 6:20 pm
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This is just too sad. Nothing else to say.
#4 by Mohammad Ahmed on August 6, 2011 - 1:08 am
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what’s wrong? I also say same to a christian, hindu or sikh. what’s wrong in that? this is pakistan not usa or india. Inshallah, we’re the superior humans and no kafir should stand/eat with us.
#5 by Mohammad Ahmed on August 6, 2011 - 1:12 am
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we should wage jihad against all kafirs like our brave police do here ne it in karachi or lahore or anywhere else in pakistan, so what’s wrong?
don’t forget what prophet (pbuh) told… to kill kafirs. our government has already taken good measure to eliminate or convert kafirs, so what are you afraid of?