PAKISTAN - A prominent and long-time Christian human rights activist was recently appointed as Pakistan’s federal minister for minorities affairs and recruited as a member of the cabinet – the first time a minorities affairs minister has a cabinet-level post.
Shahbaz Bhatti, founder and president of All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), is the minister for minorities affairs and will be defending minorities’ rights, especially religious, in a country that is overwhelmingly Muslim – 95 percent of the Pakistani population is Muslim, according to the CIA World Factbook.
Christians and rights groups are hopeful that his cabinet position will give them a more powerful voice in government affairs. In the past, the protection of minorities was relegated to a lower ranking official who worked under one of the government ministers.
“We warmly welcome his appointment and congratulate the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan on this decision,” said U.K.-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide chief executive Mervyn Thomas, in a statement Wednesday.
Thomas noted that the organization has known and worked with Bhatti for many years.
“We hope that the whole Government of Pakistan will support Shahbaz in his new position, and that significant progress will be made towards the protection of equal rights for all the people of Pakistan, and the repeal of the widely-abused blasphemy laws which cause so much misery for so many,” he added.
For many years, Bhatti has been the foremost activist for the repeal of the country’s blasphemy laws and for equal rights for all religious minorities.
The country’s blasphemy laws have been widely abused to persecute Christian minorities, who are often falsely accused of insulting Islam’s Prophet Muhammed or desecrating the Quran.
Pakistani Muslims often are motivated by personal reasons, such as land dispute or other small arguments, when they accuse Christians of blasphemy.
Last summer, Younis Masih, 29, was sentenced to death for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammed.
According to APMA, the day before the young Christian man was arrested he had reportedly asked a neighbor to turn down the volume of some loud religious music. He was subsequently beaten unconscious by a mob and his wife was also beaten when she attempted to intervene.
In addition to the unfair blasphemy laws, the Pakistan National Assembly has also considered passing a new apostasy bill that would sentence to death all Muslim men converting from Islam and impose life imprisonment for women apostates.
David Drew MP (Member of Parliament), who traveled to Pakistan with CSW in 2005 and met with Bhatti, praised the Pakistani government’s decision for appointing a prominent activist to the cabinet and voiced hope for improvement for the country’s minorities.
“I was deeply impressed by Shahbaz Bhatti’s courage, commitment and personal sacrifice in pursuit of the cause of human rights and justice for all the people of Pakistan, and by his extraordinary dedication to championing the rights of religious minorities who face severe discrimination and persecution,” Drew said. “His appointment by the President of Pakistan to this ministerial position, and the decision to promote the post to Cabinet-rank, is to be warmly welcomed.”
Bhatti founded the Christian-inspired APMA movement in 1985, and one of his first campaigns was against the blasphemy law that was introduced in 1986. The Christian community is the hardest hit by the blasphemy laws.
As the new minister for minorities affairs, Bhatti has promised to propose legislative reform to protect minorities’ rights and promote unity and understanding between different groups.
"Jesus is the nucleus of my life," Bhatti said when he took the oath for office in November, according to Asia News, "and I want to be His true follower through my actions by sharing the love of God with poor, oppressed, victimized, needy and suffering people of Pakistan."
Friday, 5 December 2008
$ 101K AWAITS WINNER OF MAJOR CHRISTIAN FILM FEST
SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF) has narrowed down to 50 the number of films competing for the largest single film festival grand prize of its kind in America – the $101,000 Best of Festival Jubilee Award.
"After an intense period of judging, we are delighted to select our fifty finalists and semi-finalists for this year's competition," reported SAICFF founder Doug Phillips on Wednesday, two months after the competition’s submission deadline passed.
According to Phillips, around 250 entries were received this year – nearly double the number of film submissions of any previous year since SAICFF began showcasing the work of Christian f"Careful analysis was brought to bear during the decision-making process," said Phillips.
Aside from the awards, the 50 finalists and semi-finalists will be given the opportunity to sell their video for download — regardless of whether or not the films win an award.
“For years, independent Christian filmmakers have struggled to find financially viable distribution streams for their films,” noted Phillips. “We are pleased to announce that an important step has been taken to meet this challenge.”
This year’s film festival will be held Jan. 8-10, 2009, and is open for all to attend.
"We are honored to be showcasing the best fruit of a maturing independent Christian movement at the 2009 festival,” concluded Phillips. “And we look forward to our Jubilee Awards when we can further demonstrate our appreciation to those filmmakers who have, over the last year, done the best job of using their creative gifts to honor Christ through this critical medium of the arts." ilmmakers in 2004.
"All told, the collective production budgets for these films are in the tens of millions of dollars," he added.
The reason for the record-setting year is likely due to the boost given to the top prize, which now outshines even secular independent film festivals.
“Thanks to the generous donation of a private foundation, the SAICFF now has prize money available to help encourage Christian filmmakers who are engaging this critical arena of the arts,” announced Phillips earlier this year.
“This world class grand prize sends a message that Christians are serious about investing in those independent Christian filmmakers who are willing to work outside of Hollywood, and to produce competitive films of technical excellence, with a presuppositionally biblical message,” he added.
This year’s film festival in San Antonio, Texas, will be held as the independent Christian film industry has increasingly drawn mainstream praise and box office success for low-budget indy films such as the church-created film “Fireproof,” which has so far raked in over $32 million in ticket sales despite having run on a $0.5 million budget and showing in less than 1,000 theaters. It is currently showing in a little less than 500 after nearly 10 weeks out.
“Purse strings of liberal filmmakers have financed anti-Christian values and moral decadence through film for decades,” remarked Phillips. “They have had their day, and now is the time for a Christian reformation in filmmaking.”
Among this year’s SAICFF feature finalists are “Pendragon,” an epic historical adventure that communicates the message of biblical honor in the context of an Arthurian legend; “The Widow's Might,” a comedic drama that reveals the importance of the biblical family, care for widows, and the problem with statism; and “Throw a Few Things on the Ground,” a foreign film from Togo that tells of a modern day family’s struggle to escape the darkness of fetishism and the spell of "lé charlatan" to find freedom in Jesus Christ.
Also included are some full-length films, including widely-distributed independent Christian films “Fireproof” and “Expelled.”
"The films that will be competing for 2009 Jubilee Awards are, overall, a notch above any past year's selections," Phillips remarked.
According to the festival founder, each of the 250 films that were submitted was evaluated in terms of its biblical worldview, holiness in presentation, production values, wise and creative use of available technological resources, and consistency with the film festival objectives and guidelines.
Film competition categories include “Feature Film,” “Documentary,” Dramatic Short Film,” “Promotional Media,” and “Commercial Advertisement.” In addition to the awards for the best in each category, awards will also be given to the best trailer, the best original score, and the best biblical family, among others.
"After an intense period of judging, we are delighted to select our fifty finalists and semi-finalists for this year's competition," reported SAICFF founder Doug Phillips on Wednesday, two months after the competition’s submission deadline passed.
According to Phillips, around 250 entries were received this year – nearly double the number of film submissions of any previous year since SAICFF began showcasing the work of Christian f"Careful analysis was brought to bear during the decision-making process," said Phillips.
Aside from the awards, the 50 finalists and semi-finalists will be given the opportunity to sell their video for download — regardless of whether or not the films win an award.
“For years, independent Christian filmmakers have struggled to find financially viable distribution streams for their films,” noted Phillips. “We are pleased to announce that an important step has been taken to meet this challenge.”
This year’s film festival will be held Jan. 8-10, 2009, and is open for all to attend.
"We are honored to be showcasing the best fruit of a maturing independent Christian movement at the 2009 festival,” concluded Phillips. “And we look forward to our Jubilee Awards when we can further demonstrate our appreciation to those filmmakers who have, over the last year, done the best job of using their creative gifts to honor Christ through this critical medium of the arts." ilmmakers in 2004.
"All told, the collective production budgets for these films are in the tens of millions of dollars," he added.
The reason for the record-setting year is likely due to the boost given to the top prize, which now outshines even secular independent film festivals.
“Thanks to the generous donation of a private foundation, the SAICFF now has prize money available to help encourage Christian filmmakers who are engaging this critical arena of the arts,” announced Phillips earlier this year.
“This world class grand prize sends a message that Christians are serious about investing in those independent Christian filmmakers who are willing to work outside of Hollywood, and to produce competitive films of technical excellence, with a presuppositionally biblical message,” he added.
This year’s film festival in San Antonio, Texas, will be held as the independent Christian film industry has increasingly drawn mainstream praise and box office success for low-budget indy films such as the church-created film “Fireproof,” which has so far raked in over $32 million in ticket sales despite having run on a $0.5 million budget and showing in less than 1,000 theaters. It is currently showing in a little less than 500 after nearly 10 weeks out.
“Purse strings of liberal filmmakers have financed anti-Christian values and moral decadence through film for decades,” remarked Phillips. “They have had their day, and now is the time for a Christian reformation in filmmaking.”
Among this year’s SAICFF feature finalists are “Pendragon,” an epic historical adventure that communicates the message of biblical honor in the context of an Arthurian legend; “The Widow's Might,” a comedic drama that reveals the importance of the biblical family, care for widows, and the problem with statism; and “Throw a Few Things on the Ground,” a foreign film from Togo that tells of a modern day family’s struggle to escape the darkness of fetishism and the spell of "lé charlatan" to find freedom in Jesus Christ.
Also included are some full-length films, including widely-distributed independent Christian films “Fireproof” and “Expelled.”
"The films that will be competing for 2009 Jubilee Awards are, overall, a notch above any past year's selections," Phillips remarked.
According to the festival founder, each of the 250 films that were submitted was evaluated in terms of its biblical worldview, holiness in presentation, production values, wise and creative use of available technological resources, and consistency with the film festival objectives and guidelines.
Film competition categories include “Feature Film,” “Documentary,” Dramatic Short Film,” “Promotional Media,” and “Commercial Advertisement.” In addition to the awards for the best in each category, awards will also be given to the best trailer, the best original score, and the best biblical family, among others.
SALAVATION ARMY LEADER TO LOSE JOB FOR VIOLATING MARRIAGE POLICY
WISCONISN - A Salvation Army leader is likely to be terminated after he announced his engagement to a woman who is not affiliated with the organization.
Capt. Johnny Harsh, a leader for the Oshkosh Salvation Army in Wisconisn, was suspended this week for violating a rule that requires officers to marry only from within The Salvation Army.
The suspension and expected termination did not come as a surprise to Harsh as he was aware of the rule when he joined the Christian aid agency. But he still feels it is unfair.
"I knew the rule and that this was coming and that I would be let go," said Harsh, according to The Northwestern. "But for The Salvation Army to let me go because I will marry outside of the Army, I think is wrong. I pray that people will write letters and call the Salvation Army to change this ruling. It wouldn't be for my benefit, but for future officers."
The marriage rule has been in place almost since the founding of The Salvation Army in 1865 by Methodist minister William Booth. Booth and his wife, Catherine, determined in those early years that married couples who function together in The Salvation Army are far more effective than having one spouse who was committed to the ministry while the other was committed elsewhere, according to Major George Hood, national community relations secretary for The Salvation Army.
The requirement, still in place today, is that both the man and the woman be ordained ministers within the organization, Hood explained.
"The rationality is that it's a joint ministry ... a team ministry. And both the husband and wife work together in all their assignments," said Hood, whose wife works alongside him in Alexandria, Va.
"For us, it has always been a policy and anyone who applies to be trained and ordained knows this up front," he added, noting that the policy is extremely effective and strengthens the mission of the ministry.
There have been marriages in The Salvation Army that failed, Hood acknowledged. Those who divorce are forced to resign from their positions. If, however, there is clear indication of a non-guilty party, that party is allowed to continue in the ministry.
The marriage policy is unique to The Salvation Army, Hood commented. But no one is taken by surprise by it, he added.
Hood declined commenting on Harsh's case, saying it is a personal matter between the family and the administration.
Harsh had been married to Capt. Yalanda "Yoley" Harsh but she died unexpectedly of complications from a heart attack in June.
"Yoley's death was completely unforeseen," he said, according to The Northwestern. "It's been hard on my daughters, myself and our Salvation Army family."
A final decision on Harsh's position is expected next week at a Salvation Army Territorial Officers Board meeting.
Capt. Johnny Harsh, a leader for the Oshkosh Salvation Army in Wisconisn, was suspended this week for violating a rule that requires officers to marry only from within The Salvation Army.
The suspension and expected termination did not come as a surprise to Harsh as he was aware of the rule when he joined the Christian aid agency. But he still feels it is unfair.
"I knew the rule and that this was coming and that I would be let go," said Harsh, according to The Northwestern. "But for The Salvation Army to let me go because I will marry outside of the Army, I think is wrong. I pray that people will write letters and call the Salvation Army to change this ruling. It wouldn't be for my benefit, but for future officers."
The marriage rule has been in place almost since the founding of The Salvation Army in 1865 by Methodist minister William Booth. Booth and his wife, Catherine, determined in those early years that married couples who function together in The Salvation Army are far more effective than having one spouse who was committed to the ministry while the other was committed elsewhere, according to Major George Hood, national community relations secretary for The Salvation Army.
The requirement, still in place today, is that both the man and the woman be ordained ministers within the organization, Hood explained.
"The rationality is that it's a joint ministry ... a team ministry. And both the husband and wife work together in all their assignments," said Hood, whose wife works alongside him in Alexandria, Va.
"For us, it has always been a policy and anyone who applies to be trained and ordained knows this up front," he added, noting that the policy is extremely effective and strengthens the mission of the ministry.
There have been marriages in The Salvation Army that failed, Hood acknowledged. Those who divorce are forced to resign from their positions. If, however, there is clear indication of a non-guilty party, that party is allowed to continue in the ministry.
The marriage policy is unique to The Salvation Army, Hood commented. But no one is taken by surprise by it, he added.
Hood declined commenting on Harsh's case, saying it is a personal matter between the family and the administration.
Harsh had been married to Capt. Yalanda "Yoley" Harsh but she died unexpectedly of complications from a heart attack in June.
"Yoley's death was completely unforeseen," he said, according to The Northwestern. "It's been hard on my daughters, myself and our Salvation Army family."
A final decision on Harsh's position is expected next week at a Salvation Army Territorial Officers Board meeting.
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