Italy’s  first Forum on religious freedom, organized with a focus on the Christian minority in Pakistan, witnessed an impactful gathering of distinguished speakers and advocates. The event, held on Thursday July 13th, brought together influential figures, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic, Antonio Tajani, and the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Italian Republic, Ali Javed.  The meeting was held at the Prime Ministers Office in Rome.

A horrifying video that emerged on July 19, 2023, has sent shockwaves through India, exposing the brutal realities of religious and ethnic tensions in the state of Manipur.

The distressing footage depicts the gruesome assault on two Christian women from Manipur, who became victims of a frenzied mob’s violence.

As the nation grapples with the disturbing images, questions arise about the need to safeguard human rights and religious freedom and the delayed response from authorities in addressing this alarming issue.

In a harrowing incident that highlights the vulnerability of minors, a seven-year-old Christian girl named Javeria Javed fell victim to a brutal rape in Cheechawatni, Punjab.

The perpetrator, Muhammad Shameer, a Muslim individual, forced the innocent girl to a nearby farm field where he subjected her to a horrific assault.

This shocking case sheds light on the urgent need for improved protection for children and the importance of swift action by law enforcement authorities.

An incident of hate-messaging has triggered outrage and dismay amongst Christians in Pakistan. 

The cause of this was a video that recently went viral on social media depicting a toilet seat adorned with a Swedish Flag that contains the Cross. 

The provocative display was orchestrated in Lahore by protesters affiliated with Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan, a religious political party, as a means of expressing their anger over the alleged burning of the Quran in Sweden during Eid-ul-Adha last month.

They also published a message of death to Christians in Pakistan if any further incidents occur in Sweden.

This attack on the most recognised symbol of Christianity has not only deeply offended the Christian community in Pakistan, but has also brought to the forefront the ongoing struggles faced by religious minorities in the country.

An American donor approached us to send Bibles to a Pastor in Pakistan who did not know where to buy them. Through his donation, we were able to send 10 Bibles to Pastor Azeem Masih (37 yrs), in Raiwind to give to the congregation that he preaches to.

On the 16th of June the BACA team visited Pastor Azeem at Mission Colony Raiwind. BACA has initially donated a gift of 10 Urdu Bibles for the congregation of The Great Glorious Church of Pakistan, Raiwind.

In a distressing turn of events, a young Christian named Zaki Masih (22 yrs), residing in Sargodha, Pakistan, has been booked under the country’s draconian blasphemy laws.

The case highlights the severe consequences individuals face for expressing their opinions, as religious sentiments take precedence over fundamental human rights.

Kairos Forum a Catholic organisation that helps and celebrates those who experience disability, hosted a series of events to introduce people to Edith Stein, the great Judeo-Catholic saint whose life and teachings offer the perfect example of how to value everyone – particularly those with disabilities.

The Kairos Forum hosted three unique events in July to bring people closer to this inspirational Catholic saint. The first, on Sunday 2 July, was a day of celebration at Aylesford Priory in Kent. It’s was a free of charge event, open to all, and for the Catholic community was a day of shared pilgrimage – a celebration of creative people who experience disability who will tell Edith Stein’s story.

In a shocking and alarming violation of basic human rights and religious freedom, the Lahore and Gojra Bar Association in Pakistan has issued instructions to local police forces to prevent Ahmadi Muslims from participating in the religious practice of Qurbani during Eid-ul-Adha.

This discriminatory edict denies the Ahmadiyya community the right to perform ritual animal sacrifice and gather for prayers on this significant occasion for the Islamic world.

The enforcement of such measures by a state institution further exposes the deeply entrenched discrimination faced by religious minorities in the country.

On June 6th a massive explosion destroved the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine unleashing a flood that has devastated thousands of lives (click here).

The dam was under the control of the Russian military, which had seized it in the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The consequences of the flood have been grave and far-reaching. People have lost their livelihoods, many are homeless and huge environmental damage poses a threat to human and animals alike.

Agricultural damage has left people hungry and many are now reliant on aid.

BACA is supporting the work of Pastor Vasilev in Ukraine since the outset of the Russian attack  and we call for your support so that we can continue this work.

In a tragic turn of events, Yasmeen Bibi and her family find themselves trapped in the vicious cycle of bonded labor at a brick kiln near Lahore.

What started as a loan borrowed for her daughter’s marriage has plunged them into an abyss of debt and oppression.

This article sheds light on the harrowing experiences faced by Yasmeen Bibi and her family, highlighting the exploitative practices of their employer and the failure of the authorities to provide justice.

Asma Bibi (28 yrs), a pregnant Christian mother of four, endured unimaginable horrors at the hands of her Muslim employers in Sialkot, Pakistan.

Accused of stealing 1 million rupees, Asma was subjected to ten days of brutal torture in an attempt to extract a false confession.

Her husband, Ashir Masih, was also arrested without charges when the attempt to force a confession out of Asma failed.

In late 2019, teenager Hannah Chowdhry initiated the Meals for the Needy project at Clementswood Community centre.

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns the centre was feeding 65 people a day and receiving national recognition, including a BBC News feature.

Hannah has returned to Essex to be with her family after having spent a year studying law at Aberdeen University, she has been volunteering at the centre and was very positive about progress for the centre.