The plight of Christians in Pakistan, “where escape might seem as the only viable option”, is explored by the Revd Evelyn R Bhajan, who is currently studying conflict transformation in the country’s united Church.
“To be, or not to be: that is the question”.
In this famous speech from Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet”, the protagonist (hero), questions whether or not the mysterious world beyond death is any easier to bear than life. There are different ways of interpreting them. However, A C Bradley points out, that the lines are more about consequences. The irony being that eventually Hamlet’s indecisiveness leads to several unintended deaths. I am reminded of this as I reflect on the persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan.
Christian presence in Pakistan goes back to the 1st century AD. Although sectarian conflict in the region is not new, discrimination and the perpetual process of Islamisation have created a hostile environment. The threat of radicalisation, stringent blasphemy laws and socio-economic misery add further impetus to discrimination making social cohesion increasingly difficult for all religious minorities. However, the plight of Pakistani Christians becomes particularly visible due to the Church’s affiliation with the West. In the present scenario, escape might seem as the only viable option. Yet, this option is not available to all. Besides, only one glance at the refugee situation in Sri Lanka and Thailand, where thousands of Pakistani Christians are stranded, reveals further hardships in an unwelcoming world.
Like Hamlet, the Pakistani Church faces a dilemma. However, in spite of challenges, there couldn’t have been a better time for the church to be in, than it is now. Persecution is not a trivial issue. Yet, while the validity of martyrdom and suffering cannot be denied, unnecessary glorification of persecution that results in paralysis must be avoided.
The experience of persecution extends through the ages, both as a promise and expectation for all believers. Therefore, the Church needs to make more concerted efforts in mitigating religious persecution and developing appropriate responses.
To begin with, involving women, youth and children of different faiths in inter-religious dialogue is essential. The gradual denial of religious “others” from the curriculum and society in general can be combated by creating awareness through social media. Stabilising the Christian community through education and thereby socio-economic progress is vital.
To find its rightful place in Pakistani society, the church must reorient the structures inherited from colonial masters and abandon militant and disrespectful missionary rhetoric and lifestyle.
“To be or not to be, that is the question,” are wise words. The key is not to despair by the occurrence of persecution, but to remain open to new possibilities with certitude.
The Revd Evelyn R Bhajan is an educationist and deacon in the Church of Pakistan. She is currently undertaking research in Conflict Transformation in the Church of Pakistan, as part of her doctoral studies at the Queen’s Foundation in Birmingham, England.