Claims of a charity in Pakistan refusing to serve food aid to Christians and Hindus went viral on social media on Sunday.
The story brought into sharp focus the discrimination minorities in Pakistan often face due to their religious identities in the midst of crisis.
News of the discriminatory incident went viral on Facebook after several families posted videos testifying about what happened. According to those testimonies, Christian and Hindu families were refused food aid by Saylani Welfare International Trust staffers who were distributing aid in Karachi in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Pakistan’s first COVID-19 case was detected in late February when a man in Karachi tested positive for the virus. This man had recently returned to Pakistan from Iran, a country hit hard by COVID-19.
Since 21 March, most of Pakistan has been placed in lock down by authorities seeking to slow the spread of the virus. This action has left the country’s poor and vulnerable communities in a state of desperation as they search for food and other necessities.
Due to widespread religious discrimination and intolerance, Christians and Hindus are often treated like second-class citizens in Pakistan. This reality means these communities have been left more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 and the nationwide lock down.
Source: VOM Australia, International Christian Concern
Pray this news of discrimination will draw attention to the sufferings of vulnerable minorities in Pakistan and bring change.
Pray the authorities will do more to protect and provide for all Pakistani citizens.
Pray for VOM Australia partners who will soon be distributing Bibles Plus packs to vulnerable believers in Pakistan.
Post your prayer in the comments below.