The Persecution & Prayer Alert (Special Edition) The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada http://www.persecution.net Sunday, May 25, 2003

Special edition Persecution and Prayer Alerts are sent out only when news breaks that cannot wait until our regular weekly publication. *********************************** Christian School Given Three Days to Close (Pakistan)

On Saturday, May 24, a school founded and operated in Islamabad by the Pakistani non-governmental organization, Peace Worldwide, received an order from the Deputy Commissioner CDA to close within three days. The school located in H # 291 St, 80 Sector G – 11/2 in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, is the only private Christian school in the city. The official closure order was given after the owner of the building used by the school, Muhammad Hafiz, indicated that the Christian school could no longer use the building for their activities. Hector Aleem, chairman of Peace Worldwide told The Voice of the Martyrs today that the school has received a number of threats from Muslim militants since the school’s founding, attempting to close it down. On January 8, 2001, Aleem narrowly escaped an assassination attempt while he was working in his office at the school. No charges were ever brought against the attackers. Aleem contends that Islamic militants have been pressuring governmental officials to close his school and that this order is the result of their efforts.

The notice received by Peace Worldwide from the Deputy Commissioner cited that the official reason for the closure order was because the school was situated in a residential area and as such, schools were not permitted to operate there. However, Aleem told The Voice of the Martyrs that there are at least three other schools in close proximity to his school, including the First Government School that is only 50 yards away. The Peace Worldwide school is well loved by the people of the area, Aleem maintains, having both Christian and Muslim students. Government and militant Islamic groups, however, have consistently opposed the existence of the Peace Worldwide school. According to Aleem, there are over 200 private schools operating in Islamabad, but that his is the only Christian one.

Aleem is asking that Christians around the world remember them in prayer during this time. Pray especially that his appeals to President Pervez Musharraf will be heard and that the heart of the president would be softened to act on behalf of this school. Christian schools are consistently the best schools in Pakistan. General Musharraf, himself, attended such a school as a child. Pakistan presently has a literacy rate of 38%, Aleem points out. “We are helping the Government to increase the literacy rate.” Pray, too, for the more than 100 students attending the school and its faculty and staff in the midst of this turbulent time.

Peace Worldwide is also asking that you immediately write to the president of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, urging him to act on behalf of their school in Islamabad. You may send him an email at or try to send a fax at one of the following numbers: 92 51 9201835 or 92 51 9201051 (note: you may have to try several times to get through. We cannot guarantee that either of these numbers will work, but they are most current that we presently have). For help on how to write a letter, you can check out our website at http://www.persecution.net/howto.htm. *********************************** The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 117, Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario L5G 4L5) Tel. (905) 670.9721. Fax: (905) 670.7642. Website: http://www.persecution.net *********************************** Contact Person: Glenn Penner, Communications Director.

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