Hector Aleem, the victorious prisoner

Written by Liza S.Josephine

“I am sharing the testimony of Hector Aleem, Chairman Peace Worldwide with the world.”

My name is Hector Aleem. I am a missionary and a human rights activist. I did lots of work for Pakistani Christians. There was a church destroyed in Islamabad for which I raised my voice and took the case to the Prime Minister of Pakistan and asked to register case against the culprits who destroyed the church. Instead of lodging the case against the culprits, the government of Pakistan with the help of muslim extremists registered a false blasphemy case against me under section 295-C. and arrested me. They looted my house and destroyed my office and kicked my family out the house.

During my imprisonment, I was not allowed to see my family and after my arrest, I didn’t know that where is my family neither my family knew if I was alive or not. I spent those days in complete solitude and during that period police officers, high officials of prison and the government of Pakistan with Islamic scholars kept on insisting me to embrace islam. They offered me money, high status, luxury cars, peaceful life and women to marry but I always refused. When I refused, I got punished by them and they hung me upside down with hand cuffs and beat me with wooden stick on my feet, hands and other joints. 

They used to beat me unless I get faint, when I used to regain my consciousnesses they asked me if I still love Jesus Christ? My answer was always the same, “Jesus is my Lord and I will not prefer anyone above my Lord Jesus Christ” then they start beating me again and this continued for four years. I was threatened by them continuously that they would kill my both sons and convert my daughters and wife to islam. In the meanwhile, my family continuously received threat letters and death notes. I was tortured in worst possible way both mentally and physically but I accepted the torture and solitude instead of leaving my faith and Jesus Christ. I got arrested due to my faith and spent four years in prison for the same reason. Jesus Christ, whom I chose not to leave had never left me. He kept me and family safe, I was not able to bear a little pain due to my heart condition but I tolerated much during my time in prison

I was released and acquitted from the case that has death penalty; no one has ever been acquitted from this case in the history of Pakistan. My life, especially the time of my imprisonment is full of miracles and I have many testimonies. I will keep sharing my testimonies with all of you and I am thankful to God Almighty that He has saved me and gave me new life. Today I am out of that country and living a peaceful life with my family which is a great blessing to me. Be strong in Jesus name. Amen.

Stop Killing Christians in Pakistan: Hector Aleem

Peace Worldwide along with other Pakistani Christian organizations protested against the inhuman treatment of Christians in Pakistan. The protest was in front of United Nations Headquarters New York, USA.

Testimony of Hector Aleem

My main charge was blasphemy under section 295 C that has only one punishment which is the death penalty. While I was in prison, many other charges were lodged against me so that I could not come out and start my work that I left (my missionary work and construction of the church).

This incident was on December 21, 2010. It was my hearing date that day. I was brought from prison in front of the judge. My wife and both of my daughters were also there for the hearing; they were covering their faces. I thought that it was a normal hearing.  The judge called, and told me that after one hour your case judgment will be announced (not the blasphemy case, the other case) but this was a false case of land grabbing.  It was actually a church land where a church was to be built which was already there many years ago but was destroyed by Government of Pakistan.  My only fault was to struggle to rebuild that church.

When judge called me after one hour, he awarded me seven years punishment without any proof and evidence. I wasn't allowed to have a lawyer. And almost $2500 in fines and in case I cannot pay the big amount, I would have to spend 2 more years in prison as a penalty. In short, it was of total nine years imprisonment. I was shocked and very upset, and I thought that it's totally illegal and baseless. My wife and both daughters started to cry and I was so helpless and didn't know what to do. After the hearing, I was taken back to the prison. And there I was put into a dirty and isolated cell. That night, I cried a lot and I screamed with pain and the feeling of being deserted. I could not sleep that night, and I prayed all night. I asked God why He has forsaken me and why I am suffering like this. I asked Him that when you know the truth that it was not a land grabbing case but I peacefully struggled for the rebuilding of the destroyed church than why you still let it happen to me? Then I decided that I would go on 10 day fast, I will eat and drink a little after every 24 hour.

When I completed my 10 days fast, that same evening, a prison officer came to my cell and told me that I will be shifted to another cell. He said that you are being shifted to another cell because your sentence has been finished because the High Court Chief Justice took an action against the judge that awarded me a long sentence without any evidence. That judge was removed from the Government Service and he ordered an inquiry against that same judge. “Now your sentence has been removed and your record is clean and you are as innocent as a little child” the officer said. And those false charges (against me in that particular case) have been dropped. I thanked God and it was my great testimony in prison that it never happened that a judge be granted a punishment for awarding illegal punishment. After that I became stronger in God and my faith got stronger than ever. Our God is great and He is good. Satan keeps doing his work and God allows him to do things against us but God does His work in time and his timings are perfect. Amen

Hector Aleem: Pakistan is the hub of Evil Thoughts

Pakistani Muslims always hurt the religious feelings of others. Actually, Pakistan is an epicenter of terrorism and hub of evil thoughts. Then they claim on their paki media that all religions are enjoying freedom and that we respect all religions (which is not true). Now here is another way for Pakistani Muslims to express their hate towards Christians. There are shoes being sold in Pakistan which has Holy Cross and British Flag printed on them. For those who don't know, United Kingdom is officially a Christian country and the flag of UK has four Crosses on it. These shoes are being manufactured and sold in Pakistan and people are buying these shoes with joy with a thinking that they are crushing Christianity under their shoes. Center for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) took action on it. Chief of CLAAS Mr. Joseph Francis and his colleagues have been successful in registering a case. On October 09, 2014 FIR # 959/14 offence under section 295-C has been registered against unknown persons in the Saddar police station Cantt Lahore. Now this FIR has been registered against unknown persons, what will happen after that? who is unknown? will the police even bother to arrest someone? The answer is no, nothing will happen and no one will be arrested because of biased police and discriminatory system of Pakistan. The shopkeeper who was caught red handed, the place he bought shoes from and the owner of the factory in which the shoes are being produced, all of them should be arrested and punished. I have been in jail for 4 years due to a false blasphemy case (A crime I never committed), they arrested me as fast as they could but police did not arrest anyone in this case. I really appreciate what Mr. Joseph Francis did for our faith. May God bless him. Now what should we all do in reaction? Should we also make shoes with the flag of Pakistan and face of Quaid-e-Azam (The founder of Pakistan)???

Hector Aleem's interview in Daily Jinnah

This interview was published in a Pakistani Newspaper known as "Daily Jinnah". For those who cannot understand Urdu, Hector Aleem here is talking about some Christian politicians of Pakistan who are not doing anything for Christians. Instead of working for them, these politicians are misusing their name. (Media Coordinator, Peace Worldwide)

Hector Aleem writes about the murdered Christian Zafar Bhatti

I know Zafar Bhatti personally who was murdered in Adiala Prison on 25 September, 2014. Bhatti was accused of blasphemy under section 295-C. Pakistan has become the most dangerous country, these Christians get killed in the name of religion because civilised countries do not respond to these blasphemy cases and never come forward to help Christians in need. Western countries are providing aid to Pakistan for education and poverty alleviation to exterminate extremism but the more they get educated the more they become extremist. The biggest example we have is the leader of ISIS who is a PHD. The solution of this problem is not financial aid but a stern action by the western powers is needed. The Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif has arrived at United Nations Headquarters New York, USA. I urge all civilized nations to question him about what is happening to Christians in Pakistan.

A person who is accused of blasphemy do not get positive response by western embassies after they get released and if they succeed in fleeing from Pakistan they do not get positive and immediate response regarding the asylum in civilised countries. They get same response by the Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other human rights organisations because all these organisations care about is Palestinians and IDPs of Pakistan. The western countries and all human rights organisations are also responsible of killings of these Christians inside or outside the prison as much as their killers are. The killer will not be punished but will be considered as a hero of Pakistan and Muslims, even the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would be smiling right now because he also considers him a hero. When Salman Taseer was shot dead, Nawaz Sharif and Shabaz Sharif did not attend his funeral. All non elected Christian parliamentarians should resign immediately and stand tall with the Christian nation because the whole Christian nation in Pakistan is under threat.

8 things every Christian should know about Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the High Holy days in the Jewish calendar – the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur ten days later (the ten days of repentence). What's it all about? Here's your handy guide...

1. You might need a trumpet. Rosh Hashanah means 'head of the year', and marks the start of the new year in the Jewish calendar. It's referred to in Leviticus 23:24-25 as "a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts." Hence its other name – the Feast of Trumpets. A shofar is blown during the service at the synagogue. (In case you don't already own a shofar and you'd like to join in, they're available on eBay.)
2. It is the new year for people... and animals and legal contracts. Technically there are four starting points in the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah comes at the beginning of the month of Tishri, the seventh month, but it is the point at which the Jewish year is marked and the number of the year increases. It is the new year for people, animals and legal contracts. We are entering the year 5775 in the Jewish calendar.
3. The exact date varies. The celebration happens on the first and second days of Tishri (usually in September or October). Observance of the day varies. Orthodox Jews will celebrate across two days, (this year from sunset on September 24, to sunset on 26), while some reformed Jews will often just celebrate one day.
4. It's an Adam and Eve thing. At Rosh Hashanah Jews celebrate the creation of the world.
5. It's not all 'happy'. Amid the merriment, Rosh Hashanah has a reflective note. The day before, some Jews will visit the graves of relatives or righteous people, to pray to God for a sweet new year. It is believed that the prayers are heard 'in the merit of' the righteous.
6. There's a special moment to feed the ducks. Well, not quite. Rosh Hashanah is seen as a time to cast off sin and ask for forgiveness, which is called Tashlich. The idea is taken from Micah 7:19: "You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." The ceremony used to be marked by emptying your pockets into the water, today it is more common to throw breadcrumbs.
7. White as snow. To symbolise the cleansing of sin, some will wear white, and the ark hanging is also changed to white.
8. There is good food! Despite the sombre side, no festival is complete without feasting – and this is no exception. Traditional foods include dipping apples in honey, honey cake and raisin challah bread, all symbolising the hope of a sweet new year. The challah is usually round, to represent completeness. (Again, if you want to join in, check out these recipes.)

Source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/8.things.every.christian.should.know.about.rosh.hashanah/40941.htm