NAYEE ROSHNI SCHOOL
(New Hope School)
“One Starfish at a time…”
INTRODUCTION
NAYEE ROSHNI SCHOOL (New Hope School) is located on the outskirts of Lahore, a city rich in culture and traditions. Lahore is the second largest city in Pakistan.
Pakistan has a population of 170 million and is the sixth most populated country in the world. It has the second largest Muslim population after Indonesia. Ninety-seven percent of Pakistanis are Muslims. The remaining 3% are Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, etc. Of that 3%, the Bible believing Christians comprise approximately 1%. Pakistan is the only Muslim-majority nation that possesses nuclear weapons and is considered to be the “Fortress of Islam.”
BACKGROUND
In 1947, when the British granted independence to India, a predominately Hindu nation, the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent also demanded a separate homeland. The major difference between the two religions is that Hindus are polytheist while Muslims are monotheist. It had become difficult for both religions to peacefully co-exist in the same land. Thus, on August 14, 1947 Pakistan came into existence as an Islamic sovereign state.
As Islam started to grow stronger and stronger in Pakistan, Christians, who had been living in the area before “The Partition”, were treated like third class citizens. Oppression became part of their daily lives; and unfortunately, it still exists today.
Pakistan’s literacy rate is approximately 55%, which includes those who only write their names. Among Christians, education is all but non-existent. Due to poverty, many remain under this curse of illiteracy from generation to generation. This leaves them to work like slaves for Muslims, earning an average of three US dollars per day. One US dollar is equal to 86 Pak Rupees.
Unless the opportunity for education is provided for them, this curse will not be broken, and the inability to obtain respectable and substantial employment will continue. “Religion” in that part of the world serves as a “caste system”. Therefore Christians and other minorities remain in the category of the poorest of the poor and are always looked down on as “churas”, which are similar to the “dalits” or “untouchables” of India.
Many Christians are called “Masih” which distinguishes them from other minorities. In modern Arabic language “Masih” is used as one of the many titles of Jesus. Masih is used as the last or surname of many believers in Iran, Pakistan and India, that is to signify that they are followers of Jesus.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP WITH EDUCATING CHRISTIANS IN PAKISTAN, PLEASE CONTACT US. THANK YOU, AND GOD BLESS!
