Summary of Activity – 2020

As we live through the challenges of COVID-19 we are grateful to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for keeping us safe and healthy during the Pandemic and blessing us with strength to navigate through the challenges and continue our mission of supporting the persecuted Christians stranded in Thailand and those marginalized and suffering in Pakistan for their faith.

As a non-profit, registered charitable organization in Canada, ICV has remained steadfast in pursuit of its mission to provide economic, social and financial assistance focusing on preventing and ending grave abuses of human rights dues to one’s beliefs.

ICV objective has been to amplify the voice of voiceless, to facilitate private refugee’s sponsorship program, to help new immigrants and refugees with settlement, to provide any form of support necessary for victims of persecution.

Closing Activity – 2019

International Christian Voice (ICV) concluded 2019 by providing non-perishable grocery packages to 25 stranded asylum seeker families in Thailand.

ICV volunteers reached out and presented the gift packages to the families offering love and support during the Christmas season.

Several newly settled, ICV sponsored refugee families to Canada were presented with gifts at an ICV Christmas service and dinner, organized with the support of Pastor Babar Aladitta at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Brampton.

On Sunday December 8th, 2019, ICV made a presentation on the plight of refugees at the Anglican Christ Church in Brampton at all three services. Followed by presentations at three Pentecostal Church congregations in Toronto, Midland and Angus in January 2020

February 2020 – Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy:

To amplify the voice of voiceless International Christian Voice was invited at the 12th Annual Summit for Human Rights and Democracy 2020 in Geneva that coincided with the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council (24 February – 20 March 2020).

From this prestigious platform Peter Bhatti, as Chair of International Christian Voice, raised the issue of religious persecution and the plight of asylum seekers around the world especially Christians asylum seekers from Pakistan stranded in Thailand and Malaysia.

At this session ICV was also given the opportunity to express community concerns and expectations at a closed-door

meeting with twelve country representative mainly western countries to the United Nations 43rd session of the Human Rights Council.

On his return from Geneva, honoring the legacy of Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti, MacLean’s Magazine reached out and interviewed Peter Bhatti for their March edition and published a report under the heading “Religious Freedom is under assault. Will Canada be its Champion”?

Another in depth interview of Peter Bhatti was done by the “The Nation” an oldest continuously published weekly magazine in the United States. The interview was conducted by Helen Haft who spent the summer of 2019 conducting research on world-wide blasphemy laws, and particularly on blasphemy cases in Pakistan.

Convivium which is published by Cardus also interviewed Mr. Bhatti. He expressed his grave concern about asylum seekers and refugees getting affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.convivium.ca/articles/youre-a-refugee-now-you-face-covid-19/

January 2020 – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Hon. Marco Mendicino:

ICV team was invited to meet the new Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Hon. Marco Mendicino at a community meeting by invitation hosted by

MP Ruby Sahota and MP’s from Brampton.

Peter Bhatti took this opportunity to raise this specific concern on stranded Christian refugees and submitted a report to the minister on the plight of asylum seekers with recommendations for the minister’s consideration.

Follow up of Sponsored Refugees from Thailand:

Despite the challenges of the Pandemic, restricting movement and ability to contact UNCCR and Canadian immigration due to reduced staffing and work hours, ICV continued its pursuit of its core mission of private sponsorship of stranded asylum seekers.

The pandemic has made the situation worse for the asylum seekers as it now becomes even harder for them to find work. It has also reduced significantly the ability of the local churches and charities to reach out to the asylum seekers in desperate need.

ICV through its local volunteers continues to provide both material and financial assistance to the asylum seekers struggling in Thailand. Peter Bhatti keeps in regular contact with the sponsored families in Thailand to provide moral support and keep hope alive.

Applications for Huma (Pakistan) and the Suthananthan couple (Sri Lanka) were prepared and submitted: The applications were acknowledged by IRCC and file numbers provided to ICV.

Status of Saira Khurram the widowed mother of two children, sponsored at the 2018 fundraiser had her final interview and approved for immigration to Canada. She and her children are waiting for the dates for their medical before issued visas for Canada.

Sara Sumbal and her family (parents and two brothers) sponsored at the 2019 fundraiser, waiting for their interviews, hopefully they will receive interview call very soon .

Martyr. Shahbaz Bhatti Memorial

In March International Christen Voice held its annual Martyr. Shahbaz Bhatti Memorial fund raiser dinner. This is an ICV signature event honoring the life and sacrifice of Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti and to raise funds for the continued charitable work of sponsoring and supporting persecuted religious minorities.

The event was a huge success supported by the community, Church Ministry Partners and graced by distinguished guests, namely, Irwin Cotler (Chair Raul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights and former Minister of Justice Canada), Patrick Brown (Mayor City of Brampton), Ruby Sahota, Garnett Genuis, Maninder Sidhu and Michael Tibollo (Members of Federal and Provincial Parliaments).

Covid-19 Pandemic Emergency Relief for Vulnerable and Marginalized Community in Pakistan

Sacred Heart Catholic Church is one of the biggest parishes of Catholic Diocese of Faisalabad. Majority of people are on daily wages, some work as labourers in the fields and some have auto rickshaw taxis. They lost their source of income.

Considering the urgent need of people, ICV extended help and provided food hampers for the neediest people of the parish on 16-05-2020. The food parcels contained 2 Kg sugar, 2 Kg rice, 1 Kg Dall channa, 1 Kg Dall masoor, 2 Kg cooking oil, 2 Dettol soaps, ½ Kg detergent powder and a Masala package.

Fifty (50) families were given these food parcels although there were many people requesting ICV for help, but in consultation with the local Church we were constrained to identify the most deserving families. The distribution started with a short prayer service during which people prayed for all the victims and safety of people who are still safe. Social distancing indicators were made to avoid the gathering of people as per government instructions. Hand sanitizers were placed at the main gate of parish for the people to sanitize their hands and then enter the parish premises. On behalf of Christian community of Gojra the parish pastor, Fr. Simon Khurshid, conveyed it’s thanks to International Christian Voice for its kind donations during this time of need.

Summary Financial Report of the Food Distribution among Poor people in Sacred Heart Parish, Gojra Pakistan.

• Amount sent by International Christian Voice Rs 75,000/-
• Beneficiaries of Sacred Heart Parish, Gojra 50 Families
• Food Package per family Rs 2000/-
• Total Food package for 50 families Rs 100,000/-
• Parish contribution Rs 25,000/-

During this period of Corvid-19 pandemic ICV also reached out to support less fortunate daily wage earner Christian families in rural villages tucked away from nearby urban town centers.

ICV provided Non-Perishable essential food items to thirty (30) homes in two rural villages in Punjab, Pakistan.

International Christian Voice extends its sincere gratitude to all who extended support in our work to reach out and help the persecuted, tormented and discriminated Christian families in Pakistan.

International Christian Voice in its humble capacity is committed to support the asylum seekers and raise awareness to the plight of persecuted for their faith.

We are grateful for the wide spectrum of people from all walks of life and diverse communities who pray for us and stand with us in our cause.

Thank you

International Christian Voice – Media Cell