• Life and Accomplishments

Life and Accomplishments

Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti

Shahbaz Bhatti (9 September 1968 – 2 March 2011),[1] popularly known as Shahbaz Bhatti, was a Pakistani politician who was elected as a member of the National Assembly from 2008.[2] He was the first Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs[1] from November 2008 until his assassination on 2 March 2011 in Islamabad and the only Christian in the Cabinet.[3] Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for his killing and called him a blasphemer of Muhammad.[4] In March 2016, five years after the death of Shahbaz Bhatti, his cause for beatification was formally opened by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, making him a Servant of God within the Roman Catholic Church.[5]   more…….

Shahbaz's birthday celebrated on September 09, 2022

The Canadian Community and friends of Shahbaz Bhatti commemorated what would have been his 54th birthday on September 9th at the Shahbaz Bhatti Park recently dedicated in his honour by Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton.  It was a beautiful late summer afternoon and over one hundred admirers, friends, family members, dignitaries and recently arrived refugee families graced the event.
 
The park was decorated with balloons, streamers and banners and the event was hosted by leaders of the Canadian community and admirers of Shahbaz who wished to commemorate the birthday of their hero and fearless human rights leader.
 
While the children played on the park equipment, the adults were regaled with stories, anecdotes and the history of the life and sacrifice of Shahbaz Bhatti.  Mayor Patrick Brown made a brief appearance and in his speech, he spoke of his great admiration for the man he had named the beautiful park after.  He also participated in the cutting of the huge birthday cake. The attendees were treated to a delicious tandoori chicken dinner accompanied by salads and other savouries.  The meal was topped off with jalebis for dessert and even chai for the tea drinkers.
 
International Christian Voice and the Peter Bhatti family would like to express their profound gratitude to the organizers and numerous helpers who made this event such a great success.

Press Release – Shahbaz Bhatti 10th Anniversary Commemoration Virtual Event

On Tuesday, March 2, 2021, International Christian Voice (Canada), in partnership with the Religious Freedom Institute (USA) and the Institute for Global Engagement (USA), hosted the Shahbaz Bhatti 10th Anniversary Commemoration Virtual Event. The event was held to honour the life and legacy of Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s first Christian cabinet minister and world-renowned champion of religious freedom, who was assassinated on March 2, 2011 for his courageous opposition of Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy law.

The event included the participation of Shahbaz Bhatti’s family members as well as religious and political leaders from around the world. More than forty video tributes were submitted – of which a select few were presented during the program – followed by a panel discussion on steps that can be taken to improve the state of religious minorities in Pakistan, as per Shahbaz Bhatti’s vision.Read more…

Proclamation of 2nd March as Freedom Day in Brampton

Brampton City Council proclaimed March 2nd as Religious Freedom Day in Brampton in honour of Shahbaz Bhatti, a Pakistani politician who was elected as a member of the National Assembly in 2008. He was the first Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs from November 2008 until his assassination on 2 March 2011 in Islamabad. He was a crusader for religious freedom in Pakistan. His family lives in Brampton and always had a special tie to Canada. He will always be a symbol of religious freedom. We were honoured to have his brother and my friend Peter Bhatti accept the proclamation today at City Hall.

To gain more insight about the Life of Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti Click Here