Hannah Chowdhry, a dedicated student lawyer with a passion for humanitarian work, recently participated in a ‘Go Abroad’ volunteering program with Aberdeen University in Thailand. Based in Chiang Mai, she volunteered at an elephant sanctuary and a summer activity program for children, engaging them through various activities and teaching English. This rewarding experience was made possible through the generous support of the Chuffed campaign organized by the Go Abroad Team, for which Hannah is deeply grateful, especially to donors who support BACA and donated to the Go Abroad Chuffed fund. In addition to her volunteer work in Chiang Mai, Hannah…
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Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh: Beginning August 29, 2024, a cyclonic depression brought unprecedented heavy rainfall to Coastal Andhra Pradesh, triggering a severe flooding crisis that has devastated the region. The intense rains also affected the surrounding states of Karnataka and Telangana, which are catchment areas for Krishna River reservoirs. On August 30, Vijayawada City received 26 centimeters of rain in a single day, inundating the city and its surroundings. This deluge, compounded by floodwaters from tributaries like the Budameru Vagu from Telangana, overwhelmed the river’s capacity, leading to severe flooding. VIDEO: Properties were inundated until their second storey. By the evening…
Torrential rains have led to severe flooding in Sindh, displacing thousands of residents who are now seeking refuge on the roads. Affected Christian families have contacted BACA for assistance, requesting food, medicine, and mosquito protection kits to ensure their safety during this crisis. Torrential rains in Sindh, beginning on August 27th, have significantly raised water levels in the Indus River. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports that continuous rainfall has led to urban-like flooding in Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, and Badin, impacting thousands of residents. Over a span of 72 hours, the rains have claimed 47 lives, including…
Over 2,000 homes across the UK face demolition following the discovery of RAAC, a weak and dangerous concrete material, in their roofs. Among those severely impacted is Hannah Chowdhry, a dedicated volunteer with the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) and long-time anti-poverty campaigner. Hannah is now confronted with a lifetime of crippling debt, burdened by student loans and a mortgage for a home that may soon no longer exist. Despite these challenges, she is pursuing a dual Scottish and English Law degree at Aberdeen University while actively campaigning for justice alongside her father, Wilson Chowdhry. Hannah and Wilson are urging…
A village fair meant for celebration became a nightmare for two Christian brothers when they were accused of desecrating the Quran. Like many other boys at the fair, the brothers, along with Muslim children, threw fake currency notes during a swing boat ride. Among the showered notes, some slips containing Quranic verses were discovered. It was assumed that these slips with Quranic verses were torn and thrown by the Christian brothers, leading to the arrest of their mother and grandfather. Although the Christian mother and grandfather were released after the boys were presented at the police station, the mother remains…
On August 7, 2024, two Christian sisters from Kathor village in Gojra, Punjab, were accused of desecrating the Quran, leading to a tense situation in their community. The sisters, Sonia Bibi (28) and Saima Bibi (38), live together with their families. Saima, a widow, supports her two children by working as a vaccinator at a Government Rural Health Centre in the village, while Sonia and her husband work at a brick kiln. The accusations quickly incited anger among local Muslims, who gathered to form a mob and attacked the sisters’ residence. Fortunately, both women remained unharmed, as the local police…
A routine grocery trip turned into a nightmare for a Christian brick kiln worker, who was brutally robbed and raped at gunpoint by two unknown assailants. The police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the culprits. The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) team visited the victim’s family to offer support and solidarity. They escorted the family to the police station and obtained a copy of the FIR to ensure the case is properly pursued. On August 10, 2024, Atia Bibi, a 28-year-old Christian woman, was subjected to a harrowing ordeal in Chak No. 34, District Faisalabad. At around…
A Christian man in Lahore was brutally murdered in front of his wife and three children. The attackers fired 16 bullets, targeting various parts of his body. The delay in response from the police and medical emergency services led to excessive bleeding and ultimately contributed to his death. BACA has since visited the family to offer their support and solidarity during this tragic time. On July 10, 2024, Marshal Masih, a 30-year-old Christian shopkeeper and the sole breadwinner for his family, was brutally murdered in Patiala House, Lahore. The violence stemmed from an ongoing dispute with his Muslim neighbor, Muhammad…
A Christian girl was abducted, raped, and sold to a brothel in Gujranwala by her captor. She was eventually found and returned home when her brother accidentally spotted her in a rickshaw en route to a hospital. Tragically, she passed away from a high fever and severe bleeding caused by abortion pills. In a further distressing turn, the perpetrator attempted to abduct her younger sister as well. The police have arrested the suspect, and BACA has stepped in to support the family, providing both legal and financial assistance to pursue justice. In January 2024, 18-year-old Salma Bibi, a Christian maid,…
The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) is excited to announce a crucial initiative that will make a profound difference in the lives of vulnerable Christians in Pakistan. We are launching a priority appeal to establish a permanent safe house dedicated to providing protection and support for children and women who are victims of rape, blasphemy law survivors, other persecuted Christians and their families. Why We Need This Safe House Currently, many of those we support face long waits for temporary accommodations, which often exacerbates their trauma and vulnerability. The insecurity of awaiting a temporary rental or with financially strained relatives…