Go Beyond

Islamabad, Pakistan

Yesterday I joined some friends who are working among the poor in a squatters’ village called Muskeen. This particular village is comprised of approximately four-hundred Christian families who live huddled together in piecemeal squalor. Raw sewage finds paths of least resistance in the narrow and littered paths between squalid hovels. Children caked with dirt entertain themselves on these paths or on top of the crudely constructed houses. Because these squatters do not own the land, they live with the ever-impending possibility that they will be forced out by the local government. But, in spite of that, they stubbornly cling to this tiny piece of geography called Muskeen. This is home to them, at least for a season.

One of my friends invited me to walk with him to a neighboring high rise apartment building in order for me to get a bird’s-eye view of Muskeen. So, we made our way through the maze of narrow paths until we emerged on the side opposite of the Margalla Hills. Then we trudged up ten flights of stairs to the parapet-ringed rooftop of the building. From there we could see the entire squatters’ village and the people who live there. Toward the Margalla Hills are the skeletal frames of three incomplete high-rise luxury apartment buildings. It seems that the Dubai-based builder failed to count the cost of constructing three buildings at the same time. And, from our lofty perch we could also identify the location of schools, parks, and other districts in Islamabad. Muskeen was visibly the blight (not bright) spot in the area.

While talking with my friend on the rooftop, a young man approached us with two cold glasses or orange Fanta. He identified himself as a resident of the building. “I am Muslim,” he said, “and I know several Christians in the squatters’ village.” He went on to tell us that as a Muslim he was concerned that many of the Christian children were not attending school. He also affirmed that he cared about the welfare of his Christian neighbors in the village. He asked us to not believe all that we hear and see in the media regarding Muslims in Pakistan. “We are not all like that,” he said in a soft but serious tone. “Christians and Muslims in Pakistan can and should live peacefully side by side.” Sadly, his idealism is betrayed by the recent assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, the minority Christian cabinet member, and by the persecution and killing of Christians in protest of the actions of the looney Qu’ran-burning pastor in Florida.

In spite of how Christians have suffered in Pakistan, I appreciate the kindness and hospitality of our rooftop host. And, I appreciate his lofty thoughts about Muslims and Christians treating one another with respect. Idealism aside, looking at one another in the face is a good starting place toward understanding our neighbors and those whose worldview differs from our own. It’s hard to make progress toward understanding others when we build walls by burning Qu’rans (and Bibles) and killing people just because they happen to embrace a different faith. As a Christ-follower I choose to follow the example of Jesus who never took the life of another, who was always concerned about the welfare of others, and who issued this charge: “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark. 12:31). These are indeed lofty thoughts and ideals worth pursuing, whether you are a Christian or a Muslim.