Christian youth groups in Karachi identify discrimination, limited freedom of speech as most pressing challenges

Christian youth groups in Karachi have identified discrimination and limited freedom of speech as the most pressing challenges they face.

The concerns were raised at the conclusion of a five-day Ecumenical School on Justice and Peace, where 27 Christian youth members and pastors gathered to discuss societal issues and their roles in advocating for justice and peace within their communities.

“We face discrimination throughout our education and professional careers. The increasing competition and lack of career counseling make the situation worse. Many opt to move abroad but fall victim to visa scams, losing their hard-earned money or getting trapped in exploitative situations,” stated Jessica Mariam, Divisional Youth Board President of the Salvation Army Church.

The Ecumenical School on Justice and Peace, organized by the Ecumenical Commission for Human Development (ECHD), was held to empower youth and strengthen their engagement in promoting justice and unity within the church and wider society. ECHD, a faith-based charity, has collaborated with five major Christian denominations since 2010 to address the challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan.

The inaugural session, titled “Journey Together: Unity as a Witness to God’s Love,” was led by Rt. Rev. Fredrick John, Bishop of Karachi. He highlighted the importance of unity and collaboration as vital elements in demonstrating God’s enduring love in a divided world. His message set the tone for the event, urging youth to come together to create positive change.

James Rehmat, Executive Director of ECHD, spoke on the impact of Pakistan’s geopolitical landscape on religious minorities, exploring how politicization and religious extremism have affected communities. He encouraged youth to take an active role in combating extremism and fostering tolerance. He also led a session on “Groaning of Economic Injustice, Ecological Injustice, and Gender Injustice,” highlighting the interconnectedness of various forms of oppression in Pakistan. Ross Mahtani, Senior Programme Officer at Community World Service Asia, focused on minority rights and Pakistan’s constitutional guarantees for freedom of religion. He emphasized how these rights can be leveraged to promote justice and peace, urging youth to become advocates for change.

Kamran Chaudhry, Project Manager at ECHD, facilitated a SWOT analysis of the youth in the Karachi Diocese. His session encouraged young people to evaluate their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to enhance their contributions to the church and society.

Ushba Barkat, Theological Officer at ECHD, inspired participants with her session, “Nehemiah: The Man Behind the Wall,” using biblical narratives to motivate youth to rebuild and strengthen their communities in the face of challenges. The event included a social action initiative. Participants took part in a beach clean-up drive at Hawke’s Bay Town, collecting four kilos of plastic waste. “The social action aimed to mobilize young people to conserve and sustainably use the ocean, demonstrating their commitment to ecological justice,” said James Rehmat.