Listen to our SADF Podcast with Aftab Alexander Mughal, Editor of Minority Concern Pakistan (UK), on the plight of religious minorities in Pakistan — from forced conversions and blasphemy laws to historical parallels and urgent calls for advocacy.
We are proud to launch a compelling new episode of the SADF Podcast featuring Mr. Aftab Alexander Mughal, Editor of Minority Concern Pakistan (UK), where we explore the urgent and complex realities faced by religious minorities in Pakistan.
🛑 In this episode, we discuss:
- The forced conversions and misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan
- The parallels between minority persecution in Pakistan and Bangladesh, especially following the events of 5 August 2024 in Bangladesh
- The disturbing rise of Islamic fanaticism in Bangladesh, illustrated through the cases of:
- Utsav Mandal, a young Hindu boy falsely accused of blasphemy: @ and Paresh Chandra
- Shil, an elderly Hindu man brutally attacked over a false blasphemy claim: @tional/elderly-hindu-man-thrashed-over-false-blasphemy-claim-in-bangladesh/
📜 Mr. Mughal draws historical parallels with the 1977 post-Bhutto era in Pakistan, highlighting how political transitions often trigger waves of minority persecution.
📣 He urges listeners to:
a. Write to their local lawmakers and newspapers to advocate for the protection of religious minorities in Pakistan
b. Call on the Government of Pakistan to ensure equality and equity in the Constitution and its implementation
For Minority Concern Pakistan, UK please visit the following pages: @.php (Minority Concern Facebook page) @.mughal.9 @tyconcern8872/videos (Minority Concern YouTube channel)
Hosted by: Tapas Kanti Baul, South Asia Democratic Forum (SADF
Discover our Newsletter on First-hand accounts from minorities across South Asia — read here
Madalena Casaca
Madalena Casaca is SADF’s Editor and part-time Researcher for the Democracy Research Programme. Ms Casaca is a graduate in European Studies (graduated 2008) from the University of Lisbon, where she explored with high productivity not only European and Western Social Sciences but also African Studies, Russian Studies, and Anthropology. Ms Casaca also completed a yearly Documentary Programme in Prague in 2012/2013 and attended the Film School of the University of Wales in Newport in 2011/2012, where all the basics of visual communication were explored and developed. Less
A one-year investment was made in Moscow studying the Russian language, of which she holds the B2 degree. Madalena began a Master’s degree in World History at the Moscow State University, where she completed the first semester, receiving the highest marks in all courses. She had to return to Portugal for personal reasons and now raises her young daughters in Lisbon. She is transforming her Masters’ Diploma on World History into a non-academic book.