History
About Us
L’associazione Missione Shahbaz Bhatti onlus (MSB) si ispira al pensiero e all’impegno generoso di Shahbaz Bhatti, Ministro federale delle Minoranze Religiose e dell’Armonia Nazionale del Pakistan dal 2008, assassinato il 2 marzo 2011. Shahbaz Bhatti dedicated a large part of his life to the most vulnerable, to victims of violence and terrorism, and, in particular, to the persecuted Christian minority in Pakistan.
Shahbaz used to say: “Non-involvement cannot be an option,” and precisely because of his commitment and his love for others—for everyone and without distinction—Shahbaz became a symbol for persecuted minorities and is still known by Pakistani citizens as “the Good Minister”; he possessed charismatic skills in engaging in dialogue with representatives of other religions, including at the international level, where he earned great esteem and admiration.
With unwavering faith and relentless commitment, Shahbaz succeeded in bringing about major political changes and contributed to improving the living conditions of people belonging to religious minorities.
The results he achieved are nothing short of unthinkable for a difficult reality like that of Pakistan, where many still seek to impose Sharia law. Shahbaz Bhatti created prayer rooms for Christians within various government institutions in Pakistan and established committees for interreligious dialogue, which he then brought to the Pakistani Parliament, also obtaining approval for four seats reserved for members of religious minorities: this achievement becomes even more significant when considering that until a few years ago, the existence of representation for religious minorities within the Pakistani Parliament was absolutely inconceivable. Throughout his life, Shahbaz promoted and fostered relations between Muslims, Christians, and other religious traditions, remaining faithful to Jesus Christ until his last breath.
His martyrdom, which occurred on March 2, 2011, at the hands of extremists, could not leave anyone indifferent. Shahbaz’s older brother, Paul Bhatti, clearly sensing how much Shahbaz was loved by the Pakistani people, wished to take up his legacy and continue the work he had begun, to give hope to the poor and to those persecuted because of their faith.
It was with these same objectives that the MISSIONE SHAHBAZ BHATTI Onlus (MSB) association was established in Italy. People marginalized and persecuted because of their faith feel the weight of loneliness and indifference regarding the serious violations they suffer in terms of religious freedom and human dignity. For this reason, MSB aims to dedicate itself to the most vulnerable, without distinction of religion, race, language, or any other personal or social condition, in order to pursue exclusively their well-being; MSB does not engage in partisan political activity, but, thanks also to the enthusiasm, support, and commitment of many people, it operates through concrete projects for religious freedom, human dignity, and social justice—values intensely lived by Shahbaz in his Catholic Christian faith.
All those who share Shahbaz Bhatti’s vision and wish to participate actively in this mission can join the association, in order to create a flourishing and peaceful society in Pakistan, where people of any faith can finally be respected and live with dignity and without fear.
