In an exclusive interview with Christian Daily International, featured in today’s episode of Faith Without Frontiers, Shahbaz Bhatti’s nephew talks about the ways that his life’s direction was set as a child by the example of his uncle, Shahbaz Bhatti. So, the idea of a children’s book about Bhatti’s life makes sense. And that’s how the publishers designate this beautifully illustrated graphic novel about Shahbaz Bhatti, even though the language is sometimes complex, more appropriate for teenagers and young adults than for children.
It’s never spelt out clearly, but the narrator seems to be the sister of this very same nephew on CDI’s podcast.
It’s a compelling and inspiring story of courage and faith, rooted in strong Christian convictions, commitment to Scripture and to Christ. Bhatti "declared days before his death ‘I want to share that I believe in Jesus Christ, who has given his own life for us. I know what is the meaning of the Cross, and I’m following the Cross’."
Knox Thames (of Christians Against All Persecution) says in the Foreword: "We best honor Shahbaz’s sacrifice by following his example of advocating for the persecuted, both Christians and those from other faiths, as a demonstration of God’s love for all."
Full of lesser-known facts – such as that the deciding vote for Pakistani independence on the 14th of August 1947 was cast by a Christian – the book tells one man’s story, interspersed with biblically-inspired imagined encounters with Jesus, during His lifetime.
It throws fresh light on Pakistan’s infamous blasphemy laws, and their awful impact on Ahmadiyya Muslims, Christians and Hindus, illustrated by the story of Asia Bibi.
Rooted in a specific country (Pakistan) at a particular time, it’s nevertheless a story with universal appeal and application.
Though it’s not always clear how all those mentioned are connected, the message is clear – from Bhatti’s childhood sense of calling to serve the poor and the marginalised, through his student activism to his willingness to die for justice.
"If Jesus died for us, then the least we can do is stand for Him."
"If one person is brave enough to speak up, then others will listen and stand up."
"I just want a place at Jesus feet."
"God called me to obey. He didn’t call me to an easy life."
And at his father’s funeral: "When my body is brought to this Church, it will be because I fought for truth and justice."
"Brothers and sisters, the main aim of the All-Pakistani Minorities Alliance is to forge unity among the religious minorities of Pakistan, so that, from a common and single platform, we can launch peaceful struggle to secure, preserve, protect and promote the religious, social, economic and political rights of minority groups. And we do this to build a better democratic and progressive Pakistan according to the ideals of our founding father, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who on the 11th of August 1947 declared: ‘You are free. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed – that has nothing to do with the business of the State.'"
It’s not a perfect book. It’s a strange mixture of Bible stories and Bhatti stories, drawing direct parallels between the life of Jesus and the life of Shahbaz Bhatti. The flow of the story is not always easy to follow.
But it nevertheless tells a moving story in compelling ways. A story of the importance of collaboration, the power of united global advocacy, the battle between moderation and extremism, the importance of enlisting the media in reporting incidents of persecution – and the importance of courageous leadership in the face of the abuse of power in high places and by baying crowds. It’s a story of attempts to silence bravery by threats, bribery and powerplays – and it’s a story of caring for the suffering.
Scattered through the book are brief references to Bhatti’s successful interventions in various situations and his astonishing impact on the lives of many – and especially on his own nephew and niece.
The book concludes with this challenge: "The work continues ……the Bhatti family and all those they’ve helped over the years ask: will you join them?"
Blood & Water: The Life and Martyrdom of Shahbaz Bhatti. Matt Yocum and Jordan Holt. Magnificat, New York, and Ignatius Press, San Francisco. ISBN 978-1-63967-158-8 (Magnificat); ISBN 978-1-62164-891-8 (Ignatius Press).
