What Pakistani migrants can teach Belarussian Christians
Polish soldiers and guards walk along the Poland-Belarus border fence. Photo Canva.com, AFP, Wojtek Radwanski
Christian Life
Belarus may be known as the "hermit kingdom" within Europe, but its government wants to invite Pakistani migrants into the country. While the migrant scheme remains highly controversial, Christians should respond differently, Chviedaruk writes.
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The word "Border" remains a forgotten term among many Europeans from the West. Yet, the term has acquired an almost sacred meaning for Belarusians.
For many in the country, it has now become difficult to visit your friends and relatives who have left the country or to see with your own eyes how "liberal Europe" is.
Even if you are lucky enough to obtain the coveted short-term permit, you will spend almost a day trying to leave Belarus. This is not because of the country's phenomenal size or steep mountain passes but because of the horrendous queues and thorough inspections at border checkpoints.
Poland
However, over the past four years, the term "border" has taken on another meaning. It now delineates our relationship to human nature itself.
Since 2021, hundreds of Asians and Africans have stormed the borders of neighbouring countries daily. Poland and the Republic of Lithuania are particularly affected, especially by people from Syria and Pakistan.
Poland also built a four-metre fence along its border, spanning almost 400 kilometres. You may have rushed to open a geographical map to see how big the Republic of Belarus's territory is and where our borders are compared to other distant parts of the world. But the problem here is quite different.
Starting in 2021, the political regime of Belarus began to use people, and in particular, immigrants with illegal status, as an instrument of pressure on the European Union.
Just imagine that thousands of people are lured into a "tour" for a lot of money to get an opportunity to enter the territory of the "European paradise" illegally, which comes with little guarantee of success.
This policy poses a considerable challenge to our attitude towards man as the image of God, not as an instrument of achievement or political blackmail. Especially when it comes to those whom the Bible calls "aliens and strangers".
Migrants
Back home in Belarus, Lukashenko wants to "invite 150,000 Pakistanis" to work. Imagine how that resonated for us when our country's representatives talked about allowing tens of thousands of workers from "friendly Pakistan." This statement was alarming to us in several dimensions at once.
Firstly, we knew earlier that structures close to the authorities organised "border tours" of Belarus, which cost up to 5 thousand dollars. People without visas and documents were guided along special paths and given tools to damage the fence so they could illegally enter the territory of the European Union.
Later, they organised illegal transportation to the border with Germany or even the Netherlands. Consequently, now that this agency's reputation is probably a bit tarnished and not all "tourists" can reach Europe's milk and honey shores, there is an opportunity to pressure Belarus's government.
Secondly, the words of some officials about the possible construction of a network of mosques on the territory of Belarus echoed even more strangely. Speeches about bringing in thousands of Muslims from the outskirts of Islamabad sound frightening.
It should be noted that the Christian church, except for the pro-governmental Russian Orthodox Church, is already under pressure and restrictions. Opening or officially registering a new church is difficult and often impossible. Many churches may soon find themselves in danger of criminal prosecution for the lack of state registration.
Thirdly, Belarusians are concerned that the authorities may try to replace their population with those who are unpretentious and culturally different. No, it is not connected with racism and xenophobia.
Belarus is still in a political crisis, hardened by the rigged elections in 2020. Giving jobs to Pakistanis and beyond, along with the illusion of being disinterested in a political agenda, sounds like a wonderful and not-so-fantastic idea anymore.
It may be hard to imagine, but we've lived as migrants in our own country for the last two hundred years. Inviting migrants from Pakistan can make the situation of suffering Belarusians even worse.
Just imagine that the government of your country accuses you of disloyalty, restricts your right to professional activity, and says that it will invite a worker from Sri Lanka or Mali to take your place. You can imagine how frighteningly scary such statements spark.
How should a Christian respond to this?
It is fascinating that the Bible calls the believer's attention to relationships with newcomers and strangers. The Bible teaches Christians to show care, love, and guidance to everyone, including loved ones, foreigners, and those we dislike.
And although we, Belarusians, have long felt ourselves strangers in our own country, the echo of Exodus 22:21-23 sounds very relevant:
You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry" (ESV).
In moments of anxiety when my country may be replaced by those from an unknown and distant land, I am reminded of God's Providence. Life's events are not the coincidence of circumstances, fate, or the desires of ruthless tyrants.
Will the Lord not, in this strange way, allow the Gospel to be made available to those who live in the most closed Muslim country? Going on a mission to Pakistan appears to be challenging and impossible.
However, if the government's aims turn out to be true, many Pakistanis may have the opportunity to meet not only the Polish border guards but also to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes, in strange circumstances. Yes, in Belarus, even if it seriously compromises our comfort.
We see this hand of Providence throughout the Scriptures and history. Clearly, even the captivity and punishment of God's people in the Old Testament brought about the reversal of tragic events for God's glory.
In the acts of the apostles, we see again that even oppression, murder, and exile do not change God's sovereign ways but instead emphasise the horrors of sin and false religious ideas against the glory of the True Triune God. Therefore, we hope that despite the schemes to bring more chaos, hatred, and fear to our country, the triumph of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be acknowledged.
In the end, as always, we pray for wisdom and faithfulness to the Gospel despite the difficult situation for the Belarussian Christian church. And that also includes the newcomers and strangers deceived into coming to our country.
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