Anti-Shiism Hinders the Combat of Corona virus in Pakistan

While the world struggles to combat the novel Coronavirus, Anti-Shiism in Pakistan quells life-saving efforts. 

While the world struggles to combat the novel Coronavirus, Anti-Shiism in Pakistan quells life-saving efforts. 

On June 17th, the family of a Coronavirus patient in critical condition reached out to the community in search of a recovered Coronavirus patient to donate blood plasma with antibodies. With much effort, a donor was found. 

Anzala Zahra Kazmi, an individual who sought out the donor reports upon finding out that the sick patient was of the Shia faith, the donor retracted his willingness to give plasma. 

Kazmi said, “I’ve come across many absurdities with respect to donors’ approach towards donation, but neither me nor my team had expected a refusal based on the faith of the recipient. The reason why I don’t want to name the donor is that my intention wasn’t to bash an individual, but to highlight the intolerant mindset sadly prevalent in our society.”

This is not the first time intolerance against religious minorities has countered efforts to combat the disease.

In March, volunteers from a non-governmental organization with ties to the Ahmadiya community were forced out of Karachi’s Dehli Colony as several residents cited the volunteer’s religious identity. 

In other areas of Pakistan, minority Christian denominations were also prevented from receiving aid.