Over the past few weeks a group of Christians residing in Chak 44, Mandi Bahauddin have become at risk and now fear for their lives.
The incident started when a young Christian man Imran Masih allegedly had a video of a Pastor’s sermon on his mobile phone. A local Muslim took Imran’s phone and declared the video was ‘blasphemous’. Imran was badly beaten and locked in a room. He was later released.
After taking advice from their religious ‘scholars’ it was deemed that Imran had no right to live for his alleged ‘crime’. There was also a financial incentive for anyone performing this terrible deed.
As per the standard modus operandi of these cases of alleged blasphemy, a crowd of worshipers were inflamed in the local Mosques and via loud speakers. Their aim was to attack and set fire to the property of the Christian community. However the police were called and the mob dispersed, any violence prevented.
Imran Masih and some of his family have escaped into hiding, others have also joined them. There are about 300 Christians in Chak 44, many are poor labourers of low social class.
The community has been ostracised and local shop keepers are refusing to sell any food to the Christians, causing hunger and further distress. The standoff and tension continues.
International human rights campaigners are activity raising a voice for this persecuted Christian community. Far too many lives have been lost by Pakistan’s religious minorities in similar circumstances.
Pakistan needs to eliminate these types of frenzied mobs led usually by religious clerics acting as ‘Judge, jury and executioner’.
I appeal to the Punjab Government to assist this small Christian community of Chak 44, Mandi Bahauddin on a humanitarian basis to protect their safety.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif spoke last November about the importance of protecting religious minorities. He said ‘Every community living here whether Hindu, Muslim or Parsi, everyone belongs to me and I belong to them. I am Prime Minister of all communities. If you are in distress, I will stand by you.’
‘We are one nation and forging unity and consensus among them is my mission. Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Parsis are part of the country.’
We hope that Pakistan’s premier is able to protect all religious minorities and prevent these violent flash points happening.
