Christian Persecution in Pakistan [Update]

ASIA/PAKISTAN - A Christian arrested on false charges of blasphemy in Punjab, there is concern for his life

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - Khurram Masih, a 25-year-old Christian worker resident in the town of Qazi, near Lahore (in Punjab), was arrested on false charges of blasphemy. As reported to Fides by the "Masihi Foundation", which deals with the rights of Christians and the legal defense of Asia Bibi, Khurram Masih, a mason by profession, married 2 months ago, was working at the residence of the Muslim Abdul Majeed. Last night, after work, Masih burned pieces of wood and paper, basically waste material. Abdul Majeed, saw the fire and began to cry out that Khurram Masih had ripped and burned parts of the Koran. The other Muslim workers took Masih and brought him to the local police station. Abdul Majeed filed a complaint for blasphemy against Khurram, which was oficially registered this morning with the First Information Report No. 1112/11 for the violation of art. 295b of the Pakistan Penal Code (disrespect toward the Koran).
The intervention of religious leaders and human rights activists of the Masihi Foundatin at the police station -where they protested about the false allegations - was not enough to secure the release of Khurram Masih, who remains in custody and will appear before a court tomorrow. Meanwhile, extremist groups have staged demonstrations, announcing that "a Christian has desecrated the Koran and must be punished".
A note of the "Masihi Foundation", sent to Fides, said: "The young man is innocent and the accusations of blasphemy are false. The person who lodged the complaint is connected with religious groups and is known for his hatred toward non-Muslims. In this area hatred towards Christians is spread. Khurram Masih's life is in danger. The authorities must take the necessary measures for his protection".(PA) (Agenzia Fides 06/12/2011)

ASIA/PAKISTAN - Protests and boycotts on behalf of Christians against "blasphemous shoes"

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - A footwear company on the market in Pakistan has spread models of shoes that bear on the back the design of the Cross: the phenomenon has generated strong protests and a boycott campaign of the Christian community in Pakistan. Fr. Joseph Louis, a Catholic priest of the Church of Mary Immaculate in Lahore, wrote to the authorities and asked to register an official complaint for blasphemy toward the Christian religion. "It is a fact that seriously humiliates and hurts Christians. We ask the authorities to take immediate action to respect the values and Christian religious symbols", explains Fr. Louis to Fides.
The "Pakistan Minorities Movement," which promotes the equal rights of all citizens in the nation, has launched a campaign of protest and boycott, with many activists demonstrating in front of shops that sell these shoes, noting "the subtle insult to want to put on one's feet the most significant symbol of Christianity". As reported to Fides, the movement has obtained the registration of a "First Information Report" against Ajub Gull, a shoe factory owner, in Anarkali Police Station, for violation of Article 295a of the Criminal Code (which punishes offenses against any religious symbol).
Many other Christian organizations, such as "Masihi Foundation", have been active and are promoting a campaign to raise public awareness, announcing that they will take all legal actions necessary to withdraw the products from the market. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 06/12/2011)

 

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