International
Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that two Christian evangelists are
being charged with violating Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy law and
could face a mandatory death sentence if found guilty. The two
Christians are being accused of making derogatory remarks against Islam,
the Quran, and offending the religious sentiments of a Muslim while
preaching in Lahore.
On February 13, Haroon Ayub Masih and
Salamat Mansha Masih, two Christian evangelists, were reportedly
preaching in Model Town Park, located in Lahore. While preaching, the
two Christians met Haroon Ahmad, a Muslim, and several of Ahmad’s
friends.
According to the First Information Report (FIR #
61/21), the two Christians gave Ahmad a Christian book entitled “Water
of Life” and began to discuss the divinity of the prophets and Jesus
Christ. This discussion with Ahmad turned into an argument that ended
with Ahmad accusing the Christians of making derogatory remarks against
Islam.
Police have charged the two Christians with committing
blasphemy under Sections 295-A, 295-B, and 295-C of Pakistan’s Penal
Code. If found guilty, the two Christians could face execution as
Section 295-C carries a mandatory death sentence.
In Pakistan,
false accusations of blasphemy are widespread and often motivated by
personal vendettas or religious hatred. Accusations are inflammatory and
have the potential to spark mob lynching, vigilante murders, and mass
protests.
Since Pakistan added Section 295-B and 295-C to the
country’s blasphemy laws in 1987, the number of blasphemy accusations
have skyrocketed. Between 1987 and 2017, 1,534 individuals in Pakistan
are being accused of blasphemy. Out of that 1,534, 829 accusations
(54%), were against religious minorities. With Christians only making up
1.6% of Pakistan’s total population, the 238 accusations (15.5%) made
against Christians is disproportionate.
Currently, 24
Christians are in prison due to blasphemy charges in Pakistan. These 24
Christians are defendants in 21 blasphemy cases represented at various
levels of the judicial process in Pakistan.
ICC’s Regional Manager, William Stark, said, “We
here at International Christian Concern are concerned for the safety of
the Haroon Ayub Masih and Salamat Mansha Masih. We are also concerned
for the safety of the broader community these men represent. In many
cases, the mere accusation of blasphemy against a Christian is enough to
spark mob violence in Pakistan. This violence is often not limited to
those accused. There are many examples in which a blasphemy accusation
has exploded into violence against an entire Christian community. We
call for a complete and fair investigation into the accusation against
Haroon and Salamat. Too often Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are misused to
justify mob violence or settle personal vendettas. Too often these laws
have been a tool in the hands of extremists seeking to stir up
religiously motivated violence against minority communities.”
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Alison Garcia, Communications Fellow
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
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