Pakistan: Lahore Christians face further attack after man accused of blasphemy

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Enraged Muslims of Samnabad beat Humayan who was badly injured before he was arrested and taken to Gulshan Ravi thana (Gulshan Ravi police station) where he was charged under Pakistan's notorious Blasphemy law - section 295c of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: Pakistan Christian Post
By PCP | May 25, 2015

London: Violent clashes erupted in Dhoop Sari last night (24th May 2015), in a densely populated Christian Colony within Gulshan Ravi an area of Lahore, after a middle aged Christian man was accused of desecrating a Quran.

The accused man was named as Humayun Masih who worked as a local street sweeper, who was accused of the blasphemy after Muslim youths allegedly found shreds of the Quran in a pile of garbage, he had placed his swept rubbish into. The Muslim youth then proceeded to film the garbage that contained the shreds of the Quran and highlighted this desecration via internet based, social media sites. The youth also started to promulgate the blasphemy through the local community and told a local Imam who gathered his followers to 'attack Christian blasphemers,' via his mosque PA system.

Enraged Muslims of Samnabad beat Humayan who was badly injured before he was arrested and taken to Gulshan Ravi thana (Gulshan Ravi police station) where he was charged under Pakistan's notorious Blasphemy law - section 295c of the Pakistan Penal Code. Mr Humayan Masih is reported to be mentally unstable and hence this most recent attack has been described by local people as unjust, unwarranted and false. His wife had left him and taken their children with her after he was diagnosed with a mental problem requiring regular treatment.

As the news of the desecration spread, a mob of between 600-700 Muslim rioters from the neighbouring communities gathered together and blocked roads, seeking revenge against the desecration of the Quran, shouting 'kill blaspheming Christians'. It is believed this pressure resulted in the Police First Incident Report (FIR) containing the serious charge of a blasphemy. Arsonists and looters attacked Christian homes for 4 hours before Police stopped them. Local rangers are now protecting the Christian community from a further attack, but have warned that they may not have a force large enough to stop any future mob violence. By the time the original attack was stopped several homes had already been looted and badly damaged. Local Christian residents of the area also reported that the mob attempted to burn down many further homes and that threats have been made of a further impending attack. Hundreds of Christians have already fled the area to live with relatives temporarily until the hatred simmers down. It is expected their homes will be looted whilst they are away a crime that inevitably follows refuge seeking.

Ashraf Gill, Youth President of Saint Joseph's church, said: "Muslim rioters came with daggers, hockey sticks and irons, they came with intention to kill or maim. They have looted our properties and caused serious damage to them. We have done nothing to hurt them so why have they treated us so harshly?

He added: "Humayan is a poor sweeper, what purpose would he have for desecrating the Quran? He has been brutally treated for simply undertaking his regular job of street sweeping. This is a woeful injustice."

DIG operations Dr. Haider Ashraf suffered a head injury and police deployed in the area had to resort to a baton charge on the protesters. Notably a heavy contingent of police and rangers has been deployed in the area to make sure there are not more riots. Most of the Christians who reside in the area have fled their homes to seek refuge as the situation in the area remains tense.

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the BPCA said: "This latest false blasphemy allegation and the rioting that ensued after local Muslims were stirred up by hate speech in local mosques, is indicative of the low worth and infidel status of Christians in Pakistan. That a man could face a life or death sentence simply for undertaking his role as a sweeper is a poor indictment of the country's legal system. Worse still as a government employee should he not be protected against false accusations such as these and compensated for his losses?"

Our officer Mehwish Bhatti has visited the location and is building a list of victims that we can help through this most recent attack. She said:

"Many victims will need temporary shelter, others will need help with building repairs and help with restoration of lost items. Innocent Christians now live in fear of another attack and Lahore has almost become a no go area for Christians. Local Muslims seem to desire reasons to attack Christians and latch onto any allegation, this is an early warning for the future of Christians in the area."


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