One Killed and Six Injured as Assailants Attack During Easter Morning Service in Pakistan
The Voice of the Martyrs has learned that Sunday's Easter morning service of the Victory Church International (also known as the New Apostolic Church) in the village of Khambay near Lahore, Pakistan was disrupted as four armed assailants opened fire on the church property, murdering one Christian worshipper and injuring six others. Killed was Arshad Masih, a young husband and father of a one-year-old daughter.
Ismael Masih, with fractured leg, giving his statement
Abdominal wound on Pervez Masih Photos from CLAAS
Fozia, wife of Arshad Masih Photo from Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS)
According to reports received by The Voice of the Martyrs, members of a Muslim family who had long been opponents of the congregation entered the church property at about 10:00 a.m. as the congregation was worshipping and began shooting. Some reports indicate that there were children playing outside. Arshad Masih was reportedly shot and killed as he went outside of the church building to find out what was happening. Six other believers including Pervez Masih, Naeem Masih, Arshed Masih, Ismael Masih, and two others (exact names to be verified) also came out from church and the attackers also fired on them. The attackers then fled.VOM sources report that Muhammad Mukhtar Dogar, Muhammad Sardar Dogar and Muhammad Malki Dogar have been arrested in connection with the attack, while two other suspects are still at large. The injured are in hospital in Lahore, one of them in critical condition. This incident comes after a weekend of threats and intimidations by the Dogar family against the congregation. The 150-member church was forced to cancel their Good Friday and Saturday night services when the family threatened to kill anyone who came to the church. The Dogar family is apparently seeking to take possession of the land that New Apostolic Church and its graveyard has been located on for the last century.
Remember to pray for Arshad Masih's wife, Fozia, as she grieves the loss of her husband. Pray for those in hospital, especially those who are seriously wounded. Pray that those responsible will be brought to justice. Pray for the continuing witness of this church, as they testify to the Living Christ and His resurrection.
VOMC partners to train Christian women in sewing skills throughout Pakistan to provide a sustainable source of income for their families and encourage them in their faith and witness for Christ.
Religion (%) Islam (96.5), Other - Christian and Hindu (3.5)
Leader President Asif Ali Zardari (2024)
Government type Federal parliamentary republic
Legal system Common law system with Islamic law influence
Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Pakistan
Pray that amendments will be made to Pakistan's existing blasphemy laws so that the country's citizens – including its children – will be protected from injustice and abuse. May our Lord's mercy and justice prevail, not only in the judiciary system but also in the hearts of the country's militants. Ask Him to transform their "hearts of stone" into hearts that are receptive to His love, mercy and the workings of His Holy Spirit – not only for the purpose of protecting the Christian minority but also for the salvation of their own eternal souls.
On the night of March 25th, Adnan Masih and his wife Shumaila were heading home from work on their motorcycle when they were suddenly intercepted by two armed gunmen. After seizing the married couple's cell phone and the small amount of cash they were carrying, the thieves physically beat the Christians and demanded more money. Adnan told the gunmen that he and his wife were poor Christians who had nothing more to give. It was then that the attack became more violent.
On March 17th, Pakistani federal agents took 24-year-old Arsalan Gill into custody on accusations of blasphemy. The charges allege that the Christian believer was responsible for sharing blasphemous content in Facebook groups. His arrest takes place amid a rising number of cases involving entrapment, whereby organized militant groups specifically target members of the country's religious minorities.
Slain victim: Farhan Ul Qamar Photo: Morning Star News
On November 9th, 2023, a follower of Jesus named Farhan Ul Qamar was killed in his family's home by a man who is well-known in the community for his hatred towards Christians and Jews. It is believed that the violence may have been instigated by a minor disagreement that took place the day before the attack. (For more details on the incident, see this report.)
On February 27th, an impoverished Christian man named Wasif Masih was collecting wood along the road when he was confronted by a group of six Muslim landowners. The men verbally abused the believer, referring to him as "chuhra" – a term frequently used in Pakistan to insult Christians. The perpetrators then physically beat Wasif and detained him for four hours on a poultry farm.
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