Nazir Masih's belongings in the street.
Photo: ECSPE
An angry mob consisting of hundreds of people rampaged through a Christian community in Sargodha, Punjab, on May 25th. Thankfully, police were able to disperse the crowd with tear gas and rescue at least two Christian families whose homes had been surrounded. However, significant damages took place during the mob attack, and 74-year-old Nazir Masih was left with life-threatening injuries. Stirred up by Islamic clerics who accused Nazir of blasphemy, the mob ransacked and burned the Christian man's home and shoemaking business. The crowd also attacked other Christians in the community and threw stones at responding police, injuring at least ten officers.
The elderly shoemaker had been accused of desecrating the Quran after a neighbour saw him burning wastepaper outside his home. According to Nazir's family members, when the accused had gone inside his home, someone threw a copy of the Muslim holy book into the fire, leading to the accusation. His family also claims that a group of people from the city who were jealous of Nazir's successful business had instigated altercations in the past.
As of May 27th, Nazir had undergone head surgery and was reported to be in stable condition. Police state that his family is presently staying in a governmentally operated safehouse, and can return to their home when the situation in the community stabilizes. Over 100 individuals were arrested in connection with the violence and police were deployed to restore and maintain order in the area.
In Pakistan, mob violence is relatively common when accusations of blasphemy are made and then broadcasted over mosque loudspeakers. In a similar incident that took place during August 2023, thousands of people attacked a Christian colony in Jaranwala, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of buildings (learn more). Blasphemy allegations are not always propelled by religious fervour, as they may also be used as a means to settle personal scores in disagreements. For more information on the persecution encountered by Christians in Pakistan, go to our country report.
Pray for complete healing on behalf of Nazir, as well as protection for him, his family and other Christians within the community. May peace and harmony be restored in this area of Pakistan, bringing an end to the violence and destruction. Pray that legal safeguards will be instituted to prevent blasphemy laws from being misused in any way. Continue to prayerfully uphold Christians throughout Pakistan who are endeavouring to share the love of Christ in their communities, despite the animosity they may face.
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