Christian Man In Pakistan Attacked For Refusing Converstion
A young Christian man in Pakistan has reportedly been violently attacked for refusing to convert to Islam, highlighting ongoing religious intolerance in the country.
The incident occurred on March 22 at Subhan Paper Mills in Punjab, where 22-year-old Waqas Masih was allegedly assaulted by his supervisor, identified as Zohaib. According to reports from the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Masih sustained severe neck injuries after being accused of desecrating pages of the Quran found in the trash. His attacker has since been arrested and charged with attempted murder.
Pakistan, a country of approximately 208 million people, has a predominantly Muslim population, with Christians making up only 1.9%. Religious minorities often face discrimination, and cases of violence against Christians have been on the rise. The attack on Masih follows a pattern of religious persecution, including the August 2023 riots in Jaranwala, where mobs vandalised over 25 churches and torched at least 85 Christian homes over unverified blasphemy allegations.
Capuchin Franciscan Lazar Aslam, who visited Masih in the hospital, condemned the attack, calling for justice and greater protection for religious minorities.
“I pray for his speedy recovery and for his family’s well-being. This incident is a painful reminder of the dangers faced by Christians in Pakistan and the urgent need for social change to foster tolerance and protect the rights of all citizens,” Aslam stated.
Human rights groups and Christian organisations continue to raise concerns over Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws, which have been frequently misused to target religious minorities. Many Christians have been imprisoned, and some face death sentences over allegations of blasphemy, often based on little or no evidence.
See Also: Quetta Christians Fight The Demoliton Of Historic Shelter
Aslam urged international intervention and awareness to prevent further persecution. “False accusations of blasphemy have become a tool to harass vulnerable communities. Authorities must take concrete steps to prevent such incidents and uphold minority rights,” he added.
Despite facing challenges, Pakistan’s Christian community remains resilient. Many look to the legacy of Servant of God Akash Bashir, a young Catholic who sacrificed his life in 2015 to prevent a terrorist attack on his parish. His courage continues to inspire Christians and even some Muslims in the fight for religious harmony.
The attack on Waqas Masih serves as yet another reminder of the difficult reality for religious minorities in Pakistan, sparking renewed calls for justice and equality.
Content Credit | Oyedepo Oluwafifedoyinsola
Image Credit | www.thecatholicherald.com
Source | www.catholicnewsagency.com
