CHRISTIAN CHARGED UNDER PAKISTAN'S BLASPHEMY LAW
By Jeremy Reynalds (07/02/05)
A Christian was arrested in late June and charged under Pakistan's blasphemy law.
According to a news release from the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), police arrested Yousaf Masih 40 kilometers east of Peshawar, NWFP, Province of Pakistan, on June 28.
According to APMA, Masih, 60, has been a long- time janitor in the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for many years. He also worked as a house cleaner for Major Fareeda, a nurse at CMH.
On June 28, Fareeda asked Masih to clean the newly rented house of one of her colleagues, Nurse Major Gazala. APMA reported that Masih was accompanied by a major to Gazala's new house. When he finished cleaning, he collected a number of items – apparently trash – that included old newspapers and books that had been left by the previous tenants. Masih was reportedly asked by the major to burn the items, and Masih complied, not really knowing what the items were.
After burning the items, Masih left the house, but soon after, some young boys playing nearby spotted two pieces of paper later identified as pages from a book taught to Muslim students before they start learning the Koran.
According to APMA, the young boys started shouting that a Koran had been burned (and consequently desecrated) by a Christian janitor. Muslim worshipers passing by after prayer in a local mosque gathered, and the news spread fast.
Announcements of the alleged desecration were quickly made in the mosque, APMA reported, and the need to punish Christians for what was considered to be a blasphemous act. An aggressive group of Muslims came out on the street and marched towards the area where Masih lived. On the way there, APMA reported, they burned and looted the houses of Christians, and burned Hindu Temples as well.
On reaching Masih's house, an angry crowd of people broke in and started looking for him. They devastated the house, throwing around furniture and household items. According to APMA, female family members were at home, and with Masih not being there they were harassed by the crowd.
The crowd had signs saying Christians should be burned ,and Masih should be publicly hung. Police soon arrived and dispersed the crowd, assuring them that Masih would be arrested.
Police later arrested Masih and took him to an area police station, charging him with blasphemy – desecrating the Koran. Meanwhile, APMA reported, a crowd of angry Muslims had gathered outside the police station demanding that Masih be handed over to them.
APMA commented it is important to note that Masih is illiterate and unable to read or write even his native language. In addition, he has heart problems and is slightly deaf.
APMA reported that along with his wife, Masih has been working in the military hospital for a long time and has a good work record. When a Muslim major asked Masih if it was he who had burned what was originally thought to be trash, Masih acknowledged that he had – without knowing that he had destroyed any part of the Koran.
Police made a case, APMA commented, without investigating the incident. Area Christians are routinely harassed, APMA reported, and end up having to leave the area in order to save their lives.
According to APMA, an organizational delegation quickly got involved and met with Masih's family, and local Christians and Hindus. They saw the burned houses, furniture and other materials. "They strengthened and encouraged the local Christians and assisted them in the emergency situation," APMA reported.
APMA has contacted governmental authorities and asked for immediate intervention. According to APMA, the local Christian and Hindu communities have filed a report against the attackers, few of whom have reportedly been arrested by police.
However, APMA reported, an area official and some police have visited the area and assured Christians and Hindus that they will be provided security.
An APMA delegation also went to Nowshera police Station to meet Masih, but they were reportedly denied permission to see him. In addition, Masih's family was not allowed to meet with him either.
On June 30, APMA reported, an area police official held a news conference saying that even though preliminary findings indicated Masih was not involved in the desecration of the Koran, he would nonetheless still be the subject of investigation.
Masih's medical condition has reportedly deteriorated. A court has ordered that he be transferred to a hospital for treatment.
APMA commented, "The situation in the area is critical, threatening and alarming for the Christians and especially for (Masih's) family. APMA is ... helping the local community to avert any unpleasant situation and to defuse tensions. This incident is a clear example of (the) growing misuse of (the) blasphemy law in Pakistan against Christians and other minorities. APMA has strongly condemned the attack of (the) Muslim mob on Hindu Temples and Christian houses, and (has) demanded (the) immediate release of Yousaf Masih."
An APMA official added, "(The) blasphemy law is a naked sword hanging over the heads of Christians. (The) blasphemy law is a ... weapon in the hands of Islamic extremists to persecute, terrorize, torture and kill Christians and other citizens of the country. Christians are (an) easy and soft target. Many Christians under this draconian law have been killed extra judicially, and many are waiting for trial in jails in life and death situations."
Shahbaz Bhatti, APMA Chairman, asked that prayers be said for Masih and his family.
According to the World Evangelical Alliance (www.worldevangelical.org/persecute/persec_pakistan_ii_28oct03.html), "APMA is a coalition representing Pakistan's non-Muslim religious minorities (Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Balmeek, Bheel, Maingwal, Zoarastrian, Bahai and Kelash communities). Using advocacy and lobbying, APMA "raise(s) minorities' issues and concerns with the government authorities, parliamentarians, human rights organizations and media."
APMA, the World Evangelical Alliance statement continued, is assisting many victims of "discriminatory laws and blasphemy laws and also supporting and protecting victims of terrorist attacks of Islamic militants especially since 11 Sept. 2001 ... APMA is struggling to protect and ensure religious freedom in Pakistan."
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