Published on: 30 May 2024
DOHI STAFF
UPDATE: We have been informed by our ministry partners that Brother Nazir has died due to his injuries. We ask that you keep his family and the Christian community in prayer at this time. Thank you!
New allegations of blasphemy levelled against an elderly Christian man and his son in Gillwala colony, Sargodha, eastern Pakistan, have once again erupted in extreme violence.
On Saturday, May 25th, false reports that Nazir Gill Masih and his son had burned pages of the Quran in their garbage can quickly circulated around the village. A group of over 400 men armed with bricks, stones and sticks gathered in front of the family’s two homes and shoe factory. Goaded by activists from the radical Islamist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), the crowd looted and set fire to the family’s property.
During the brutal attack, Nazir was beaten and set on fire. A large police contingent was dispatched to evacuate Nazir and his family and disperse the crowd. Though there was no loss of life, Nazir, in critical condition, had to be taken to Sargodha hospital’s ICU. The family are now under police protection.
Twenty-five people have been arrested by police in connection with the attack.
Ifran Gill Masih, Nazir’s nephew, stated that his uncle, only newly returned to Pakistan after four years away, was falsely accused of desecrating the Quran by neighbors. Often, and tragically, blasphemy rules are used to settle personal grievances amongst neighbors in Pakistan.
In a similar incident last year, an enraged mob attacked a Christian community in Jaranwala, Faisalabad district, after reports circulated that two Christians had desecrated the Quran. During the rampage, the mob vandalized at least 26 churches and set over 200 houses on fire.
Immediately after the night of terror in Jarawala, our DOHI ministry partners visited the city to survey the damage and spoke with the pastors whose churches were destroyed, survivors, and the local authorities. Their discussions led to the first of many amazing outdoor church services where Christians from all denominations gathered together to worship the Lord and begin their healing process.
One highlight for our team as they ministered to the victims of the violence was gifting a pastor with Bibles, hymnbooks and a new keyboard to replace the ones destroyed in the flames. The joy he expressed was priceless! He is so thankful to you that his congregants and Bible school students will again hold the Word of God and that worship music and singing will once more fill their gathering place!
