Christians persecuted under Blasphemy laws in Pakistan
A Pakistan Christian who was previously acquitted of blasphemy is still in hiding almost a year after charges were dropped because Muslim militants are trying to kill him.
Posted: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 12:48 (BST)
'I cannot go out of this room because my life is in danger. The Muslims know about my case. They want to kill me,' said Ranjah Masih.
Despite his protested innocence, Ranjah was jailed for life, blindfolded and beaten daily with clubs and sticks until his health was all but broken. He had to bribe the police to give him medicine, and says they beat him to try force him to reveal the names of other Christians.
Many times the police told him that if he converted to Islam they would set him free, however, Ranjah refused.
One day a prison officer brought him a Koran and said that if he just recited an Islamic prayer he could go. Ranjah replied: "If release from prison means forsaking Jesus Christ, then I don't want to be released."
Meanwhile his wife had to bring up their six children on her meagre earnings as a domestic servant. She was supported by Release International's partners, CLAAS - the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement - which helps many persecuted Christians in Pakistan.
After eight-and-a-half years behind bars the authorities finally acknowledged that Ranjah had been innocent all along and set him free.
Almost a year later, he remains separated from his family and in hiding from militants who have sworn to kill him.
Ranjah Masih told Release International's CEO Andy Dipper,"It is difficult to kill the time here, to live in a small room. It is my desire that I go back to my family and that I will live with them. I am praying to the Lord to let me live again with my family and my five sons."
For 16-year-old Rashid Masih it all started with a schoolboy squabble. Rashid's was one of the few Christian families living in a predominantly Muslim town.
He explained some Muslims boys were beating up his younger brother so he stepped in to stop them. Other Muslim youths celebrating their prophet's birthday nearby piled in.
During the quarrel they accused Rashid of snatching a religious sticker about the prophet Mohammed from another boy and ripping it up.
The schoolboy spat ended with Christians fleeing for their lives and Rashid, his father and three others being accused of blasphemy. Rashid's father and cousin are still in jail.
Rashid is now a fugitive hiding in a safe house. He told Release International that he was afraid if the police came for him, they might kill him. "They can shoot me or burn me, they can kill me if they know that I am hiding here."
Muslims who change their faith in Pakistan are also at risk. The government is currently reviewing a proposal to impose the death penalty on Muslim men who become Christians and jail for life women who change their religion.
'James' - not his real name - was shot 11 times for changing his faith from Islam to Christianity. He was so badly wounded his left arm had to be amputated.
He told The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada: "The doctor was surprised I had survived. Because I only had one and a half pints of blood left. I told him, God's power within me gives me life. God is providing me with a new arm. I am very thankful. I will work for the kingdom of God."
"Stories like these are all too common in Pakistan," says Andy Dipper. "With support from Release International, Christians in Pakistan have been campaigning to repeal the notorious blasphemy laws which can destroy the lives of even the innocent. Please pray for Ranjah, Rashid and James."
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 22:14 (BST)
The blasphemy laws are only used to attack other religions and not to protect Islam. Does a camel need protection from a fly? Islam is far too large to need protection from a few Christians. And yet the law is used continually to threaten, harass and punish Christians.
Amon, Kashmere, Pk
Added: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 20:25 (BST)
I disagree because it's usually the Christians being harrased without reason...the blasphemy laws need to be done away with and true religious freedom allowed, not just there but in all countries.
MM, Illinois, USA
Added: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 20:18 (BST)
To Peter Henderson, Karachi,
You indicate that Pakistani people gives respect to every religion. Applying Muslim law to Christians is not showing respect. It is demanding obedience from people who do not worship as you do. At least, in the West, Muslims can worship as they wish, alongside Christians in mutual respect. Muslim countries do not offer the same mutual respect to their non-muslim populations. There is no debate about this.. it is simply fact...
Tina B, New York USA
Added: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 17:57 (BST)
Give me a break Peter! INNOCENT PEOPLE (and not just Christians) are increasingly victimized, SIMPLY BECAUSE they don't toe the Islamic line. This happens around the whole world on a daily basis. It is obvious that Islam is unwaiveringly intolerant of EVERYTHING outside the concept of it's narrow-minded teachings. And you blame the victim. Shame on you!
Jim, Walnut, Iowa
Added: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 17:40 (BST)
That has to be one of the most foolish comments I have read in a long while. Muslims are so quick to criticize and take offense to anything big or small. In the West they want our tax money to fund there schools, to change our bathrooms so they could wash there feet, and not show there face when displaying ID. They kill people over cartoons, ect, ect, and yet the onus is on peaceful Christians in Pakistan to respect Islam!! Give me a break!!
I think Christians do respect Islam, the problem is that Islam gives no respect to anyone including themselves. They will make up an excuse to be offended to act like asses. It is disgusting what Muslims do each and everyday in the name of God. The West then has to clean up the mess and pay for it through aid including food. Muslims have to grow up. The excuses for overlooking and justifying there heinous acts have got to stop.
PG, Ontario, Canada
Added: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 15:39 (BST)
i think this blasphemy law is actualy protecting the christians in Pakistan because being a christian worker in pakistan since last 28 years i noticed that the christians especially young blood are using thier international protection in worst way and always humiliating muslims relegious nobels if this law is not in place than belive me every day there will be like wars in most of the places of the country i honestly belive that Pakistani peoples gives respect to every relegion expect the sects within thier own relegion every day there is inter sect killings throughout the country, but we never noticed they attack chrstians without a reson so we should aware the christians that they should respect other relegions too
Peter Henderson, Karachi
