Defending Christian Man Beaten, Shot by Muslim Attackers in Pakistan

By 

Shaheryar Gill

|
June 28, 2016

4 min read

Persecuted Church

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On June 16, 2016, Jurra Masih, a Pakistani Christian, was beaten, shot, and his property was set on fire by Muslims because of a dispute originating from the profits of their co-run business. Upon leaving, the Muslims threatened to inflict more harm on the family if the Christians continued to demand their rightful share of the business earnings.

Our international affiliate, the European Center for Law and Justice’s (ECLJ) office in Pakistan, the Organization for Legal Aid (OLA), received word from the family, detailing how they were assaulted and immediately dispatched a team to determine the facts of the case.

According to eyewitness accounts, Jurra Masih had agreed to invest in a carrot selling business with Hameed Sattar and Hanif Sattar. Shortly after, Jurra’s son, Asif Masih, sold a bike to Hanif’s cousin, Muhammed Naveed. Naveed paid half of the amount upon receiving the bike, but later refused to pay the rest. Hanif noticed that his cousin had been able to obtain what he wanted for paying less than was required and soon began withholding Jurra’s share of the earnings from the carrot business.

Unfortunately, in addition to outright persecution, often religious minorities are taken advantage of in Pakistan because of their lower social status and lack of resources to obtain justice.

The whole situation first erupted on June 8, 2016 when Jurra and Asif were working the fields. They spotted Naveed and Hameed walking by and confronted the two about the missed payments, prompting a verbal altercation. The situation finally escalated when Naveed grabbed an iron rod and began beating the Christian man, Jurra. Soon after the village elders were summoned to break up the fight and resolve the matter. Both parties agreed to put the matter behind them. Eight days later the two parties reached the boiling point.

On June 16, 2016, Jurra and Asif were once again working the fields when Naveed walked by. Jurra once again asked him to pay his debt, prompting Naveed to begin insulting the Christians, starting yet another fight. Once again the elders were called and resolved the issue as they had previously. While walking home from the meeting at 12:30 a.m. on June 17, 2016, Jurra and Asif spotted some men outside their home. Jurra told Asif to run and gather the village elders and ask for their assistance. Jurra walked home, in spite of the danger, and watched until 1:30 a.m. when Naveed, Hanif, Hameed, and some of their friends broke down Jurra’s door and began attacking Jurra and his family. During the scuffle, the Muslims set a donkey cart on fire and Hanif fired a gun at Jurra, hitting his right hand. The Muslims attempted to push the Christians into the fire but were unable. Eventually, the Muslims left the Christians battered and bruised threatening further attacks if the Christians continued to demand their dues.

On June 18, 2016, our OLA team went to the office of the District Police Officer (DPO) because the local officials refused to register the case due to the widespread corruption in the police department and the Muslim family’s influence. The DPO then ordered the local officials to register the case against the Muslims. The First Information Report was filed against the Muslims under charges of rioting with a deadly weapon, assault against women, trespassing with the intent to injure, and causing property damage.

Our OLA team is requesting another medical examination of the victims’ injuries because the earlier medical report is biased and does not state all the injuries. We are also preparing to contest the defendant’s bail in the court. The OLA will continue to represent Jurra and his Christian family, and we will post updates as the case progresses.