Justice for Saddique: Christian Murdered in Pakistan Over Cup of Water

Leave the cup, you filthy Christian; this cup is for Muslims.    

That’s what Muhammad Ahmad told Saddique Masih, a Christian father of four, moments before slitting his throat with a knife. Saddique died on the spot.

Saddique worked at a brick kiln earning daily wages hauling bricks on his small three-wheel truck. On June 22, he went to the brick kiln as usual to pick up a load of bricks to deliver when an argument broke out between him and two Muslim workers over who should make the pickup.

The two men assaulted him, but the dispute seemed to settle, and everyone returned to work. Later that day, Saddique approached the community water dispenser to get a drink. As he reached for a cup, Ahmad stopped him with the slur – and moments later, took his life.

Saddique left behind a grieving wife, two daughters (13 and 4), and two sons (12 and 10). One of whom suffers from a liver disease and requires regular medical treatment.

Local police have arrested Muhammad Ahmad and filed murder charges against him. Senior police officials visited the crime scene, and a forensic team has collected evidence, including recovering the murder weapon from Ahmad. Yet, while Ahmad sits in prison, he’s being hailed on social media as “the killer of a blasphemer” – branding Saddique himself as the blasphemer.

We have previously witnessed other Pakistani Christians who faced similar situations. One of those was Asia Bibi. She had been accused of speaking disparagingly about the Prophet Muhammad, but her real crime was that co-workers believed Asia had made the water ceremonially unclean by drinking from the same cup. She was then falsely accused of committing blasphemy. Asia spent years in jail but was fortunate enough to be acquitted by the Supreme Court; Saddique was not so fortunate.

We have previously written about the hardships Pakistani Christians face performing bonded labor at brick kilns and farms, and we’re grateful our international affiliate in Pakistan, the Organization for Legal Aid (OLA), has helped rescue families from years of debt bondage.

Now OLA has taken on Saddique’s case. Our attorneys have visited the grieving family, the crime scene, and met with police. In Pakistan, a victim’s private lawyer carries out much of the prosecutor’s work – presenting evidence and cross-examining witnesses – and that is the role our team will play.

We will keep you informed as the case progresses – please keep the victim’s family and our team in your prayers. And join us in the defense of Pakistani Christians – sign our petition.