Christian family in Pakistan attacked by angry mob

A Christian was brutally beaten after being falsely accused of burning pages of the Koran. A fanatical mob destroyed his home and business. The victim is in hospital and in critical condition.

A Christian family in Pakistan was violently attacked by an angry Muslim mob on May 25 after being falsely accused of blasphemy.

According to information from the aid organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), this accusation triggered a new wave of terror against Christians.

Nazir Gill Masih, owner of a shoe factory in Sargodha, Pakistan, was beaten after being accused of burning pages of the Quran. Between seven and eight in the morning, a mob attacked the family, looting and burning their factory and house. Although ten family members managed to escape, Masih was seriously injured before police arrived and pulled him out of the mob’s cover. He was taken to hospital for urgent medical attention.

Naeem Yousaf Gill, executive director of the National Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, told ACN the attacks were likely motivated by business rivalries and personal disputes. “The final reasons will become clearer after an investigation,” he said.

Archbishop of Islamabad-Rawalpindi Joseph Arshad visited Sargodha on the day of the attack. “I was shocked and very saddened when I learned about the violence. This incident was inhumane. I immediately went to Sargodha because it is in my diocese and I had to be with my people, encourage them and my priests and talk to the administration to see if they are conducting a fair investigation,” he told ACN.

In a phone call to ACN, he urged the government to take strict measures against extremist violence and ensure the safety of the Christian community. “No one should take the law into their own hands and that is exactly what is happening in Pakistan. They should take measures to ensure that such incidents cannot happen again,” he said.

The Catholic religious leader said: “The situation is now under control, but the Christian population is still living in fear. Most of them have gone to live with relatives. Caritas will be there for them if they need support.”

Various sources confirmed to ACN that Masih is in critical condition in intensive care. The aid organization was sent brutal pictures and videos showing an elderly man covered in blood and unconscious. “Another man who tried to save Mr. was also beaten by the mob,” Gill said. “The rest of the family was not injured and is now in police custody,” Gill said.

Blasphemy is a capital crime in Pakistan and is punishable by death or life imprisonment. However, blasphemy charges are often made based on false accusations and mobs take matters into their own hands and are ready to lynch the suspects.

Professor Shadid Mobeen, author of the ACN report “Religious Freedom in the World” and nephew of the victim, confirmed the incident and Nazir’s critical condition. He told ACN: “The role of the international community and the media is crucial in putting pressure on Pakistan to protect its religious minorities from extremist mindsets.”

ACN strongly condemns this violence against the Christian community. The organization stands in solidarity with the affected family and all Christians in Pakistan.

This attack is reminiscent of the Jaranwala riots that began on August 16, 2023, following another false accusation of blasphemy. Rumors that two brothers had disrespected the Quran began to spread. Mobs then began attacking Christians, their homes and places of worship.

—Maria Lozano