A Christian man in Pakistan was allegedly poisoned and killed by a group of radical Muslims for defending his sister from harassment, which has sparked demands for justice.
Arif Masih, 32, was beaten, kidnapped, poisoned and abandoned on the street in the Muslim-majority Tariqabad village of the Punjab province on 23 May.
Earlier in the week, two young men dragged his sister into the street and stripped her naked after following her home from the store and breaking into the home.
Sources: The Christian Post, Asia News, UCAN
They fought her brother, Arif Masih, who filed a complaint against Muhammad Tariq and Muhammad Majid, the two men who harassed his sister on 20 May. The men were not arrested.
Masih was reportedly threatened for not dropping the complaint and was attacked by the perpetrators three days later. The perpetrators allegedly loaded Masih on their motorcycle, beat him, poisoned him and threw him into the street. He was taken to the hospital but did not survive his injuries.
Pakistani Christians organised a protest to demand justice.
The Pakistani criminal justice system often discriminates against religious, racial and ethnic minorities. False accusations of blasphemy in Pakistan, mainly targeting Christians and other minority faiths, are widespread due to religious hatred. Under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, people accused of insulting Islam or its prophet Muhammad can face life in prison or be sentenced to death. In addition to the nation’s often-abused blasphemy laws, Christian girls are especially at risk of abduction and rape.
Let us pray.
- Pray for justice for the sake of Arif Masih’s family and the local Christian community. Ask the Lord for His protection to be upon the family. Pray too that His ministering Spirit will comfort them in their time of shock and grief, especially his sister.
- Pray for the church in Pakistan, may it be strengthened to withstand the persistent discrimination, bullying and targeted attacks.
- Pray too for the government in Pakistan that they will seek justice and govern with wisdom and compassion.
In Psalm 2Vs10-11 we read, ‘ 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.’ As we are reminded that Jesus will ultimately rule and judge with justice we come to you in humble prayer for justice for the sake of Arif Masih’s family and the local Christian community. We ask you Lord for your protection to be upon the family and we also pray that your ministering Spirit will comfort them in their time of shock and grief, especially his sister. As Psalm 2Vs12d says, ‘Blessed are all who take refuge in him.’ We pray for deep Godly repentance and faith for Muhammad Tariq and Muhammad Majid the perpetrators of these crimes. Open their eyes that they may see the glory fo Christ. As we remember your church in Pakistan, may it be strengthened to withstand the persistent discrimination, bullying and targeted attacks. May your people respond with meekness and humility and be a faithful witness to you. Pour out your grace Lord that millions may come to know and love you. We pray too for the government in Pakistan that they will seek justice and govern with wisdom and compassion. May your hand of blessing be upon Imran Khan and the parliaments and Judiciary of Pakistan for your the God over all. Lord have mercy. All to your glory.
Arif’s family needs help and support from the Christian community. Protect them and minister to their grief after his death.
I pray that Pakistan, as a country, needs to be tolerant towards those of other faith and that discrimination and bullying will cease.
May the Pakistani government make justice and compassion available to all people, including those of the Christian faith.