Christian Man Assaulted and Subjected to Threats of Violence Over Refusal to Convert to Islam

Christian Man Faces Persistent Threats and Assaults Over Faith in Gujranwala

Rehmat Masih, a devout Christian residing in Sallar village, Gujranwala, is enduring ongoing threats of violence, including the threat of death, if he refuses to convert to Islam.

Masih shoulders the responsibility of caring for his eight children, comprising six daughters and two sons. Two of his daughters are coping with mental health challenges, while another has been tragically subjected to a recent incident of sexual assault, which regrettably did not result in justice being served.

However, Masih is now confronted with a fresh predicament. His association with matrimonial matchmakers has brought him into an unsettling encounter with some Muslim youths, specifically Sufyan and his acquaintances from the same village, who hail from influential families.

During a chance encounter, these individuals confronted Masih and began mistreating him, demanding that he facilitate introductions to prospective girls due to his connections within the matchmaking industry. Despite Masih’s pleas for them to desist, the situation escalated, with threats of making his life and his family’s existence a living hell should he not comply.

On another occasion, they cornered Masih once more, reproaching him for not complying with their prior demands. Masih, steadfast in his faith and principles, reiterated his refusal to engage in such activities and beseeched them to cease their intimidation.

Amidst a heated exchange, one of the youths issued a chilling ultimatum, demanding Masih’s conversion to Islam. Another declared that not only he but his entire family must embrace Islam to continue residing in the village, with ominous implications regarding the safety of their daughters should they decline. The confrontation escalated into physical violence, with Masih enduring a harrowing assault. The assailants departed, leaving behind a stark warning for him to communicate his decision before it became irreversible.

Deeply shaken by the incident, Masih returned home and shared the distressing details with his family, evoking widespread concern. Seeking recourse, his wife attempted to address the issue with the youths’ families, only to be met with derogatory slurs and an outright dismissal of her grievances.

Days later, Haroon Masih, one of Rehmat Masih’s sons, encountered the same group of youths who inquired about the family’s stance on conversion to Islam and renewed their threats. Haroon’s report of this unsettling encounter added to the family’s distress, but they found themselves caught in a quandary about how to resolve the escalating situation.

Fearful of exacerbating the situation further, they refrained from involving the police, fearing retaliation. However, two weeks later, Rehmat Masih received an unexpected call from an unidentified number, inquiring about his matrimonial services and requesting an in-person meeting. Believing it to be a potential customer, he ventured out but did not return home that night.

Growing increasingly concerned, his family reported him missing to the Saddar Police station. On their way home from the station, Haroon Masih chanced upon his father at a CNG/petrol station, where he was being brutally beaten by the same group of assailants. Haroon intervened to rescue his father, and the assailants falsely accused Rehmat Masih of attempted robbery, continuing to assault him until a bystander intervened.

In a desperate bid for justice, the family turned to the police, recounting the entire ordeal and displaying the injuries sustained by Rehmat Masih. Tragically, the police declined to take action against the perpetrators, citing their wealth and influence.

Haroon expressed their profound sense of helplessness, remarking, “We are feeling very helpless and don’t know what to do and where to go for help.”

Prominent journalist and activist Saleem Iqbal, alongside another activist named Mubarak, has tirelessly advocated for their cause, alerting regional and higher-ranking police officers to the situation. Regrettably, no concrete action has been taken thus far.

Rehmat Masih, tearfully pleading for assistance, implored, “I don’t know what wrong I have done. It is not a sin to be a Christian. Why are they asking me to convert to Islam? I am Pakistani too, and I have the right to live in this country peacefully, practicing my religion freely. I appeal to the Chief Minister and all other authorities to show mercy upon me, rescue me and my family, and take decisive action against these perpetrators before it’s too late. My family lives in perpetual fear, and as a humble man with a large family, including two disabled daughters, I have nowhere else to turn. Please help me.”