Home Latest News Christian Couple Killed for ‘Desecrating Quran’

Christian Couple Killed for ‘Desecrating Quran’

by AFP
Ahmad Gharabli—AFP

Ahmad Gharabli—AFP

Muslim mob beat the married couple to death before throwing their bodies into a kiln.

An enraged Muslim mob beat a Christian couple to death in Pakistan’s Punjab province, and burnt their bodies in the brick kiln where they worked on Tuesday for allegedly desecrating a Quran, police said.

The incident took place in the town of Kot Radha Kishan, in Punjab province, and is the latest example of mob violence against minorities accused of blasphemy.

“A mob attacked a Christian couple after accusing them of desecration of the holy Quran and later burnt their bodies at a brick kiln where they worked,” said local police station official Bin-Yameen. “Yesterday an incident of desecration of the holy Quran took place in the area and today the mob first beat the couple and later set their bodies on fire at a brick kiln,” he added.

Another police official confirmed the incident. The victims were identified as Shama Bibi and Shehzad Masih and were a married couple.

Pakistan’s brick kiln workers are often subject to harsh practices, with a study by the Bonded Labor Liberation Front Pakistan estimating that 4.5 million are indentured laborers.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif set up a three-member committee to fast track the investigation of the killings and ordered police to beef up security at Christian neighborhoods in the province, according to an official from his media office.

Local media reported that the couple had been accused of blasphemy by their employer, Yousaf Gujjar, after they were unable to repay money he had lent them.

Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in Pakistan, with even unproven allegations often prompting mob violence. Anyone convicted, or even just accused, of insulting Islam risks a violent and bloody death at the hands of vigilantes.

A Christian woman has been on death row since November 2010 after she was found guilty of making derogatory remarks about Islam’s Prophet during an argument with a Muslim woman. An elderly British man with severe mental illness, sentenced to death for blasphemy in January, was shot by a prison guard last month. An internal investigation has found that the guard had been radicalized and goaded into the shooting by Mumtaz Qadri, a police bodyguard who murdered the Punjab governor in 2011 for suggesting reform of the blasphemy laws.

Global rights watchdog Amnesty International urged the Pakistani authorities to bring to justice those responsible for the latest killing. “This vicious mob killing is just the latest manifestation of the threat of vigilante violence which anyone can face in Pakistan after a blasphemy accusation—although religious minorities are disproportionately vulnerable,” said David Griffiths, Amnesty International’s deputy Asia Pacific director. “Those responsible must be brought to justice and the Pakistani authorities have to ensure at-risk communities are proactively given the protection they need.”

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6 comments

omar November 5, 2014 - 3:41 pm

catch the culprits and hang them within a week to set an example

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umar bulbul November 5, 2014 - 5:42 pm

Omar bhai rahay do, lassie piyo

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Ahsan November 5, 2014 - 7:43 pm

I don’t know what it is! But I am sure as hell this ain’t ISLAM!

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Sana November 6, 2014 - 10:50 pm

May ALLAH do the justice.. Ameen
This isnt Islam.. For ALLAH’S sake we have to follow the law. Why we judge people and punish them. We have no right to do so. Matter of shame for muslim community. ..

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Shaheen November 7, 2014 - 6:08 pm

No one can accept disrespect to the religion they follow, whether it’s the QURAN IN ISLAM the religion I follow, or the prophets in islaam, because Islam is a peaceful religion, it teaches love nd care and respect each other, no matter what your beliefs are, the couple that burnt the holy book the QURAN have indeed wronged themselves, I believe it shouldn’t of lead to killing em, cause the almighty is aware of everything, there should of been some other form of punishment,. But everyone has their own opinions. I am sure no one would tolerate disrespect to their religion or their holy books such as the BIBLE, ETC. So please I request do not disrespect each others religion and get on as a community. MAKE PEACE.

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Mushtaq Dean November 19, 2014 - 2:26 pm

Murder of Christian couple in Pakistan

The report of murder of Christian couple, labor at brick kiln, by unruly crowd has been circulated worldwide through national and international print and electronic media. The incident is said to be a result of blasphemous act that the couple had committed.

It is grumbled that the blasphemous act, in many cases, is misused by powerful and influential persons when they want to settle their account with their foes who happen to be weak and feebly settled in society.

The affected rather ruined family is grateful to those who shared with them their irreparable loss through words of sympathy. The message becomes more comforting, solicitous and consoling when we see it coming from a distinguished people including Ex-president Zardari, MQM chief Altaf Hussain, Chief of Islamic Counsil Moulana Tahir Ashrafi, MNAS, MPAS and many other renowned Islamic scholars.

Thankfully, in such a disastrous situation, we have a sensitive and responsible government. Chief Minister, Shahbaz Shrif, reputed for his alertness towards the administration, went into spontaneous action. He has established a high powered inquiring squad, has granted prodigious amount of money for the distressed folks.

Such timely, caring and generous attitude will not sooth the wounds of wounded only but also win applause and admiration from all quarters, in particular from the minorities.

Prime Minister, Mr Nawaz Shrif, is equally watchful of the incident taking keen interest. Many anxiously waiting for the outcome of the inquiry wishing the result to be full of retribution for the criminals.

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