Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – Arif Masih, Christian of 40 years, from the village of Chak Jhumra, in Faisalabad, who was arrested on 5 April for blasphemy “needs protection because his life is in serious danger,” says the Masihi Foundation to Fides, which has assumed defence of Arif and protection for his family. “In that area of Punjab there has been 45 recorded cases of blasphemy. 43 of those have been killed outside the law, some even before being indicted for blasphemy. Just two of the accused are currently in jail and Arif is the 46th case,” says the Foundation.
The case of Arif was referred to Fides by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Diocese of Faisalabad, and then taken up by the equivalent commission of the Pakistani Episcopal Conference, which has registered it under their list of “falsely accused”. Arif is accused of having ripped pages from the Koran and writing threatening letters to Muslims to convert to Christianity. Currently, say police, he is in hiding. Sources of Fides there say that the situation is very tense and his case is causing fear among Christians and rising resentment from local Muslims which could result in open conflict. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/4/2011)
