Source: CLAAS-UK, Aid to the Church in Need, UCA News, Morning Star News Written by: Voice of the Martyrs Canada
A 22-year-old Christian man was brutally attacked by his supervisor at a paper mill in Sharaqpur, Punjab, when he refused to renounce his faith in Christ. Having sustained severe injuries to his throat on 21 March, Waqas Masih was hospitalised in Lahore where his condition has been reported as critical but stable.
According to the young man's father, Waqas encountered pressure to convert to Islam for over a month. Throughout this time, he repeatedly refused to give up his Christian faith and continued to quietly perform his work duties. "Muslims often invite Christians to [convert to] Islam, and we simply don't respond," stated Waqas' mother, Bushra Bibi.
On the day of the attack, a supervisor named Zohaib Iftikhar called Waqas into a room at the mill. While there, he demanded to know why the Christian Believer refused to accept Islam. When Waqas stood firmly for his beliefs, Zohaib pulled out a utility knife and slashed the young man's neck before fleeing the scene.
After collapsing, Waqas was rushed to a local hospital and then transferred to Lahore for surgery. When the attacked Believer later regained consciousness, he was able to write a statement explaining that he had been falsely accused of desecrating an Islamic textbook by touching it with "unclean" hands (a term often used in Pakistan to reference those belonging to other religious groups). Following the violent incident, the manager of the factory filed a police report, and Zohaib has since been arrested. The factory owner denies that there was any desecration of Islamic texts or photographs.
Pray for Waqas' complete physical healing, also asking that this faithful young man and his family would tangibly sense our Heavenly Father's peace, love and comforting presence with them.
In the aftermath of the attack, prayerfully ask God to guide the authorities in their investigation so that justice will be upheld.
Continue to remember Christians throughout this nation who have been falsely accused of blasphemy, praying that these traumatized Believers will receive needed support, protection and emotional healing.
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