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CONTACT:
Jeremy Sewall, Advocacy Director
1-800-422-5441, jeremy@www.persecution.org

Pakistanis Beat Co-worker after Discovering He is a Christian

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 23, 2009) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a young man from Pakistan was beaten by his co-workers after they learned that he was a Christian.

Fourteen-year-old Arfan Sohail had been working at a small general store in Lahore for only two weeks. The owner of the store – who knew of Arfan’s faith – was not present when an argument started between Arfan and his coworkers about the United States and Pakistan.

While arguing, Arfan said that Pakistan had several strategic weaknesses, even though several countries, such as the U.S., were providing support with money and equipment.

His co-workers, Muhammad Bismillah Khan and Muhammad Shahzad Khan, argued that the U.S. was weakening Pakistan and is an enemy.

Arfan countered by explaining that the U.S. is Pakistan’s “sincere friend,” and “has always helped us.”

This angered Bismillah and Shahzad, who accused him of “defending America” and “speaking against Islam,” and then asked him if he was a Christian.

“Yes,” Arfan responded.

Enraged, they brutally beat Arfan, dragged him out of the store and left him in the street. Arfan was taken to a hospital and is now recovering at home. After visiting Arfan at the hospital, ICC’s correspondent remarked, “The physical wounds have caused him deep emotional distress.”

Arfan has not informed the police about the attack because Muhammad Bismillah Khan and Muhammad Shahzad Khan threatened to kill him and his family if the authorities were told.

Jeremy Sewall, ICC’s Advocacy Director, said, “This is an outrageous example of the discrimination Christians face every day in Pakistan. The fact that a Christian could be beaten simply for acknowledging his faith shows that the Pakistani government is not doing enough to uphold its international commitment to freedom of religion. Please pray for this young man, that he recovers quickly from his emotional and physical wounds.”

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ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

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