08/07/2018 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – On August 2, Vishal Masih, an 18-year-old Pakistani Christian, was severely beaten by a group of Muslims after winning an arm wrestling match in Nabipur village. Located in Sheikhupura District, 27 miles away from Lahore, Nabipur has become the latest site of religiously motivated violence in Pakistan.

Waris Masih, Vishal’s cousin, described the violent incident to International Christian Concern (ICC) days after it occurred. A day before the incident, Vishal was reportedly involved in an arm wrestling match with a Muslim boy who belongs to the influential family of Wirk Jutt.

Vishal defeated the Muslim boy several times which infuriated his opponent. During the match, the Muslim opponent began to verbally abuse Vishal and insulted the Christian community as a whole, saying, “How could a man of a dirty community defeat me?” He continued, “A Choora (Untouchable) defeats a Muslim is unbearable, I will teach him a lesson.”

Following the match, while Vishal was on his way home, a gang of over a dozen young Muslims followed him and attacked. The gang brutally beat Vishal, attacked his family’s house, and beat his family members.

Local elders tried to intervene and resolve the issue, but, after a short period of time, another gang led by Khalaq Wirk, Hassnain Wirk, and Mehboob Alam assaulted Vishal again. Waris told ICC that although Vishal survived the attack, it was as if they left him for dead.