Brothers Arrested for Blasphemy in Pakistan
On August 27, 2024, two Christian brothers, Tabish Shahid and Kalu Shahid, were arrested in Kalay Wala Tehsil, Kasur District, Punjab Province, Pakistan. The 18-year-old brothers were accused of blasphemy after allegedly desecrating pages of the Quran. The charges stemmed from a complaint by Ghulam Mustafa, a local Muslim who claimed the brothers tore Quranic pages during a village fair while making TikTok videos.
Illiteracy and Ignorance Lead to Accusations
Sajid Christopher of the Human Friends Organization clarified that the brothers, who are illiterate, likely did not realize the significance of the papers they tore. The family, living in poverty, surrendered the boys to police after authorities detained their mother and uncle. Christopher emphasized the need to educate illiterate Christians about the dangers of blasphemy accusations, which often arise from misunderstandings.
Community Tensions and Legal Support
Following the arrest, some Christian families in the village fled in fear of violence. The brothers’ defense is being handled by a Muslim lawyer, Chaudhry Imtiaz, with support from the Human Friends Organization. The situation echoes a recent case in Jaranwala Tehsil, where false blasphemy accusations led to mob violence against Christians.
Widespread Abuse of Blasphemy Laws
The Center for Social Justice reports that blasphemy laws in Pakistan are often misused, with nearly 3,000 accusations since 1987. Hundreds remain incarcerated under these charges, particularly in Punjab Province. Pakistan ranks seventh on Open Doors’ World Watch List for the persecution of Christians.
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Poor Christian Brothers Charged with Blasphemy in Pakistan
Image: Wikimedia
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