Yet, Ministry Warns, Acquitted Ex-Prisoner May Still Be in Danger from Muslim Terrorists
(AgapePress) - A Christian accused of blasphemy has been released after years in a Pakistani prison. Five years ago Parvez Masih was running a private middle school comprised of Christian and Muslim students near Lahore, Pakistan, when he was arrested and jailed on false charges of blaspheming the prophet Muhammad.
Muslims who ran a rival school reportedly became jealous of the success of Masih's facility, Iqbal Memorial School, and a teacher at the Muslim school is believed to have instigated the accusations against the Christian educator. It was shortly after he responded factually to some of his Muslim students -- who asked him if Muhammad truly had a nine-year-old wife -- that Masih was arrested and charged with blasphemy.
Todd Nettleton is a spokesman with Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), a ministry to the persecuted Church. He notes that in Pakistan, an accusation of blasphemy, even without evidence, is enough to land a believer in jail. "Often, blasphemy charges are used as a way to settle disputes," Nettleton says, "even a property dispute, or even an argument. If you accuse the Christian of blasphemy, he is arrested."
According to VOM reports, the Christian school leader was arrested on April 1, 2001, and was soon thereafter taken to a nearby river, where his captors demanded at gunpoint that he deny his faith in Jesus. However, despite being subjected to violence and threats, Masih refused. And later, after the Christian man was jailed, several of his cellmates repeatedly fought with him, and he suffered three separate police beatings as well.
During the years of Masih's imprisonment, VOM has been helping to support him as well as his family members, who have run the Christian school in his absence. The financial hardship during his incarceration has not only put a strain on the jailed headmaster's family but has also hurt the school, causing its enrollment to drop from 150 students in 2004 to 70 in 2005.
But finally, after years of inhumane treatment, threats, beatings and trials, Masih was found not guilty of violating Pakistan's Law 295C -- blaspheming the prophet Muhammad -- and was released. However, Nettleton says the former captive is not out of danger.
"We have heard stories in Pakistan before," the VOM spokesman says, "of Christians being set free from prison only to be gunned down in the streets. And so there is still a need for us to pray for Parvez Masih and his family, that God will watch over them, as he is now a free man."
VOM's monthly assistance to the family went to help pay for Masih’s medicine, clothing and food expenses in jail, as well as to help his family members travel to court hearings and meet other financial needs.
Voice of the Martyrs has asked its supporters to consider donating to the ministry on behalf of Masih and his family. A statement on the VOM website also calls on supporters to "join us in thanking the Lord" for Masih's release and to continue praying for him as he readjusts to life outside of prison.
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