Pakistan: Hospital Forces Christian Staff to Attend Quran Readings

Veronica Neffinger | iBelieve Contributor | Updated: May 05, 2017

Pakistan: Hospital Forces Christian Staff to Attend Quran Readings

Christian workers at a Pakistani hospital are reportedly being forced to attend morning readings of the Quran, and one worker was even physically abused for refusing to attend.

Christian Today reports that Christians who are on staff at Mian Mir Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan were told they had to attend Quran readings, and when one Christian paramedic refused, he was reportedly slapped by Dr. Muhammad Safraz, the hospital’s superintendent.

Another doctor testified to this incident: “Such behavior is embarrassing for all hospital staff, the discrimination is not only limited to this incident; we are witnessing discrimination against Christians staff members daily.”

Another hospital paramedic--a Muslim--condemned the discrimination: “I don't know why the administration is forcing our Christian brothers to do this. This is totally unacceptable.”

Those who refuse to attend the meetings are regularly marked as absent from work and end up not being paid.

Christians, who make up only 1.6 percent of Pakistan’s population, are often discriminated against by Muslims who are the majority in Pakistan. Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws are also often used by Muslims to target Christians.

“The issue of Mian Mir hospital is just a small manifestation and also serves as an alarm bell,” said a senior law enforcement official who asked to remain anonymous.

 

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: May 5, 2017 



Pakistan: Hospital Forces Christian Staff to Attend Quran Readings