Release International

A large mob attacked a Christian man and his family in Islamabad following allegations of blasphemy over a remark he made about an Islamic festival.

The trouble started when Shumail Aleem, 32, who suffers from schizophrenia, commented to another Christian that film channels were not being shown on a general store's TV because Muslims were observing Yom-e-Ashura. This is when Shiite Muslims mourn the death of the grandson of Islam's prophet Mohammed. Hearing Shumail's comment, the shopkeeper beat him and accused him of blaspheming Mohammed's grandson.

On his return home, Shumail's neighbours told him that the police were looking for him. When he went to the police station with several relatives to clear his name, a 100-strong angry mob quickly gathered.

The mob proceeded to beat Shumail, his parents, his aunt and his brother Shazir. Shumail's sister was hit on the head with an iron rod and had her leg broken as she lay unconscious. Shazir's infant daughter was thrown to the ground, though was not seriously hurt. The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, an associate ministry of Release, reports that members of the mob bribed police to persuade Shumail's family not to press charges.

(Sources: Compass Direct, VOM Canada)

• Pray for emotional and spiritual healing for Shumail and his whole family.
• Pray that officials will seek and uphold justice for this Christian family.

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