Pakistan: Muslim Teachers Accused of Beating a Student
Oct 24 2006
Postings >> Pakistan

Muslim teachers are accused of beating a Christian teenager because she refused to remove a cross from her neck.

Kiran Shahzadi, 15, was reportedly beaten and dragged before the headteacher at the Government Girls High School in Kasur, near Lahore, after refusing a teacher's demand to take off her crucifix. The All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) claims that the school principal also beat Kiran then 'pulled the cross from her neck and threw it in the dust bin'. Kiran was then forced to 'stand in the scorching heat of the sun for several hours without water'. The school has not yet commented on the incident.

Shahbaz Bhatti, chair of the APMA, a respected advocacy group, claims that Kiran's family have been told she will be expelled if they go to the police.

Discrimination against the Christian minority is endemic in government schools, claims APMA. 'Muslim students can freely read their Holy Quran (...) but it is not tolerated that Christians students wear a cross or profess their religion,' said Mr Bhatti.

• Pray for emotional and physical healing for Kiran -- and thank God for her courage in defending her faith in Christ.
• Pray that Kiran's classmates would be challenged by her powerful witness.