Rashid and Sajjid Masih unjustly accused of blasphemy have been shot dead!

A dark day for justice.

Rashid Masih and Sajjid Masih who were accused for blasphemy on1st July 2010 have
been shot outside Faisalabad court moments ago by unknown marksman.  Sources say one of them immediately lost his life.

Two Christians in Faisalabad facing blasphemy charges were murdered outside court today. The killing was extra judicial and Pakistan's mainstream media has yet to report it.


A large number of Christians have fled Waris Pura, on the outskirts of Faisalabad, fearing violence, after Muslims launched a protest action that started at a local mosque after Friday prayers. 

The risk of attacks against Christians and their property is very high, a source in Faisalabad told AsiaNews, choosing anonymity for security reasons. Yesterday, hundreds of Islamic militants joined a protest march, calling for the death of two Christian brothers accused of blasphemy. During the procession, the mob stoned a Catholic church. An alleged booklet with offensive words about Prophet Muhammad is the reason for the rising tensions.

Rashid Emmanuel, 32 and Sajid Masih, 30, had been running “United Ministries Pakistan” for the last two years in Daudnagar near the Warispura Christian colony of Faisalabad.

The pair was accused by Khurram Shahzad, on 1st July 2010 by a Muslim man, allegedly for pasting blasphemous posters in a truck station in Faisalabad.

Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid Masih received a phone call a week ago. The caller told them that he would like to meet them in connection with their ministry’s website.

When Rashid went to meet the caller at the nearby railway station, the appointed venue of the meeting, the police were already there waiting for him.

The police had taken Rashid to the local police station and he was later charged with committing blasphemy against the prophet Muhammad.

When Sajid, Rashid’s brother, went to tell the police that his brother was innocent, he too was arrested by the police.