Pasrur, November 9, 2023 - In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the international community, a Christian teenager, Farhan Noor Al Qamar, aged 17, was brutally murdered in Talwandi Inayat Khan Bajwa, Tehsil Pasrur, District Sialkot, on November 9, 2023. The young boy's life was tragically cut short because he had reportedly expressed support for Israel on social media.
The incident comes in the wake of escalating religious tensions in the area. Just days prior, an attempt had been made to take the lives of two other Christina boys, Aqib Javed and Asher Javed, in the same village. What's even more troubling is that Javed Masih, the father of Aqib Javed, was unlawfully detained at a local police station for an astonishing ten days. His only alleged crime was advocating for Israel.
The situation took a sinister turn when local clerics, identified by their green turbans, issued threats of violence. They not only targeted Farhan Noor Al Qamar but also took the brazen step of pelting stones and bricks at the door of Pastor Zia Qamar's residence. Their warning was clear: any Christian males returning to the village would face grave consequences.
The Christian community in Punjab is now living in fear and feeling increasingly marginalized. They express deep concerns about their safety and criticize the government for its perceived failure to protect religious minorities. In the aftermath of the murder, the assailant was reported to have shouted "Allahu Akbar."
This horrifying incident highlights the precarious position of religious minorities in Pakistan, where voicing opinions that differ from the majority can lead to tragic consequences. International observers are calling for a thorough investigation into the murder and increased measures to protect minority rights in the country.
