The Methodist Church of Pakistan’s Pastor Adnan and two others have been charged of blasphemy as they allegedly uttering derogatory remarks about Islam. Pastor Adnan, Irfan and Mushtaq Masih have been accused of writing and pronouncing derogatory remarks about Islam while talking about the text “Why have we become Muslims” written by Maulana Ameer Hamza, a prominent leader of an extremist organization.
The complainant Abid Mehmood has thus accused the three of having written and uttered derogatory remarks about Islam saying, “the episode of blasphemy took place on October 8th in Mushtaq Masih’s shop, situated in the neighborhood of “Lala zar Colony”, in Lahore.”
The pastor, Adnan Masih, is accused of writing derogatory remarks in a book about Islam; he is currently on the run from authorities, Mushtaq Masih, the owner of the bookstore in which the alleged blasphemy took place, and Irfan Masih, Pastor Adnan’s brother, have also been arrested and charged.
The three persons his mother her sister and his uncle Pastor Kamran (brother of his Mother) Executive Member of the Methodist Church of Pakistan have also been unlawful arrested by the police.
The World Methodist Council asks that the member churches stand in solidarity with the Methodist Church of Pakistan and lift the pastors, families and parishioners of these churches in prayer. Promoting understanding with all faiths is a core principal of the Council, and we pray that those in power in Pakistan stop the religious persecution of Christians.
