[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”118683″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]10/05/2020 Washington, D.C. (International Christian Concern) – In 2011, local fundamentalist Muslims falsely accused John Masih of committing blasphemy against Islam. The allegation led to John spending two years in a Pakistani prison until the court found him innocent.
Blasphemy is a serious offense. Anyone accused of blasphemy, with or without evidence of the crime, decimates the family reputation, business dealings, social network, etc. John told ICC, “In Pakistan, once you are accused of committing blasphemy against Islam, it stays with you your entire life, even if the courts find the person innocent.”
A once famous carpenter in his town suddenly found himself isolated and stigmatized. Families in Pakistan who experience blasphemy accusations hardly survive in society; they go for asylum, into hiding, or change their names, profession, forced to leave behind relatives.
Discover what happened next on Hope and a Future: Part 2 Thursday.
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For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org
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