A Christian man in Allumahar, Sialkot was beaten and insulted before his village, after he accepted Islam and then returned to Christianity after marrying a woman.
The video shared violent footage of a Muslim man shouting and beating a man on knees with his hands tied behind his back.
Converting from Islam is not a crime in Pakistan, but local authorities have taken no action against any of the men who tied the Christian up and beat him publicly.
A large mob of Muslims watched unflinching as the perpetrator of the beating to the Christian hit his back with a chapple (sandal) as forcefully as possible.
Translation of video:
“Tell me!
“You became a Muslim.
“Did you become a Muslim back then or not.
“What did you say back then? That I want to become a solid Muslim.
“You read the Kalma (oath to be a Muslim) and now you have forgotten it!
“I will not spare any man who films this on his mobile.”
A violent attack on a Christian man with his hands tied behind his back, receiving blows from an irate Muslim using a chapple (sandal), was filmed; went viral on Tuesday 25th April 2023.
In the footage a Muslim man named Muhammad Ismail can be seen battering and insulting the beleaguered, tied up Christian, Sikander William, who had has his hands tied behind him and is bent on his knees.
Patras Masih Sahotra chairman of Sahotra TV, spoke with BACA about the event, he said:
“Sikander William (25 yrs) eloped to Karachi with a Muslim woman who was also 25 yrs old three months ago.
“To get married he ostensibly converted to Islam; then he returned home a few days later.
“At some point he openly acknowledged he was still a Christian and local Muslims found out.
“On 23rd April a number of Muslims ambushed while he was walking home on his road.
“A man named Muhammed Ismail coordinated the attack, oversaw Sikander being tied up and began physically and verbally abusing him.”
Mr Sahotra, confirmed that Mr William’s wife is still with him and still lives at home with his family. Initially, when police were notified, they refused to log a crime.
As the video gained momentum, the Christian community protested on social media over the explicit inhuman treatment of Mr William. A call made was made to the police andl on 24th April, officer from Motra Police Station arrested Mr Ismail, who confessed his crime under police interrogation. The police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Mr Ismail with charges under 342 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). But they seem seem intent on presiding over a compromise decision.
| 342. | Punishment for wrongful confinement: Whoever wrongfully confines any person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for, a term, which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to 139[three thousand rupees] 139 or with both. |
Police are refusing to charge the man for his violent conduct a crime which would have a stiffer penalty. Wrongful confinement has a maximum sentence of a year and/or fine of 3000 rupees (£8.75). This is hardly a deterrent.
The family of Mr William have spoken with BACA and will be meeting with our officers tomorrow. The family are facing severe threats from the whole of the local Muslim community and police are taking little interest in developing their case, despite strong evidence. We are going to offer a safehouse and a solicitor for the family if we raise enough funds to do this. We need to raise £1500 for a solicitor and a safe house will cost £200 a month. If you want to contribute to this fund please donate to our Advocacy for Christians fund or our Safe Houses for Christians fund. You can donate (here)
