Twin brothers, both Christians, were arrested and charged with “blasphemy” in Punjab province, Pakistan, on August 27.
The 18-year-old brothers Kalu (also known as Yeshua) and Tabish, from the village of Kale Wala in Kasur District, are accused of desecrating the Quran at an annual festival the previous evening.
As part of the festival, the crowd threw torn pieces of paper into the air. It is alleged that the papers thrown by Kalu and Tabish contained verses from the Quran.
Kasur city, the administrative centre of Kasur District. [Image credit: Zachary Williams]
Ghulam Mustafa Dogar, a local Muslim farmer, filed the complaint to police. Mustafa claimed that several villagers witnessed the twins’ actions, collected the scattered pieces, and discovered the verses.
The incident report was registered under Section 295-B of the Pakistan Penal Code, which relates to the “wilful defilement, damage or desecration of the Quran” and carries a potential punishment of life imprisonment.
Sources close to the family affirm that Kalu and Tabish are illiterate, and did not know that the paper they tore and threw was anything other than waste paper.
The arrest of the two brothers has caused local Christians to fear for their safety. Several Christian families have reportedly fled their homes, fearing violence from Islamist extremists.
Accusations of “blasphemy” against Christians or other religious minorities in Pakistan can quickly turn into mob violence and riots. Entire communities of Christians are vulnerable to attack.
The incident follows the arrest of two sisters, both Christians, also in Punjab, because of an unsubstantiated allegation of “blasphemy”.
Please pray for Kalu and Tabish, asking that they will be released from imprisonment and charges against them will be dropped. Pray that their family and the wider Christian community in Kale Wala will not suffer from violence that often accompanies “blasphemy” allegations.
