Blind Christian Faces Death Penalty After False Blasphemy Accusation By Muslim Co-Workers

Nadeem Masih, a 49 year old blind Christian man in Pakistan, has been arrested and charged with blasphemy under Section 295-C of Pakistan's harsh laws, which carries the death penalty for insulting Islam's prophet Muhammad. The charges stem from a false accusation made by Muslim co-workers at Model Town Park in Lahore.

Martha Yousaf, Masih's nearly 80 year old mother, said that Waqas Mazhar and other Muslims frequently harassed her son, sometimes extorting money from him, throwing water on him, or calling him names. Mazhar works as a parking contractor at the park, where Masih earned a meager income by providing a weighing scale for petty merchants.

"Sometimes kindhearted visitors would also give him more money due to his disability, but the park's Muslim workers used to steal it from his pocket," Yousaf said. "Some, including Mazhar, had also taken loans of various amounts from him but refused to return the money despite his repeated requests."

On August 21, when Masih went to work, Mazhar and others refused to let him set up his makeshift stall. When Masih protested, Mazhar and another man manhandled him, forced him onto a motorcycle, and took him to the Model Town Police Station where they accused him of blasphemy.

"When I met my son for the first time in jail after his arrest, he cried bitterly as he told me how the police had mercilessly beaten him and forced him to admit to the false charge," Yousaf said.

The police's treatment has been cruel from the beginning, she said.

"Every time I meet him, my heart bleeds and cries when he tells me how badly he is being treated, especially when he's taken to court appearances. They push him around despite knowing that he is completely blind and also has an iron rod in his right leg."

Despite his disability and financial constraints, Masih completed his graduation but was unable to find a job, as there are few employment opportunities in Pakistan for people with disabilities. Masih's father has passed away, and his divorced daughter works in people's homes to help sustain the family.

Masih's attorney, Javed Sahotra, said there are major discrepancies in the First Information Report that would enable him to get bail. Police Sub-Inspector Muhammad Ayub, the complainant, claimed he and his team were patrolling the park at 11 p.m. when they were informed about the alleged blasphemy.

"However, the fact is that the park's gates close at 9 p.m., and no one is allowed inside after that," Sahotra said. "Moreover, Masih had made a call on the police helpline at 6 a.m. to inform them about his mistreatment by the parking contractor and others, but received no help."

Pakistan's blasphemy laws have been systematically misused to target religious minorities, dispossess the poor, and settle personal and economic disputes, according to a June 9 Human Rights Watch report. "Blasphemy accusations are increasingly weaponized to incite mob violence, displace vulnerable communities and seize their property with impunity," the report states.

In several cases, blasphemy accusations were used to target business rivals or coerce property transfers. The law's broad and vague provisions allow it to be exploited with minimal or no evidence, creating a climate of fear among vulnerable groups.

Pakistan is ranked number 8 on Open Doors' 2025 World Watch List of the 50 countries where Christians face discrimination and persecution.

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

A blind man tortured for a crime he didn't commit.

Beaten by police. Facing execution because Muslim co-workers wanted to steal his money and avoid repaying debts.

This is Islam's "blasphemy law" in action. A weapon to destroy Christians, seize property, and settle scores.

Pakistan ranks 8th worst for Christian persecution, yet the West sends them billions in aid.

Where is the outrage?

Where are the sanctions?

A disabled Christian faces death while the world looks away.

This evil must be named and opposed.

TAKE ACTION

Fight for Nadeem Masih and persecuted Christians in Pakistan:

1. Voice of the Martyrs (VOM)
   Website: https://www.persecution.com
   Donate: https://www.persecution.com/give
   Contact: thevoice@vom-usa.org | Phone: 1-800-747-0085
   Action: VOM provides legal defense, family support, and advocacy for persecuted Christians in Pakistan. Donate specifically for Pakistan legal defense funds. Call or email to request prayer updates for Nadeem Masih and ask how your church can adopt persecuted families.
2. Open Doors USA
   Website: https://www.opendoorsusa.org
   Donate: https://www.opendoorsusa.org/donate
   Contact: info@odusa.org | Phone: 1-888-524-2535
   Action: Open Doors ranks Pakistan 8th worst for Christian persecution. Donate to their Pakistan emergency fund. Email them requesting advocacy materials to share with your elected officials about Pakistan's blasphemy laws.
3. International Christian Concern (ICC)
   Website: https://www.persecution.org
   Contact: icc@persecution.org | Phone: 1-800-422-5441
   Action: ICC advocates for imprisoned Christians worldwide. Contact them to request updates on Nadeem Masih's case. Ask for their congressional advocacy toolkit to pressure US officials to condition Pakistan aid on religious freedom improvements.
4. ADF International
   Website: https://adfinternational.org
   Contact: info@adfinternational.org
   Action: Email ADF requesting their legal brief on Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Share with your pastor and request they educate the congregation. Ask ADF how they can support Nadeem's legal defense team.
5. Contact Your Representatives
   Find your officials: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
   Action: Call or email your US Senators and Representatives. Demand that US aid to Pakistan be conditioned on repealing blasphemy laws and protecting religious minorities. Reference Nadeem Masih's case specifically.
6. Pakistan Embassy in the United States
   Email: contactus@embassyofpakistanusa.org
   Phone: 202-243-6500
   Action: Politely but firmly express outrage over Nadeem Masih's false imprisonment and torture. Demand his immediate release and an end to weaponizing blasphemy laws against Christians. Request accountability for the police who tortured a blind man.

Talking Points for Emails and Conversations:

• "Nadeem Masih is blind, tortured, and facing execution for a false charge made by co-workers who owed him money"
• "Pakistan's blasphemy laws are systematically weaponized against Christians to steal property and settle personal disputes"
• "The police beat a disabled man and forced a false confession. This is state-sanctioned persecution"
• "Pakistan receives billions in US aid while ranking 8th worst for Christian persecution. Aid must be conditioned on religious freedom"
• "Every day Nadeem remains imprisoned is an injustice. Demand his immediate release"
• "Christians in Pakistan live in fear. The West must speak up or be complicit in their suffering"