A teenage boy set ablaze because he is a Christian

A teenage boy set ablaze for saying he was a Christian

A Pakistani Christian boy has died after being set on fire by a group of young Muslims after they
discovered he was a Christian, according to a charity dedicated to supporting Pakistani Christians.

The Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) said that Nauman Masih, 14, was set
upon by unknown Muslims who were going to the mosque to offer their Friday prayers.
Nauman died last night and his funeral service was held today at 1pm (local time) in Gulshan Ravi,
Shera Kot, in Lahore, CLAAS said.

In Nauman’s statement to the Superintendent of Police he said that two Muslims approached him on a
motorbike and asked him about his religion. When he said he was Christian they started to beat him up
and after he ran away, followed him and subsequently threw kerosene over him and set him alight.

Nauman said: “I was running when a heap of sand came my way, I lay down on the sand, and a few
people from the community put out the fire by putting sand on me. I became unconscious, and they
called the emergency medical helpline and called [for] an ambulance.”
The police have registered a case against the unknown attackers.

Christians in Pakistan are becoming increasingly endangered in the country. Last November a Christian
couple, Shama and Shahzad, were burnt alive in a brick kiln furnace.
Nasir Saeed, director of CLAAS-UK, said: “The perpetrators must be brought to justice for lessons to
be learned and to act as deterrents. Other people, and if necessary the government, must introduce
some stringent punishment.”