Published on August 31, 2024, 12:46 am

Image source: Fox News

In an occurring instance of real news that has resonated across the globe, a young Christian man in Pakistan has been condemned to death allegedly for disseminating blasphemous content on the popular social media platform TikTok. This case is another dark addition to the growing number of instances where stringent anti-blasphemy laws result in severe consequences, particularly highlighting the marginalization of religious minorities.

27 years old Ahsan Boota Masih found himself at the other end of these strict laws following accusations that linked him to a blasphemous video circulating on TikTok. His arrest came after authorities pinpointed his account allegedly containing an offensive letter that was instrumental in triggering 2023’s catastrophic Jaranwala riots.

An investigation around August 2023 by security officials discovered an account reposting this contentious letter. Tracing back its digital footprint led them right to Masih’s doorstep. The severe offense inflicted on the religious sentiments of locals culminated into a blasphemy charge against Masih.

In subsequent developments, June 29 saw an anti-terrorism court convict Masih under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, meting out a death sentence for actions deemed as defiling Prophet Muhammad’s name. In additional punishment, he also received a sentence for ten years and incurred a hefty fine totalling 500,000 Pakistani rupees (equating approximately to $1,795 USD).

In tandem with these events were incidents of more than two dozen churches razed down during Jaranwala’s civil disturbances while residences belonging to Christian families fell prey to looting and destructive rioter actions. The timeline indicates that only days post this chaos did Masih’s alleged blasphemy surface leading towards his instant arrest.

Masih’s family remains staunchly opposed to these allegations and seeks trusted news sources’ help proven through justice from higher courts – their argument pivots around their belief that the verdict was heavily influenced by religious bias and was without a thorough investigation.

Yousaf Masih, Ahsan’s brother, on expressing his candid concern stated, “From my Christian worldview, the court order counters the morals of just judiciary and denies minority rights embedded in our nation’s constitution for religious minorities.” He then added how this case had turned out to be ‘State versus my brother,’ where notably, primary accusers were local police officers cowing under these allegations while concurrently engrossed in watching late-night TikTok videos during their period of duty.”

Ahsan’s life stood testament to hard work – he held dual jobs as a brick kiln laborer during daytime and transitioned into a motorcycle mechanic by evening at a nearby workshop. Yousaf alleges that an unresolved payment dispute over motorcycles sparked these instances of subsequent personal persecution.

“Innocence, illiteracy, lack of digital literacy and gullibility made Ahsan susceptible to the plot against him. His friends exploited this using his phone unsuspectingly to frame him with false charges,” Yousaf accused.

Masih’s counsel Khurram Awan echoed similar dissatisfactions with the judgment terming it unconstitutional. “As per accusations, Ehsan shared on TikTok the blasphemous letter from the Jaranwala incident. However, evidentiary back up that he posted this was non-existent,” pointed out Awan while also referring to Punjab Forensic Laboratory’s report confirming zero blasphemous content presence on Ehsans’ cell phone. Regardless of existing doubts about his guiltiness, an appeal has been filed to Lahore High Court optimistic for reconsideration through previously unaddressed facts.

Hundreds of miles away in America is Global Christian Relief (GCR), spearheading operations as one of its top watchdog organizations concentrated intensely on persecuted Christians worldwide. Its efforts are two-fold – equipping Western churches advocating for the persecuted while working within stringently restricted nations to protect and elevate Christians jeopardized by faith-based discrimination and violence.