ASIA/PAKISTAN - A Catholic beaten by Muslim teachers: "He cannot be a headmaster"

Kasur (Agenzia Fides) - Saddique Azam, a Catholic teacher appointed headmaster at a primary school in a small village, was beaten and tortured by a group of Muslim extremist teachers who rejected his authority. Muslim teachers expressed hatred and resentment against him, using the term "choora" pejorative used to describe Christians in Pakistan (it is the name of a low caste).
As reported to Fides by Christian lawyer Sardar Mushtaq Gill, Azam was appointed headmaster in the village of Pernawa three months ago, but some Muslim teachers complained to the district authority of the Education Officer in Kasur because the appointment had been assigned to a Christian. Azam has been under massive pressure and was asked to resign, but he refused.
On October 5 at 7.45am three Muslim teachers barged into his office and sat at his desk. When Azam walked in his office he asked for explanations, and after showing yet another refusal to resign, the three teachers started beating him, causing him several injuries and trauma, and was treated in hospital. The rest of the school staff intervened and called the police, who arrested the three attackers. "Christians in Pakistan continue to suffer discrimination because of their faith and given the existence of laws that legitimize discrimination" says to Fides lawyer Sardar Mushtaq Gill, who offers free legal assistance to Christian victims of abuse and violence. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 06/10/2015)

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persecutions

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religious minorities

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