Christian Headmaster Attacked in Pakistan

On October 6th, Saddique Azam, a senior school teacher who was given the post of headmaster of a primary school in Kasur, Pakistan, was severely beaten by radical Muslim colleagues.

The Muslim teachers were protesting over Saddique’s promotion.

According to a source in the school, the extremists called him Saddique “choora,” a derogatory term used against Christians by Muslims in Pakistan.

“You are a ‘Christian Choora,’ so how can you be headmaster and given seniority over us,” said the angry Muslim teachers, who then began beating him.

Saddique was appointed as headmaster three months before the reported violence.

Extremist teachers had protested before to the District Education Officer’s (DEO) office in Kasur, where they had asked, “Why is a Christian appointed to our head post?”

Saddique was hassled and pressured to resign from his position and give the headmaster post to another Muslim teacher, or face the consequences.

While explaining the situation, Saddique said, “Three Muslim teachers entered the school, went into my office and waited there for me. When I entered the office, I was alarmed to see them. I asked them the reason for the visit. They launched a tirade of warnings against me to resign as headmaster. They were relentless in their demands and threats, which became increasingly fierce. “

Saddique sternly denied their demands and was beaten, receiving a severe injury to his left eye. When others became aware of the commotion, staff members rushed into his office and rescued him from the three teachers, who would not stop beating him.

The police were called and the three teachers were arrested, but the police were reluctant to register an official report of the incident.

• Pray for  protection for Saddique and his family, and for other Christians in Kasur, a region that is already tense from ongoing persecution of Christians.
• Pray that Christians will be able to reach out to members of the Muslim community with forgiveness and love.
• Pray that no one will bring up a blasphemy accusation against Saddique, in order to bring an end of the his career.
• Pray for peace in this region, and for many to have revelations of Jesus and turn to Him and the truth of His Gospel.

John 16 vs 33: “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’”

Source: http://www.opendoorsusa.org/newsroom