Pakistan: Charity seeks justice for Christian couple murdered in 2014
Two years after the Christian couple Shehzad Masih and Shama Bibi, were burned alive for alleged blasphemy on November 4, 2014 in Kot Radha Kishan, in Kasur district, the fight for justice and to punish the perpetrators of that crime continues.
Michelle Chaudhry, Catholic president of the Cecil Chaudhry & Iris Foundation, which provides legal protection and education for the couple's three children, said: "We are going ahead with the judiciary to ensure that those responsible for this heinous murder are brought to justice. The government of Pakistan must provide safety and security to every citizen of Pakistan regardless of faith, as enshrined in the Constitution."
The couple worked in a brick kiln. They were accused of blasphemy, tortured and then thrown into the furnace by a 4,000 mob. The incident created a wave of horror across Pakistan and shocked the whole world.
Commemorating the second anniversary of the tragic accident, Michelle Chaudhry said: "Today we hold Shama and Shahzad deep in our hearts. They are two innocent lives lost because of extreme intolerance in our society. The horror of that unlucky day will remain in our hearts and minds for years to come.
"In that furnace they burned humanity, they burned the teachings of Islam, and burned the Pakistan of Ali Jinnah. No monetary compensation can atone for such an extreme act of violence."
The Cecil Chaudhry & Iris Foundation has undertaken the commitment to provide education to the couple's three children, "in order to bring a change for the better in their lives, with the strong conviction of the power of education." She said: "after two years, it gives us immense spiritual gratification to see these children happy and safe."
Source: Fides
See also: ICN 8 November 2014, Pakistan: Murder of Christian couple 'worst hate crime in country's history' www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=25950