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Lahore:
A Christian journalist in Pakistan fears for his life
after receiving threatening letters for publishing
pro-democracy columns in a national daily and refusing
to convert to Islam.
George Masih, 43, who lives with his wife, Suneeta Bibi,
and his three young children at Gulistan Colony at the
town of Lahore, wrote a number of columns and articles
for the Aaj Kal, a Lahore-based daily. His first column
allegedly aroused anger among Muslims in the area after
its initial publication last August.
Unaware of the sentiments, Masih wrote three more
columns in an effort to promote religious tolerance and
democracy in the Islamic nation, reported the Center for
Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS).
Masih received his first threatening letter last October
from the Islamic Tanzeem Organization, threatening “dire
consequences” for him and his family, if he didn't
convert to Islam. Subsequent letters included death
threats, and he eventually turned to police for help.
Local police initially refused to take action,
questioning Masih's motives, but changed their mind
after they were ordered by the Sessions Court in Lahore
on Feb. 11 to take action.
So far no suspects have been detained, however, and
Masih's family has gone into hiding. CLAAS National
Director Joseph Francis condemned the threatening
letters and urged law enforcement agencies “to resolve
the problem and provide sufficient protection to the
Christian journalist and his family.”
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