Pakistan (UCAN) — [EDITOR’S NOTE: A few days ago, we told you about two boys in Pakistan who were set on fire for being Christians. Forgotten Missionaries International referenced the following article when updating MNN on the situation.]
“Fodor” suffered burns on 55% of his body.
(Photo courtesy of Forgotten Missionaries International)
A Pakistani Christian boy has died five days after being set on fire by two Muslim men, doctors and family said on Wednesday.
Nauman Masih, 14, was set on fire in an apparent sectarian attack in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, last Friday. He was rushed to hospital with more than 50% of his body covered with burns.
“I work at a tailor shop. I was returning from the shop when two men on motorbikes stopped me and asked about my religion. When I told them I am a Christian, they started calling me names,” Nauman told a lawyer, in a video statement while in hospital, which was later uploaded on social media.
“When I asked them not to abuse me, one man poured kerosene on me and lit a match. I ran toward a heap of sand and lay down. A few people from the community put out the fire by putting sand on me. After that I fell unconscious,” he said.
Nauman said he did not know the identities of his attackers.
Dr Shahid Hussain, who treated the boy, confirmed Nauman’s death on Wednesday.
Some 55% of Nauman’s body was badly burnt when he was brought to hospital, he told ucanews.com.
The teenager’s father died when he was four, and his mother is married to a Muslim man.
Nauman had been living with his paternal uncle, Nadeem Masih, who called on authorities to track down his nephew’s killers.
“I appeal to the Punjab government and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to ensure the killers are brought to justice,” Nadeem said.
“We have registered a police complaint,” he said, adding that he had raised Nauman like his own son.
Police told local media they have launched an investigation as a result of Nauman’s statement.
Joseph Francis, national director of the Center for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), condemned the attack.
“The killing of Nauman has further increased a prevalent sense of insecurity among Christians who are yet to recover from the twin suicide attacks on churches in Lahore,” he said.
At least 15 people were killed in the bombings on March 15.
Such criminal activist must be traced and should be hanged like terrorist.
I request the Muslims as well as other communities to take care of each other, be patient. No one is authorize to kill or hurt any human being.
I am so sorry that our brother in Christ, Nauman Misah, was burned for his faith in our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Nauman is a great example to me of what it means to love Christ more than my own life.