London: (By Hannah Chowdhry and Juliet Chowdhry) A young Christian boy in Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Lahore faced harassment and coercion from a Muslim security officer who demanded he participate in Muslim prayers. The security officer forcibly removed the boy’s cross necklace and pressured him to recite Islamic pray, despite the boy clearly expressing his Christian faith. Later, the boy’s parents discovered him partially conscious behind a primary school.

On April 14th, Saim Masih, a 13-year-old Christian boy, faced intimidation from a Muslim security guard named Muhammad Abdul Qadir Khan. Khan attempted to bribe Siam into converting to Islam and pressured him to participate in the Maghrib prayer (4th of 5 daily prayers to be recited by Muslims), despite Saim’s repeated refusals.

Around 4:00 pm that day, Siam, an 8th-grade student, left his home in Baowala, Lahore, to visit a local salon for a haircut. As he approached a barricaded street in the affluent neighborhood of DHA (Defense Housing Authority), Muhammad Abdul Qadir Khan intercepted him. After a brief introduction, Khan asked Saim if he had performed the Maghrib prayer. Siam, being Christian, replied that he had not, to which Khan attempted to dissuade him from his faith, stating:

“Stop being a Christian! They are worthless,” Saim Masih recounted to BACA. Despite Saim’s repeated requests to leave, Mr. Khan persistently engaged him in conversation, continuing his efforts to convince Saim to abandon his Christian faith. He even went as far as offering money and a trip to Peshawar in exchange for converting to Islam.

“I will give you money and take you with me to Peshawar,” Mr. Khan insisted. Saim felt increasingly threatened when Mr. Khan forcibly removed the cross necklace from around his neck and urged him to accompany him to his living quarters to perform the Maghrib prayer.

“I cannot offer prayer. I am a Christian, and I don’t know how to perform a Muslim prayer,” Saim responded fearfully.

“Don’t worry, I will teach you. Accept Islam, and I will give you money and take you with me to Peshawar to show you its green landscape,” Mr. Khan persisted.

Despite Saim’s continued refusals, Mr. Khan persisted in his efforts to coerce him. Fortunately, a woman from Saim’s neighborhood happened to pass by the security checkpoint. Recognizing her, Saim pleaded for her help. The woman intervened, rebuking Mr. Khan for his harassment and demanding the return of Saim’s cross and goggles. However, she left without ensuring that Mr. Khan complied with her instructions.

Undeterred, Mr. Khan continued to pressure Saim to accompany him to his living quarters. Sensing danger, Saim attempted to flee after the woman who had intervened earlier. Unfortunately, as Saim sought help from a passerby, this individual seemed preoccupied with their phone, and Siam was once again apprehended by Mr. Khan.

Mr. Khan persisted in his demands, urging Saim to pray, convert to Islam, accept money as a gift, and eat the food he had brought with him. Despite Saim’s repeated refusals, Mr. Khan forcefully made him eat some sweets.

Siam does not recall what happened after consuming the sweet, but he was later discovered unconscious.

Liaqat Masih (48 yrs), Saim’s father, confided in our BACA Team that the entire family was deeply concerned when Saim did not return home after two hours. They went to the salon to inquire about his whereabouts, only to discover that Siam had not been there. This further heightened their anxiety about his safety.

Seeking help from the community, they initiated a search for Saim. Around 7:00 pm, some boys who were friends with Saim informed them that he was lying unconscious behind the wall of a primary school. Liaqat Masih recounted the distressing moment when they found Saim barely conscious and terribly frightened, so much so that he didn’t even recognize his own father.

Liaqat Masih promptly took his son to a nearby private clinic, where doctors informed him that Saim was in a state of extreme fear and his blood pressure had dropped dangerously low. After receiving medical advice, Liaqat Masih brought Saim home and administered the prescribed medication and milk.

When Saim regained consciousness, he recounted the harrowing ordeal to his mother. In response, Liaqat Masih, accompanied by some community members, went to DHA to confront Muhammad Abdul Qadir Khan about his actions toward Saim. Khan admitted to intimidating Saim, offering him money to perform the Maghrib prayer, and urging him to convert to Islam. However, he denied administering any sedatives to Saim, stating, “I have preached to him but did not give him anything to sedate him.”

Liaqat Masih called at 15 [Police Emergency Helpline] police arrived and also interrogated Mr. Khan who again affirmed that he had offered money to Saim for accepting Islam. The police did not arrest him instead wanted to meet with the women to confirm the accusations. The police met the woman who also confirmed that Mr. Khan was intimidating Saim when she happened to pass by the barricade. Police then arrested Mr. Khan and sent Liaquat and Saim Masih to  Government Burki Hospital get a medico-legal certificate(MLC).

BACA met with Saim Masih and his father on April 17th. Liaqat Masih (48 yrs) informed us that he is receiving threats from the Pathan community to withdraw his application. Additionally, the police are siding with the culprit. The police have not yet provided the family of Saim Masih with a copy of the FIR (First Information Report), which seems to be a tactic to dissuade the family from pursuing legal action.

Because the Defence Police Station is withholding the FIR and MLC from the family, citing the case as a “religious issue” and sealing the FIR, the family is seeking assistance with the expenses of hiring a solicitor to ensure they have a fair chance at seeking justice. The cost of legal representation is £1500. If you would like to support the family during this challenging process, please consider making a donation (here).

Juliet Chowdhry, trustee for the British Asian Christian Association, remarked, “This incident is highly suspicious, and the administration of drugs to a child indicates potential involvement in more sinister activities. It is deeply concerning that the local police are not addressing the matter with the gravity it deserves. While it is fortunate that Saim managed to escape the clutches of this deviant individual, it is imperative that we take action to ensure the safety of other young children. Pursuing a conviction for this perpetrator is essential to safeguard the local community.”