43-Rehmat Park, University road, Sargodha Pakistan.

Cell # 00923216032504, 00923216012462, 00923068989406

Write to: jawad_mazhar@yahoo.com
www.raysofdevelopment.org

Christian mini truck driver being forced to convert to Islam

Written by: Jawad Mazhar (ROD)

Gulzar Masih, a Christian mini truck driver is allegedly being forced to recite
Islamic Holy Kalima (Holy verses used to mark the conversion to Islam) and
convert to Islam, by two Muslim men, Khawar Butt and Baatti. The sole wage
earner of the family is living under the threat of being executed or tormented
viciously by the Muslim men and scared to return to his home.

Gulzar Masih, a 45 years old Christian mini truck driver

of Chak (village) # 2, Mandi Bhawaldin, Pakistan, was
visited by Rays of Development Organization (ROD) fact
finding team. Gulzar Masih told ROD fact finding team
that he had been a professional truck driver for last 20
years at Mandi Bhawaldin. He said that he has his own
mini truck. (Toyota Hilux # C .5990 Peshawar). Gulzar
Masih said that he had been living and working with other
drivers in a friendly and pleasant atmosphere, until they
came to know that I am a Christian. Gulzar Masih

Masih said the difficulty started off about 6 months ago, when proprietor of the
Ashraf Hotel allegedly asked him not to dine at his hotel, simply because he is a
Christian, an untouchable.

Gulzar Masih told ROD that on August 15th 2007, two Muslim men, Khawar Butt
and Baatti allegedly forced him to utter the Holy Kalima and embrace Islam.
While he, along with three other drivers, was relaxing and chatting under the cool
shade of trees near the truck stand, Mandi Bhawaldin.

Terrified Gulzar Masih alleged that after two days of this incident, he was sitting at
the shop of local iron smith Muhammad Iqbal, when Khawar Butt, Baatti and
younger brother of the iron smith Muhammad Khalid, abused and forced him out
of the shop, hurling death threats on him, as he had turned down the imposition of
conversion. Masih also said “All these men were my good friends, until they learnt
that I am a Christian”.
43-Rehmat Park, University road, Sargodha Pakistan.
Cell # 00923216032504, 00923216012462, 00923068989406
Write to: jawad_mazhar@yahoo.com
www.raysofdevelopment.org
Appallingly poor Gulzar Masih father of Aamir Gulzar 20 and Suneeta student of
class 9th said that he is the lone bread winner of his family. Concerned Gulzar
Masih went on saying that this incident has almost spoiled his freight business.

Masih told ROD that he desires to live in perfect serenity and accord with other
Muslims in the society. He appealed to ROD chairman to liberate him out of this
dilemma.

ROD chairman Mr Ferhan Mazher was astounded to know the pitiable episode.
ROD chairman denounced such threats to the religious minorities of Islamic
Republic of Pakistan. He also said that the law enforcement agencies and
government should take notice of such horrible incidents and Islamic religious
radicals.

Chief of ROD pressed upon the necessity of tolerance, peace and harmony. He
added that followers of all faiths are ought to learn to co-exist peacefully in
Pakistan.

ROD activists interview Gulzar Masih Gulzar Masih with his family
His mini truck is seen behind

Report prepared by ROD fact finding team including:

Ferhan Mazher (Chairman ROD), Adnan Saeed, Imran Mazher, Jawad Mazhar,
Nadeem Samuel, Ashir Emmanuel, Imran Munir, Zimran Elias and Adil Naseem.

Report recommended by

Ferhan Mazher (Mr)

Chairman of ‘Rays of Development Organization’ Sargodha, Pakistan
www.raysofdevelopment.org
43-Rehmat Park, University road, Sargodha Pakistan.
Cell # 00923216032504, 00923216012462, 00923068989406
Write to: jawad_mazhar@yahoo.com
www.raysofdevelopment.org