The Christian son-in-law falsely accused his father-in-law of desecrating the Holy Quran to avenge a personal grudge.
The major reason for the peaceful environment in the Saleem Colony Gujranwala is due to the constant coordination between the district police, the administration, and the members of the Interfaith Peace Committee.
Overview
A Christian son-in-law’s post about false blasphemy of the Quran against his father-in-law over a family dispute could harm the lives, belongings, and churches of thousands of Christian families. City Police Officer Muhammad Ayyaz Saleem took prompt action, tireless efforts of the members of the District Peace Committee, and religious scholars through dialogue proved fruitful.
Brief Summary of the Case
According to the details, Pastor Asif Nadeem pastor of the Pentecostal Church built a church Unity in
Christ in Salem Colony, Gujranwala.
A Christian son-in-law accused his father-in-law of desecrating the Holy Quran of Muslims. To
maintain law and order in the city, the City Police Officer Muhammad Ayaz Saleem immediately
took security measures.
To maintain law and order in the city, City Police Officer Muhammad Ayaz Saleem immediately
took protective measures. Gujranwala churches have been provided with foolproof security.
However, on Thursday 11.04.2024, the police arrested the main accused Paras, who confessed that he
blamed his father-in-law on personal grounds.
City Police Officer Muhammad Ayaz Saleem decided to issue a video message to convey the facts
to the citizens. For this purpose, the members of the District Peace Committee Gujranwala were
called immediately and I was one of them.
The city police officer gave a clear message in a video message that a Christian boy had falsely
accused him of taking revenge on his father-in-law. Since no such incident has happened, so there
is no scope for misogyny and extremism.
After the video recording, Shahzad Lawrence, members of the Peace Committee, and Muslim
religious leaders met fathers, pastors, and political, and social representatives and informed
them about the whole situation.
District Police Officer Muhammad Ayaz Saleem’s timely strategy saved the city of Gujranwala
from a major tragedy. The credit for the peaceful atmosphere in the city goes to the district
police, administration, and members of the district peace committee who worked hard to
promote peace, brotherhood, and religious harmony through continuous dialogue with
concerned stakeholders in Saleem Colony, Gujranwala.
important Note
The step-by-step report will help you understand that using such a tactic to avenge a personal
fight by Paras was a very unwise act. The consequences of which the entire Christian nation could
suffer.
I am very much thankful to Rev. Fr. Yousaf Yaqoob (My parish Priest), all my Roman Catholic
Priests who were present in Gujranwala, my friends, police officials, the religious community of
Protestant Churches who helped me to share pictures.
Detailed Report
It was Thursday, April 11, 2024.
The Muslim community was celebrating the second day of Eidul-Fitr with traditional and religious enthusiasms and everywhere was an air of joy and mela. My friends
invited me for a lunch.
It was about 11 pm the night when Pastor Asif Nadeem went to the Meesaq Center Gujranwala along with some community leaders and registered a complaint that his son-in-law Paras had shared a fake blasphemous post on social media (TikTok). According to the reports, a man named Parاs got married to the daughter of Pentecostal pastor Asif Nadeem. Due to a family Dispute Paras shared a post from a social media account through a friend with his voiceover that Pastor Asif Nadeem was guilty of blasphemy.
Pastor Asif went to the Meesaq Center special center for minorities and registered his complaint. Policetook prompt action and arrested Paras from his village near District Sialkot.
1st Day, 12th Day of April
The next Day on Friday 12th Day of April 2024, I along with some religious leaders went to the Saleem Colony to express solidarity with the Christian Community. It was the time when the local Christian community was in fear and ready to leave their homes. According to facts, some family went to their ancestral homes after this news. Anyhow we went to the streets of the town and assured the community that the police were providing foolproof security and convinced them to remain calm.
Later on, I along with the members of the District Peace Committee visited the Parish Priest of ST. Joseph’s Catholic Church assured him that Muslim religious leadership is with the Christian community. Rev. Fr. Francis thankful to them for their courtesy visit.
Meanwhile, City Police Officer, District Gujranwala Muhammad
Ayaz Saleem called a meeting of the members of the District Peace Committee and shared the whole incident and current scenario. It was Friday the prayer day for Muslims so the city police officer along with religious leaders recorded a video message shared the whole story and uploaded it officially on social media. Pakistani communities around the world watched this video message.
It was a very clear and crystal message delivered by City Police Officer Mr. Mohammad Ayyaz Saleem before the Friday prayer gathering. The facts were shared in the video and the confession video of the
Paras was attached with this message.
I along with Muslim religious leaders went and met Rev. Fr. Francis a parish priest of ST. Joseph’s Catholic
Church to promote dialogue. A member of the Provincial Assembly Punjab Mr. Athar, community leaders
were also present there. It was a very productive meeting with community leaders Mr. Saeed Ahmad
Siddique assured their support
Local Muslim Community’s reaction and the role of District Peace Committee
A member of the District Peace Committee, Muhammad Saeed met with the local religious scholars and
Amam/ Hateeb of Jamia Mosque Madani in Saleem Colony and he shared the entire situation and current progress about the incident.
There was a lot of anger among the people after hearing about this incident. Some people were ready for
a protest procession.
Mr. Saeed after a deep discussion made announcements through the speaker of the mosque, asking the
people to remain calm and urging them to go to their homes. This was a highly appreciated initiative and,
in this way, he assisted the district police in making the situation peaceful.
Later on, I went back to Saleem Colony and met several Christian people including Christian lawyers,
teachers, catechists, pastors, union leaders, students, women rights activists, and so on. It was a positive
gesture for the community because they were happy to be among the leaders.
Superintendent of Police Civil Lanes Mr. Bilal Sulahria was visiting Saint Paul Catholic Church Saleem
Colony late at night on Friday 12th Day of April 2024. On the way, he met different people who were
standing in the streets. He met common people who were fearful and afraid. He visited every street of
Saleem Colony and his presence was a source of comfort for the scared and nervous people. During his
speech at different security points, he appealed to the heads of the families to remain calm. Although he
tried his best to convince the people. He was succussed.
He directed his Deputy Superintendent of Police Ghazi Arif Khan about security and checked security
points and several churches in the Saleem Colony.
Later on, SP Civil Lines Mr. Bilal Sulahria went to the ST. Paul Convent where I introduced him to the sisters. During his sharing, SP Mr. Bilal assured Sr. Maria and other sisters that the police are providing foolproof security to the churches and that necessary precautionary measures have been taken by the
District Police to protect the lives and belongings of the Christians. It was a great movement because the sisters felt comfortable. “We were worried in the morning and went to another convent as we were afraid and fearful,” told one of the sisters.
All day I moved around to visit several people including Muslim Religious leaders to promote inter-faith dialogue. At midnight Deputy Superintendent of Police Ghazi Arif Khan paid his visit to check the security measures. During discussion.
I spent days and nights there.
The next day On Saturday 13th Day of April
On Saturday 13th Day of April Saturday, the members of the District Peace Committee visited the Saleem colony and we met the representatives of the Christian Community to express solidarity. The people of the Saleem Colony were delighted to see the religious people among them.
On Sunday 14 th Day of April
It was a Sunday and foolproof security arrangements were made by the police. Large numbers of male and female police were deployed to guard various churches in Salem Colony. Before going to Church I went to the ST. Paul convent and met Sister there. A woman police official along with two male officials were present there.
The same day I met the leaders of the Christian community and discussed the solutions to such issues
All believed that it is the duty of all to sensitize the community that by making such false accusations we put our lives and the lives of others at risk.
