Shabbir Masih, the grieving father whose wife and son were brutally murdered in 2021 by an intolerant Muslim neighbor (click here), has requested the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) to continue the financial support that has sustained his lonely life over the last four years.
The tragic incident stemmed from a dispute over the right of sewage water from the home of a Christian family to pass by a local Muslim shrine. On November 9th, 2021, Yasmeen Bibi (55) and her son Usman Masih (26) were savagely beaten, insulted, and ultimately shot dead by Hassan Shakoor Butt, incited by his mother, Itrat Bibi, who had harassed the Christian family for years (click here).
A year after the incident, on October 20th, 2022, with the help of a BACA funded advocate Hassan Butt was sentenced to death by the Wazirabad District Court (click here). However, his mother, Itrat Bibi, was acquitted on post-arrest bail, allegedly due to her age, despite being a key instigator of the crime.
For the past four years, BACA has been a lifeline for Shabir Masih, providing crucial support as he navigated the overwhelming grief and isolation following the brutal murders of his wife and son. The charity also funded legal assistance, leading to the death penalty for Hassan Butt, the man responsible for the tragedy. However, Shabir’s world was shattered when BACA recently informed him that, due to changes in a donor’s financial circumstances, it would no longer be able to provide the essential financial assistance that has helped him survive. This decision has left Shabir devastated, as the support has been vital for his daily survival and his connection to his family.
During a visit by BACA representatives on November 10th, Shabbir shared the critical role the support had played in his life. Living in fear of retaliation from Hassan Butt’s family, Shabbir relocated to a remote village far away from his previous home, residing near a Christian graveyard. He explained that the assistance had helped him sustain himself, purchase essential medicine, and remain connected to his two granddaughters, Gul Janat (5) and Asma (4), who live in Gujrat with their mother, Mariyam Bibi.
“This money is vital for my survival,” Shabbir said tearfully. “It allows me to maintain a relationship with my granddaughters and support their education. Without it, I would die alive. I pray to the Lord Jesus Christ that BACA continues to help me.”
Shabbir’s granddaughters are now attending a local school in Gujrat, where their mother, Mariyam, has returned to live with her parents. Shabir often travels to Gujrat to see them, finding solace in these visits amidst his immense grief.
Reflecting on the justice system, Shabbir expressed his deep disappointment with the Lahore High Court’s rejection of his appeal to hold others accountable for the murders. “The judges have saved the woman and the man who were directly linked to the murder of my beloved son and wife,” he lamented. “I have now left it to the judgment of my God.”
Yasmeen Bibi and Usman Masih were laid to rest on November 11th, 2021, but their memory lives on in the hearts of their family and the Christian community. BACA has been a lifeline for Shabbir, and his plea underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Christians in Pakistan, who often endure violence, harassment, and systemic discrimination.
BACA is currently reviewing Shabbir’s heartfelt request for continued support and calls on its supporters to pray for his well-being and consider contributing to this crucial cause. To sustain this lifeline, we aim to raise £50 per month or more for Shabbir, who is now 60 years old and battling arthritis and haemorrhoids. These health issues have left him unable to perform the physical labour he once relied on for survival. If you are moved by Shabbir’s plight, please consider making a donation (here).
Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for British Asian Christian Association, said:
“Shabbir Masih has endured unimaginable loss—the brutal murder of his wife and son, who was the family’s sole breadwinner, has left him traumatised and struggling to survive. The support BACA has provided has been his lifeline, enabling him to afford basic necessities and maintain a vital connection with his granddaughters, who bring him solace amid his grief.
The recent loss of funding from a generous donor, who is now facing their own financial challenges, has created an urgent need for others to step forward. Without continued support, Shabbir risks falling into deeper despair and isolation. We are praying that someone will find it in their heart to fill this gap and help Shabir in his most vulnerable years.”
