Naveed supports the family as they remember Shama and Shahzad
One way which Churches and Christian groups can contribute to the work of the BPCA (Click here)
On some grubby streets in the deprived community of Kasur, Pakistan, minority Christians gathered to remember the victims of one of the most brutal murders
in the 68 year history of the nation. Shama and Shahzad, two poor indentured labourers whose only glimmer of hope in life was their four children
and each other, had their lives shattered when Shama was raped by the accountant at the brick kiln. Shahzad requested freedom so that Shama could escape
the pain and horror of the attack, and to protect her from a repeat, but Mohammed Yousuf the landlord refused. Freedom was just a dream unless
they could raise £5000 to repay the family ‘debt’, a completely unattainable figure for the couple who earnt a meagre £6 per day toiling in the heat
making bricks. Rarely given time off or rest days, working day in and day out in extremely unsafe and unhealthy conditions for masters who placed no
value on their lives.
When the accountant learned that the couple wanted out and discovered that Shama had been having a clearout of her father’s home after his death, he latched
on the fact she had burnt some amulets that contained runes and he claimed it was a desecration of the Quran, sending men to local mosques to tell
of this blasphemy. The couple again approached the landlord for their freedom, explaining there was now a real threat to their lives, however
fearing the escape of his slaves Mohammed Yousaf locked the couple in a store room on his fields. This prison became the cause of their death
when a mob of frenzied Muslims ripped off the roof of the building, dragged the couple out, beat them with sticks despite their remonstrations of innocence,
stripped the couple naked and gang-raped Shama before Shahzad, they then proceeded to tie the naked couple to the back of a tractor and dragged them
across the rocky surface of the local landscape, finally burning them alive in the very brick kilns the couple had worked in to profit their uncaring
master. How do we know the couple where still alive in the burning kiln fire because their son Suleman only 6 at the time recalled their bodies twitching
as if in pain, before coming to a standstill.
We realise that the account of their deaths is harrowing and appalling and we will never become accustomed to hearing the details or numb to the shocking
reality of the cruelty that took place that day. An innocent couple in their twenties (and their unborn baby) were robbed of their lives and
four innocent children became orphans in an attack that should shame Pakistan to its core.
Shama and Shahzad signed away their freedom with just a thumbprint (they were totally illiterate) after a long period of unemployment for the measly amount
of £30, simply so they could clothe, feed and protect their children. Modern day slavery in Pakistan of this nature is rife, hidden under the
guise of terms such as bonded labour, which was allegedly made illegal by previous governments of Pakistan way back in 1992 under the ‘Bonded
Labour System (Abolition) Act. Various revisions later have had little effect, much due to the lack of improved policing of the concern, infact
the social malaise has increased across the whole country since the landmark laws where introduced.
Today’s ceremony was intentionally a small quiet affair as the family desired an opportunity to share time consoling one another with the community of
friends and neighbours that had supported them and shared life with before the attack. The family very kindly invited the BPCA and our Lahore
based officer, Naveed, was honoured to attend. He briefly addressed the invited guests explaining about the work we do and our ongoing commitment
to bring justice to the family and to support them to bring the children up with a love for God and desire for knowledge, the very knowledge that will
drag them out of the existing poverty they face. Naveed talked to us after the event and said:
“This event was a chance for those who truly love this family to share in their sorrow and to help bring some comfort on this memorial day when their pain has been most raw and intense. Memories of the violent attack were the cause of many bitter tears and anguish from the family and mourners who expressed their grief and distress in the shelter of one another’s embrace”.
A very low key memorial service for Shama and Shahzad
Naveed delivered flowers to the family at their home after the memorial.
Naveed provided some treats to the children of Shama and Shahzad