{"id":409,"date":"2018-02-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-02-28T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.britishasianchristians.org\/full-previous-archive\/2018\/02\/28\/brave-christian-family-who-sold-themselves-into-slavery-to-save-daughter-forcibly-married-to-a-muslim-have-been-set-free-by-bpca\/"},"modified":"2023-04-30T05:27:57","modified_gmt":"2023-04-30T04:27:57","slug":"brave-christian-family-who-sold-themselves-into-slavery-to-save-daughter-forcibly-married-to-a-muslim-have-been-set-free-by-bpca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.britishasianchristians.org\/full-previous-archive\/brave-christian-family-who-sold-themselves-into-slavery-to-save-daughter-forcibly-married-to-a-muslim-have-been-set-free-by-bpca\/","title":{"rendered":"Brave Christian family who sold themselves into slavery to save daughter forcibly married to a Muslim have been set free by BPCA"},"content":{"rendered":"

A brave family who have earned the respect of people of good conscience everywhere.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When a 12 year old Christian girl named Elisha in Pakistan went missing after leaving her home to go shopping 27th November 2017, her elder sister
\n Rimsha (16 yrs) informed her parents Rubina (35 yrs) and Iqbal Masih (40 yrs) who immediately excused themselves from their work as domestic servants
\n to search for her.
\n \n<\/p>\n

That same afternoon after a frantic search of their whole colony they discovered through a neighbour that their daughter had been abducted by a Muslim
\nman over twice her age named Sagheer Ismael (25 yrs). Alarmed by this news a hysterical Iqbal Masih headed straight for the home of Mohammed Ismael the
\nfather of Sagheer, who lived in the same colony, to demand the return of his daughter.<\/p>\n

Iqbal met with Mohammed Ismael and explained that witnesses had seen Sagheer abduct his daughter forcibly and that he would inform local police unless
\nshe was returned immediately.<\/p>\n

Mohammed Ismael however after initial shock at the actions of his son turned defensive.  He warned Iqbal Masih that he would do nothing to resolve
\nthe matter, stating that his son was a ‘good Muslim’ and anything he done would be right before Allah.<\/p>\n

Mohammed Ismael told Iqbal that if he turned up at his door again that he would lay blasphemy charges against his whole family and forced him out of his
\nhome.<\/p>\n

That evening, Iqbal went to the Khanna police station, Islamabad with the elders of his family including his cousins Sarwar Sultan, and Munawar Sultan
\nand tried to report the abduction of his daughter.  <\/p>\n

In usual fashion the local police refused to register any FIR against Mohammad Ismael and Sagheer and instead asked them to return to the station the
\nnext morning, stating they would make some inquiries. Iqbal Masih could not rest till his daughter was returned to him, he described to BPCA how he tossed
\nand turned all night, slipping in and out of fits of panic, and weeping in gut-wrenching despair.<\/p>\n

The next morning  (28th <\/sup>November 2017) a police officer arrived at their home along with Nikkah Namah (marriage certificate) and told 
\nIqbal Masih that there was no need to register an FIR for kidnapping as your daughter has embraced Islam and is married to Muhammad Sagheer now. “She has
\neven accepted a new Muslim name and is now called Maryam”, said the confident police officer.<\/p>\n

After a long moment of despairing silence an enraged Iqbal Masih challenged the veracity of the conversion explaining his daughter was a committed Christian
\nand could never adopt Islam by choice. The police officer however looked at Iqbal Masih as if he was a fool and said ‘Islam is the most glorious of religions how dare you insult our faith. Next time I will arrest you for such insolence’. <\/span>He
\nthen  walked out of Iqbal Masih’s home. <\/p>\n

Despite his fear Iqbal Masih continued to appeal for an investigation into the abduction of his daughter but for 12 days, the police supported the opponent
\nparty and failed to register an FIR. It is not known if the apathy towards Iqbal Masih was due to religious intolerance or because of payment of a bribe,
\nhowever the police were very dismissive.<\/p>\n

Iqbal Masih, said:<\/p>\n

“I was becoming very despondent, my daughter would never willingly take up Islam, moreover it is against law for a  minor under 14 years to be legally married.  Despite obvious flaws in the culprits alibi, evidence pointed to an illegal abduction, but the police ignored us and threatened to arrest me several times.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We even presented the birth certificate of Elisha which clearly illustrated that she is just 12.  Every time we did so the police laughed at us telling us that as poor Christians we should be grateful to Mohammad Ismael – your daughter is now part of a very respected Muslim family”.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rubina and Iqbal told how the two of them cried together often and set about praying to God for his mercy and protection and help in extricating their
\nvulnerable daughter from the hands of wicked evil men, who they knew would be dishonouring and torturing Elisha.<\/p>\n

Iqbal and Rubina could not sleep or work until their daughter was set free. But no avenue was opening up for them until Sarwar Sultan Iqbal’s cousin told
\nhim how he could obtain a loan to pay for a solicitor to challenge for his daughters freedom.  Sarwar Sultan is a bonded (indentured) Labourer who
\nhad sold his freedom for a loan many years ago so he could pay for emergency treatment for his wife.  For all intents and purposes he is a modern
\nday slave working 12 hours a day six or seven days a week for a pittance, but he was happy because he had been able to cure his wife the mother of his
\nchildren. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Muslim landowners who ‘own’ Sarwar Sultan agreed to help.  They have a particular affection for Sarwar Sultan who is one of their best workers
\nand who has been placed in a management position over other workers due to his intelligence and good work ethic, without complaint. They used their clout
\nand contacts to pressurize police into registering an FIR 
\n
under Pakistan Penal Code section 34 and 365B against Sagheer and his father Muhammed Ishmael. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n 34.<\/strong> <\/nobr>\n <\/td>\nActs done by several persons In furtherance of common intention.<\/strong>
\n
When a criminal act is done by several persons, in furtherance of the common intention of all, each such person is liable for that act
\n in the same manner as if it were done by him alone.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n
\n 365B.<\/strong> <\/nobr>\n <\/td>\nKidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel for marriage etc.-<\/strong>
\n
Whoever kidnaps or abducts any woman with intent that she may be compelled, or knowing it to be likely that she will be compelled,
\n to marry any person against her will, or in order that she may be forced, or seduced to illicit intercourse, or knowing it to be likely
\n that she will be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, and shall also he liable to
\n fine; and whoever by means of criminal intimidation as defined in this Code, or of abuse of authority or any other method of compulsion,
\n induces any woman to go from any place with intent that she may be, or knowing that it is likely that she will be, forced or seduced
\n to illicit intercourse with another person shall also be punishable as aforesaid.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Iqbal Masih and Rubina did not care that the initial loan of \u00a31000 that they had borrowed mean that their family would be living a life of slavery for
\nthe rest of their lives, for them emancipating Elisha was their primary goal. With the help of their potential new masters they were making some headway
\nin freeing Elisha but more hurdles were to come…<\/p>\n

On 12th December 2017, Iqbal and Rubina received devestating news despite their every effort Magistrate Zeba Chaudhry gave orders in favour of their opponents
\nafter they registered a counter claim inferring that Elisha was 16 years of age and embraced Islam and her marriage wilfully. The highly paid and significantly
\nqualified judge did not even seek to ascertain the truth via the birth certificate and simply accepted the sham Islamic marriage papers produced by Sagheer
\nwithout question.  Papers which identified Sagher as a 20 year old despite him been 25 years of age.<\/p>\n

Distraught and dejected Iqbal and Rubina had to suffer a long and painful month of December as the courts were closed.  Christmas normally the most
\njoyous time of year for Christians was tough for the parents, who made every effort to ensure their other children would not worried about their sister
\nenjoyed the local festivities with other believers.<\/p>\n

It was trust in God and fervent prayers that encourged this family who entered Islamabad High Court on 3rd January 2018 buoyed by a prophecy that they
\nwould win the case. These two strong believers, went into the trial full of confidence equipped with only the birth certificate of their daughter and praying
\nincessantly.  Their hopes were shattered when the high court referred the case back to the session court again under the unfavourable auspices of
\nMagistrate Zeba Chaudhry. <\/p>\n

On the 6th January<\/span> the family took another hit in their heart when the wonderful Zeba Chaudhry ordered that
\nElisha be sent to dar-ul-Aman (womens refuge with notorious reputation) while the case is still ongoing.<\/p>\n

Most Christian families would not have any option but to quit at this point as they would not be able to continue paying for a solicitor, but this family
\ncontinued to pay by extending their loan that would see them all face years of toil for a pittance, ‘It would be worth every drop of sweat I made to see my daughter again and to save her from her tormentors’,<\/span>said
\nIqbal Masih.<\/p>\n

In the meanwhile Mohammad Ismail used the corrupt bribery system in Pakistan to wrench Elisha back under his control from  Dar-ul-Aman despite
\nthe court decision.  He they threatened to kill their Elisha and her family if Iqbal Masih continued with the court action. But like David who fought
\nGoliath Iqbal Masih put his trust in God and asked Mohammed Iqbal to do his worst.<\/p>\n

Iqbal and Rubina were becoming somewhat despondent as they were forced to keep increasing their loan from the brick kiln landlord, to fight the case The
\nloan had now reached \u00a32666 and it was impossible to hazard a guess on what the final sum would be, or oif they would ever obtain enough to succed with
\ntheir challenge for justice for Elisha.<\/p>\n

Still trusting God to answer their prayers and knowing they would need a miracle they applied for an appeal to the Islamabad High Court once more. 
\nTheir friends and church were asked to pray for them and many came to the court to support the beleauguered family. Then a miracle happened, the first
\nof many, at the initial hearing 12 December 2018 High Court Judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqqui <\/span>demanded a medical
\nexamination of Elisha to verify her age.<\/p>\n

The medical assessment of Elisha was undertaken at PIMS Hospital, Islamabad, and doctors reported that she was under 14 years of age. Moreover, evidence
\nwas retrieved from National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) that confirmed that the date on her birth certificate and National Identity Card
\nwas correct.  These pieces of evidence proved without doubt that Elisha was born on 15th December 2005 ,so she was below 13 years of age. Justic
\ne <\/span>Siddiqqui<\/span> then stipulated that as the child was under 14 years of age, she was below the legal
\n consent for a marriage and on 8th January 2018 he ordered that Elisha should be returned to her parents. Elisha finally returned home.<\/p>\n

The evidence against the rapist Sagheer became overwhelming when a terrified Elisha was brought to a witness stand during which she could be seen visibly
\n weeping while she said that she had embraced Islam for the purposes of marriage and claimed an Islamic name as her new name. However, during a cross
\n examination the girl could not name any prophet but Isa (Islamic name for Jesus) and confirmed that she was illiterate. Her lack of knowledge of the
\n Islamic faith and failure to name even one Islamic prophet barring Jesus who she said was her prophet failed to convince the court that she was a true
\n convert<\/p>\n

Under such compelling evidence Justice Siddiqui ordered police to investigate with great rigour the allegations made by Iqbal Masih. He wrote in his
\n court order, “I am not convinced that the girl embraced Islam of her free will and in a secure environment; rather it appears to be the result of inducement and compulsion”.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I am constrained to observe that this sort of act of abduction under the guise of Islam is totally uncalled for and unacceptable,”the judge wrote, adding that Muslims, Christians and all other citizens are equal when it comes to constitutional guarantees.”<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Elisha’s Family are now receiving severe death threats from Mohammed Ismael and his cohorts and have been taken into hiding by the BPCA after we finally
\n made contact with them. We have also negotiated terms with the Muslim Landowner who allowed us to pay off their debt of \u00a32699 without any interest,
\n as repayment was received within an agreed 3 month window. Our solicitor has ensured that all the paperwork is legitimate and provides all necessary
\n protections to Iqbal Masih and his family,<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

British Pakistani Christian Association will offer any help we can to bring about a conviction against the rapist and his father who enacted their debauchery on this innocent child. We will keep you posted. We have began an appeal for them to help with legal fees and any other support they need. If you would like to contribute please <\/span>(click here)<\/a>. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mehwish Bhatti our lead officer stays in touch with the family and provides prayer and counselling and we have agreed to pay any future legal costs
\n for the family. <\/p>\n