Pakistani girl kidnapped because Christian family refused to convert to Islam
A Pakistani family is now is now in despair after their youngest daughter was kidnapped and raped by a group of men who were forcing them to convert to Islam.
According to the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA), the whole family was reportedly beaten last month by men armed with sticks, metal poles and guns. The men threatened to kill them if they do not convert to Islam but the Christian family refused.
The men tied up the whole family but they took Arif, 20, and Jameela, 17, to an unknown location. Arif was tortured and told that the men were taking turns to rape Jameela. Arif escaped the next day but he could not pinpoint the building where they were held captive. He believed his sister was moved to another location.
The family reported the kidnapping to authorities but the higher-ups refused to file a First Incident Report (FIR). A lawyer hired by the BPCA was able to convince officials to conduct an initial investigation. The FIR will likely be filed due to corroborating witnesses and the backing of Sen. Kamran Michael.
According to BPCA, the brick kiln family is the only group of Christians in the neighborhood and Muslims in the community have been trying to convert them for years.
A few days before the attack, Mumtaz, the 50-year-old mother, got into a heated argument with some Muslim women who were trying to convert her. It was also reported that many Muslim boys want to marry Jameela which would only be possible under a forced conversion.
Movement for Solidarity and Peace in Pakistan estimated that there are about 100 to 700 Christian girls between 12 to 25 who are victims of forced conversions every year.
BPCA is now taking care of the family but Jameela is still missing.
"This family is deeply traumatized but safe now," said BPCA chairperson Wilson Choudry.
"We will now begin the arduous task of helping them rebuild their lives in an atmosphere of safety. However, the captured daughter Jameela may well never be found and her malicious kidnap is causing great anguish and despair. That Muslim despots can kidnap Christian girls with such impunity is a blight on Pakistan's international reputation," Choudry added.
