By Peter Heck
Following a disagreement with a Muslim co-worker in Pakistan, a Christian nurse was accused of blasphemy and subsequently assaulted by her colleagues.
Tabitha Nazir Gill, a 30-year-old nurse at Sobhraj Maternity Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, observed a co-worker improperly taking money from a patient. Gill reminded the co-worker that hospital policy barred medical staff from taking tips or contributions from patients.
The reproach apparently offended the worker, who subsequently accused the Christian nurse of blasphemy. Despite there being no evidence of the accusation, International Christian Concern reported that Gill was bound, tortured, and locked in a hospital room until authorities arrived.
When local police found nothing to corroborate the accusation, they released Gill to her family. Hundreds of Muslim citizens then protested at the police station, compelling officials to file a “First Information Report,” citing Gill for the offense.
“Police have provided protection to the victim and tried to resolve the issue,” the ICC reported. “However, a mob of hundreds of Muslims gathered at the local police station to force the police to register a FIR against Gill. This FIR was lodged today.”
Blasphemy accusations are far from uncommon in the predominantly Muslim country of Pakistan. Even when they are proven unsubstantiated, the allegation itself often ruins the career and livelihood of the accused. ICC has called on Pakistani authorities to investigate and exonerate Gill and punish those responsible for the false accusation.
“We call on Pakistani authorities to thoroughly and fairly investigate this false allegation and bring the false accuser to justice,” ICC Regional Manager William Stark said in a statement. “Pakistan’s blasphemy laws must no longer be allowed to settle personal scores or incite religious hatred. Too often these laws have been a tool in the hands of extremists seeking to stir up religiously motivated violence against minorities.”
The following video was posted to YouTube, apparently depicting a portion of Gill’s assault:
