Faith
Pakistani Christians Face Forced Identity Crisis
Faith Facts
- Sufyan Masih’s family in Pakistan faces barriers registering as Christians due to forced conversion in national records.
- Official pressure and debt led to Sadiq Masih’s religious identity being changed, impacting his children’s ability to claim their Christian heritage.
- Pakistani law and practice heavily restrict converts from Islam seeking to restore their Christian identity.
A Christian family working in Pakistan’s brick kilns is barred from registering their faith on official documents after authorities forced the father to convert to Islam under financial pressure. Their struggle reflects persistent challenges for believers seeking to live openly as Christians in a nation where Islam is the state religion.
“Because my father is registered as a Muslim in NADRA, we have been told that we cannot register ourselves as Christians,” Masih said.
Debt bondage is common in the brick kiln sector, and families often face dire choices to survive. After taking a substantial loan for his wife’s medical care, Sadiq Masih was compelled to accept a Muslim name and registration to pay off the debt, not out of genuine belief.
“This name was not his choice… It was imposed on him because he was financially dependent. He did not change his faith in his heart.”
The repercussions are severe, as Sadiq’s children are told they must also be registered as Muslims, despite being raised as Christians. This exclusion keeps them from basic rights like education, jobs, and voting.
Presently, the family continues in poverty and lacks resources for legal action. Pakistan rarely allows registered Muslims to change their religious status, leaving converts from Islam especially vulnerable.
Christian attorney Lazar Allah Rakha notes, “Converts from Islam often face severe social stigma, familial rejection and threats of violence from extremist elements.” Legal, constitutional, and cultural barriers combine to silence and endanger those seeking to reclaim their birthright as Christians.
The Masih family’s plea is to restore Sadiq’s original Christian name and status, allowing his children to live honestly as Christians and claim the freedoms afforded them by faith and the constitution.