Family says Sagar Masih was influenced while working at a factory in Sheikhupura and raises concerns over how his name was changed to “Sagar Muhammad”
SHEIKHUPURA, Pakistan: The family of 15-year-old Christian boy Sagar Masih is seeking his safe return after alleging that he was pressured and influenced to convert to Islam while working at a factory in Sheikhupura, Punjab.
Sagar comes from a financially struggling Christian family and had been working at the factory to help support his household. According to his parents, people at his workplace allegedly encouraged him to abandon Christianity, perform Islamic prayers and embrace Islam. The family also alleges that various incentives and inducements were offered to influence him.
Sagar’s father, Babar, said his son’s family and identity records identify him as Sagar Masih, but the family later discovered that his name had reportedly been changed in factory records to “Sagar Muhammad.”
Babar said:“We only want our child. We want our son returned to us and kept safe. We do not want anything else.”
According to the family, they searched for Sagar for several days and were initially unable to establish his whereabouts. His grandmother said they later discovered footage showing Sagar accompanied by two religious clerics and other individuals.
The family subsequently approached the police seeking the recovery of their son and answers about where he had been and the circumstances in which the alleged conversion had taken place.
Sagar’s grandmother questioned how such a significant decision involving a 15-year-old child could be accepted without first establishing whether he had been subjected to pressure, threats, inducements or influence from adults around him. The family has also asked for documentary evidence relating to his alleged conversion.
For Sagar’s mother, the situation has been particularly painful. She said she had worked long hours to support her family and had struggled to raise Sagar, caring for him through periods of illness and taking him to hospital when he needed treatment.
She described pleading with her son to return home when she was eventually able to see him.
The family has also raised concerns about the handling of the case by police. According to Babar, they received conflicting information about when and how Sagar could be returned. He alleges that when Sagar expressed a desire to leave, he was not permitted to go with his family, and they were subsequently told that the matter would have to be decided by the court.
The family is now seeking a transparent investigation into Sagar’s age, the circumstances surrounding his alleged conversion, the involvement of adults at his workplace and the reported change of his name from Sagar Masih to Sagar Muhammad.
They also want authorities to ensure that any statement made by Sagar is obtained freely and in circumstances where he is protected from pressure or influence.
Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK, condemned any coercion or exploitation of a minor and expressed serious concern over the case. “We are deeply concerned for Sagar’s safety and welfare. He is only 15 years old and must first and foremost be treated as a child who needs protection.
“Freedom of religion is a fundamental right, but that freedom must be genuine. A child’s poverty and vulnerability must never be exploited to pressure, induce or influence him into changing his religion.”Saeed said that while much international attention has rightly focused on allegations involving the forced conversion and marriage of underage Christian girls in Pakistan, the vulnerability of Christian boys should not be overlooked.
“We are also encountering cases involving underage Christian boys whose families allege that they have been converted to Islam under questionable circumstances. These cases raise serious issues of child protection, particularly when poor children are working away from their families and are dependent upon adults around them.”
Saeed stressed that the case should not become a confrontation between Christian and Muslim communities.
“This is about a 15-year-old child, his distressed family and the responsibility of the authorities to protect a minor. The circumstances must be investigated impartially and Sagar must be able to speak freely in a safe and neutral environment without pressure from any interested party.”
He also urged the court to give primary consideration to Sagar’s age and welfare.
“In my view, an alleged conversion involving a 15-year-old, particularly where the circumstances are disputed by his parents, should not become a reason for separating a child from his family.
“The court must put Sagar’s age, safety and best interests first. If he is a minor, he should be returned to his parents unless the court determines that doing so would place him at risk.”
CLAAS-UK has called for an independent and transparent investigation, verification of Sagar’s age and the circumstances surrounding his alleged conversion, and appropriate safeguards to ensure that the teenager is protected while the matter is considered by the authorities and the court.
For Sagar’s parents, however, their appeal remains painfully simple. As his father said: “We do not want anything else. We only want our son back.”
