Philadelphia, PA – June 15, 2025 – In a significant effort to address the growing concerns over Christian persecution, Ecclesia United International submitted an urgent memorandum to the Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, Masood Khan, calling for justice in the murder of Mr. Nazir Masih, a 72-year-old Christian man who was brutally killed by a mob in Sargodha, Pakistan, on May 25, 2024. The memorandum was submitted by Ecclesia United’s Chief Executive Consultant and U.S. Congressional candidate, Aaron Bashir, alongside President Bimal John and Vice Chairman Stanley George, and was presented during an event at Mar Thoma Church in the Greater Philadelphia area.
The memorandum expresses Ecclesia United’s deep distress over this act of violence, urging the Pakistani government to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation and ensure those responsible are brought to justice. “Such violent acts are a grave violation of human rights and harm Pakistan’s image as a nation committed to justice for all,” the document emphasizes. Ecclesia United also calls on the Pakistani government to implement effective measures to protect its Christian minority and to uphold its commitment to religious tolerance and equality.
In response, Ambassador Masood Khan addressed over one hundred Pakistani-American Christians at Mar Thoma Church, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to minority rights and highlighting recent initiatives to prevent the misuse of laws for personal disputes and hate crimes. Khan also discussed the government’s strategic measures to enhance police response, aiming to reduce religiously motivated violence and protect community safety.
He further emphasized the importance of interfaith harmony and collaboration, stating that “Christians are an integral part of Pakistan’s societal fabric, with invaluable contributions to the nation’s progress.” Khan underscored Pakistan’s legislative steps, including those addressing forced conversions, child marriages, and discrimination against vulnerable communities.
The event, held at Mar Thoma Church, highlighted the collective concern of the Christian diaspora regarding rising persecution in Pakistan and underscored Ecclesia United International’s mission to advocate for the rights and safety of persecuted Christians worldwide.