A man accused of desecrating the Quran was lynched by an angry mob, beaten to death, and had his naked, dead body dragged through the streets to the sound of cheering, last month in Pakistan.

These atrocious acts against humanity are happening at a seemingly more frequent rate in the Muslim world today. According to videos that have gone viral, Islamic leaders stood together with angry mobs outside a police station in Nankana Sahib in Pakistan’s Punjab province, demanding that Muhammad Waris, accused of “desecrating the Quran,” be handed over. When he was not, camera footage shows a couple of men scaling the main gate, opening it from the inside, and the mob storming the building. Waris was beaten to death, stripped, dragged naked through the streets by his legs, and then his body was set on fire to the sounds of shouting and jeering crowds.

Total madness!!! An angry mob attacked the police station in Nankana Sahib. Reportedly an accused of blasphemy was killed and body burnt by the mob. Apparently police was unable to control the situation. pic.twitter.com/1kdNGFmqro

— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) February 11, 2023

 

One video showed children partaking in the event, pointing to a sad and dangerous trend that seems to be growing with each successive generation.

The United Nations, with strong support from Islamic nations, has been pushing for Anti-defamation of Religion laws, similar to those in Pakistan that led to the lynching of Mr. Waris. Several non-binding resolutions have already passed in the UN, but western nations have been fighting them. Nations like Pakistan would like to enshrine laws which protect Islam from criticism. Pakistan’s anti-blasphemy laws are not an attack on freedom of speech and freedom of religion, but are grossly intolerant of other religions and are diametrically opposed to basic human rights.