Christian girl escapes Muslim captors, returns home to parents ahead of Christmas
A couple in Pakistan received an extraordinary Christmas gift this week — the safe return of their kidnapped daughter, who managed to escape her captor.
Muskan Salman, a vibrant 15-year-old, was abducted from her home in Tando Ghulam Ali, a remote town in Sindh Province’s Badin District, on March 11. Her devout Catholic family was devastated to learn that a man named Arsalan Ali had forcibly converted her to Islam and married her against her will.
The Masih family reported the abduction, filing a First Information Report accusing Ali of kidnapping. However, under duress, Muskan was coerced into claiming she was 19 years old and that she had willingly converted and married Ali. In Sindh, the legal marriage age is 18 for both genders.
Muskan’s father, Salman Masih, revealed that Ali, who is believed to be between 25 and 27 years old, forged a marriage certificate to cover his crime. After enduring months of captivity, Muskan escaped on December 15 and returned home. But Ali, determined to take her back, began pursuing her aggressively.
Seeking protection, the Masih family reached out to Luke Victor, a Christian attorney based in Karachi. “Ali and his accomplices began searching for Muskan immediately after her escape,” Victor said. A senior police officer in Badin helped ensure the family could leave the area safely.
While traveling to Victor’s office in Karachi, the family faced more threats. Ali traced their taxi driver’s number and pressured him to return the family to him. The driver refused but left the family stranded. Despite this setback, they eventually reached Karachi late that night, where Victor and his team anxiously awaited their arrival.
The family was moved to a safe house, and Muskan shared her ordeal. “She spoke of the fear and pain she endured, but also of her unwavering faith and hope for freedom,” Victor said.
On December 18, Muskan provided a signed statement declaring that she had been forced to lie under oath, denying she willingly converted or married Ali. Victor submitted her statement to the police and prepared a petition for the Sindh High Court, requesting protection for Muskan from her abductor.
Earlier, a Badin District judge had ordered the police to re-investigate the case, including verifying Muskan’s age under the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2014. Victor noted that the police initially tried to dismiss the case by claiming Muskan was an adult, but the court insisted on verifying her age through birth documents, school records, and medical exams.
Victor’s colleague, Barrister Fahad Hussain, wrote to the district police on December 12, urging compliance with the court’s directive.
“Muskan’s return is nothing short of a miracle,” Victor said. Her story brings hope to other families who have suffered similar tragedies involving kidnapping, forced conversion, and marriage, according to the Rev. Maqsood Kamil, former vice principal of the Gujranwala Theological Seminary.
“The Masih family’s reunion symbolizes the essence of Advent — hope, love, and faith,” Kamil said. “Muskan’s escape and return are a testament to the power of resilience and miracles, even in the darkest times.”
Pakistan ranks seventh on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most persecution, the same position it held last year.