• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
Christians Become Untouchables After Being Given Filthy Jobs in Muslim Country

Christians Become Untouchables After Being Given Filthy Jobs in Muslim Country

April 16, 2022
LARRY ELDER: Gerrymandering: Obama Vs. Obama

LARRY ELDER: Gerrymandering: Obama Vs. Obama

August 16, 2025
DAVID BLACKMON: Energy Will Play A Vital Role In Any Deal To End Russia’s War With Ukraine

DAVID BLACKMON: Energy Will Play A Vital Role In Any Deal To End Russia’s War With Ukraine

August 16, 2025
‘NOT Backing Down’: Pam Bondi Doubles Down On Anti-Sanctuary Order Over Nation’s Capital

‘NOT Backing Down’: Pam Bondi Doubles Down On Anti-Sanctuary Order Over Nation’s Capital

August 16, 2025
Zelenskyy to Meet With Trump in DC Monday

Zelenskyy to Meet With Trump in DC Monday

August 16, 2025
CASEY RYAN: Trump Administration Ensuring Colleges Follow Supreme Court Ruling

CASEY RYAN: Trump Administration Ensuring Colleges Follow Supreme Court Ruling

August 16, 2025
J. MARC WHEAT: Another Hope For Parental Rights

J. MARC WHEAT: Another Hope For Parental Rights

August 16, 2025
Trump Says Putin, Zelenskyy To Meet Following Alaska Summit

Trump Says Putin, Zelenskyy To Meet Following Alaska Summit

August 15, 2025
Trump And Putin Hold Joint Press Conference After Big Alaska Summit

Trump And Putin Hold Joint Press Conference After Big Alaska Summit

August 15, 2025
DC Homeless Guy Doesn’t Regret Voting For Trump Even Though His Tents Got Thrown Out

DC Homeless Guy Doesn’t Regret Voting For Trump Even Though His Tents Got Thrown Out

August 15, 2025
Hurricane Erin Explodes in Strength, Becomes First Atlantic Hurricane of 2025 Season

Hurricane Erin Explodes in Strength, Becomes First Atlantic Hurricane of 2025 Season

August 15, 2025
White House Reportedly Grading Corporate America On Enthusiasm For Trump Agenda

White House Reportedly Grading Corporate America On Enthusiasm For Trump Agenda

August 15, 2025
Corporate Media Obsessed With Trump Literally Rolling Out Red Carpet For Putin

Corporate Media Obsessed With Trump Literally Rolling Out Red Carpet For Putin

August 15, 2025
  • Donald Trump
  • Tariffs
  • Congress
  • Faith
  • Immigration
Saturday, August 16, 2025
  • Login
IJR
  • Politics
  • US News
  • Commentary
  • World News
  • Faith
  • Latest Polls
No Result
View All Result
IJR
No Result
View All Result
Home Commentary

Christians Become Untouchables After Being Given Filthy Jobs in Muslim Country

by Western Journal
April 16, 2022 at 5:20 pm
in Commentary
245 7
0
Christians Become Untouchables After Being Given Filthy Jobs in Muslim Country
491
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

On major Christian holidays, the faithful like to remind ourselves we’re fortunate — and not only that, but many of our brothers and sisters are far less fortunate than us.

We’re usually vague about what “less fortunate” entails. Perhaps we think they lead simpler lives; poor, without access to education or the necessities of daily life. Perhaps they’re persecuted, kept out of the mainstream of society because of their faith. Perhaps that persecution goes as far as jail, torture, or — heaven forbid — death.

Here at The Western Journal, we try to shine a light on these stories. (You can help us continue doing so by subscribing.) However, few bring the reality so many believers face home as the plight of the Christian sewer cleaners in Pakistan does.

In a video posted to YouTube April 4, Agence France-Presse shone a light on the terrible phenomenon. It isn’t for the faint of heart — but it’s one of the truest definitions of what suffering for your faith can entail in the world of 2022.

Posted by Agence France-Presse alone, the video received only about 1,600 views and no comments. But after it was picked up by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, its number of views on YouTube passed 90,000 and comments ran to more than 350.

“In Pakistan, sewage workers have to go deep into the sewers every day to manually clean up the dark, stinking sludge that often blocks pipes,” the SCMP wrote in the video’s description.

“It’s a task that many perform with their hands and all who do it have to brave the foul stench and toxic gas. Many sanitation workers in the country come from minority groups and endure social stigmas as the occupation is often considered impure by the Muslim-majority population.

“Christians account for more than 80 per cent of these jobs, according to the National Human Rights Commission. Experts point out that many families are stuck doing this kind of work as poverty prevents the younger generation from getting an education, leaving them with little alternative than to work in public sanitation.”

“When someone goes down into the sewer, they have to sacrifice all self-respect,” sanitation worker Shafiq Masih says in the video.

“When I was down there, water mixed with detergent fell on me because people inside the house were washing their clothes. Sometimes people go to the toilet, flush the toilet. And all the waste gets dumped on us.”

WARNING: The following video contains graphic content that some viewers will find disturbing.

[firefly_embed]

[/firefly_embed]

According to Agence France-Presse, the situation is exacerbated by the fact that most of the country’s Christians descend from lower-caste Hindus who converted during the British colonial period.

While they only make up 2 percent of the population, up to four out of five jobs “involving refuse collection, sewage work and street sweeping” are performed by Christians.

And, as AFP pointed out: “Even in death there is no dignity” for Christian sewage workers.

“In 2017 Muslim doctors sparked outrage and protests in Umerkot when they refused to treat a Christian sewage worker overcome by toxic gases, saying they could not touch his soiled body because they had to remain pure during Ramadan,” AFP reported.

However, because of the primitive sewage systems in much of the country, employees like Masih are needed.

“Like much of the country, the drains in Lahore — a city of 11 million — are routinely unclogged with a long bamboo stick. If this doesn’t work, someone has to go in,” AFP reported.

“For doing this, and after 22 years of service, Shafiq receives just Rs44,000 ($240) a month — still, almost double the salary of street sweepers and garbage collectors.”

It’s a dangerous job, though; at least 10 workers have died since 2019 in Pakistan’s sewers, although families contend the real numbers are much higher.

“When you go to work, you are never sure you will get home,” sanitation worker Shahbaz Masih told AFP.

The 32-year-old was once overcome by fumes and had to be revived in the hospital.

While the caste system still plays a role in the poverty Shafiq and Masih face, it’s worth noting that, according to AFP, these jobs are reserved for “non-Muslims” — and entry into better opportunities would likely be available if they abandoned their Christian faith and converted.

And yet, they remain faithful that they’ll be able to create a better life for their children.

“It’s humiliating to get up early in the morning and do this,” Masih said in the video. “But we want to get our children educated, to find good jobs.

“Every human being wants to do good for his kids. So we won’t go looking for another job, but we’re not defined by this.”

Are you sure you would keep your faith under these conditions?

Completing this poll entitles you to our news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Yes: 82% (9 Votes)
No: 18% (2 Votes)

No, in Pakistan, they’re defined by the fact that they’re Christians. But as surely as they know they’ll face Lahore’s sewers on the job, they must know they’ll face their Maker one day, and expect to hear the only words that matter: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

This Easter, let our thoughts and prayers be with them — and let our actions be directed toward ensuring they needn’t suffer this act of defiance, inspiring though it may be.

This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.

Tags: Christian PersecutionChristianityIslamPakistanvideo
Share196Tweet123
Western Journal

Western Journal

Advertisements

Top Stories June 10th
Top Stories June 7th
Top Stories June 6th
Top Stories June 3rd
Top Stories May 30th
Top Stories May 29th
Top Stories May 24th
Top Stories May 23rd
Top Stories May 21st
Top Stories May 17th

Join Over 6M Subscribers

We’re organizing an online community to elevate trusted voices on all sides so that you can be fully informed.





IJR

    Copyright © 2024 IJR

Trusted Voices On All Sides

  • About Us
  • GDPR Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Editorial Standards & Corrections Policy
  • Subscribe to IJR

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
  • US News
  • Commentary
  • World News
  • Faith
  • Latest Polls

    Copyright © 2024 IJR

Top Stories June 10th Top Stories June 7th Top Stories June 6th Top Stories June 3rd Top Stories May 30th Top Stories May 29th Top Stories May 24th Top Stories May 23rd Top Stories May 21st Top Stories May 17th