A 25-year-old Christian woman from Punjab province, Pakistan, died of horrific injures 11 days after being set on fire on 11 April for refusing to convert to Islam in order to marry a Muslim man.
Asma Yaqoob refused to convert to Islam as demanded by Muhammad Rizwan Gujjar as a condition of a marriage proposal. When Asma refused to renounce her faith, Gujjar doused her with petrol before setting her on fire.
Pressured to convert
Police arrested Rizwan Gujjar the day after the attack, following a complaint lodged at the Haji Pura police station by Asma’s family. Family members reported that they had been concerned Asma was being pressured to convert to Islam. Reports state that Rizwan Gujjar, who has been charged with grievous bodily harm offences, claims the attack was ‘an accident’.
