Nicknamed ‘Little Einstein’ for his intelligence, 14-year-old Haroon Masih, helps his mother collect rags to pay for his studies. His attacker, a Muslim pupil, was arrested.
Karachi (AsiaNews) - Haroon Masih, a 14-year-old Christian boy, was stabbed by a Muslim classmate who was jealous of his good grades.
At his school, the teenager is known as ‘Little Einstein’ for his intelligence and dedication to his studies. To pay for his education and not burden his very poor family, he collects rags together with his mother.
Taken urgently to Jinnah Hospital in Karachi after the attack, doctors had to remove a kidney to save his life. The National Justice and Peace Commission of Karachi (NCJP) has offered legal aid to the Masih family.
The incident took place last Sunday, but the dispute that triggered the violence goes back a few days.
Both the boys, Haroon Masih and Muhammad Majid, both fourth graders, attend the Government Mohammadi School in Sultanabad. Last Friday, Majid, jealous of his fellow pupil’s great grades, stole a book from him.
Haroon told the teacher and the latter, instead of protecting the Muslim pupil as is often the case in Pakistan, he scolded him for his deed.
Hurt in his pride, Majid organised a beating for the Christian boy with some friends. Sunday evening, the five other boys surrounded Haroon and viciously beat him.
Majid then pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the stomach puncturing his kidney. After the attack, the victim was left wounded on the ground. Some passers-by, who took him to the hospital, saved his life.
Although alive, Haroon suffered serious injuries and will not be able to help his mother for some time.
Police arrested the attacker. Now Irfan Masih, the father, says “we want justice for our son. We do not want to see him suffer anymore. He is the only one helping his mother and thus supports our whole family."