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| Pray for the protection of young girls in Pakistan. |
A report released by the Aurat Foundation claims that every year, more than 1,000 women from religious minority groups are forcibly converted to Islam. As in previously documented reports, this current one proves that the majority of these victimized young women and girls are Christians. In many cases, rape and forced marriages to Muslim men are used to trap them into contrived conversions. Forced marriages usually follow a similar pattern: the girls (often between the ages of 12 and 25) are abducted, made to convert to Islam, and then married to the abductor or an associate.
Women in Pakistan face significant discrimination, particularly on a religious basis. Each one who is forced to marry under such circumstances has often been threatened or pressured by their husband and his family to declare that their conversion was voluntary, even if the case is taken to court. Forced marriages and conversions are common in Pakistan, but largely ignored by police and civil authorities. For a video presentation on this topic of concern, please click here.
May the Lord bring much needed comfort and consolation to these abducted young women, drawing them into a closer and more meaningful relationship with Him. Despite them having to live in an environment that's strictly opposed to Christianity, may they be renewed spiritually, physically and emotionally through the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Ask that their families also be greatly comforted, knowing that God is able to keep that which they have committed to Him (2 Timothy 1:12). Pray that the international community will intervene by conducting thorough and accurate investigations of these heinous acts against vulnerable women and girls, serving as a catalyst in ultimately stopping the assailants and preventing the onset of similar crimes.
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