Tags

Pakistan

• Update on Sangla Hill Three On November 12, several Christian buildings were destroyed and hundreds of Christians fled the community of Sangla Hill west of Lahore, Pakistan, after riots erupted following a fire in a mosque. A Christian man was blamed for starting the fire. For details on the story, click here.

  According to news reports from Pakistan's Daily Times, all accusations have been dropped against Younas Masih.  In exchange, no further action will be taken against the rioters who destroyed the buildings.

  Pray that the believers will be able to rebuild with no further opposition from the Muslims in the area. Thank God that the accusations against Younas have been dropped. Pray that the tensions will subside and that believers will lead the way in peaceful exchange with their Muslim neighbors.

  For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Pakistan,click here. 

• Christians Evicted to Make Room for Earthquake Survivors

  Bishop Lobo

  The earthquake that hit the Kashmir region of India and Pakistan on October 8 killed thousands and left more than three million homeless. With the urgent need for shelter, Pakistani authorities are reportedly evicting hundreds of Christians from their homes to make room for the homeless.

  Bishop Anthony Lobo of Islamabad-Rawalpindi told Catholic news agencies that at least forty families in a district near Joharabad in Sind province were forced out of their homes.  He believes officials prefer this alternative because it saves the time and money needed to erect shelters for the refugees.  Bishop Lobo said, "We are the most vulnerable people, we are very poor and we are easy targets."  Some are seeing this as a slap in the face, as Christians were actively involved in relief operations for those suffering from the earthquake, regardless of their religious affiliation.  Bishop Lobo has begun assembling a legal team to prevent similar evictions in other Christian communities.

  Pray that Bishop Lobo will have much wisdom as he deals with the government officials. Pray that he will be able to present convincing arguments for the need to allow families in his area to remain in their homes. Pray that those who have been displaced will find adequate housing and have their physical needs met. Pray that this will actually turn out to be an opportunity to promote the truth of God's Word in Sind province.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.

• Muslim Leaders Inflame Crowds On November 12, three churches, a convent and other Christian-owned buildings were destroyed by a mob of more than 1000 angry Muslims in Sangla Hill (a community 70 km west of Lahore, Pakistan).  The incident began when Yousaf Masih was accused of setting fire to a room full of Islamic books, including several copies of the Quran (for more details, click here).

  Eighty-eight people have since been detained and accused of participating in the riots.  Islamic groups, however, are refusing to file a bail petition, insisting that they be unconditionally released.  As part of their Friday prayers, Muslim leaders spoke to approximately 3000 Muslims at the Markazi Jamia Masjid (mosque).  They urged local Muslims to unite for the honour and integrity of Islam and to eliminate all Christians.  They also insisted on the public hanging of Yousaf Masih and claimed that Christians had set fire to their own buildings.  Several Christians have been threatened and many remained hidden in their homes for their safety.

  Pray earnestly for the protection of God's people in Sangla Hill. Pray that the false accusations and threats of the Muslim leaders will be silenced. Ask the God of Justice to provide truth and equity in the legal proceedings that surround this case. Pray that every believer will stand firm in Christ, regardless of the threats and false accusations.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.

• Violence Erupts Against Christians Three churches, a convent and other Christian-owned buildings were destroyed by a mob of over 1000 angry Muslims in Sangla Hill, a community 70 km west of Lahore, on November 12.  The incident began when Yousaf Masih was accused of setting fire to a room full of Islamic books, including several copies of the Quran. Yousaf denies the charges. 

  Spurred on by calls from Islamic leaders over mosque loudspeakers to punish the infidels, the Muslim crowd destroyed local Salvation Army, United Presbyterian and Catholic church buildings, a convent, a Christian school, a hostel and several Christian homes.  Rather than providing protection, reports say that police officers joined in the anti-Christian violence.  Hundreds of Christians have fled the community.  There are no reports of anyone being injured or killed.

  (Sources: All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), The Hindu, World News Australia, Telegraph)

• Rape Suspect Flees Court

  On September 2, a 22-year-old Catholic woman, Ribqa Masih, from the village of Chak 86 was kidnapped, drugged and repeatedly raped over a period of several days. She was told that if she did not convert to Islam, she and her family would be killed. Two men have been implicated in the crime. On October 24, one of the suspects, Muhammad Kashif, was denied bail in a courtroom in Faisalabad. He immediately fled the courthouse. According to an October 28 report by Compass Direct, eyewitnesses said that the six police who were standing guard at building did nothing to stop him. Despite what appears to be police cooperation with the suspects, the Masih family and their lawyer are determined to seek justice for Ribqa.

  (Source: Compass Direct)

• Pakistani Christian Woman Brutalized in Forcible Conversion Attempt

  A Christian woman has accused three men of repeatedly raping her earlier this month and attempting to force her to convert to Islam, according to a September 27 report from Compass Direct. Testifying in court on September 22, Ribqa Masih (22) said that Ghulam Abbas and Mohammad Kashif drugged her on September 2 and took her to Lahore, approximately 100 km from her home.  Upon arrival, she was repeatedly raped throughout the night.  They threatened to kill her and her family if she did not recite the Islamic creed, which would have been considered an official conversion to Islam.  She refused, saying she would rather die than renounce her faith.

  The next morning, she was handed over to another man who was supposed to take her home.  Instead, he raped her several times over the next three days.  Finally on September 6 she was taken to Faisalabad and left at a bus stop.  She hired a rickshaw to take her to her uncle's home where she called her parents.  Only one man, Abbas, has been taken into custody.  He denies the charges.  Ribqa still has difficulty walking because of her injuries.

  According to Masih's lawyer, Khalil Tahir, many girls do not report rapes because of the impact on their family honor.  Such honor is often a matter of life and death in Pakistan. "Nobody wants to marry these girls, even though they are innocent," said Tahir. Masih's priest, Father Paschal Paulus, credits the family for their willingness to stand with Ribqa.  Her six younger siblings have been forced to leave school because of taunts and threats.  The family has also been threatened by their Muslim neighbours if they do not drop the charges.

  Pray for protection for this family.  Pray that they will have courage to stand firm, despite the opposition they face.  Pray for the emotional and physical healing of this young woman.

  For more information on persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.

• Blasphemy Charges Result in Fear and Violence

  At least sixteen homes have been damaged in the Waheed Park area of Lahore, Pakistan after a drug addict disrupted an Islamic service and reportedly insulted Mohammed.  The incident began around midnight on the night of September 9 when a Muslim imam was holding a "Qawali" (an Islamic service with mystical singing) in the home of a local Christian. Younis Masih (35) entered the home and reportedly began arguing with the imam. During the argument, he was accused of blaspheming against Mohammed.  The host and the other Christians present demanded that Younis leave.  Some news reports claim that Younis was beaten by the Christian residents and told to apologize, which he refused to do.

  The next day, local Muslims went to Younis' home and beat him.  His wife, Meena, was also injured in the attack.  Younis and Meena went to the police station where he was arrested. Following the arrest of Younis, a mob of young Muslims began vandalizing the homes of Christians in the area as well as damaging a church building with stones.  According to a report from the Centre for Legal Aid and Settlement (CLAAS), the police did nothing to prevent the attacks, choosing to rest at the home of a local councillor rather than intervening.  Despite assurances from Muslim leaders that they only want Younis punished, around fifty Christian families have left the area in fear.

  Pray for the peace and safety of the Christians living in the area who are suffering the consequences of one man's actions.  Pray that the authorities will be prepared to protect the Christians, so that they need not live in fear for their lives.

  For more information on the challenges facing Christians in Pakistan,click here.

• Update: Christian Janitor Released on Bail

  Last week, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported that the health of Yousaf Masih was deteriorating badly because of the abusive treatment he was experiencing in prison (click here).  Masih was arrested in late June for allegedly burning a copy of the Koran.  According to the All Pakistan Minority Alliance, Masih was released August 6 on Rs 250,000 ($5000 CDN) bail.  When Yousaf heard that he would be released on bail, he fell to his knees and loudly proclaimed "Hallelujah!" This release is the first time a prisoner charged with blasphemy has been released on bail after such a short period of time.  Continue to pray that all charges will be dropped against him.

• UPDATE: Hisbah Law Challenged

  General Pervez Musharraf

  Pakistani President, General Pervez Musharraf has called on the Pakistani Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of a proposed Taliban-like law passed in Northwest Frontier Province and scheduled to come into effect August 14.  In a province where the ruling party has already outlawed music in public places and pulled down advertising featuring women, the new "hisbah" (accountability) law would institute a new police authority to ensure that strict Islamic rules are followed (click here for more details).  Analysts believe that the court will rule that that new law is unconstitutional.
• UPDATE: Yousaf Masih's Health Declining

  On July 6, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the arrest of Yousaf Masih on charges that he had burned a copy of the Koran (click here for more details).  According to recent reports from Pakistan, Yousaf's health has been deteriorating badly. According to Assist News, he is reported to have received "ruthless treatment" since his arrest.  The jail superintendent told representatives from the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance that his life is in danger.