Boy Dies After Facing Torture

05 May 2004


^{Students studying at an Islamic school in Pakistan}

A young Pakistani Christian faced brutal torture, leading to his death, at the hands of the students and staff of an Islamic religious school. According to a Voice of the Martyrs source in Pakistan, Javeed Anjum was returning to his home in Toba Tek Singh, Punjab, on the afternoon of April 17 when he became thirsty. Seeing water taps at an Islamic school, he helped himself when a staff member of the school approached. When the staff member found out that Javeed was a Christian, he was taken inside the school. There the students and staff gathered around him and ordered that he embrace Islam by reciting the Islamic creed. When he refused, they began to beat him.

Javeed was kept at the school for five days, facing beatings and torture in an attempt to force a conversion, but he steadfastly refused to deny Christ. Finally, when his physical condition had deteriorated, he was taken to the police station where he was accused by the school administration of trying to steal a water pump. When police saw his condition, they refused to accept the charges against him. He was taken to a hospital for treatment and there gave police his statement. On May 2, Javeed died of kidney failure, as a result of the beatings he had faced. An autopsy has shown the brutal torture he faced at the school. A police report has been filed against the school administration.

Pray for Javeed's family and the Christian community, as they face the reality of this terrible incident. Pray for strength and healing for each one impacted by this death. Pray for those involved in Javeed's torture, that they will experience the love of Christ, even through seeing the faithfulness of Javeed.

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

Pakistan

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC partners to train Christian women in sewing skills throughout Pakistan to provide a sustainable source of income for their families and encourage them in their faith and witness for Christ.

Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Women’s Ministry
Country Information
Population
247,653,551 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Punjabi (44.7), Pashtun [Pathan] (15.4), Sindhi (14.1), Saraiki (8.4) Muhajirs (7.6) Balochi (3.6), Other (6.3)

Religion (%)
Islam (96.5), Other - Christian and Hindu (3.5)

Leader
President Asif Ali Zardari (2024)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
Common law system with Islamic law influence

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Pakistan
Pray that amendments will be made to Pakistan's existing blasphemy laws so that the country's citizens – including its children – will be protected from injustice and abuse. May our Lord's mercy and justice prevail, not only in the judiciary system but also in the hearts of the country's militants. Ask Him to transform their "hearts of stone" into hearts that are receptive to His love, mercy and the workings of His Holy Spirit – not only for the purpose of protecting the Christian minority but also for the salvation of their own eternal souls.