Photo of pamphlet from All Pakistan Minorities Allicance
According to an April 23 release by All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, on April 13 Sattar Masih was preparing for his wedding the next day when some Muslim men came to his home in Kotri, Pakistan with a piece of paper containing his picture and a hand-written note containing comments that criticized Mohammad. Sattar denied that he had written the note. When copies of the note were found posted outside a local mosque, Muslims demanded that he be arrested. Police took him into custody and tortured him in an effort to gain a confession. The next day he was charged with blasphemy under Section 295A and C. His uncle, Mushtaq Masih, was also arrested even though he clearly could not have written the note since he is illiterate. Local Christians believe the pamphlet was part of a conspiracy to incriminate Sattar.
Pray that the truth will be revealed and that Sattar and Mushtaq will be freed. Pray for emotional strength for Sattar and his fiancée during this trying time.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, click here.
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.
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.
Mourners gather to honour Pastor Kamran Salamat. Photo: Christian Daily International / Morning Star News
Pastor Kamran Salamat was widely respected for his ministry work and commitment to promoting interfaith peace. He served as pastor of a church in Islamabad, where he ministered faithfully and advocated for the rights of Christians in Pakistan. As a result of his ministry activities, Pastor Kamran was violently attacked in September and shot in the leg, leaving him seriously injured.
On November 17th, 21-year-old Monica Jennifer disappeared from her home in Rawalpindi, Punjab Province. Several days later, relatives of the resurfaced young Christian woman were heartbroken and fearful when she informed them of her sudden conversion to Islam and recent marriage to her Muslim neighbour.
On the evening of September 24th, Asif Raza was returning home from work in the Vehari district of Punjab when he was suddenly ambushed by a group of seven assailants. The men brutally assaulted Asif, deliberately targeting his head while striking him repeatedly with bricks.
"No Christian in Pakistan, fully aware of the devastating consequences, would intentionally publish or write anything that could be perceived as blasphemous against Islam." This statement by Father Lazar Aslam was made in response to recent allegations against a young Christian man, Asher Bhatti, whose case has sparked widespread concerns among religious freedom advocates.