A Pakistani Christian, Hector Aleem (51), is under fire after being accused of sending a blasphemous text message, according to a February 5 report from Compass Direct. On January 22, police arrested Aleem for blasphemy and abetting a crime after a religious scholar allegedly received a text message from him in November that insulted Muhammad. Although he was acquitted of the blasphemy charges at a hearing on February 2, he was not cleared of abetting. Local Christians believe the judge's decision was influenced by the approximately 150 people protesting and yelling threats outside the courthouse. Sources claim that Aleem was targeted because he directs an organization that lobbies for the rights of Christians in Islamabad.
At last report, Aleem was detained at the Adiyala Jail in the city of Rawalpindi, where he has been denied adequate food, medicine for his heart condition and visits with his family. His family has gone into hiding due to threats from Muslim militants.
Pray that Aleem will be acquitted of all charges. Pray for protection for him and his family. Pray that Muslims in Pakistan will come to know Christ's love through the lives of Christians (Romans 12:14, 21).
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.
On the night of March 25th, Adnan Masih and his wife Shumaila were heading home from work on their motorcycle when they were suddenly intercepted by two armed gunmen. After seizing the married couple's cell phone and the small amount of cash they were carrying, the thieves physically beat the Christians and demanded more money. Adnan told the gunmen that he and his wife were poor Christians who had nothing more to give. It was then that the attack became more violent.
On March 17th, Pakistani federal agents took 24-year-old Arsalan Gill into custody on accusations of blasphemy. The charges allege that the Christian believer was responsible for sharing blasphemous content in Facebook groups. His arrest takes place amid a rising number of cases involving entrapment, whereby organized militant groups specifically target members of the country's religious minorities.
Slain victim: Farhan Ul Qamar Photo: Morning Star News
On November 9th, 2023, a follower of Jesus named Farhan Ul Qamar was killed in his family's home by a man who is well-known in the community for his hatred towards Christians and Jews. It is believed that the violence may have been instigated by a minor disagreement that took place the day before the attack. (For more details on the incident, see this report.)
On February 27th, an impoverished Christian man named Wasif Masih was collecting wood along the road when he was confronted by a group of six Muslim landowners. The men verbally abused the believer, referring to him as "chuhra" – a term frequently used in Pakistan to insult Christians. The perpetrators then physically beat Wasif and detained him for four hours on a poultry farm.
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