Church members filing a police report Photo from UCA News
On September 18, the Nasri Pentecostal Church in Shah Latif Town, Karachi, Pakistan was attacked and vandalized by militants angered over a threat to burn Qur'ans in the United States earlier this month. "The church gates were open and the locks broken. The attackers broke open a cupboard and vandalized religious items at around midnight," said Pastor Peter Shahzad. Nine copies of the Bible, three hymn books and three wooden crosses were found burned, and a drum was damaged. It was the second church attack within a week as countrywide protests continue against American Pastor Terry Jones, who withdrew his threat to burn copies of the Islamic holy book on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks (click here for more information). (Source: Union of Catholic Asian News)
Pray that members of this church will act in a Christ-like manner towards the perpetrators of this attack, committing them to the Lord in prayer. Pray that their hearts and minds will be governed by a spirit of trust in the Lord, not fear. Pray for God's peace in Pakistan, where many Christians continue to live amid daily threat of attacks by those opposed to their faith in Jesus.
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.
Governor of Punjab, Sardar Saleem Haider Khan. Photo: Wikipedia (CC)
On February 11th, the governor of Punjab, Pakistan, signed the "Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026" into effect. The bill raised the minimum age for marriage, providing greater protections for the country's vulnerable youth. It is hoped that this law will now help prevent the kidnapping, forced conversion and marriage of Christian girls. (Further details about the newly implemented legislation are available in this report.)
Governor of Punjab, Sardar Saleem Haider Khan Photo: Wikipedia (CC)
On February 11th, the governor of Punjab signed the "Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026" into effect. This recently implemented law aims to raise the minimum legal age for marriage to 18 and establish penalties for violation. Those advocating for the protection of the country's youth describe the legislation as a "moral and social victory." (For more details, see our previously published report.)
A 14-year-old Christian boy from a village in Punjab has reportedly been forcibly converted to Islam by his employer and separated from his family. The boy, Jameel Masih, is the son of a poor labourer named Sharif. Due to financial hardships, Sharif was compelled to send his son to work at a local cattle farm. Instead of paying wages for the young teen's labour, the owner – Muhammad Boota Bajwa – supplied the family with wheat. Jameel's parents were permitted to visit their son once a month and occasionally bring him home overnight.
Governor of Punjab, Sardar Saleem Haider Khan Photo: Wikipedia (CC)
For Christian girls in Pakistan, the threat of kidnapping is a very real danger. Once abducted, these minors are often sexually assaulted, coerced into converting to Islam, and then forcibly married to their kidnappers. Thankfully, recent legislative action is offering new hope for justice and greater protections from such devastating abuse.
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