Update: Teenager's case goes to juvenile court

Asia News 27 September 2012

Rimsha, accused of desecrating the Qur’an,
faces her next court hearing soon.
Photo: Al Jazeera Commons

Rimsha Masih, 14, a Pakistani teenager who was accused of desecrating the Qur'an, faces her next hearing at a juvenile court on October 1.

Rimsha has a mental age younger than 14 years old, and some reports indicate that she has Down Syndrome. Accused of desecrating the Qur'an in August, Rimsha was released on bail earlier this month. Her accuser has since been arrested himself for blasphemy after a witness claimed he planted burned pages of the Qur'an to implicate Rimsha (for more on Rimsha's case, click here).

Please pray that God will grant wisdom to Rimsha and all those involved in her case. Pray that she will be acquitted of the charges. Pray that this ordeal will draw Rimsha and her family members closer into relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray that God will comfort Rimsha and others like her in Pakistan who have been falsely accused of blasphemy.

For more information about persecution in Pakistan, please visit the Pakistan Country Report.

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.