Shama and Shahzad
Shahzad Masih (26) and his pregnant wife, Shama (24), were disposing of garbage in the village of Kot Radhakishan in November 2014 when Shama allegedly burned pages from the Quran (see this page).
After news of the incident had spread around the community, a frenzied mob consisting of hundreds gathered demanding their death. Ultimately, the young couple were thrown into a brick kiln where they were burned to death. It was later determined that they had been falsely accused. It is believed that the rumours were started because the impoverished couple owed the kiln owner money.
In 2016, five people were sentenced to death and several more given jail time for the crime. Despite these convictions, many suspects who had participated in the killings have gone free. On March 24th, 2018, a total of 20 men were acquitted for their part in the attack, and numerous other participants have never been charged. Many question whether full justice regarding this case will ever be served by the country's judicial system.
As you pray for justice to be served, ask also that God's peace will rest on the couple's family and friends who continue to grieve their tragic loss (Philippians 4:7). Pray that His grace will be evident not only in their lives but also in the lives of those who participated in the attack, so they will understand His gift of salvation and come to faith in Christ.
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