Photo: Morning Star News
A 22-year-old Pakistani Christian was sentenced to death for blasphemy on May 30th. Noman Masih was found guilty of blaspheming against the Muslim prophet Muhammad because of the pictures he was accused of distributing in 2019.
The incident began when Noman's cousin, Sunny Waqas, was taken into custody on June 29th, 2019. The police claimed to have received "secret information" proving that Sunny had printed blasphemous sketches of Muhammad and was carrying them in a bag to show others. While under interrogation, Sunny allegedly told the police he had received the images from Noman through WhatsApp.
Police claim that Noman was sitting in a public park at 3:30 a.m. on July 1st, showing images to people gathered around him, when he was arrested. However, his father denies those allegations, stating that Noman was asleep in bed when police entered the home to arrest him.
All allegations against Sunny and Noman have been denied by their family members. Sunny was released from prison on February 3rd of this year since the trial had not concluded within the mandatory two-year period. Noman's family intends to appeal the conviction.
Between January 1st and May 10th, 2023, at least 57 cases of alleged blasphemy have been reported in Pakistan, with four of the accused individuals having since been lynched or otherwise killed because of those allegations. Further information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan is available at our country report.
Pray that truth and mercy will prevail in Noman's case, so he can be freed of all charges. May the Lord work deeply in the hearts and minds of the court officials, as well as the country's governing leaders, so that justice will be upheld on behalf of Noman and the many other believers presently being mistreated due to their Christian faith. Also uphold the grieving loved ones of those who've been martyred following accusations made against them. To discourage further incidents of religious persecution and human rights violations, may Pakistan's greatly abused blasphemy laws ultimately be repealed.
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