Rakha (centre) and Muhammad Sarmad.
Photo: Morning Star News
In April 2023, two school workers in Pakistan were given the tasks of cleaning a storeroom and burning any garbage they found. However, as both of these workers are illiterate, they did not realize that some of the papers they had burned contained verses from the Quran. When this was discovered, they were reported to the police and charged with blasphemy for allegedly desecrating the Quran.
The two accused workers have been identified as Musarrat Bibi, a Christian widow, and Muhammad Sarmad, a young Muslim man. Although the workers were released on bail as of May 12th, they finally had their day in court on December 8th. After hearing the evidence, Judge Tariz Mahmood dismissed all the charges against them.
Following the announcement of the verdict, Musarrat expressed her relief, saying, "I feel like I have got my life back again." Unfortunately, despite being released, the Christian widow has experienced further challenges. After being granted bail in May, the school administration refused to restore her job. Also, due to receiving subsequent death threats, she was forced to flee the village with her daughter. They have since had to move frequently to avoid being found by Islamic militants who want to cause them harm. Musarrat hopes to eventually find a similar position in another area where she is unknown.
Such dilemmas are frequently experienced by Christians in Pakistan who have been falsely accused of blasphemy. Even when these believers are acquitted by the courts, they often find themselves convicted by public opinion. To review more reports on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, go to our country report.
Please pray that Musarrat and her daughter will find a home in a safe location where they will be protected from mob violence and other forms of persecution. May this Christian woman also be granted a new job that will provide for their practical needs. Additionally, pray that Muhammad will not suffer any further consequences because of these false accusations. In fact, as a result of this ordeal, may his heart be stirred towards Christ and receptive to His loving kindness – to the point of acknowledging Him as Saviour and Lord. Finally, may God work by His Holy Spirit in and through the legal and political systems of Pakistan so that the frequently abused blasphemy laws would no longer be used to persecute the country's Christians and so many other innocent victims.
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