Photo: Flickr / DFID (cc)
In a decision referred to as "a step forward" by Christian leaders, the National Assembly of Pakistan recently passed an amendment to an act governing Christian marriages, banning matrimony for Christians under the age of 18. After the law was enacted on July 10th, Naveed Amir Jeeva, a Christian member of the National Assembly, stated, "The legislation aims to protect young girls from early and forced marriages, ensuring their access to education and health."
The legislation is limited in that it only applies to the Islamabad Capital Territory – a federal region centred around the nation's capital city. However, there are hopes that it will be used as a template to expand such policies throughout Pakistan. A similar law was introduced in the province of Punjab in April but has not yet been passed.
Christian girls in Pakistan are frequently kidnapped, forcibly converted to Islam, and then married to their kidnappers. A recent example of this concerns the abduction of Alina Masih, a 14-year-old Christian girl who was taken from her home in Islamabad on June 24th. The family learned three days later that she had allegedly converted to Islam and married a butcher in the area named Haider Ali. Alina's parents are fighting to recover their daughter but have faced daunting challenges from the police, as well as personal health issues. To review additional reports addressing similar incidents in Pakistan, and/or those relating to other forms of Christian persecution, go to our country profile.
Prayerfully uphold Alina's family members as they seek to recover this young teenage girl from her kidnapper. While awaiting deliverance from captivity, pray that Alina will also be filled with divine strength, courage and hope, placing her trust in the Lord to rescue her from this horrific situation. In the midst of the ongoing violence against vulnerable victims like Alina, we can be thankful for the recent legislation that was passed by the Pakistani national government in order to prevent such cases from occurring in the future. May the legislation in Punjab likewise be passed, leading to the enactment of similar laws throughout the nation. Moreover, may policies be established and enforced to stop the forcible conversions of Christians at any age. In the meantime, please continue to pray for the safe return of the many innocent Pakistani girls and young women who have previously been kidnapped and presently remain in difficult and forced relationships.
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