In 2001, during the aftermath of the World Trade Centre attacks in New York, a Christian man in Pakistan named Anwar Kenneth published a letter defending Christianity and expressing his belief that Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was not a prophet of God. As a result of the letter, Anwar was charged in 2002 and ultimately convicted of blasphemy – a crime that carries an automatic death sentence under Pakistani law. The imprisoned believer has remained on death row for the past 23 years.
In 2014, Anwar's legal representatives argued that he suffered from mental illness and therefore should not have been found guilty. Despite these claims, the Lahore High Court ruled to uphold the Christian man's original sentence. In March 2024, however, the Supreme Court of Pakistan acknowledged the possibility that Anwar may not be guilty under Pakistan's blasphemy laws, noting that, as a Christian, he has the constitutional right to express his religious beliefs (read more).
Following years of repeated appeal rejections from judiciaries representing the lower courts, the country's Supreme Court finally ordered an official acquittal on June 25th, declaring Anwar to be of unsound mind and thus not criminally liable under Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Finally, after more than two decades behind bars, the 72-year-old Christian man is now scheduled to be freed from prison.
As Anwar's release date approaches, his lawyer has expressed concern for the family's safety, warning of threats from militant Islamic vigilantes who consider it their duty to kill those accused of blasphemy. The lawyer, who happens to be a Muslim, has been under police protection himself after receiving threats for publicly speaking out against the misuse of Pakistan's blasphemy laws. For more details on the difficulties facing Christians in this South Asian nation, go to our country profile.
- Praise God that Anwar has been acquitted after experiencing so many years of imprisonment.
- Uphold this believer in your prayers as he adapts to life outside the prison walls – and reenters a world that has changed significantly during his time behind bars – asking that he and his family will receive the Lord's divine peace and protection.
- May Anwar also be provided the support of a caring community of fellow believers as he begins this new chapter of his life.
- Pray that Pakistan's court officials and governing leaders would consider the harmful consequences of the country's existing blasphemy laws, and thus make necessary changes to prevent further abuses and cases of injustice from taking place.
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