On November 17th, 21-year-old Monica Jennifer disappeared from her home in Rawalpindi, Punjab Province. Several days later, relatives of the resurfaced young Christian woman were heartbroken and fearful when she informed them of her sudden conversion to Islam and recent marriage to her Muslim neighbour.
Monica's relatives are convinced that she was coerced into abandoning her family and Christian faith. "She was a spirit-filled Christian girl, devoted to her faith," claims her brother, Raza Arif, who suspects that threats and blackmail were involved. The family of her alleged husband has warned the Christians to stop pursuing the case, threatening to accuse them of blasphemy if they challenged the validity of the marriage.
The kidnappings, forced conversions and coerced marriages of young Christian women and girls remain a significant problem in Pakistan. Although laws have been passed in efforts to curtail the practice, authorities are often hesitant to apply them. To review other reports concerning the persecution of our Pakistani sisters in Christ, go to our country profile.
- Ask the Lord to divinely intervene in this situation, providing Monica and her concerned family greatly needed protection, comfort and help as they seek His wisdom and guidance.
- May truth and justice prevail in this case, as well as those involving other Christian women and girls, resulting in the healing and restoration of many heartbroken families.
- Furthermore, pray that Pakistani authorities will courageously and more strictly enforce laws against coercive conversions – not only providing greater legal recourse and measures of protection for the victims, but ultimately preventing such crimes from occurring in the future.
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