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Pakistan

• Pastor beaten with bricks

  Rev. Dr. Suleman Nasri Khan Photo from Compass Direct

  On November 1, 10 Muslim extremists in Islamabad used bricks and hockey sticks to beat a Christian clergyman who is the subject of a fatwa demanding his death. The Rev. Dr. Suleman Nasri Khan, pastor of Power of the Healing God's Church, suffered a serious head injury, a hairline fracture in his arm and a broken bone in his left ankle in the assault. He was able to identify two of his assailants as Allama Atta-Ullah Attari and Allama Masaud Hussain.

  The attack follows Islamic scholar Allama Nawazish Ali's October 25th fatwa (religious ruling) to kill Khan. The fatwa was issued after Khan protested anti-Christian violence in Kalupura last month. Khan, a former fighter in Afghanistan, had relocated to a rented apartment in Islamabad after fleeing his home in Gujrat because of death threats against him and his family. Muslim extremists previously attacked Khan in 2008, after hearing of his conversion to Christianity. His 3-month-old daughter was killed in that assault.

  While fighting in Afghanistan's civil war in 2000, Khan found a New Testament lying on the battlefield. He immediately threw it away, but he says he heard a divine voice extending an invitation to him. When he later embraced Christ, he began preaching and studying, and he earned a doctorate in biblical theology from Punjab Theological Seminary in Kasur in 2005.

  Thank God for Khan's faithfulness. Pray for a full recovery. Pray the Lord will continue to strengthen him and protect him and his family from further harm. Pray for all Christians in Pakistan and Afghanistan who boldly follow Christ.

  To learn more about the Persecuted Church in Pakistan, visit thePakistan Country Report.

• Update: Woman sentenced to death for blasphemy

  On November 8, Asia Bibi, a Christian woman imprisoned in June 2009 on charges of blasphemy was sentenced to death (for more information, click here). Asia, a mother of two from Punjab province, Pakistan, was also ordered to pay a hefty fine -- the amount of which is equivalent to an average labourer's two-and-a-half years' salary in Pakistan. Asia is the first Pakistani woman ever to receive a death sentence for blasphemy.

  Pray that this court ruling will be reversed and that Asia will be released. Pray that Asia will rely on God to sustain and encourage her as she suffers. Pray for God's comfort and peace for Asia's husband and two daughters. Pray that other suffering believers in Pakistan will remain steadfast in faith, serving God with joy and perseverance in the midst of opposition.

  Find out more about the trials facing Christians in Pakistan at thePakistan Country Report.

• Update: Pray for imprisoned Christian

  Asia on a rare visit with her girls

  In June 2009, Asia Bibi was imprisoned on charges of blasphemy in the village of Ittanwali, Punjab province, following a heated discussion with her Muslim coworkers (click here for more on her story). Since then she has been languishing in prison. Her husband and two daughters have been allowed very limited contact with her. A court hearing was planned for the end of October. At press time, it was not yet known if this hearing was held.

  Pray that the charges against Asia will be dropped. Pray that she will soon be reunited with her husband and daughters. Pray that she will continue to look to the Lord for her strength, taking comfort in God's promise that He commends those who suffer for doing good (1 Peter 2:20-21).

  To learn more about Christians suffering for righteousness' sake in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.

• Muslim mob attacks Christians in Punjab province

  Christians protest the violence against them Photo from Compass Direct

  Dozens of Christians were attacked by a mob of Muslims militants in Gujarat district, Punjab province, Pakistan on September 23. Approximately 40 Muslims -- some armed with guns and others with axes and clubs -- rampaged through the streets. They fired shots at homes and individuals in the streets and beat some Christians so severely that they were left for dead. Among the believers targeted in the violence was Tariq Gill, a man exonerated of charges of blaspheming the Qur'an in September 2009. Tariq's parents were also assaulted -- his mother was stripped naked and dragged through the streets. At last report, several critically injured Christians were receiving hospital care. (Source: Compass Direct)

  Pray for healing for the victims of this brutal violence. Pray that authorities will act justly and with integrity in this case. Pray that suffering Christians in Pakistan will take comfort in the promise of the Lord that those who suffer with Christ will also be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17-18).

  For more on the persecuted Church in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.

• Church attacked by militant Muslims

  Church members filing a police report Photo from UCA News

  On September 18, the Nasri Pentecostal Church in Shah Latif Town, Karachi, Pakistan was attacked and vandalized by militants angered over a threat to burn Qur'ans in the United States earlier this month. "The church gates were open and the locks broken. The attackers broke open a cupboard and vandalized religious items at around midnight," said Pastor Peter Shahzad. Nine copies of the Bible, three hymn books and three wooden crosses were found burned, and a drum was damaged. It was the second church attack within a week as countrywide protests continue against American Pastor Terry Jones, who withdrew his threat to burn copies of the Islamic holy book on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks (click here for more information). (Source: Union of Catholic Asian News)

  Pray that members of this church will act in a Christ-like manner towards the perpetrators of this attack, committing them to the Lord in prayer. Pray that their hearts and minds will be governed by a spirit of trust in the Lord, not fear. Pray for God's peace in Pakistan, where many Christians continue to live amid daily threat of attacks by those opposed to their faith in Jesus.

  For more on the persecution of Pakistani Christians, go to thePakistan Country Report.

• Christian woman forced into slavery

  Ejaz Masih, his children, and other family members organized a sit-in, demanding that police intervene. Photo from AsiaNews

  A group of Muslims recently abducted Sana, a Christian mother of two, in Fatehpuh Kasur, Pakistan. Ejaz Masih, Sana's husband who works as a labourer, took out a loan in order to provide medical treatment for his ill father. When his Muslim landlord heard about the loan, he demanded that Ejaz repay it within two weeks, saying, "We'll come and take your wife and children to work for us as slaves. You have no choice [but pay].... You are lowlife and will always be our slave. We Muslims are superior to any other religion." A few days later, on September 3, a group of armed Muslims confronted the family, throwing Ejaz to the ground, abducting his wife and beating his father. When his mother called for help, neighbours came out but no one tried to stop the kidnappers. His brother contacted police but they refused to register the complaint. (Source: AsiaNews)

  Pray for Sana's release. Pray for wisdom and comfort for her family. Ask God to help them to respond in a Christ-like manner to this injustice. Pray that Christians in Pakistan will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48).

  For more on the trials facing Christians in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.

• Family in hiding following accusations of blasphemy

  A Christian man, Tanvir Masih, and his family are in hiding after Muslim militants accused him of blasphemy. On July 28, Muslims in Bahawalnagar district, Punjab province discovered Tanvir, who is a cleaning worker, using a broom covered with a pharmaceutical firm's advertisement cards bearing a verse from the Qur'an in Arabic that read, "God is the best healer!" They then accused Tanvir of "defiling Muhammad." Tanvir tried to explain that others had given him the cards, which were written mostly in English, and that he did not understand English. The Muslims continued to verbally abuse him and brought the matter to Tanvir's employer, a physician, and a district health officer. The two decided that Tanvir committed no blasphemy -- a decision his accusers appeared to accept. However, as Tanvir came out of the clinic he found irate Muslims had swarmed the road. In fear for his life, Tanvir fled the scene. At last report, he and his family have gone into hiding at an undisclosed location. (Source: Compass Direct)

  Pray for safety and courage for Tanvir and his two young sons. Pray that Tanvir will be able to stand firm in his faith, despite the difficulties he is facing. Pray that those who falsely accuse Christians of blasphemy will repent of their unjust ways and come to know Christ as Lord.

  To find out more about Christians suffering for their faith in Pakistan, visit thePakistan Country Report.

• Update: Christian exonerated of blasphemy charges

  Rubina Bibi with her son Photo from Compass Direct

  Rubina Bibi (25), a Pakistani Christian woman who has been imprisoned since March for blasphemy (click here for more information), was recently acquitted. Rubina was accused of blasphemy by a local Muslim shopkeeper following a dispute they had over a food product she had purchased and tried to return. Rubina was arrested and imprisoned in the Gujranwala jail along with her 18-month-old son, Joshua. On August 11, a judge dropped the charges against her and she was released. Had she been convicted, she would have faced the mandatory death penalty. Her accuser had reportedly offered to settle the matter out of court if she agreed to convert to Islam. Rubina, her husband and their three children have since relocated to an unknown location for their safety. (Source: Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement)

  Thank the Lord that Rubina has been acquitted! Pray that her family will continue to trust the Lord in all things. Pray that persecutors in Pakistan will know Christ's love, forgiveness and blessing through the lives of Christians (Romans 12:14, 21).

  For more information about persecution in Pakistan,click here.

• Two Christian girls raped in Punjab

  Two Christian girls in Pakistan's Punjab province were brutally raped in recent weeks. On July 22, a group of madrassa (Islamic school) students gang-raped a 12-year-old Christian girl in Gujar Khan, Rawalpindi district. A teacher who reportedly witnessed the rape stated: "Three or four Christian girls were washing dishes near a pond.... These guys ran towards them, and the girls started running. One of them fell on the ground, and these madrassa students got hold of her and took her in the fields. I tried to stop them, but they were 15-16 in number." Seven or eight of the boys reportedly then raped the girl while the others looked on. Before the attack began, the teacher overheard one of the students say, "We will teach these Christians a lesson they will never forget." The Christian girl, whose name has been withheld, was left in the field until some villagers eventually took her home to her family. The girl's father and the teacher have attempted to file a complaint but the officer in charge has refused to comply. Another officer has since admitted that they are under pressure from Muslim leaders and extremists to refrain from filing a report. The madrassa students had reportedly been harassing believers in the surrounding villages, beating and threatening Christian children to convert to Islam or leave the area.

  A 16-year-old Christian girl, whose name has also been withheld, was raped by three men on July 21 in Farooqabad. The three men, who work for the same Muslim employer as her father, overpowered her while she was at home. They then raped her while threatening that they would shoot her in the forehead if she screamed for help. The next morning, the girl's father, Ghafoor Masih, went to the police station to file a report but the Station House Officer Inspector refused his requests. However, due to pressure from a superior officer, the Inspector finally registered the complaint on July 29. While Ghafoor was on his way home from filing the report, two other Muslims who work for his employer reportedly intercepted and kidnapped him. The men took Ghafoor to their employer's home where they and another employee shackled and tortured him, leaving him in critical condition. At last report, several of the perpetrators had been arrested. "Muslim landowners and their relatives see Christian girls or women as their chattel," the national director of the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement said. "Such vicious incidents are not being stopped by the government, and day by day the rate of rapes of Christian girls is escalating instead of plunging." (Source: Compass Direct)

  Pray that the Lord will heal the physical, emotional and spiritual wounds of these two girls. Pray that their families will be a source of compassion and strength. Pray that those who perpetrated these violent attacks will repent and turn to the Lord for forgiveness. Pray that attacks on young Christian girls in Pakistan will stop.

  For more information on the plight of Pakistani believers, go to thePakistan Country Report.

• Christian nursing student brutally assaulted

  Photo from Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan

  Magdalene Ashraf, a 22-year-old Christian nurse trainee, was brutally attacked on July 13 by several Muslim men who raped her and threw her from the fourth-floor window of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center in Karachi, Pakistan. A fellow nurse tricked Magdalene into visiting the office of a Muslim doctor by telling her that he wanted to talk to her about a class assignment. The doctor, Abdul Jabbar Memon, reportedly has a history of sexually abusing Christian nurses in the hospital. Once she was inside the room with the nurse, Dr. Jabbar and at least two other men then attacked her. Describing the assault, Magdalene said: "When I resisted and tried to escape, nurse Fatima slapped both my cheeks and pushed me into Dr. Jabbar. I cried out but no one arrived there to rescue me. They not only gang-raped me, they also tortured me physically and ruthlessly beat me." After several torturous hours, Magdalene was thrown out the window by the men. At last report, she was hospitalized in an intensive care unit. Her family members have reportedly continued to receive threats from Dr. Jabbar, though he has been arrested. (Source: Compass Direct, Sharing Life Ministries Pakistan).

  Ask God to give Magdalene healing from the emotional and physical scars of her assault. Pray that her attackers will be brought to justice. Pray that she and her family will trust in the Lord as their protector and guide. Pray for justice for Christian nurses facing similar abuse in Pakistan, where such rape cases frequently go unreported or are ignored by officials.

  For more on the persecution of Pakistani Christians, visit thePakistan Country Report.