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Pakistan

• Update: girl's account of kidnapping re-opens custody battle for her sister

  Aneela with her parents Photo fromCompass Direct

  The custody battle for Saba, one of the two sisters that were kidnapped by Muslims in late June (click here), is to be re-opened based on the testimony of her younger sister, according to an October 24 report from Compass Direct. On September 9, the court ordered ten-year-old Aneela to return home but because Saba was older she was allowed to choose whether or not to stay with her Muslim husband. The family's attorneys believe she decided to stay with her captor because she was threatened and told that her family would harm her. However, Aneela recently told her uncle that they were kidnapped, raped, forcibly converted to Islam and told that they or their family members would be killed if they did not cooperate. The attorneys hope Aneela's testimony will lead to Saba's return to her family since it confirms that Saba's marriage and conversion were not voluntary.

  The feature article of the November edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter focuses on the testimonies of Pakistani Christians who are standing firm in their faith at any cost. Read their testimonies by subscribing to our free newsletter. A new DVD, Pakistani Voices, is also available for order from our online catalogue.

  For more updates on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.

• Update: Court ruling on Christian girls kidnapped by Muslims

  On September 9, a court in Lahore delivered a verdict in the case of two preteen Christian girls, Saba Younis and Aneela Younis, who were kidnapped by Muslims in late June (click here for more details). According to a September 10 report from Asia News, the court ruled that Saba's forced conversion and marriage was "voluntary," since they claim she is 16 years old and therefore an adult. Her family insists that she is only 13. Requests for Saba to be returned home have been denied and the family plans to appeal to the Supreme Court for her custody.

  The alleged conversion of Aneela, however, was ruled "invalid" because she is only 10 years old. She has been returned to her family.

• Christian Girls Kidnapped, Forcibly Converted by Muslims in Pakistan

  Two preteen Christian girls, Saba Younis and Aneela Younis, were kidnapped by Muslims while on their way to visit their uncle in the town of Chowk Munda in the state of Punjab on June 26. Two days later, the kidnappers filed for custody of them at the local police station, stating that they had converted to Islam and that their father, Younis Masih, no longer had jurisdiction over them. It was also reported by their uncle that they had been forcibly married to local Muslim men.

  Police initially refused Masih's request to file a complaint against the abductors, claiming his daughters had "embraced Islam." With help from a local human rights activist, Masih opened a case against them. On July 12, the district judge ruled in favour of the Muslims, alleging that the girls' conversions to Islam were "legitimate" and their marriages "valid," so they could not be returned to their family. The family is reportedly planning to appeal the ruling but local Christians fear they will continue to be treated unjustly because of their faith.

  Pray that Saba and Aneela will be returned home. Pray that they will remain strong in their faith. Ask God to give comfort to their families. Pray for safety for other young Christian girls in Pakistan.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.

• Christian Girl Raped by Muslims

  On May 25, a 12-year-old girl from a Christian family, Elishba, was raped by three Muslims in Lahore, according to a June 13 report from AsiaNews. Elishba's father, Niamat Masih, returned from work to find her not at home and grew worried for her safety because she suffers from mental problems. When he went outside to look for her he heard noises coming from a nearby home and went inside. He was met by the young Muslim men who fled at the sight of him. He then found Elishba lying unconscious on the floor with her clothing torn. Elishba's family initially refrained from reporting the crime or filing charges because they were threatened by local Muslims and unable to afford the costs of a trial. After receiving support from Christian organizations, however, her father has opened a case against the rapists and they have been arrested.

  Pray for healing and comfort for Elishba, who is set to receive care at a local Christian centre specializing in treating patients with mental problems. Pray that authorities will prosecute the offenders to the full extent of the law. Pray for God's love and grace to abound in the Masih family.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.

• Christian Rights Activist Attacked

  Joseph Francis Photo fromCLAAS

  Joseph Francis, a Christian rights activist and partner of Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) was attacked by two unidentified Muslim militants in Lahore, Pakistan on May 23, according to a June 4 report from CLAAS. The men chased down Francis' vehicle on motorbikes and one of them pulled a gun in an attempt to forcibly stop his car. They accused Francis of committing blasphemy, a crime punishable by death, and threatened to kill him if he continued to work with CLAAS to help "blasphemers." Due to the heavy traffic, he was able to escape the men and call his staff members for help. When the staff members arrived they stopped the men, who then fled. This is the second attack on Francis in less than three months. On March 6, militants attacked his car as he arrived at a rehabilitation centre with a Christian girl who had been raped by Muslims.

  Pray for the safety of Francis and the other CLAAS staff members as they serve Christ. Pray for Francis' health as he suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure. Pray that persecutors in Pakistan will come to repentance and salvation, just as Paul did.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.

• Christian Doctor Falsely Accused of Blasphemy

  Dr. Robin Sardar (55) was falsely accused of blasphemy by a local Muslim, Muhammad Rafique, in the district of Hafizabad, Punjab on May 5, according to a May 7 report from Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan. The tension between the men was sparked six months ago, when Rafique visited Sardar's clinic. Rafique shook the hands of his Muslim friends present but refused to shake Sardar's hand, saying, "It's my insult to shake hand with a Christian." Some weeks later, Rafique was angered when Sardar stopped him from setting up his shop stall in front of his clinic. He then filed a case against Sardar falsely accusing him of "humiliating the prophet Muhammad."

  When local Muslims heard of the charges, they used a loudspeaker to demand the killing of Dr. Sardar, calling him a "kaffir" (infidel). A mob intent on killing Dr. Sardar and his family surrounded his home but the police were able to prevent any violence. The militants then pressured the police to arrest Dr. Sardar on charges of blasphemy. He has been detained in a local prison. His family has fled to an unknown location in fear of further violence.

  Pray for God to comfort and encourage Dr. Sardar in prison. Pray that his family will rely on the Lord to strengthen and protect them (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). Pray for Christians in Pakistan as they serve the Lord amidst severe opposition.

  For more information on the persecution in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.

• Christian Girl Arrested and Tortured

  Farzana Photo from Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan

  Police arrested and tortured a Christian teenager, Farzana (16), after her Muslim employer falsely accused her of theft in Lahore on March 27, according to a March 28 report from Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan. Following her arrest from the house of her employer, Muhammad Abid, the police took her to the station where she was tortured and forced to confess to stealing from Abid. The same day, at 11 p.m., the police searched Farzana's home and arrested her elderly father and three brothers, whom they also tortured. Her father and brothers were released the following day when a crowd protested the police's actions.

  No formal charge has been issued against Farzana and there is no evidence to indicate her guilt. However, it is common in Pakistan for Muslim employers to falsely accuse Christians of crimes, particularly young Christian girls who
  are forced to work as house servants.

  Pray that the Lord will strengthen and comfort Farzana, providing for her every need (Phil. 4:19). Pray for God's love and grace to abound in her and her family members as they suffer for the sake of their beliefs.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.

• Evangelist Beaten By Muslims in Lahore

  Evangelist Daniel Sodager Masih and his attackers

  An evangelist, Daniel Sodager Masih (55), was beaten by Muslims at approximately 7:30 p.m. in Lahore on February 11. Masih was preaching on the road when a Muslim man emerged from his nearby shop and began to shout at him. Masih told the man that he could not stop him from preaching God's Word. The man slapped Masih and was soon joined by another Muslim shopkeeper. The two beat Masih until another Christian was able to intervene and stop the assault.

  Pray for Masih who was injured in the attack. Pray that his attackers will come to repentance and salvation.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.

• Pastor Murdered in Peshawar

  Pastor Sajid William (29) was shot and killed by an unidentified masked assailant while he was on his way home in Peshawar on January 17. Pastor William was active in evangelistic work and was the office manager for the Christian relief and development agency Shelter Now. He is survived by his wife and 18-month old daughter.

  Pray for God's comfort for Pastor William's family. Pray that his wife and child will know the Lord as their Father and Defender (Psalm 68:5). Ask God to embolden Pakistani Christians to follow his example of faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:9-14,16).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.

• Christian Girl Raped and Forced to Convert

  An 18-year-old Christian woman named Raiza was recently abducted for ten days by a Muslim man who repeatedly raped her and forced her to convert to Islam. According to a November 2 report from AsiaNews, Raiza went missing after visiting her aunt in Faisalabad on October 21. Her family contacted a Muslim man named Sajid who had harassed Raiza in the past but he claimed to know nothing of her whereabouts. On October 31, Raiza returned home and told her parents that Sajid had abducted her, assaulted her and pressured her into converting to Islam. Raiza's father filed a complaint with the police but no action has been taken to apprehend her abuser.

  Ask God to give Raiza healing from the assault. Pray for Raiza and her family as they will struggle with the ability to exhibit God's love to their persecutors (Romans 12:14-21). Pray also for protection for Pakistan's Christians during the turmoil that is enveloping the country since President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.