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Pakistan

• Asia Bibi's Appeal Hearing Further Delayed

  After several delays in her trial, the appeal hearing for Asia Bibi has been scheduled for May 27th. Asia, a wife and mother, was arrested in 2009 on charges of insulting Mohammed. She now faces the death sentence for this "crime." Please continue to pray for Asia, her family and her legal team as they await this next court date. (For more information on her case, please visit this page.)

• Christian Couple Sentenced to Death for 'Blasphemous' Texts

  Shagufta and Shafqat Photo via World Watch Monitor

  A Pakistani court has sentenced a Christian couple to death for insulting Mohammed and the Quran. Shafqat Emmanuel, 44, and his wife, Shagufta, 41, who live in Gojra, Punjab, were convicted on April 4th of sending "blasphemous" text messages.

  The complainant, Muhammad Hussain, alleged he was praying on July 18th of last year when he received blasphemous text messages on his cell phone. Muhammad's call data reportedly revealed the messages were sent from Shagufta's cell phone number. The police, however, were unable to recover the SIM card from her phone, and Shagufta argued that she lost her cell phone a month prior to the incident.

  Nevertheless, the Gojra police detained the couple, along with their four children (ages five through 13), pressuring them to name someone who could have sent the messages. At last report, the couple was planning to appeal the verdict.

  Pray that mercy will be extended to this Christian couple by those of the judicial system, granting them a swift release. Please also bring this couple's children to our Lord in prayer, as Shafqat and Shagufta have been unable to visit with them since their arrest last summer. May God strengthen the faith of each family member, encouraging them to trust Him wholeheartedly throughout this ordeal. Finally, please intercede on behalf of two other believers, Sawan Masih and Asia Bibi, who have also been sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan.

  To watch a three-minute video report about these false charges, please visit this page.

• Christians Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy

  Militant Islamist attacking Joseph Colony in March 2013 Photo: Abid Nawaz via World Watch Monitor

  Sawan Masih, a Christian road sweeper and father of three from Lahore, was sentenced to death for blasphemy on March 27th. Sawan was also fined 200,000 rupees (approximately $2,250 CAD). The trial was conducted in the Lahore Camp Jail, where Sawan has been unable to leave due to the threats on his life.

• Asia Bibi's Appeal Hearing Postponed

  Remember in prayer Asia’s husband and children.

  The appeal hearing for Asia Bibi, a Christian woman imprisoned for blasphemy, has been postponed "to a later date." Asia was arrested in 2009 on charges of insulting Mohammed and later sentenced to death. Since then, she has been waiting for her appeal to be heard while being held in isolation at the women's prison in Sheikhupura (Punjab). (For more on Asia's case, click here.)

• Brother of Murdered Christian MP Facing Death Threats

  Paul Bhatti Photo: AsiaNews

  Almost three years have passed since the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti, a Pakistani MP who lobbied against the country's controversial blasphemy laws. Now, his elder brother's life is under threat.

• Christians Devastated by Death of Preacher

  Friends of a popular Pakistani preacher who was killed by a hit-and-run driver believe he may have been murdered because of his conversion from Islam. Rashid Mehmood, 33, came from a rich, influential Muslim family but turned to Christ in 2005. Though he trained as a lawyer, he decided to become a pastor and preach the Gospel, despite strong opposition from his relatives.

• Federal Court Calls for Mandatory Death Sentence for Blasphemy

  Supreme Court of Pakistan Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Khalid Mahmood

  An influential court in Pakistan is calling for a mandatory death sentence for blasphemy. If implemented, the decision could result in further attacks and accusations against the country's Christian minority. It could also lead to the execution of those who have been falsely accused of blasphemy. The order, which was passed by the Federal Sharia Court earlier this month, now awaits implementation by the country's president.

• Death Threats Against Human Rights Defender

  Sardar Mushtaq Gill (right) Photo: LEAD FAMILY

  Human rights defender and campaigner Sardar Mushtaq Gill has received death threats in recent months. Sardar is the National Director of the Legal Evangelical Association Development (LEAD), a non-governmental organization in Punjab that represents marginalized people who are either falsely implicated by the police or unable to afford legal assistance.

• Punjab Christian Accused of Blasphemy Presently in Hiding

  A house that was destroyed during the Joseph Colony attack Photo: VOMC Pakistan contacts

  Another blasphemy row has broken out in a Lahore township where Christians fear they may become targets of violence. Adnan Masih, a 25-year-old Christian teacher, has been in hiding since October 8th after being accused of writing blasphemous comments in a book about Islam. According to an employee of a glass and aluminium business, the book was left in the shop where Adnan's brother also happens to work. Consequently, the shop owner, Mushtaq Masih, was immediately taken into custody in Adnan's place. In addition, the brother and uncle of the accused are being held illegally for the same reason.

• Suicide Bombers Target Believers

  A woman injured in the attack Photo: Morning Star News

  A double-suicide bombing took place on September 22nd within the compound of the All Saints Church in Peshawar (about 120 kilometres from the country's capital of Islamabad). According to a hospital official, the death toll has risen to 81. Among those killed were choir members and children attending Sunday school. The incident is described as one of the deadliest attacks ever on the Christian community in this country. Two militant groups with links to the Taliban are claiming responsibility for the attack. (For previously posted video clips and reports of persecution in Pakistan, please go to our Pakistan Country Report.)