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Pakistan

• Police in Pakistan beat Christian couple falsely accused of theft

  A Christian couple is facing charges of theft after police in Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan, severely beat the pregnant woman and her husband for three days when they refused to confess. Salma Emmanuel, 30, and her husband, Emmanuel Rasheed, 39, said that they were inexplicably arrested after the Muslim woman who employed Salma as a maid had allowed the Christian woman to temporarily store some of her jewelry at her house. Salma said police arrested them on November 5, keeping her at the Women's Police Station for interrogation and her husband at the City Police Station. Upon reaching the police station, an inspector identified only as Nazia and two other policewomen started punching and kicking Salma and striking her with batons, demanding that she "confess her crime." Salma, who is five months pregnant, was taken to a hospital in critical condition on November 7, the life of her unborn child also threatened. The doctor on duty confirmed that her body bore marks of severe violence.

  Deputy Superintendent of Police Aziz Afridi denied that police had tortured her, but after reports of the violence reached local media, the deputy inspector general of Haraza Division ordered an investigation. At City Police Station, Emmanuel Rasheed was undergoing a similar ordeal. "The police beat me up mercilessly," he said. "A policeman offered to remove the theft charges against me if I was willing to renounce Christianity and convert to Islam. I told him that no matter what happens, I will not renounce my faith, nor would I confess the false charges made against us."

  Thank the Lord for the faithfulness of this couple. Pray they will both make a full and complete recovery. Pray that Salma will safely deliver a healthy child. Pray the investigation will be unbiased and the truth of this case will be brought to light. Pray for all believers in Pakistan who are in danger of facing discrimination and severe opposition because of their faith.

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

• Update: Christian charged with 'defiling the Qur'an' seeks bail

  A cover of a Qur'an

  Ruqqiya Bibi was sentenced to 25 years in prison for "defiling the Qur'an" by touching it with unwashed hands, and after spending eight months in prison, she is seeking bail. Her husband, Munir Masih, who was also imprisoned for the same crime, was released on bail in December of last year (for more information, please read the story). At last report, the outcome of her November 10 hearing was unknown.

  Please pray that Ruqqiya will be freed on bail and that her and her husband's convictions will be overturned. Ask the Lord to protect them from angry citizens who may attempt to harm them. Pray that the gospel message will be taken to every household in Pakistan, and that many will turn to Christ for their salvation.

  Go to the Pakistan Country Report for more information on persecution in Pakistan.

• Christian killed over land dispute

  Christians in Pakistan are under fire. In this photo, Muslims protest in Pakistan after hearing that Asia Bibi, a Christian woman accused of blasphemy, might be granted clemency. She was not.

  Safdar Masih, a Pakistani Christian, was shot to death on October 5 over a land dispute. When Safdar's church in Mian Channu, Khanewal District, purchased land to build an orphanage, their claim on the land was contested by an influential feudal lord. On October 3, church members filed a complaint with police but were pressured to withdraw their petition. Two days later, armed men attacked the village, murdering Safdar and injuring a dozen others, including children. The men also seized the land. The police have yet to file a report about the attack.

  Pray the Lord will comfort Safdar's family and friends. Ask God to heal and restore those who were injured. Ask the Lord to protect and provide for the orphaned children. Pray the Lord will bring about justice in an unjust world (Psalm 140).

  Go to the Pakistan Country Report for more information on persecution in Pakistan.

• Christian woman raped

  A Christian mother of five who was raped by two Muslims rejoiced after police in Pakistan's Kasur district arrested a suspect and suspended an officer who had dismissed her complaints.

  The 32-year-old woman, whose name has been withheld, was returning home to Mustafabad on September 15 when two Muslims along with an unidentified accomplice abducted her at gunpoint, took her to an abandoned house in the area and raped her. The woman and her husband, Mushtaq Masih, said that they had lost hope of getting justice as they were facing threats from area Muslims to withdraw the case. They also said that police were deliberately slow to investigate and arrest the accused. "I used to weep in my heart all the time, ever since the incident took place," the woman shared. "I didn't have any hope, but my Lord has not forsaken me."

  However, the woman's solace was short-lived when her father died after learning of her ordeal on September 30. "As soon as my wife shared her ordeal with her family, her father collapsed and died on the spot," Mushtaq said. "He could not take the pain."

  Pray for this Christian sister and her family, may the Lord comfort them during this very distressing time. Ask Him to help them overcome this recent tragedy, may they continue to fix their eyes on Him. Thank the Lord for the progress made in this case. Pray for swift and complete justice for her and her family.

  To learn more about persecution in Pakistan, please visit the Pakistan Country Report.

• Two Christians seriously injured for refusing Islam

  Liaqat Munawar, a Pakistani Christian, reported that his brother Ishfaq Munawar and his friend Naeem Masih were attacked by Pashtun youth in Karachi, Pakistan. Ishfaq and Naeem were travelling home from a church service when they were flagged down by a group of Pashtun youth. The youth questioned their identities and why they were travelling through the town. When they discovered Ishfaq and Naeem were Christians, they told them to recite the Kalma (the Islamic conversion creed) and that this was the only way they would leave the town alive. When they refused to read the Kalma, the Pashtun youth rammed their car into Ishfaq and Naeem, and then proceeded to beat them with iron rods until they were unconscious. The youths suffered a broken jaw, five broken teeth and several other injuries between them.

  Pray the Lord will minister to Ishfaq and Naeem to help them overcome this ordeal and make a full and complete recovery. Pray for the Pashtun people that they will come to know Christ. Pray for all believers in Pakistan who follow Christ often at great cost, asking the Lord to give them the strength they need to follow Him and stand firm for the gospel.

  Read more about Pakistan at the Pakistan Country Report.

• Christian woman escapes kidnapper

  In 2009, Arifa Alfred was kidnapped in Quetta, Pakistan after drinking tea that had been drugged. When she awoke, she found herself in the home of Mohammad Amjad, a Muslim man who told her that she was now his wife and that she had converted to Islam. Arifa's parents reported her kidnapping to the police, but the police did nothing to help.

  During her captivity, Arifa was drugged and physically and mentally tortured. She attempted to flee the house many times, but without success until August 1, when she found the house unlocked for the first time in two years. Despite her many internal injuries due to the torture she had endured, Arifa escaped and fled to the hospital. She then found her brother Adnan, who reported the situation to police.

  At last report, the police had done nothing to bring justice; one police inspector even stated he was happy that she had converted to Islam. However, Arifa has shared, "I am a Christian and have stood always steadfast in my Christian faith." Arifa and her family have since gone into hiding due to threats on their lives.

  Pray that God will bring about justice for Arifa (Psalm 140). Pray the Lord will protect Arifa, her family and the Christian community. Pray He will minister to her and heal her completely. Pray that her kidnapper will repent and come to know the Lord. Pray for other Christian women in Pakistan who are facing similar struggles.

  To learn more about the difficulties Pakistani Christians face for their faith, visit the Pakistan Country Report.

• Pray for distraught Christian widow

  On March 21, a group of young Muslim men attacked a Salvation Army church in Hyderabad, Pakistan, and shot to death 25-year-old Jamil and another man. Recently VOM staff visited with Jamil's wife, Sana, who had been married to Jamil but a month before his tragic death. Sana is very emotionally fragile at this time. "One minute she is laughing and the next she is crying. Her behaviour is very erratic," said the VOM team leader. Jamil had been supporting Sana, his parents and two siblings by working as a sweeper.

  Pray that Sana will receive the care she needs and be encouraged by the prayers of her Christian family. Pray that she will look to God in her grief, resting in the unfailing mercy and love of her Father. Pray also for God to comfort Sosan, the wife of the other man killed in the attack, and for their six children. Pray that many will continue to stand as witnesses for Christ in Pakistan, even amid violence and hostility.

  You can pray for and stand with Asia Bibi, another woman in Pakistan suffering for her faith in Jesus Christ. Asia has been sentenced to death for blasphemy and is currently waiting for a court's ruling on her appeal.

  Find out more about the ways Christians are suffering in Pakistan at the Pakistan Country Report.

• Update: Muslims convicted for murdering Christian

  Rasheed Masih’s body at his funeral. Photo: Compass Direct

  Three Muslims were recently sentenced to life in prison for murdering a Christian who refused to convert to Islam. Rasheed Masih, a 36-year-old potato business owner in Punjab province, was brutally killed in March 2010 by Muslims resentful of his success. Rasheed was also pressured to renounce his faith (for more on the story click here). On July 7, the Sessions Court in Mian Channu convicted the three men of torturing and killing Rasheed and sentenced them to life sentences of 25 years. They were also each ordered to pay 100,000 rupees (approximately $1,000 CAD) to Rasheed's family. A fourth suspect was acquitted.

  Thank the Lord that Rasheed's murderers were brought to justice by the court. Pray that they will repent of their actions and come to know Christ as Lord. Pray for continued comfort and provision for Rasheed's family. Pray that authorities will strive to provide safety for vulnerable Christians and other minorities in Pakistan.

  To find out more about the challenges facing the Church in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.

• Evangelists threatened and under investigation

  A Christian in a remote Pakistani community recently faced pressure from Muslims determined to stop him from sharing his faith. The Muslim men approached "Salman" (not his real name), as he distributed gospel literature. They told him, "We are well aware of what you are doing here; you are trying to convert Muslims to Christianity. We warn you to stop these activities." They also said that if he did not stop he would "face results in the future." Unshaken by their threats, Salman boldly replied, "I am here because my God sent me…. When the Lord asks me to leave this place I will do it, but until then I will not leave."

  In another city in Pakistan, officials visited an evangelist's office and asked if he and those present were involved in converting Muslims to Christianity. The officials also asked about the evangelist's source of funding. Christians who work in the office are now under investigation, and authorities are also watching their mail.

  Thank the Lord for the enduring faithfulness of these believers. Pray they will continue to rely on Christ to make them firm and steadfast in faith amid pressure and harassment (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray God will grant wisdom and protection to all those sharing the gospel in Pakistan.

  To learn more about how Pakistani Christians are suffering for following Christ, visit thePakistan Country Report.

• Update on imprisoned Christian

  Imran Masih

  The Voice of the Martyrs was recently able to visit with the family of Imran Masih, a Pakistani Christian man who has been imprisoned since early 2010 on charges of blasphemy (click here for more). Imran Masih's family said that he is in good health and that they are able to visit with him once a week. The visits are limited to 25 minutes, however, and they are only able to sit behind a window and speak with him by intercom. Imran is only allowed to leave his cell twice a day for a head count. His windowless, cement cell is 26 x 20 feet with two small vents and can reach brutally hot temperatures in the summer.

  Pray that Imran will be acquitted and released. Pray that he will know the presence and encouraging comfort of Jesus in prison. Pray that his family will continue to rely on the care of the Lord. Pray that the blasphemy laws will be abolished in Pakistan.

  To find out more about the persecution Christians face in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.