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Pakistan

• Police reluctant to prosecute attack on church

  Violence in Pakistan continues to be an issue for the Church Photo: Mission Network News

  Armed Muslims disrupted the worship service at Numseoul Presbyterian Church in Lakhoki Kahna village, on May 29, cursing the congregation, smashing a glass altar and desecrating Bibles and a cross. Instead of making arrests, police initially pressured Christians to accept an apology from the accused.

  Pastor Ashraf Masih told Compass Direct that Muhammad Shoaib, the nephew of a former Member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA), entered the church building accompanied by four men armed with rifles and pistols. They cursed the congregation for "disturbing the peace of the area by worshipping on loudspeakers," though the loudspeakers were used only inside the building. Police were reluctant to register the incident until the pastor told police that his colleagues had witnessed the damage, journalists had photographed the site, and his congregation would block the main road in protest. Police officials agreed to make Shoaib publicly apologize.

  Pray for Pastor Ashraf and the members of the congregation. May they conduct themselves in such a way that they will be witnesses for the gospel. Pray for justice for Pakistani Christians. May God grow and strengthen His church in Pakistan.

  Read more about persecution facing Pakistani believers at the Pakistan Country Report.

• Christian accused of blasphemy A Christian bookstore owner is facing blasphemy charges due to the allegations of a local Muslim, his former business partner, in Punjab province, Pakistan. Ten years ago, Gulzar Masih opened a bookstore in Sialkot along with a Muslim associate, Abdul Rauf. In 2009, the men parted ways and each currently run separate bookstores. On May 1, within the precincts of the local police station, Rauf started shouting in front of a crowd that Gulzar and his son had burned the Qur'an and thrown it on the road. A group of Muslims then gathered to attack Gulzar's son. He was able to flee, however, and warn his father. The Muslims went to Gulzar's bookstore and attempted to burn it down, but police intervened and dispersed the crowd. Police allegedly tried to initiate a case against Gulzar, but local Christian elders and moderate Muslims intervened and found the story to be without basis. At last report, Gulzar and his family members were hiding out at an undisclosed location.

  Ask God to give endurance of hope and faith to Gulzar and his family. Pray his case will highlight the injustice of Pakistan's infamous blasphemy laws and that such legislation will be abolished. Pray the Lord will not allow Pakistani believers to be discouraged, but to be emboldened as they serve a loving and sovereign Lord.

  Find out more about the treatment of believers in Pakistan by visiting thePakistan Country Report.

• Christians oppose Muslim appointment to replace slain Christian Minorities Minister

  Shahbaz Bhatti

  Pakistani Christian leaders are opposing the appointment of Riaaz Hussain Pirzada, a Muslim, to the position of Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs (FMMA). Pakistan's Christian leaders are concerned that the appointment of a Muslim will be a further blow to the rights of religious minorities, as the FMMA's job is to represent religious minorities and their interests to the federal government. Islamists assassinated the former FMMA, Shahbaz Bhatti, on March 2, for opposing the country's blasphemy laws.

  In a press statement, Naveed Walter, President of Human Rights Focus Pakistan, said, "In a scenario when minorities are facing persecution, the appointment of a Muslim minority minister has revealed the true face of Pakistan's government. It has also sent a message that it is prepared to placate fundamentalists by giving the post to a Muslim."

  Please pray for believers in Pakistan, that they will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith, and not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 10:32-39). Pray the Lord will raise up Christian leaders who are ready to speak up for the Christian minority in a way that acts as a witness for the gospel. Pray for Riaaz Hussain Pirzada and all who are in authority in Pakistan.

  To learn more about the trials befalling Pakistani Christians, visit thePakistan Country Report.

• Rioting Muslims damage church, properties

  Muslim protestors broke windows of a Christian-owned elementary school. (Photo: Sharing Life Ministries Pakistan via Compass Direct)

  On April 29, Mushtaq Gill and his son Farrukh Mushtaq were released from detainment in Gujranwala after a handwriting expert hired by police determined that the son had not written a threatening note accompanying burned pages of a Qur'an. The two Christians were relocated along with family members to an undisclosed location. As news of their release spread on April 30 along with the rumour that another Qur'an had been desecrated, Muslim residents and members of extremist groups rioted and hurled rocks at the Christians' homes, an elementary school and the Aziz Colony Presbyterian Church building. The protestors clashed with police who arrived to provide security to the besieged Christians. At least 18 people were injured. There were no reports of injured Christians. Around 150 protestors were arrested, with two cases registered against them for attacking Christian property and "creating a law and order situation." The attacks caused a large number of Christian families to leave the area.

  Gill and Mushtaq were taken into protective custody on April 15 for safety purposes. The purported evidence against Mushtaq were some burnt pages of the Qur'an and a handwritten note, allegedly in his handwriting, claiming that he had desecrated Islam's scripture and used derogatory language against Muhammad. A Muslim youth allegedly found the pages and note outside the Gills' residence.

  Praise God for Gill and Mushtaq's release and for the efforts of those in authority to bring about peace! Pray for the protection of Gill, Mushtaq and all other Christians in the area. Pray they will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48).

  To learn more about the obstacles that befall Christians in Pakistan, visit thePakistan Country Report.

• Death threats issued against Christian leaders

  Joseph Francis and Naveed Walter Photo from ASSIST News Service

  A leading human rights campaigner in Pakistan has urged the government to provide "full-fledged security" for Joseph Francis, Director of CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement), after Francis received death threats for his work on repealing of the country's controversial blasphemy laws.

  Naveed Walter, President of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), told ASSIST News that he is concerned for the safety of Francis and other Christian leaders who are receiving disturbing threats. Walter said, "CLAAS, under the leadership of Mr. Joseph Francis, provides the legal aid assistance to people who are persecuted because of their religion. It is an organization that is working to unite Christian lawyers on a platform to assist in cases that relate to the blasphemy laws in specific. Before 1992, Christian lawyers were afraid to take these kinds of cases." He went on to say, "After the assassination of Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, the Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, Mr. Francis could be a next target of the Taliban and extremists. The Government must ensure his security."

  Please pray for the protection of Joseph Francis, Naveed Walter and all those willing to stand up for the rights of the Christian minority in Pakistan. Thank the Lord for the way He has equipped them to do this good work. Pray He will give them favour and, through them and others like them, bring about great change in this nation for religious freedom.

  Read more about the persecution of Pakistani Christians at thePakistan Country Report.

• Two Christians slain

  Two Christians were recently killed by Muslim youths who opened fire on believers outside a church in Sindh Province, Pakistan. Residents of Hurr Camp, a colony of working-class Christians in the city of Hyderabad, were reportedly celebrating the 30th anniversary of their Salvation Army church when a group of Muslim youths gathered outside the building and started playing music loudly on their cell phones. The Muslims also started teasing Christian women as they arrived for the celebration. Four Christians went outside the church building and told the Muslims to stop teasing the women and to respect the sanctity of the church. An argument ensued. The Muslim youths eventually left, but returned with handguns. They then opened fire on the Christians. Younus, 47, and Jameel, 22, were killed instantly. The other believers, Siddique, 45, and Waseem, 20, were seriously injured. At last report, they were hospitalized in the capital city of Karachi.

  Younis leaves behind a wife and four children. Jameel is survived by his wife of one month. The grief of the slain believers' families has been exacerbated by the police's indifference to the case. Authorities did not even register a case in the killings until late that night, and only did so after local Christians blocked the main highway with the two bodies for some hours. Jameel's paternal uncle, Anwar, alleged that the police were biased against the Christians, as none of the accused has been arrested so far. "Please pray for us," he said.

  Ask God to comfort all those who mourn for Jameel and Younis, filling them with the peace that surpasses understanding in the midst of their grief (Philippians 4:7). Pray that the Lord will bring their murderers to justice. Pray for cross-bearing disciples in Pakistan committed to the Great Commission.

  You can learn more about the suffering of Christians in Pakistan at the Pakistan Country Report.

• Imprisoned Christian dies

  A Christian serving a life sentenced on blasphemy charges has died under suspicious circumstances in Lahore, Pakistan. Qamar David was imprisoned in June 2006 after a business rival accused him of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. He died overnight on March 14, with prison authorities claiming he had a heart attack. Christian human rights activists are calling for an inquiry into Qamar's death. At last report, his body was being held in the Civil Hospital in Karachi where an autopsy was to be performed by health authorities. Qamar was reportedly threatened and viciously beaten regularly by prison guards and inmates during his three years in prison.

  Pray those responsible for Qamar's brutal treatment will be brought to justice. Ask God to comfort all those mourning his loss. Pray the blasphemy law will be abolished in Pakistan. Ask God to equip Pakistani Christians to be bold and gracious witnesses to His love and truth in an environment of severe opposition.

  To find out more about the persecution of Pakistani Christians, visit thePakistan Country Report.

• Christian freed from her captors

  Shaheen Bibi and her father Manna Masih Photo by Compass Direct

  A Christian mother of seven in Lahore, Pakistan, was recently freed from her Muslim captors after being kidnapped last August, drugged, raped, sold into marriage, and threatened with death if she did not convert to Islam. Forty-year-old Shaheen Bibi was taken from her place of employment to a nearby city, drugged and raped. When she awoke, her kidnappers told her that she had been sold into marriage to one of them. She told them she was a Christian, and they gave her a prayer rug and tried to get her to convert to Islam by reciting a Muslim prayer.

  The kidnappers demanded a ransom ($1,170 CAD) from Shaheen's father, Manna Masih, by March 5. Local police refused to help Masih rescue his daughter, claiming that the area she was being held in was too dangerous. Masih then sought help from a human rights organization. On March 6, a team managed to rescue Shaheen from her captors, who handed her over on the condition that they not be the targets of further legal action. After her release, Shaheen reported that there were at least 10 other women in captivity with her. Some of the women had their hands and legs broken because they refused to be forced into marriage.

  Thank the Lord for Shaheen's release. Pray for God's comfort and peace to govern her as she recovers from her brutal assault. Pray the other women will also be freed from their captors. Pray for the hope of Christ to radiate in their hearts and minds, even as they suffer. Ask God to bring their captors to repentance and lead them to salvation in Christ.

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

• Sole Christian minister assassinated

  Shahbaz Bhatti

  VOM sources in Pakistan are reporting that Pakistan's Minister of Minority Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, was assassinated March 2 while on his way to work in Islamabad. This is the latest attack on a high-profile Pakistani figure who had urged reforming harsh blasphemy laws that impose the death penalty for insulting Islam. Bhatti was on his way to work when unknown gunmen riddled his car with bullets. The minister arrived dead at Shifa Hospital.

  No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but private Pakistani TV channels showed pamphlets at the scene of the killing that were attributefd to the Pakistani Taliban warning of the same fate for anyone opposing the blasphemy laws. An eyewitness saw three gunmen open fire on Bhatti's car as he left his house. The gunmen then sped away in a car. It was not immediately clear why Bhatti, a member of the ruling Pakistani People's Party, did not have bodyguards with him.

  In recent months, Bhatti boldly defended Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy. After the killing of Salman Taseer, Governor of Punjab, whom Islamic fundamentalists blamed for having defended Asia Bibi, Bhatti became the radicals' "top target." Bhatti was in Canada just last month, meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and several cabinet ministers during his visit to Ottawa. According to a spokesman for the prime minister, the men discussed the importance of standing up for the rights of religious minorities.

  Thank the Lord for the life of Shahbaz Bhatti and his attempts to change Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Pray the Lord will bring comfort to his family in their time of sorrow. Pray the Lord will not allow Pakistani believers to be discouraged, but to be emboldened in their faith, putting their trust in the everlasting God.

  Find out more about the intense persecution of Christians in Pakistan at thePakistan Country Report.

• Christian killed by Muslim employer

  A young Christian man was recently killed by his Muslim employer in Gujranwala district, Punjab province, Pakistan. On February 5, Imran Masih, 24, stayed home from his job as a driver for two local Muslims because he was ill. When Imran returned to work the next day, his employer verbally confronted him, attacked him and killed him. Imran's body was brought to his father, Lal Masih, the next day, with the employer claiming that he committed suicide. Lal, who is also employed by the same estate, said that his son's body was covered in blood and bore clear signs of torture. Local people also reported that they had heard the employer insult and attack Imran the night of his death. Lal went to the police station to file a report about the unjust treatment of his son's death. However, the assistant sub-inspector refused to accept it, allegedly due to the influence of the Muslim employer in the area.

  Only after activists from the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance made a public protest in Gujranwala did the police officially record formal murder charges and damages against the employer and his accomplices.

  Pray for the family members and friends mourning the loss of Imran. Pray that, as sufferings overflow, their comfort in Christ will abound (2 Corinthians 1:5). Pray the truth in Imran's death will come to light. Ask God to change the hearts and minds of the Muslim responsible for this brutal murder, leading to repentance.

  To learn more about the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, visit thePakistan Country Report.