Tags

Pakistan

  • Girl raped, family forced to flee

    A Pakistani Christian man, Zafar Masih, and his family fled the predominately Muslim town of Nai Abadi Tatlay Aali, Punjab province after he accused a Muslim of beating and raping his 12-year-old daughter on May 12. His daughter, whose name was withheld, stated that Ali, a 28-year-old business man, attacked her when she went to his home where she worked as a house servant. Zafar immediately went to the police station to file charges, but the Station House Officer Inspector refused and began to pressure him to withdraw the accusation. A powerful local politician along with the area's largest land owner, Imtiyaz Kharral, has since threatened to maim or kill him. Even with the immense pressure, Zafar refused to withdraw his application. The Inspector has denied any wrongdoing, stating that he declined to register a rape case because he did not want to harm the Christian girl's dignity. Instead, he had recommended trying to resolve the conflict in a public gathering. At a meeting held at Imtiyaz's farmhouse on May 13, the Christians were not permitted to even speak. Zafar was told that he had to drop the rape charge or else he and all local Christian families would be relocated.

    Most of the Christians in this area of Pakistan are construction labourers, sanitation workers and domestic servants working for daily wages. "My eldest daughter worked as a maidservant for a monthly salary of 500 rupees (approximately $6.00 CAD) to lend a hand," Zafar said. "We Christians in Pakistan have no life even dogs live better life than us." (Source: Compass Direct)

    Pray for God's healing and mercy in the life of Zafar's daughter. Ask God to sustain and provide for her and her family at this time. Pray that as they suffer they will remain steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray for equality and justice for Christians in Pakistan.

    To learn more about the plight of Pakistani Christians, please visit thePakistan Country Report.
  • Update: Christian accused of blasphemy faces court

    Martha Bibi with her family
    Photo from All Pakistan Minorities Alliance
    Martha Bibi (45), a Pakistani Christian woman accused of blasphemy in January 2007 (click here for more information), is scheduled to appear in court on May 26. If deemed guilty, she may face the death penalty. Martha has been accused of making derogatory remarks against the Qur'an and of "defiling the sacred name of the prophet Muhammad." According to local Christians, the charges were brought against Martha by Muslim contractors who did not want to pay for materials she and her husband, a bricklayer, supplied to a construction site. (Source: ASSIST News Service)

    Pray that the charges against Martha will be dropped. Ask God to embolden Martha, her six children, and her husband. Pray that the blasphemy law will be abolished in Pakistan.

    To find out more about the plight of Pakistani Christians,click here.
  • Christian man beaten and raped

    Marwat Masih (29), a Christian barber in the town of Gulshan-e-Bashir, Punjab province, Pakistan, sustained severe injuries, including broken bones, after eight Muslims brutally assaulted him for cutting the beard of a Muslim on April 13. Marwat initially refused 19-year-old Qandeel Cheema's request to cut his beard, knowing that local Sunni Muslims believe the Qur'an prohibits it. Qandeel insisted, however, assuring Marwat that he would leave town after the shave so that it would remain a secret. When Qandeel's older brother noticed the family's vehicle at the barbershop, he went inside and discovered Marwat cutting Qandeel's beard. Enraged, he ransacked the barbershop and beat Marwat with his shoes. He and six accomplices then blindfolded Marwat and locked him in a room where they beat him, breaking his ribs as well as his wrist and legs. Marwat was then brutally raped by the men. Police have refused Marwat's family's requests to file a report against Qandeel's brother and the other attackers, who remained at large at last report. (Source: Compass Direct)

    Ask God to give Marwat healing from the emotional and physical scars of his assault. Pray that his attackers will be brought to justice. Pray that he and his family will continue to trust in the Lord to guide and protect them (Revelation 2:10).

    To learn more about the persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.
  • Update: Christian woman accused of blasphemy denied bail

    A Christian woman who was arrested for making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad on March 21 in Pakistan's Punjab province (click here for the story) has been denied bail. On April 20, a judge rejected Rubina Bibi's petition and instead transferred her case to the district session judge of Wazirabad. Judges in Pakistan are often reluctant to make decisions in such cases due to pressure from Muslims and it is not uncommon for them to refuse bail so the case can be moved to the high court in Lahore. At last report, Rubina was being held in prison with her one-year-old son while the rest of her family had gone into hiding out of concern for their lives. (Source: Centre for Legal Aid Assistance & Settlement, ASSIST News Service)

    Pray that the charges against Rubina will be dropped and that she will be released from prison. Pray for safety and health for her family at this time. Pray that freedom of religion and speech will be respected in Pakistan.

    To learn more about the persecuted Church in Pakistan, check out thePakistan Country Report.
  • Young Christian woman abducted

    A 19-year-old Pakistani Christian woman, Sonia Mohan, was reportedly abducted on April 1 by a Muslim man and his friends in Nishtar Colony, Lahore. Sonia's family fears the Muslim man, Ali Raza, will force her to convert to Islam and marry him. Sonia's brother, Johnson Parvaiz, stated, "Ali Raza came to our home and told Sonia that I had asked for her, and she went out of the house with him. They had parked a vehicle outside and left, and afterwards we never heard from her." After two days, Johnson was able to reach his sister on her cell phone but she told him not to call her, that she was very happy and that they should not try to find her. "It was obvious from her voice that she had been forced to say that," Johnson said. Police have delayed registering a case on behalf of Sonia's family because, in what appears to be an attempt to delay police action, Ali's family has filed a complaint that he was abducted by the same accomplices who allegedly helped him kidnap Sonia. (Source: Compass Direct)

    Pray that Sonia will be released from her captors and returned to her family. Pray that she will look to Christ for courage and strength. Pray that authorities will act swiftly and justly in this case.

    To learn more about persecution in Pakistan,click here.
  • Christian imprisoned on charges of blasphemy

    Police in Punjab province, Pakistan recently arrested a Christian woman, Rubina Bibi, on accusations of "blasphemy." One of Rubina's relatives, a militant Muslim, accused her of making a derogatory comment about Muhammad following a minor domestic dispute. Police then arrested her and allegedly tortured her at the police station in the town of Alipur. Authorities have reportedly attempted to cover up her detention and subsequent harassment. At last report, she had been transferred to Gujranwala Jail with charges under Section 295-C of Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which could lead to life imprisonment with a large fine or even a death sentence. (Source: Compass Direct)

    Pray that the charges against Rubina will be dropped and that she will be released. Pray for endurance of faith as she suffers for righteousness' sake. Pray that her passion for Christ will be a light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).

    To find out more about Pakistan's suffering Christians, go to thePakistan Country Report.
  • Christian brutally murdered

    Photo: Compass Direct

    Six Muslims in Khanewal district, southern Punjab province, used an axe to kill a Christian when he refused to convert to Islam. The six men had threatened to kill 36-year-old Rasheed Masih when they grew resentful of his potato business succeeding beyond their own. The rival merchants allegedly killed him after luring him to their farmhouse on March 9, leaving him on a roadside near Kothi Nand Singh village in the early hours of the next day. Rasheed was a devoted Christian, and both he and his brother Asi had refused the Muslims' pressure to convert to Islam. Police have registered a case against the six men and an investigation is underway, but the suspects remained at large at last report. (Source: Compass Direct)

    Pray for Asi and others mourning the loss of Rasheed. Pray that those involved in his murder will be brought to justice. Pray that authorities will strive to provide safety for vulnerable Christians and other minorities in Pakistan.

    To find out more about persecution in Pakistan, please visit thePakistan Country Report.
  • Christian man burned alive, wife raped


    Photo from AsiaNews

    A Pakistani Christian man passed away on March 22 after he was set on fire by Muslims in Rawalpindi three days earlier. Arshed Masih (38) and his wife, Martha (33), had been threatened with "dire consequences" by their employer, Sheikh Mohammad Sultan, unless they agreed to convert to Islam. The couple steadfastly refused.

    In the days before the attack, Sultan reported a theft of 500,000 rupees and, although Arshed and Martha were not named as suspects, Sultan offered to drop the case if they renounced Christianity. When they were brought in for questioning, Arshed was assaulted and Martha was raped by police. Arshed was set on fire on March 19 in front of the police station by a group of Muslims, some of whom were reportedly officers and religious leaders. He sustained burns to 80% of his body. The couple's three children -- Mary (12), Nasir (10) and Neha (7) -- were forced to witness the horrific violence against their parents. (Sources: BosNewsLife, AsiaNews, International Christian Concern)

    Ask God to comfort this family as only He can. Pray for God to heal Martha's physical and emotional wounds in the aftermath of these tragic events. Pray that Mary, Nasir and Neha will look to their heavenly Father for all they need at this time and continue to seek His face (Psalm 68:5). Pray that authorities will act swiftly and justly.

    For more on suffering Pakistani believers, go to thePakistan Country Report.
  • Christians sentenced to prison for blasphemy


    The Qur'an
    Photo from AsiaNews

    A Pakistani Christian man, Qamar David, was sentenced to life in prison for blasphemy on February 25. Qamar was arrested in 2006 for allegedly spreading blasphemous messages about the Qur'an and Mohammed on his cell phone. The court also ordered him to pay a fine of 101,000 rupees (approximately $1,200 CAD). Since his arrest, Qamar and his lawyer have been threatened with violence by mobs and have survived several assassination attempts.

    In Punjab province's Kasur district, a Christian couple -- Munir Masih and Ruqqiya Bibi -- has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for blasphemy. The couple was accused of contaminating the Qur'an in December 2008 when they touched the book without washing their hands. They were released on bail in January 2009 but were subsequently re-arrested when the judge ruled against them. At last report, an appeal to have the sentence overturned was being planned. (Sources: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, International Christian Concern, AsiaNews)

    Pray that the charges of blasphemy against these believers will be overturned. Pray that their faith in Christ will grow stronger during these difficult days. Pray that the country's blasphemy laws will be repealed and that the abuse of these laws will end.

    You can learn more about the persecution of believers in Pakistan at thePakistan Country Report.
  • Christian beaten by Muslim brothers


    Riaz Masih
    Photo from Compass Direct

    Riaz Masih (26) was brutally beaten by his four Muslim brothers in Punjab province, Pakistan after he refused to give up his faith. Riaz, whose Christian parents died when he was a boy, said that his continual refusals to convert infuriated his brothers. The Muslim cleric who raised them after their parents died had reportedly lured Riaz's brothers into embracing Islam by offering them a large plot of residential land and 500,000 rupees (approximately $6,000 CAD). In a similar manner, Riaz's brothers tried to entice him to convert by offering him 1 million rupees (approximately $12,000 CAD), a large residence and a woman of his choice to marry. However, Riaz stood firm and declined. On February 8, Riaz's brothers ransacked his house and told him that they would kill him if he did not convert to Islam, saying, "Killing an infidel is not a sin, instead it's righteousness in the sight of Allah almighty." Riaz begged them to give him a few minutes to consider their offer and then tried to escape, but they grabbed him, beat him with bamboo clubs and left him for dead. At last report, Riaz was hiding in fear for his life. (Source: Compass Direct)

    Pray for God to continue to strengthen Riaz to remain strong amid opposition (Psalm 29:11). Pray that the Lord will speak to the hearts of his brothers so that they too will come to know Him as their Lord. Pray for the emergence of strong and mature Christian leaders in Pakistan to help equip those under pressure to remain steadfast and be effective witnesses for Christ.

    To learn more about persecution in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.

Page 28 of 42