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Pakistan

  • Advocacy Office in Pakistan Fired On

    At around 6:30 p.m. on June 16, the office of CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement) in Lahore, Pakistan was fired upon by two young men on a motorcycle.  There were only a few people in the office at the time and thankfully no one was hit.

    CLAAS provides legal aid as well as shelter and financial support to victims of religious persecution in Pakistan and their families.

    Pray for continued protection for these servants of God who are serving persecuted believers in Pakistan.

    For more information on the persecution of Pakistani Christians,click here.
  • Christian in Critical Condition Following Beating

    A young Catholic man is in critical condition after he was attacked, beaten and left for dead by Muslims in his village on April 23.  According to sources for AsiaNews, Shahbaz Masih (24) was seized by seven or eight young Muslim men who dragged him into a field and beat him; breaking both his legs and leaving him there.  They then called his parents and informed them that he was dead.  His parents found him and took him to the local hospital where he is being treated.

    According to Father Rehmat Hakim, the parish priest for the Mandi Bahauddin district, 175 kilometers south of Islamabad, most of the 20-25 Christian families in the area work as agricultural workers for Muslim landlords. Shahbaz drove tractor for a Muslim who treated him very well.  Other Muslims opposed the good treatment, believing that Christians should be subservient. 

    Pray for Shahbaz's health and a full recovery.  Pray that there will not be more violence against Christians in the area.  Pray the example of Shahbaz and his landlord will be a positive example of peaceful coexistence.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.
  • Injured Christians Receive Poor Treatment

    Believers in Khambay, Pakistan continue to live through the consequences of last Sunday's attack on their church (click here for details).  On Monday the funeral was held for Arshad Masih who was killed.  Click here for pictures of the funeral.  Of those injured, VOM has learned, two remain in hospital while the other four were forcibly released, despite their injuries.  Pervez Masih remains unconscious and in critical condition.  Ismael Masih (65) has been crying out in pain.  He told VOM contacts on March 28 that he had received no medication for his pain.

    Pray for each of those injured in the attacks, and especially for Pervez and Ismael.  Pray that they will fully recover from their injuries.  Pray for Arshad Masih's young wife and child, as they begin to face life without their loved one.

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

    Ismael Masih

     

     Fozia, wife of Arshad Masih
  • One Killed and Six Injured as Assailants Attack During Easter Morning Service in Pakistan

    The Voice of the Martyrs has learned that Sunday's Easter morning service of the Victory Church International (also known as the New Apostolic Church) in the village of Khambay near Lahore, Pakistan was disrupted as four armed assailants opened fire on the church property, murdering one Christian worshipper and injuring six others.  Killed was Arshad Masih, a young husband and father of a one-year-old daughter. 

    Ismael Masih, with fractured leg, giving his statement

    Abdominal wound on Pervez Masih
    Photos from CLAAS

     

     Fozia, wife of Arshad Masih
    Photo from Centre for Legal Aid,
    Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS)


    According to reports received by The Voice of the Martyrs, members of a Muslim family who had long been opponents of the congregation entered the church property at about 10:00 a.m. as the congregation was worshipping and began shooting.  Some reports indicate that there were children playing outside.  Arshad Masih was reportedly shot and killed as he went outside of the church building to find out what was happening. Six other believers including Pervez Masih, Naeem Masih, Arshed Masih, Ismael Masih, and two others (exact names to be verified) also came out from church and the attackers also fired on them. The attackers then fled.VOM sources report that Muhammad Mukhtar Dogar, Muhammad Sardar Dogar and Muhammad Malki Dogar have been arrested in connection with the attack, while two other suspects are still at large.  The injured are in hospital in Lahore, one of them in critical condition. This incident comes after a weekend of threats and intimidations by the Dogar family against the congregation.  The 150-member church was forced to cancel their Good Friday and Saturday night services when the family threatened to kill anyone who came to the church.  The Dogar family is apparently seeking to take possession of the land that New Apostolic Church and its graveyard has been located on for the last century.

    Remember to pray for Arshad Masih's wife, Fozia, as she grieves the loss of her husband. Pray for those in hospital, especially those who are seriously wounded.  Pray that those responsible will be brought to justice.  Pray for the continuing witness of this church, as they testify to the Living Christ and His resurrection.
  • Women's Prayer Meeting Attacked On March 16, more than sixty women had gathered in a church in Miskeen Musharaf Colony in Islamabad, Pakistan for prayer and fasting.  According to a Pakistani source, more than 150 people attacked the women, grabbing them by the hair and torturing them as well as damaging the church property.  The Pakistani news agency, Dawn, reports that the local Muslim Imam objected to the construction of the church building located about 100 metres from the mosque.  The Imam reportedly led the attack on the women, along with his students. A representative from the All Pakistan Alliance, Abida Shaikh, told Dawn that the church had surveyed the neighbourhood before building.  Of the seventy-five households, only eight were Muslim and none objected to the church building. 

    The church building was sealed by authorities following this incident.  When the chairman of the All Pakistan Alliance for Katchi, Abadis Bashir Buttar, arrived to protest the incident, he was arrested by police, along with another Christian, Mian Qasim.  They were released the next day on bail.

    Pray for a continued ministry in this neighbourhood.  Pray that those who oppose this church will see the Spirit of God working in the lives of the Christians.

    For more information on the difficulties experienced by Christians in Pakistan,click here.
  • Police Delay Investigating Kidnapping

    On February 8, thirteen-year-old Fozia Zafar was kidnapped by three young Muslim men while going to visit her uncle near her home in Alipur Chattah, Pakistan.  Despite an eye-witness and even confessions from two of those involved, police repeatedly refused to register the case.  The case was registered only after Fozia's father issued a complaint to the Divisional Police Officer two weeks later.  Police are holding two of the young men, while the whereabouts of the third, along with Fozia, is unknown.

    Zafar Masih and Razia Bibi (parents of Fozia)
    along with their four children.  
    Photo from CLAAS.
    While it is not certain that Fozia was kidnapped specifically because she is a Christian, it is clear that police did not take proper action in response. This sort of treatment is often experienced by Christians in Pakistan when they seek legal help.  Representatives from CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement) met with the family and local authorities, who assured the CLAAS team that the Christians will receive equal treatment under the law. However, since the initial meeting with CLAAS, Fozia's father, Zafar Masih, has been dismissed from his job at the Municipal Corporation and influential Muslims in the community are pressuring him to withdraw the case against the young men.

    Pray for Fozia's safe and soon return to her family.  Pray that the authorities will actively pursue this case and bring about justice.  Pray for peace and strength for the family.

    For more information on the difficulties Christians face in Pakistan,click here.
  • Christian in Hiding After Court Acquittal

    On January 12, VOM reported on the acquittal of Anwar Masih, after he had been accused under Pakistan's blasphemy laws.  Compass Direct reports that this is the first time a lower court has acquitted a Christian of blasphemy.  However Anwar has been unable to join his wife and four children because of fear for his life.  Members of a militant Islamic group, Lashkar-e-Mujahideen (Islamic Religious Army), have vowed to kill him over his alleged remarks against Mohammed.  He now joins several other Pakistani Christians who have been cleared of charges but are forced to seek asylum abroad because of continued death threats.

    Pray that Anwar will find asylum in a safe location and that his family will be able to join him.  Pray that his family will be kept safe from any harm.

    For more information on the difficulties faced by those living for Christ in Pakistan,click here.
  • Christian Woman Abducted and Beaten

    On January 10, 58-year-old Hanifan Bibi and her family were abducted and tortured for two days and then taken to the police accused of stealing from her employer.  From all indications, however, her "crime" was her faith in Christ.

    Hanifan had worked for twenty-two years as a domestic servant to help support her family.  According to a press release from the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), her Muslim employer, Saeedan Batni, along with two other men, broke into her home and abducted her, along with her husband, son, and nephew.  After taking them to an unknown location, they stripped Hanifan, hung her upside down and beat her with a hot iron pipe.  They also beat and kicked her husband, Kala, and son Pervaiz.  After holding them for two days without food and water, they were taken to the police station where Hanifan was accused of stealing from her employer.

    CLAAS is endeavouring to pressure the Pakistani authorities to take this incident seriously.  Hanifan is not the only such case.  The majority of Christian women are poor and illiterate and usually do not report such incidents for fear of their employers.

    Pray for healing for Hanifan and her family.  Pray that the authorities will take action against Saeedan Batni and the other men involved in this incident.

    For more information on persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.
  • Christian Acquitted of Blasphemy

    In November 2003, a Christian labourer, Anwar Masih, was arrested and charged with blasphemy.  The incident arose from a heated discussion with a recent convert to Islam.  For more information, click here.  According to a January 6 report from CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement) in Pakistan, Anwar was acquitted on December 17.  Anwar's lawyer had argued that the evidence against him was strictly hearsay.

    Praise God for this decision and pray that others facing similar charges under Pakistan's blasphemy laws will be acquitted and that previous convictions will be overturned.

    For more information on persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.
  • Amendments to Blasphemy Law Fail to Satisfy

    Amendments to the controversial Section 295-C were passed by Pakistan 's National Assembly on Oct. 26 in an effort to prevent some of the abuses that have plagued the law.  However, those amendments have failed to satisfy the Christian community who sees the changes as inadequate and useless.

    Section 295-C state that "whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation, or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him] shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine."  In the past, the blasphemy law has been used by Muslims as a way of harassing Christians, settling personal disputes, as well as a means for financial gain.  According to AsiaNews, since the law was instituted in 1986, 579 people have been charged and thirty are still waiting for the courts' decisions.

    Parvez Masih is presently in prison on charges under Section 295-C

    In an attempt to stem abuse, the amendments state that only senior police officers will be able to investigate blasphemy cases.  They will also not be able to file criminal charges until after investigating the allegations.  Normally charges have been filed as soon as the allegations are reported.  However, since the abuse of this law has been so widespread, many Christian organizations doubt that these amendments will bring any significant change. 

    Pray that this section of the criminal code will be completely repealed at that those in prison under this law will be released.  Pray for those suffering in prison, falsely accused of blasphemy and other crimes.

    For more information on the difficulties facing the Church in Pakistan,click here.

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