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Pakistan

• Prison Sentences Upheld for Two Christians

  The Voice of the Martyrs learned late last week that a Pakistani court has upheld the conviction and life sentence of two Christians accused of blasphemy against the Koran. In February 1999, Jhang Amjad and Asif Masih were arrested on charges of vagrancy. While in police custody, authorities claim that they set fire to a copy of the Koran. Amjad and Asif claim that the police officers set fire to the book themselves because they refused to pay a bribe.

  However, the Lahore High Court has agreed with the prosecution, saying that, "The act of the accused was calculated to outrage the religious feelings of the Muslim(s)." The court also said, "There is not even a remote possibility that the police officials who were all Muslims could willfully dare or even think of desecrating the Holy Quran in the manner it was done." It is expected that the decision will be appealed to Pakistan's Supreme Court.

  Please pray for Amjad and Asif, as well as their families. Pray for protection in prison and for a successful appeal. Family members of those convicted of blasphemy regularly face discrimination and threats. Pray for protection and strength for their families.

• Blasphemy Trial Begins

  On July 17, court proceedings began against Pervez Masih, a schoolmaster of a Christian school charged under Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law. Pervez has been in prison since April 1, 2001 when the schoolmaster of a neighbouring Muslim school filed blasphemy charges against him, saying that two students had heard Masih blaspheme Mohammed. A fact-finding report in 2001 concluded that the charges were based on "professional biases and rivalry, including religious hatred" and were without any factual basis. According to Compass Direct, Pervez's family has hired a Muslim lawyer to represent him before the High Court. Pray that the truth will come out in the trial and that Pervez will be cleared of all charges. Pray for his health and safety in prison.

• Catholic Priest Murdered at Home

  Father George Ibrahim was brutally murdered in the early hours of July 5 as six armed assailants entered his home in Renala Khord and shot him and his parish assistant. Local police are claiming that the attack was a robbery but church leaders believe that Father Ibrahim was murdered and his assistant wounded because of the government's decision last fall to return a former Catholic school to Ibrahim's parish after thirty years of state control. When the Supreme Court declared in the early 1990's that the forced nationalization of Pakistan's Urdu-language schools in 1972 had been unconstitutional, private school owners began to apply for the return of the schools. Government-employed teachers and administrators, and militant Muslim groups have often opposed such applications. Shahbaz Bhatti, head of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, told VOM that Father Ibrahim had been receiving death threats and that there are militant Islamic groups in the area who do not want Christians to be prosperous. Private schools run by Christians are typically seen as offering superior education to state or Islamic schools. Christian schoolmaster Pervez Masih was accused of blasphemy in 2001 by a rival Muslim schoolmaster because of the success and popularity of Pervez's school.

  Pray that those responsible for this murder will be brought to justice. Pray for Christian schools and their administrators and teachers in Pakistan. Pray that God would give them strength and courage as they faithfully serve Him.

• Authorities Increase Pressure on Christian School

  For the past several weeks, The Voice of the Martyrs has been following the plight of a Christian school in Islamabad, Pakistan, operated by Peace Worldwide. For more information, go to https://www.vomcanada.com/pk-2003-05-25.htm.  

  As of yesterday, the school remains open, despite continuing government pressure on the leaders of the school and the owner of the building that they rent. On Monday, the Director of the Capital Development Authority threatened to burn the school's furnishings and arrest the head of the school, Hector Aleem, as well as the owner of the building, Muhammad Hafiz. Booklets are being distributed in the community, claiming that the school is involved in preaching and teaching the Bible. According to Aleem, the school follows only government-approved curriculum.

  Pray for endurance for Aleem and the others running the school, that they will continue to be able to provide an excellent education to their students in the face of this continuing pressure. Pray that the authorities will stop their attack on the school and allow it to continue to function. Pray for the owner, Muhammad Hafiz, as he stands against the authorities in allowing the school to continue operating in his building.

• Christian Acquitted of Blasphemy Charges

  After serving four and a half years in prison for alleged blasphemy against Islam, Pakistani Christian Aslam Masih was acquitted today by the Lahore High Court. Masih was arrested in November 1998 for allegedly giving a charm to Khadim Hussain, a Muslim, containing verses from the Quran to be hung around a dog's neck. In his appeal trial, however, the prosecution's main witness completely denied the statement attributed to him. He stated that the police had invented his testimony. The remaining evidence against Masih was second and third-hand testimony. According to a source cited by Compass Direct, Justice Najam ur-Zaman is reported to have taken "a very aggressive attitude against the prosecution" because of the flimsy circumstantial evidence.

  This decision overturns a double life sentence given to Masih in May 2002 by a lower court. He will be released once this decision is passed on to the lower court. Security plans are being arranged to protect him once he is released, since those acquitted often face death threats.

  Praise God for this decision. Pray for Masih's safety. Pray also for other Christians still facing life imprisonment or death sentences under Pakistan's blasphemy laws.

• Christian School Not Yet Closed

  In a Special Edition Persecution and Prayer Alert on May 25, we reported on the imminent closure of a Christian school in Islamabad (for more information, see https://www.vomcanada.com/pk-2003-05-25.htm. According to an update from Peace Worldwide on May 27, the school was not yet closed, though officials were attempting to remove their signs until some students' parents protested.

  Peace Worldwide is asking for assistance in contacting the president of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, urging him to act on behalf of their school in Islamabad. You may send him an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or try to send a fax at one of the following numbers: 92 51 9201835 or 92 51 9201051 (Note: You may have to try several times to get through. We cannot guarantee that either of these numbers will work, but they are most current that we presently have). For help on how to write a letter, you can check out our website at https://www.vomcanada.com/howto.htm.

• Christian School Given Three Days to Close

  On Saturday, May 24, a school founded and operated in Islamabad by the Pakistani non-governmental organization, Peace Worldwide, received an order from the Deputy Commissioner CDA to close within three days. The school located in H # 291 St, 80 Sector G – 11/2 in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, is the only private Christian school in the city. The official closure order was given after the owner of the building used by the school, Muhammad Hafiz, indicated that the Christian school could no longer use the building for their activities. Hector Aleem, chairman of Peace Worldwide told The Voice of the Martyrs today that the school has received a number of threats from Muslim militants since the school's founding, attempting to close it down. On January 8, 2001, Aleem narrowly escaped an assassination attempt while he was working in his office at the school. No charges were ever brought against the attackers. Aleem contends that Islamic militants have been pressuring governmental officials to close his school and that this order is the result of their efforts.

  The notice received by Peace Worldwide from the Deputy Commissioner cited that the official reason for the closure order was because the school was situated in a residential area and as such, schools were not permitted to opeChristian School Given Three Days to Closerate there. However, Aleem told The Voice of the Martyrs that there are at least three other schools in close proximity to his school, including the First Government School that is only 50 yards away. The Peace Worldwide school is well loved by the people of the area, Aleem maintains, having both Christian and Muslim students. Government and militant Islamic groups, however, have consistently opposed the existence of the Peace Worldwide school. According to Aleem, there are over 200 private schools operating in Islamabad, but that his is the only Christian one.

  Aleem is asking that Christians around the world remember them in prayer during this time. Pray especially that his appeals to President Pervez Musharraf will be heard and that the heart of the president would be softened to act on behalf of this school. Christian schools are consistently the best schools in Pakistan. General Musharraf, himself, attended such a school as a child. Pakistan presently has a literacy rate of 38%, Aleem points out. "We are helping the Government to increase the literacy rate." Pray, too, for the more than 100 students attending the school and its faculty and staff in the midst of this turbulent time.

  Peace Worldwide is also asking that you immediately write to the president of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, urging him to act on behalf of their school in Islamabad. You may send him an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or try to send a fax at one of the following numbers: 92 51 9201835 or 92 51 9201051 (note: you may have to try several times to get through. We cannot guarantee that either of these numbers will work, but they are most current that we presently have). For help on how to write a letter, you can check out our website at https://www.vomcanada.com/howto.htm.

• Prayer Meeting Attacked

   A prayer meeting at the New Apostolic Church of Pakistan in the district of Narowal was attacked on May 9, resulting in serious injuries to at least two believers.

  According to sources for The Voice of the Martyrs, a group of Muslims stopped and harassed a group of Christian girls on their way to the church that evening. Once the prayer meeting had begun, they entered the church, carrying weapons and yelling. When Mughal Masih stepped outside to speak with the men, he was taken to a field and beaten in the head and chest with guns. He was then stabbed and left bleeding. The rest of the group dragged the guest pastor, Ashraf Masih, out of the church, stripped him, and beat him.

  Mughal was admitted to hospital but has received minimal care because of his inability to pay. Due to threats, the incident was not registered with the police.

  Pray for healing for Mughal and Ashraf. Pray that fear will not impede the ministry, but that they will be able to stand strong in the strength of the Lord.
   
      
   

• Life Sentence for Blasphemy

  A Christian in Punjab, Pakistan was sentenced to life in prison on April 26 for blasphemy for allegedly damaging an Islamic signboard five years ago. Ranjha Masih has been held without bail since he was arrested on May 8, 1998 following the funeral procession for Bishop John Joseph who committed suicide in protest against the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. During the procession, violence erupted and an Islamic signboard was knocked over. Ranjha was blamed and was beaten by mobs and later arrested and charged under Pakistan's blasphemy law, Section 295-C.

  Islamic militants had been demanding the death penalty but Ranjha denied any involvement and, according to observers, there was insufficient evidence to prove that he was involved. Despite this, on Saturday, Faisalabad Additional District and Sessions Court judge Mohammed Shahid Rafique fined Ranjha 50,000 rupees (over $1200 CDN) and sentenced him to life in prison. Ranjha will be appealing the conviction.

  Pray that this conviction will be overturned and that it will be used to help dismantle this draconian law, which has been used repeatedly against Christians.

• Family Attacked and Threatened with Death

  A family in Pakistan faces an imminent death threat if they do not renounce their faith in Christ by Friday, April 18. According to an April 14 report from Christian Aid, between 150-200 Muslims attacked the home of Sadeeq, a recent convert from Islam, beating him, abusing his daughters, and giving him an ultimatum to renounce his faith by Friday or be killed.

  Christian leaders are attempting to relocate the family before Friday. Pray for safety for the family and that a new location will be found to live. Pray that Sadeeq will be able to find a job and continue to be an effective witness for Christ.