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Martha Bibi's lawyer (back, right) with her husband and four of her children. Photo from All Pakistan Minorities Alliance. |
Bibi and her husband rent out construction equipment. They had recently rented out tools and supplies for the construction of the Sher Rabbani mosque. When the builders failed to pay, Martha went to the construction site on January 22 to collect the money. When the workers refused to pay, she tried to retrieve the equipment but was stopped before she entered the mosque. Three men, Muhammad Ramzan, Mohammad Akram and Muhammad Dilbar beat her until some people walking by intervened.
Later that night, the mosque's imam accused Martha of uttering blasphemous words about Muhammad and he urged local Muslims to attack Christians. Fearing for their lives, Martha and her family fled their home. Her husband, Boota Masih, and her six children escaped to a neighbour's house but Martha was captured and arrested. Martha is imprisoned at the Changa Manga police station awaiting trial. Her family remains in hiding for their protection.
Ask God to bring Scripture verses of comfort to Martha's mind during her imprisonment (Psalm 119:49-56). Pray for the protection of her husband and children. Pray that Christians in Pakistan will follow Christ's example and entrust themselves to the One who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23). Pray that all charges against Martha will be dropped and that she will be released.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, click here.
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