Two young Christian girls were kidnapped from their homes by Muslims in the city of Faisalabad in recent weeks, according to an August 22 report from Asia News.
Zunaira (11) was taken from her home in Warispura by a Muslim named Muhammad Adnan on August 5. She was then forced to convert to Islam and marry her kidnapper. Her mother, Abida, was informed of her daughter’s situation by two local Muslims who acted as negotiators when the kidnappers demanded money in exchange for Zunaria's release. She offered them 12,000 Rupees (287 CAD) but they told her it was not enough. She then went to the police for help but was told that the kidnapping was "not a matter for the police."
In the second case, Shumaila Tabussum (16) was kidnapped from her home by a Muslim man named Mazher and some other unknown people on August 16. The kidnappers told her that her father had been injured in an accident. When they offered to take her to see him in the hospital, she got into their car. While they were driving, Shumaila saw two of her uncles and shouted the news about her father's alleged accident to them. Her uncles then went to the hospital but discovered no one there. Shumaila's father immediately reported her abduction to the police. He fears she might also be forced to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim man since such cases are increasingly common for Christian girls in Pakistan.
Pray that Zunaira and Shumaila will be returned home. Pray that they will remain strong in their faith. Ask God to give comfort to their families. Pray for safety for other young Christian girls in Pakistan.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, go to the Pakistan Country Report.