Christian girl kidnapped, raped

A 14-year-old Pakistani Christian girl from Mohalla Raja Sultan, Rawalpindi has been returned home after she was kidnapped and raped by five Muslim men. The girl, whose name has been withheld, had previously been threatened with death unless her father allowed Guddu, a Muslim man, to marry her. The Muslims told her father, Lazarus, that they had "attended an Islamic religious convention, and the speaker said if you marry a non-Muslim or rape a non-Muslim girl, you will get 70 virgins in heaven." When Lazarus and his wife returned home from work on May 29, their daughter was nowhere to be found. They later learned that five Muslim men, including Guddu, were seen following their daughter earlier that morning. The Muslims took the girl to a house near Islamabad where they drugged and raped her. On June 6, the police raided the home where she was being held; however, all the suspects were able to escape. At last report, the girl remained very frightened and was not speaking to anyone. (Source: Compass Direct)

Pray for God's comfort, peace and healing for this Christian girl. Pray for her parents and two sisters as they stand with her at this time. Pray that during these difficult days they will remain steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray that the perpetrators will turn to Christ and seek forgiveness.

Click here to learn more about suffering believers in Pakistan.

  • Current Ministry Projects

    VOMC partners to train Christian women in sewing skills throughout Pakistan to provide a sustainable source of income for their families and encourage them in their faith and witness for Christ.

    Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Women’s Ministry

  • Country Information

    Population
    247,653,551 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Punjabi (44.7), Pashtun [Pathan] (15.4), Sindhi (14.1), Saraiki (8.4) Muhajirs (7.6) Balochi (3.6), Other (6.3)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (96.5), Other - Christian and Hindu (3.5)

    Leader
    President Asif Ali Zardari (2024)

    Government type
    Federal parliamentary republic

    Legal system
    Common law system with Islamic law influence

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Pakistan

    Pray that amendments will be made to Pakistan's existing blasphemy laws so that the country's citizens – including its children – will be protected from injustice and abuse. May our Lord's mercy and justice prevail, not only in the judiciary system but also in the hearts of the country's militants. Ask Him to transform their "hearts of stone" into hearts that are receptive to His love, mercy and the workings of His Holy Spirit – not only for the purpose of protecting the Christian minority but also for the salvation of their own eternal souls.

Pakistan News

  • Blasphemy Conviction for Online Posts
    Furniture and possessions are strewn on a street. Some of them are burning.
    The riots in 2023.
    Photo: Morning Star News

    In August 2023, the Christian colony of Jaranwala was filled with violence after allegations of blasphemy were made against two brothers. During the rampage, as many as 400 homes and 26 church buildings were damaged or destroyed. For more details, and to view video footage of the attacks, see this page.

  • Wife of Nazir Masih Dies of a Heart Attack
    Naseem and Nazir
    Naseem and Nazir
    Photo: Morning Star News
     

    In May, shocking images of mob violence were revealed after 74-year-old Nazir Masih was falsely accused of burning pages from the Quran. The elderly Christian man was fatally wounded during the resulting mob violence, which also led to the destruction of his shoemaking business, along with several attacks against other Christians. Further details on the violent rampage are available here.