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Pakistan

  • Update: Christian denied bail, threatened with death


    Photo from Compass Direct

    Hector Aleem (51), a Pakistani Christian facing charges of abetting blasphemy (click here for the details), was denied bail on April 30, according to a May 6 report from Compass Direct. The judge dismissed the bail application out of concern for Aleem's safety after the complainant's attorney reportedly stated at the hearing, "If the judge does not punish Aleem according to the law, then [we] will kill him ourselves." Aleem's lawyer has requested that future hearings be closed to the public, as he fears that Muslim militants may try to harm his client. At an earlier hearing on April 25, approximately 185 Muslims protested outside the courthouse. At last report, Aleem remained in detention at Adiyala Jail in the city of Rawalpindi.

    Click hereto learn more about the ongoing opposition facing Christians in Pakistan.
  • Muslims attack Christians following blasphemy accusations

    On May 1, a mob of approximately 500 armed Muslims launched attacks on Christians in the village of Chak, Punjab province, after five local believers were arrested for blasphemy. The Christian men were accused of breaking into a government-run primary school for girls a week earlier and smearing a page of the Quran with ink and gum. They were also accused of leaving a message on the blackboard that linked one of the men, a well-known social activist, to the scene. The militants, angered by the alleged blasphemy, vandalized homes and threatened believers with death. Muslims from a neighbouring village tried to burn down the houses of the accused men but were stopped by authorities. Twelve Christian families have since fled the area in fear.

    Pray that the arrested Christians will be released. Pray that the assailants will come to repentance and salvation. Pray that Pakistani Christians will know God's care and provision.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.
  • Christian girl raped and murdered

    A nine-year-old Pakistani Christian girl was gang-raped and murdered on April 9, according to a May 2 report from The Christian Post. Nisha Javid was abducted while walking near her home in Essangri village, Punjab province. Her battered body was found two days later in a canal. Although the police were initially involved in the search for Javid, they have since taken little action in apprehending the perpetrators. Christians believe the attack, which occurred the day before Good Friday, was an attempt to frighten and intimidate the Christian community.

    Pray for the Javid family as they grieve. Pray that, in their sufferings, they will know Christ's abounding comfort (2 Corinthians 1:5). Pray that those responsible for this attack will be brought to justice and turn to Christ in repentance.

    Learn more on how Christians suffer in Pakistan.
  • Taliban attacks Christian community

    A mob of Taliban militants attacked the Christian community in Taiser Town, near the city of Karachi in Sindh province on April 22. Armed men approached a group of Christians who had gathered to remove insulting messages from the walls of a church building and local homes. The graffiti included the words "Long Live the Taliban" and demands for Christians to pay a tax imposed on non-Muslims. A mob soon gathered and gunshots were fired indiscriminately into the crowd, seriously injuring three Christians, including an 11-year-old boy, Irfan Masih. The attackers then ransacked several homes belonging to Christians, burned Bibles and beat believers. Two Christians who resisted the militants were reportedly executed in front of their families. Masih died five days following the attack. The Pakistani government recently allowed the Taliban to establish Islamic law in Swat Valley, North-West Frontier Province and Christians in Sindh are concerned that their province could be the next to fall under Taliban rule.

    Pray that, in the aftermath of this attack, Pakistani Christians will remain unshaken from the work the Lord has given them, trusting Him to bring eternal results (1 Corinthians 15:58). Ask God to give healing to those injured. Pray that those mourning for the martyred believers will find comfort in Christ.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.
  • Update: Christian men acquitted of ''blasphemy''

    Photo from Compass Direct

    James Masih (67) and Buta Masih (72), two Pakistani Christians who were sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of "blasphemy" in November 2006 for allegedly burning pages of the Quran (read more) were acquitted on April 16. According to an April 21 report from Compass Direct, the men claim that the allegations against them were fabricated in response to a land dispute between James Masih and a Muslim neighbour. According to their lawyer, the men will not immediately be able to return home due to safety concerns. In Pakistan, Christians accused of blasphemy, even those who are acquitted, often face pressure and violence from Muslims.

    To learn more about the ongoing opposition of believers in Pakistan, click here.
  • Update: Blasphemy charges dropped against Christian


    Photo from Compass Direct

    A Pakistani investigator has ruled out a charge of "blaspheming Islam" against Hector Aleem (51), a Christian man accused of sending a blasphemous text message in November (click here for more information). The charge was dropped due to evidence that the message came from an unlisted phone number and not Aleem's. However, a charge of abetting blasphemy was retained against him, raising concern that he could still be targeted by Muslim militants for his alleged connection to the charge. He remained in Adiyala Jail in Rawalpindi at last report.

    To learn more about the ongoing persecution of believers in Pakistan,click here.
  • Christian killed, other believers injured in mob violence


    One of the believers injured in the attack
    Photo from Pakistan Christian Post
    A  Christian woman was killed and at least 16 people injured in an attack on the predominantly Christian village of Sangowali, Punjab province on March 2. According to reports from Sharing Life Ministries Pakistan, the attack was led by a local Muslim, Waseem Butt, in retaliation for charges of robbery and assault placed against him by a Christian family in late February. At approximately 8:00 p.m., Butt and a group of his Muslim friends and family members attacked a Presbyterian church and the homes of believers nearby. Attackers kept ambulances away by firing shots into the air. Shakeela Bibi was beaten in the head with a bamboo rod and succumbed to her injuries before reaching the hospital. Other believers, including Shakeela's mother-in-law, remained in hospital at last report.

    Pray for those mourning the loss of Shakeela. Ask God to help those affected by the attack remain steadfast as they suffer (Revelation 2:10).

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.
  • Update: Charges filed against kidnappers

    Aneela with her parents
    Photo from Compass Direct

    The abductors of two Pakistani Christian sisters, Saba and Aneela (click here for more information), were charged on February 21 with kidnapping, trespassing and threatening the girls' family, according to a February 26 report from Compass Direct. The charges come after the three kidnappers entered the property of the girls' parents in late December and threatened to kill the family and burn down their house. In spite of the judge's decision, at last report the local police had yet to arrest the three men.

    To learn more about the persecution of Christians in Pakistan,click here.

     
  • Christian accused of blasphemy


    Photo from Compass Direct

    A Pakistani Christian, Hector Aleem (51), is under fire after being accused of sending a blasphemous text message, according to a February 5 report from Compass Direct. On January 22, police arrested Aleem for blasphemy and abetting a crime after a religious scholar allegedly received a text message from him in November that insulted Muhammad. Although he was acquitted of the blasphemy charges at a hearing on February 2, he was not cleared of abetting. Local Christians believe the judge's decision was influenced by the approximately 150 people protesting and yelling threats outside the courthouse. Sources claim that Aleem was targeted because he directs an organization that lobbies for the rights of Christians in Islamabad.

    At last report, Aleem was detained at the Adiyala Jail in the city of Rawalpindi, where he has been denied adequate food, medicine for his heart condition and visits with his family. His family has gone into hiding due to threats from Muslim militants.

    Pray that Aleem will be acquitted of all charges. Pray for protection for him and his family. Pray that Muslims in Pakistan will come to know Christ's love through the lives of Christians (Romans 12:14, 21).

    Find out more about suffering Christians in Pakistan from thePakistan Country Report.
  • Update: Christians acquitted of blasphemy charges

    Five Pakistani Christians who were falsely accused of blasphemy in April 2007 (click here for more) were recently acquitted of the charges, according to a January 23 report from Compass Direct. The district judge acquitted Salamat Masih (42), his son Rashid (16), and their three relatives on January 13 after the Muslim witnesses withdrew their testimony. The acquittal comes as a result of out of court meetings held between Muslim leaders and a representative of the Christian organization Sharing Life Ministries Pakistan. In these meetings, the Christian representative was able to convince the Muslim leaders that the alleged blasphemy claims grew from a misunderstanding, prompting the Muslims to issue a religious edict declaring the innocence of the believers.

    To learn more about the persecution of believers in Pakistan, visit thePakistan Country Report.

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