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Pakistan

• Update: Muslims convicted for murdering Christian

  Rasheed Masih’s body at his funeral. Photo: Compass Direct

  Three Muslims were recently sentenced to life in prison for murdering a Christian who refused to convert to Islam. Rasheed Masih, a 36-year-old potato business owner in Punjab province, was brutally killed in March 2010 by Muslims resentful of his success. Rasheed was also pressured to renounce his faith (for more on the story click here). On July 7, the Sessions Court in Mian Channu convicted the three men of torturing and killing Rasheed and sentenced them to life sentences of 25 years. They were also each ordered to pay 100,000 rupees (approximately $1,000 CAD) to Rasheed's family. A fourth suspect was acquitted.

  Thank the Lord that Rasheed's murderers were brought to justice by the court. Pray that they will repent of their actions and come to know Christ as Lord. Pray for continued comfort and provision for Rasheed's family. Pray that authorities will strive to provide safety for vulnerable Christians and other minorities in Pakistan.

  To find out more about the challenges facing the Church in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.

• Evangelists threatened and under investigation

  A Christian in a remote Pakistani community recently faced pressure from Muslims determined to stop him from sharing his faith. The Muslim men approached "Salman" (not his real name), as he distributed gospel literature. They told him, "We are well aware of what you are doing here; you are trying to convert Muslims to Christianity. We warn you to stop these activities." They also said that if he did not stop he would "face results in the future." Unshaken by their threats, Salman boldly replied, "I am here because my God sent me…. When the Lord asks me to leave this place I will do it, but until then I will not leave."

  In another city in Pakistan, officials visited an evangelist's office and asked if he and those present were involved in converting Muslims to Christianity. The officials also asked about the evangelist's source of funding. Christians who work in the office are now under investigation, and authorities are also watching their mail.

  Thank the Lord for the enduring faithfulness of these believers. Pray they will continue to rely on Christ to make them firm and steadfast in faith amid pressure and harassment (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray God will grant wisdom and protection to all those sharing the gospel in Pakistan.

  To learn more about how Pakistani Christians are suffering for following Christ, visit thePakistan Country Report.

• Update on imprisoned Christian

  Imran Masih

  The Voice of the Martyrs was recently able to visit with the family of Imran Masih, a Pakistani Christian man who has been imprisoned since early 2010 on charges of blasphemy (click here for more). Imran Masih's family said that he is in good health and that they are able to visit with him once a week. The visits are limited to 25 minutes, however, and they are only able to sit behind a window and speak with him by intercom. Imran is only allowed to leave his cell twice a day for a head count. His windowless, cement cell is 26 x 20 feet with two small vents and can reach brutally hot temperatures in the summer.

  Pray that Imran will be acquitted and released. Pray that he will know the presence and encouraging comfort of Jesus in prison. Pray that his family will continue to rely on the care of the Lord. Pray that the blasphemy laws will be abolished in Pakistan.

  To find out more about the persecution Christians face in Pakistan, go to thePakistan Country Report.

• Police reluctant to prosecute attack on church

  Violence in Pakistan continues to be an issue for the Church Photo: Mission Network News

  Armed Muslims disrupted the worship service at Numseoul Presbyterian Church in Lakhoki Kahna village, on May 29, cursing the congregation, smashing a glass altar and desecrating Bibles and a cross. Instead of making arrests, police initially pressured Christians to accept an apology from the accused.

  Pastor Ashraf Masih told Compass Direct that Muhammad Shoaib, the nephew of a former Member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA), entered the church building accompanied by four men armed with rifles and pistols. They cursed the congregation for "disturbing the peace of the area by worshipping on loudspeakers," though the loudspeakers were used only inside the building. Police were reluctant to register the incident until the pastor told police that his colleagues had witnessed the damage, journalists had photographed the site, and his congregation would block the main road in protest. Police officials agreed to make Shoaib publicly apologize.

  Pray for Pastor Ashraf and the members of the congregation. May they conduct themselves in such a way that they will be witnesses for the gospel. Pray for justice for Pakistani Christians. May God grow and strengthen His church in Pakistan.

  Read more about persecution facing Pakistani believers at the Pakistan Country Report.

• Christian accused of blasphemy A Christian bookstore owner is facing blasphemy charges due to the allegations of a local Muslim, his former business partner, in Punjab province, Pakistan. Ten years ago, Gulzar Masih opened a bookstore in Sialkot along with a Muslim associate, Abdul Rauf. In 2009, the men parted ways and each currently run separate bookstores. On May 1, within the precincts of the local police station, Rauf started shouting in front of a crowd that Gulzar and his son had burned the Qur'an and thrown it on the road. A group of Muslims then gathered to attack Gulzar's son. He was able to flee, however, and warn his father. The Muslims went to Gulzar's bookstore and attempted to burn it down, but police intervened and dispersed the crowd. Police allegedly tried to initiate a case against Gulzar, but local Christian elders and moderate Muslims intervened and found the story to be without basis. At last report, Gulzar and his family members were hiding out at an undisclosed location.

  Ask God to give endurance of hope and faith to Gulzar and his family. Pray his case will highlight the injustice of Pakistan's infamous blasphemy laws and that such legislation will be abolished. Pray the Lord will not allow Pakistani believers to be discouraged, but to be emboldened as they serve a loving and sovereign Lord.

  Find out more about the treatment of believers in Pakistan by visiting thePakistan Country Report.

• Christians oppose Muslim appointment to replace slain Christian Minorities Minister

  Shahbaz Bhatti

  Pakistani Christian leaders are opposing the appointment of Riaaz Hussain Pirzada, a Muslim, to the position of Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs (FMMA). Pakistan's Christian leaders are concerned that the appointment of a Muslim will be a further blow to the rights of religious minorities, as the FMMA's job is to represent religious minorities and their interests to the federal government. Islamists assassinated the former FMMA, Shahbaz Bhatti, on March 2, for opposing the country's blasphemy laws.

  In a press statement, Naveed Walter, President of Human Rights Focus Pakistan, said, "In a scenario when minorities are facing persecution, the appointment of a Muslim minority minister has revealed the true face of Pakistan's government. It has also sent a message that it is prepared to placate fundamentalists by giving the post to a Muslim."

  Please pray for believers in Pakistan, that they will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith, and not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 10:32-39). Pray the Lord will raise up Christian leaders who are ready to speak up for the Christian minority in a way that acts as a witness for the gospel. Pray for Riaaz Hussain Pirzada and all who are in authority in Pakistan.

  To learn more about the trials befalling Pakistani Christians, visit thePakistan Country Report.

• Rioting Muslims damage church, properties

  Muslim protestors broke windows of a Christian-owned elementary school. (Photo: Sharing Life Ministries Pakistan via Compass Direct)

  On April 29, Mushtaq Gill and his son Farrukh Mushtaq were released from detainment in Gujranwala after a handwriting expert hired by police determined that the son had not written a threatening note accompanying burned pages of a Qur'an. The two Christians were relocated along with family members to an undisclosed location. As news of their release spread on April 30 along with the rumour that another Qur'an had been desecrated, Muslim residents and members of extremist groups rioted and hurled rocks at the Christians' homes, an elementary school and the Aziz Colony Presbyterian Church building. The protestors clashed with police who arrived to provide security to the besieged Christians. At least 18 people were injured. There were no reports of injured Christians. Around 150 protestors were arrested, with two cases registered against them for attacking Christian property and "creating a law and order situation." The attacks caused a large number of Christian families to leave the area.

  Gill and Mushtaq were taken into protective custody on April 15 for safety purposes. The purported evidence against Mushtaq were some burnt pages of the Qur'an and a handwritten note, allegedly in his handwriting, claiming that he had desecrated Islam's scripture and used derogatory language against Muhammad. A Muslim youth allegedly found the pages and note outside the Gills' residence.

  Praise God for Gill and Mushtaq's release and for the efforts of those in authority to bring about peace! Pray for the protection of Gill, Mushtaq and all other Christians in the area. Pray they will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48).

  To learn more about the obstacles that befall Christians in Pakistan, visit thePakistan Country Report.

• Death threats issued against Christian leaders

  Joseph Francis and Naveed Walter Photo from ASSIST News Service

  A leading human rights campaigner in Pakistan has urged the government to provide "full-fledged security" for Joseph Francis, Director of CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement), after Francis received death threats for his work on repealing of the country's controversial blasphemy laws.

  Naveed Walter, President of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), told ASSIST News that he is concerned for the safety of Francis and other Christian leaders who are receiving disturbing threats. Walter said, "CLAAS, under the leadership of Mr. Joseph Francis, provides the legal aid assistance to people who are persecuted because of their religion. It is an organization that is working to unite Christian lawyers on a platform to assist in cases that relate to the blasphemy laws in specific. Before 1992, Christian lawyers were afraid to take these kinds of cases." He went on to say, "After the assassination of Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, the Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, Mr. Francis could be a next target of the Taliban and extremists. The Government must ensure his security."

  Please pray for the protection of Joseph Francis, Naveed Walter and all those willing to stand up for the rights of the Christian minority in Pakistan. Thank the Lord for the way He has equipped them to do this good work. Pray He will give them favour and, through them and others like them, bring about great change in this nation for religious freedom.

  Read more about the persecution of Pakistani Christians at thePakistan Country Report.

• Two Christians slain

  Two Christians were recently killed by Muslim youths who opened fire on believers outside a church in Sindh Province, Pakistan. Residents of Hurr Camp, a colony of working-class Christians in the city of Hyderabad, were reportedly celebrating the 30th anniversary of their Salvation Army church when a group of Muslim youths gathered outside the building and started playing music loudly on their cell phones. The Muslims also started teasing Christian women as they arrived for the celebration. Four Christians went outside the church building and told the Muslims to stop teasing the women and to respect the sanctity of the church. An argument ensued. The Muslim youths eventually left, but returned with handguns. They then opened fire on the Christians. Younus, 47, and Jameel, 22, were killed instantly. The other believers, Siddique, 45, and Waseem, 20, were seriously injured. At last report, they were hospitalized in the capital city of Karachi.

  Younis leaves behind a wife and four children. Jameel is survived by his wife of one month. The grief of the slain believers' families has been exacerbated by the police's indifference to the case. Authorities did not even register a case in the killings until late that night, and only did so after local Christians blocked the main highway with the two bodies for some hours. Jameel's paternal uncle, Anwar, alleged that the police were biased against the Christians, as none of the accused has been arrested so far. "Please pray for us," he said.

  Ask God to comfort all those who mourn for Jameel and Younis, filling them with the peace that surpasses understanding in the midst of their grief (Philippians 4:7). Pray that the Lord will bring their murderers to justice. Pray for cross-bearing disciples in Pakistan committed to the Great Commission.

  You can learn more about the suffering of Christians in Pakistan at the Pakistan Country Report.

• Imprisoned Christian dies

  A Christian serving a life sentenced on blasphemy charges has died under suspicious circumstances in Lahore, Pakistan. Qamar David was imprisoned in June 2006 after a business rival accused him of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. He died overnight on March 14, with prison authorities claiming he had a heart attack. Christian human rights activists are calling for an inquiry into Qamar's death. At last report, his body was being held in the Civil Hospital in Karachi where an autopsy was to be performed by health authorities. Qamar was reportedly threatened and viciously beaten regularly by prison guards and inmates during his three years in prison.

  Pray those responsible for Qamar's brutal treatment will be brought to justice. Ask God to comfort all those mourning his loss. Pray the blasphemy law will be abolished in Pakistan. Ask God to equip Pakistani Christians to be bold and gracious witnesses to His love and truth in an environment of severe opposition.

  To find out more about the persecution of Pakistani Christians, visit thePakistan Country Report.