Evangelicals Called to Pray for Persecuted Pakistani Christians

Pakistani Christians are facing serious levels of persecution due to widespread Islamic intolerance of Christians, according to the World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC). In a recent prayer update, a number of cases involving Muslim violence against Christians has been revealed.

In November 2004, a 26-year-old Muslim named Ahmed Ali attacked a Christian shop-keeper, Shahbaz Masih, with a butcher's axe, severing his left arm. Shahbaz and his mother later left everything and fled for their lives.

Hanifan Bibi, a 55-year-old Christian mother who worked as a domestic servant for a Muslim family, was kidnapped along with her husband, son and nephew by her employer. She was then stripped, sexually humiliated and tortured in front of her family. The attack was even recorded. The kidnappers then handed Mrs Hanifan over to police and had her charged with theft.

A 30-year-old Christian Bashir Masih was charged with blasphemy for allegedly desecrating a copy of the Qu'ran in August 2004. He was sentenced to seven years' in jail. Reports said that he "confessed" to the "crime", but some said that such a "confession" was the result of police torture. Previously, it has also been reported that two Christians even died from police torture after being accused of blasphemy.

WEA has voiced its concerns over the biased blasphemy law that puts Christians in an unfavourable position. The law says that a person may be detained on the testimony of one accuser. Very often, once detained, the Muslim society imposes immense pressure to secure a conviction. This has led to the law often being abused by many Muslims who desire to manipulate the situation for personal gain or to satisfy their own hatred.

According to Pakistan's Religious Affairs Minister, Ejaz ul-Haq, more than 4000 blasphemy cases have been recorded since 1986.

WEA calls on Christians to pray for Pakistani believers and religious freedom, to pray that God will intervene for justice so that the notoriously unjust and misused Blasphemy Law will be repealed. In addition it asks for prayers for those have been victims of religious hatred, lies, injustice or violence from Muslims so that they can rest in the peace of God both physically and spiritually.

Lastly, to pray for the Holy Spirit to empower and bless the church in Pakistan, through raising up more Christian leaders, evangelists, and professionals; through spiritual gifts and endurance, radiant faith, divine wisdom and grace; and through opportunities for effective witness.