Pakistan: Christians need more protection
04 Oct 2013Following the latest double suicide bombings of two churches, protests and vigils have taken place across Pakistan demanding better protection. Local authorities have been accused of not following up on previous bomb threats or taking any action to protect the community preceding the attack. UK human rights organization ‘Global Minorities Alliance’ said, ‘the government has failed to protect the minorities’ and similar comments came from the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales who agree that the Pakistani Government must do more to protect Christians who show great courage in giving witness to their faith in the midst of terrorists violent ideology. Release International appealed to Christians in the UK to stand by their persecuted Pakistani brothers and sisters and added, ‘Pakistan must take immediate and effective action to protect its Christian minority.
Pray: for all who were bereaved and those who were injured or live in fear because of the tragedy. Pray also for all who are being attacked and killed simply because of their faith. (1Cor.4:12)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/call.for.greater.protection.of.pakistani.christians/34122.htm
Pakistan: Christians killed in church attack
26 Mar 2011
Two Christian men were shot dead in an attack on a Pakistan church by Muslim youths on Monday 21st March. Father of four Yunis Ilyas (47), whose family is supported by a Barnabas Fund feeding programme, and newly-wed Jameel Masih (21) were killed on the spot during the incident at a church in Hoor Camp, Hyderabad. Two others were injured; one of them, Sadiq Masih, was transferred to a hospital in Karachi, where he is in a critical condition. The incident started when Muslim youths shouted vulgar abuse at Christians arriving for a prayer service at the church. The pastor and a number of other Christians remonstrated with the boys, but they continued insulting the Christian girls. The Muslim aggressors left the scene but returned shortly afterwards with pistols and fired at Christians as they were coming out of the church. Pray: for more of God's protection over believers in Pakistan, asking Him to comfort the many who are grieving and fearful after surviving attacks. (Is.63:9) More: http://www.barnabasfund.org/two-christians-shot-dead-in-pakistan-church-attack.html
Pakistan: Christians caught up in floods
28 Sep 2011Christians in Pakistan are in ‘grievous distresses’ as large swathes of land are again submerged in water forcing thousands of people into emergency camps where facilities are poor and they are at risk from malaria, dysentery and dengue fever. It comes exactly one year after floods covered vast swathes of Pakistan last summer. Barnabas Fund said some areas were worse than 2010 floods, with the equivalent of an entire monsoon season’s worth of rain in just a few days. Christians are particularly vulnerable because they already live in poverty and are often overlooked in aid distribution. One church leader said, ‘I am terribly sad to see the destruction and poor condition of the people affected by heavy rains, and notice Christians are being deprived of the help, relief and support that other people are getting.’
Pray: for fair distribution of food, clean water and hygiene products to Pakistani Christians caught up in the floods. (Ps.40:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pakistani.christians.caught.up.in.floods/28641.htm
Riaz Anjum Masih, Chairman of the Pakistan Christian Movement has stressed the need for unity among the Christians of Pakistan and urges them to launch a united effort to scrap all discriminatory laws against minorities. He also called for repeal of those sections of the constitution which allegedly discriminate against religious minorities. ‘Although the constitution of Pakistan is unanimously agreed-upon, the Christians and other religious minorities have some reservations about it.’ said Masih. He went on to say that according to the constitution it is necessary to be a Muslim for attaining high posts of Government. He vowed to launch a struggle from the platform of the Pakistan Christian Movement to see the number of reserved seats for minorities increased. Unveiling his plans for uplifting the Pakistani Christian community Masih said they would establish a Christian educational fund to provide educational opportunities for Pakistani Christians as it is imperative for them to get higher education.
Pray: that God would strengthen the voice of the Pakistan Christian Movement and provide fresh standards of justice in that country. (1Pt.4:10-11)
Pakistan: Christians abused
13 Jun 2013Christians are treated like animals and denied the dignity of human beings in Kasur district of Punjab province, a district where a recent rape of a 15 yr. old Christian went unpunished. The NGO Lead (Legal Evangelical Association Development) reports Muslims abusing, mocking, hitting and publicly humiliating Christian men and women, agricultural workers and pastors. Recently a minor encroachment of some flocks belonging to Christians led to Muslim men breaking into the Christian’s home hitting three women, stripping them and then forcing them to run naked through the streets, while they were ridiculed and harassed. The same humiliating treatment was given to two Christian elders when they reported the matter, followed by police raiding their homes and threatening them with a criminal case. The faithful turned to Rev Saleem Gill for help to register a formal complaint. Other Christian families reported abuse and ill-treatment by Muslim landowners, who are their employers. See also Prayer Alert. 17-2013
Pray: that the Christians' complaint will be upheld and the aggressors brought to justice, pray against the rise in physical, psychological and sexual abuse of Christian farmers and agricultural workers in NE Pakistan. (Ps.86:14-17)
Muslim students attacked a Christian Professor at Peshawar University College this month after he refused their demand to convert to Islam. Psychology Professor Samuel John, a father of four who has been teaching at the college for 12 years, said that as he came out of his house on the campus on June 14, about 20 to 25 students rushed and assaulted him. When his wife learned what was happening, she ran to help him, but the students beat her as well. Both the Professor and his wife were rushed to hospital, where they were treated for their injuries, with John listed in critical condition. He reported the matter to the dean of the college, but the official was unable to take any action because the Islamic students councils are supported by political parties and powerful Islamic groups, the professor said. ‘I am still getting threats, saying, leave the university or accept Islam – if you don’t convert, we will kill your family.’ Pray: for God’s protection over all His people as they stand firm for their beliefs. (1Cor.16:13) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/22047/
Pakistan: Christian murdered in prison
21 Mar 2011
Qamar David had been appealing against his 2010 life sentence for blasphemy, but was found dead in his cell in Karachi’s main prison on March 15th. Prison authorities attributed his death to a heart attack but this was called into question by church leaders and human rights activists asking for an independent autopsy. Advocacy Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide said, ‘Given the threats known to be faced by blasphemy prisoners it is imperative the true cause of his death be investigated properly and independently.’ David's lawyer always maintained the allegations were falsely made by a business rival, resulting in pressure from local religious clerics and their supporters for the conviction. His death sparked concern coming just two weeks after the assassination of Pakistan's Minorities Minister for criticising the blasphemy laws. Mr Johnston said David's death underlined the urgent need to continue Bhatti's work. Pray: for God to provide everything His people in Pakistan need at times of persecution and that the blasphemy laws would be repealed. (Phil.1:6)
Christians from the UK will be meeting outside the Pakistani High Commission in London on Wednesday to protest the arrest of an 11-year-old girl for blasphemy. The girl, named in reports as Rimsha Masih, has Down's Syndrome. She was accused by Muslims of burning pages of the Koran and was arrested by police after a mob surrounded her home in Mehrabadi, Islamabad. Rimsha remains in police custody and hundreds of Christians have reportedly fled the area in fear. Muslims torched Christian homes and ‘destroyed’ a church in a slum area of Islamabad while suspected militants shot at another church outside Pakistan's capital, after the jailing of a mentally handicapped Christian girl for ‘blasphemy’, witnesses said on Tuesday. President Asif Zardari has called for an investigation into her arrest. The protest in London is being organised by the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA).
Pray: for Rimsha that her unfortunate actions will be recognised as something unintentional. Pray that the investigation by the authorities will clear the situation and bring peace. (Mt.5:9)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/uk.christians.to.protest.arrest.of.pakistani.girl/30513.htm