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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/
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for God to provide everything His people in Pakistan need at times of persecution and that the blasphemy laws would be repealed.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
Unknown assailants sprayed bullets at minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti a Christian who defied death threats following the murder of another politician opposed to Pakistan’s blasphemy law which carries the death penalty. While no one has been killed for blasphemy the law is used to exploit others motivated by personal enmity or because of business disputes. Controversy flared when Christian mother of five, Aasia Bibi, was sentenced to death for blasphemy following a dispute over land. She was in competition for a valuable piece of land with local Muslims and they accused her of blaspheming against Islam when they failed to gain control of it. Aasia is desperate to have her death sentence overturned, extremists are offering rewards for her killer. Bhatti’s assassination raises fresh questions and concern about the safety of Sherry Rehman, a parliamentarian who also championed reform of the blasphemy laws. She has been living in semi-hiding since January. Pray: that those who hate justice and detest the truth be silent (Am.5:10) and the establishment of justice to prevent assassination of Christians. (Am.9:14)
An 11-year-old Christian boy, Sanish Masih, is malnourished, weak and ill from working in slave-like conditions for a Muslim landowner who kidnapped him and forcing him to work off his family’s debts. His mother said, ‘He is frequently invited to convert to Islam by the landowner, Ashraf Cheema, and in return he is promised to be freed from the iron chains, his work will be eased, he will be served better meals, and the debt of his father and brother might also be forgiven. According to Dawood Masih of the National Commission of Justice and Peace, ‘Danish Masih works without break from 4am to 11pm, often in iron chains, on half a loaf of bread per day. At press time local Christian leaders had petitioned the deputy superintendent police to recover Danish Masih. Pray: for an end to the explotation of the weak and poor by the rich and powerful. (Ps.82:3-4) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/21950/
With the hysteria over the arrest of a Christian girl with Down’s syndrome on a charge of blasphemy (See Prayer Alert 34-2012) the body of 11-year-old Samuel Yaqoob was found in Punjab province with his lips and nose cut off, his stomach removed and his legs mutilated. The body was badly burned and relatives identified the corpse from a distinctive mark on the boy’s forehead. Yaqoob, a resident of the Christian Colony of Faisalabad, was last seen on August 20 going to a local market. His remains were found on the last day of Ramadan. Detectives are investigating whether accusations of blasphemy had previously been filed against the minor. When a Christian group is suspected of transgressing the blasphemy laws, the consequences can be brutal, reports the World Public Forum NGO.
Pray: for God to comfort the families and communities touched by this tragedy and for a change in Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. (Ps.123)
More: http://rt.com/news/boy-torture-pakistan-christian-440/
Two health workers and five teachers were shot dead in north-west Pakistan on January 1st. They were all Pakistani citizens and were attacked near a school and clinic, specializing in maternal health. Militants targeting a vaccination programme are suspected. In December a series of attacks killed nine health workers employed in a national polio vaccination drive. Pakistani Taliban have long denounced the vaccination drive as Western plots to gather intelligence or to sterilize Muslim children. The killings have prompted the UN children's agency and the World Health Organization to suspend work on polio campaigns in Pakistan. Pakistan is the only country where there is public opposition to immunization programmes and health workers are paying a heavy price for their efforts. Thousands of them hit the streets every couple of months to immunize children across the country and they do it despite a growing risk to their lives.
Pray: the clerics using FM channels to decry health programmes would stop challenging and resisting those trying to help the poor and sick in deprived areas; may polio be eradicated from Pakistan.
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20880948
Younis Masih, a Pakistani Christian, who was sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy – he had asked some Muslims to ‘turn down the music’ of a Muslim religious song - and has been suffering in prison for more than seven years, has had his appeal against the death sentence adjourned until February. Mr Masih, who suffered a serious heart attack on January 8, 2013, was in court on January 23, 2013, and one eye-witness, Mr Sardar Mushtaq Gill, an advocate with the Legal Evangelical Association Development (LEAD) team later told Wilson Chowdhry of the British Christian Pakistani Association, about the intimidation that occurred in the courtroom during the hearing. ‘When the call for arguments was made, there were about 40 Muslims present wearing black turbans and were makings gestures and comments with intent to cause fear and apprehension,’ he said.
Pray: that the appeal against Younis would lead to His freedom and release from any further suffering. (2Tim.1:8)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13010125.htm
Police in Pakistan charged a young Christian man with blasphemy after an argument with Muslims over a billiards game in Punjab Province’s Sheikhupura district. Sajid Inayat, aged 20 was arrested on Friday (May 18th) and charged with desecrating the Quran under the country’s controversial blasphemy laws. Section 295-B makes wilful desecration of the Qur'an or use of an extract in a derogatory manner punishable with life imprisonment. His relatives told Compass by telephone that he had been falsely accused after an argument with some local Muslim boys over a billiards game just two days before the alleged incident. On Friday he met the Muslim boys with whom he had previously squabbled, they accused him of setting alight ‘holy pages’ placed in a box on an electricity pole. He asked them why he would do such a thing. An argument ensued, a mob gathered and he was arrested. There are no witnesses to the charges made against Inayat.
Pray: that the truth would come out, true justice would be done, and an unjust law would be abolished.(Ps.119:86)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/article_1550261.html
Suspected Islamic militants attacked The Assembly of God (AoG) Pentecostal church in the Swati gate area of Peshwar north western Pakistan early on Friday amid heightened tensions over minorities in the region. Christians said the two attackers tried to enter the building where pastors gathered for a refresher training course. They were stopped by a police guard who was shot three times and died at the scene. They then took his gun, fired at the AoG church building and fled. Christians said the attack followed threats against the AoG prompting local authorities to send two police officers to the church for security. But there was only one on duty during Friday's attack. He’s the latest casualty in an on-going ‘war against terror’ in the province where over 22,000 people have been killed in the past five years. Islamic militants, who rights activists claim have links to government officials, often described Christianity as a ‘Western religion’ and accused Christians of having ties to ‘Western occupiers.’
Pray: against a culture of state sponsored Islam and social and legal repression of Christianity. Pray also that God will protect and sustain Christians. (Ps.140:4-7-8)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/12480-pakistan-militants-attack-pentecostal-church-1-killed