The infamous “blasphemy law” allows the death penalty on anyone who insults Mohammed, and life in prison for anyone who damages a Quran. Extremists use this law to falsely accuse innocent people. They stir up religious frenzy so the crowd enforces the punishment. Pray that believers might always be ready to share about Jesus, and to repay violence with love.    (9/28/2023)

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Pious is an artist with a Muslim background who trusted in Christ about five years ago. As a result of his faith in Christ, he lost his job and faced much pressure from his family.

In April 2021, attackers kidnapped, chained and beat him before cutting his throat. Some passersby intervened and rescued him, but the attackers, whom police linked to members of Pious’ family, threatened to return. Pious hid for several months until he could obtain a visa to leave the country. 

He is now seeking asylum in a neighboring country where local brothers and sisters in Christ have welcomed and mentored him. 

After a June 28 incident in Sweden in which pages from the Quran were publicly burned, protests have swept across Pakistan. The prime minister urged the organization of large rallies and convened a joint parliamentary session on July 7 to protest the burning.

During these rallies, angry protesters desecrated crosses and insulted Christianity. Christians across the country are bracing for attacks. Haroon Shahzad, a Christian, fled after being charged with blasphemy on June 30 for posting a Bible verse online. Christians in and near Sargodha have been unable to leave their homes because of dangerous protests over an anonymous anti-Islam message left on a local mosque. Christian street-sweepers in Hasilpur have been pulled from duty. 

Front-line workers ask for prayers of protection for believers and for peace across the country.

After torn and defaced pages of a copy of the Quran were allegedly found near a Christian area of Jaranwala, Pakistan, local mosques put out a call for revenge — a call amplified on mosque loudspeakers and through social media.

In an attack that continued for more than 10 hours, thousands of angry Muslims rampaged through the Christian area in the industrial district of the city of Faisalabad. Twenty-five churches were destroyed, a Christian cemetery was desecrated, and Christian homes were looted with possessions burned in the streets. The office of the assistant district commissioner — a Christian — was also destroyed.

Multiple reports say police watched the ongoing violence rather than intervening to protect Christians. Having been warned ahead of time, many Christian families fled the area, seeking shelter with friends or relatives to avoid the violence.

Two Christians, the alleged blasphemers, were arrested. According to Pakistan’s blasphemy law, they could face the death penalty. The government has also arrested more than 100 members of the mob. 

VOM contacts in Pakistan immediately went to Jaranwala to encourage Christians affected by this violent attack and assess ways VOM could provide help and assistance. They helped Christians who had lost their homes find food and shelter; 11 pastors’ homes had been partially or completely destroyed.

Please pray for Christians in Pakistan as attacks like these threaten Christians throughout the country. Pray for front-line workers ministering to families who have lost everything in this attack. Pray that God will meet the needs of Christians affected by the violence. Pray that government leaders will intervene to protect Christians and that the attackers will be held accountable.