Pakistan Christian Group Urges Prayers for Persecuted Church
An Asia-focused Christian group has issued an appeal to churches and Christian communities around the world to join them in prayer for the persecuted church in Pakistan.
An Asia-focused Christian group has issued an appeal to churches and Christian communities around the world to join them in prayer for the persecuted church in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Asian Christian Welfare Organization is calling on Christians worldwide to join them in prayer during their Sunday service on Aug. 6 for the persecuted church in Pakistan.
Article 20 of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees every citizen the right to profess, practice and propagate their religion, however, the reality for Christian and minorities is often different according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). The Christian human rights group reports that blasphemy laws are often used to justify the actions of Muslim extremists, terrorists and religious leaders who have attacked churches and killed Christians.
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In November 2005, over 1,000 militant Islamists burned down two churches in Sangla Hill, west of Lahore, capital of Punjab province. According to the Pakistani newspaper, DAWN, a Roman Catholic Church, a Presbyterian Church, a Sisters’ Convent, a Christian School building and a Pastor’s house were destroyed. A third church – the Salvation Army – and the house of some Christians were also reported to be attacked, according to Pakistan Christian Post.
More recently, in February 2006, churches and Christian schools were targeted in protests over the publications of a caricature of the Muslim prophet Muhammad which was originally published in Denmark and reprinted throughout Europe and some Asian countries. More than 70,000 people joined Pakistan’s protest on Feb. 15 against the Muhammad cartoons. The Associated Press reported gunfire, rioting, and torching of movie theaters and restaurants occurred. According to police and witnesses, at least three people died and dozens were injured.
In another incident on Feb. 19 in the southern city of Sukkur, Pakistan, hundreds of Muslims burned a church reported AP. No worshippers were inside at the time. Local police chief said the riot was not caused by the cartoons but resulted from an accusation that a local Christian had burned pages of Islam’s holy book, the Quran.
CSW acknowledges that attacks on Christians under the blasphemy law are often motivated by many different reasons other than the issue of legislation including economic rivalry, personal enmity and religious hatred.
“Unfortunately very little evidence is needed to make a charge under the blasphemy laws and it is very difficult for non-Muslims to successfully contest the accusations,” wrote CSW on May 24. “Even the judicial system struggles to counter such acts with blasphemy cases attracting scores of agitators disrupting court proceedings, shouting slogans and demanding the death penalty.”
CSW and Pakistan Asian Christian Welfare Association ask Christians to pray for the following issues:
• The thousands of children in Pakistan who are struggling for survival
• The hundreds of young Christian girls who are gang raped and subjected to forced conversion into Islam
• The network of Churches in Pakistan who provide hope and life for 10 million Christians in Pakistan
• For the Government of Pakistan to provide protection to Christians and Muslims from terrorists
• Those who wish to destroy the pluralistic character of Pakistan’s multi-faith society
• Pakistan’s security, stability, peace and progress which demands faith, unity and discipline
