Pakistani Christian freed from her captors

(Source: Compass Direct) A Christian mother of seven in Lahore, Pakistan, was recently freed from her Muslim captors after being kidnapped last August, drugged, raped, sold into marriage, and threatened with death if she did not convert to Islam. Forty-year-old Shaheen Bibi was taken from her place of employment to a nearby city, drugged and raped. When she awoke, her kidnappers told her that she had been sold into marriage to one of them. She told them she was a Christian, and they gave her a prayer rug and tried to get her to convert to Islam by reciting a Muslim prayer.

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The kidnappers demanded a ransom ($1,170 CAD) from Shaheen's father, Manna Masih, by March 5. Local police refused to help Masih rescue his daughter, claiming that the area she was being held in was too dangerous. Masih then sought help from a human rights organization. On March 6, a team managed to rescue Shaheen from her captors, who handed her over on the condition that they not be the targets of further legal action. After her release, Shaheen reported that there were at least 10 other women in captivity with her. Some of the women had their hands and legs broken because they refused to be forced into marriage. Thank the Lord for Shaheen's release. Pray for God's comfort and peace to govern her as she recovers from her brutal assault. Pray the other women will also be freed from their captors. Pray for the hope of Christ to radiate in their hearts and minds, even as they suffer. Ask God to bring their captors to repentance and lead them to salvation in Christ. Find out more about the trials facing Pakistani Christians at the Pakistan Country Report.

Police ransack church and arrest pastors in India

(Source: Global Council of Indian Christians) Two pastors were recently arrested for conducting a worship service in a home in Tumkur, Karnataka state, India. On March 6, Pastor Mathew and Pastor Jose were holding a worship service in a house church when a police officer disrupted the meeting. The officer asked the pastors to stop the service, and then ransacked the building and confiscated Bibles and other Christian literature. Both men were arrested and taken to the local police station. They were told that a leader of a local Hindu militant group lodged a complaint against them for engaging in "forceful conversion activity." That evening, the pastors stood before the magistrate, who freed them on temporary bail. Thank the Lord that these pastors were released on bail. Pray all charges against them will be dropped. Ask the Lord to continue to strengthen His Church in India so believers will continue to lovingly and boldly proclaim the gospel despite opposition (Ephesians 6:18-20). Find out more about the suffering of Christians in India at the India Country Report.

Christian literature held by authorities in Malaysia

(Source: Compass Direct) Authorities in Malaysia's Kuching Port have detained approximately 30,000 copies of the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs in the Malay language, causing great upset among the nation's Christians. Gideons International imported the books from Indonesia for distribution in schools, churches and longhouses in Betong and other Christian areas in Sarawak state. They have been detained since January. Authorities told an officer that he could not distribute the books because they "contained words which are also found in the Qur'an." The officer was ordered to transport the books to the Home Ministry's office for storage. This same officer recently enquired of the Home Ministry officials on the status of the Malay Bibles, and was told by authorities that they had yet to receive instructions on the matter. This is not the first time government authorities have detained Malay-language Bibles. In March 2009, 5,100 copies of the Good News Bible in Malay, imported by the Bible Society of Malaysia, were detained in Port Klang. Pray this Christian literature will be released for distribution. Pray that, even among such opposition, the Word of the Lord will continue to go forth in Malaysia. Pray religious freedom will be justly respected throughout Malaysia. You can find out more about the opposition facing Malaysian Christians at the Malaysia Country Report.

Imprisoned Christian dies in Pakistan

(Source: AsiaNews) A Christian serving a life sentenced on blasphemy charges has died under suspicious circumstances in Lahore, Pakistan. Qamar David was imprisoned in June 2006 after a business rival accused him of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. He died overnight on March 14, with prison authorities claiming he had a heart attack. Christian human rights activists are calling for an inquiry into Qamar's death. At last report, his body was being held in the Civil Hospital in Karachi where an autopsy was to be performed by health authorities. Qamar was reportedly threatened and viciously beaten regularly by prison guards and inmates during his three years in prison. Pray those responsible for Qamar's brutal treatment will be brought to justice. Ask God to comfort all those mourning his loss. Pray the blasphemy law will be abolished in Pakistan. Ask God to equip Pakistani Christians to be bold and gracious witnesses to His love and truth in an environment of severe opposition. To find out more about the persecution of Pakistani Christians, visit the Pakistan Country Report.

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