Pakistan: Faces of Persecution in Pakistan, China: "Gates of Hell", Page 4

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"...just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort." 2 Cor. 1:7b

Faces of Persecution in Pakistan (continued)

Mr. Masih, a teacher by profession, had run his own private school, the Iqbal Memorial High School, in the village of Chailayke in Sialkot District for 15 years. A year and a half ago another teacher, Mr. Mohammad Ibrahim, established his own school, M.I. Muslim High School, in the same vicinity where Pervez Masih ran his school. However, Pervez Masih's school, because of its high standards and good reputation, attracted more students and hence, business-wise, was more successful than the school operated by Mohammad Ibrahim. As a result, Mr. Ibrahim became jealous of Mr. Masih's success. He could not tolerate that a Christian teacher enjoyed a good reputation as a successful and dedicated educationist.

After various failed attempts to intimidate Mr. Pervez Masih and compel him to close down his school, Mr. Ibrahim, out of revenge, got Pervez Masih entangled in a blasphemy case. According to the story concocted by the conspirators, three Muslim students formerly tutored by Pervez Masih told Mohammad Ibrahim and Sajjad Ahmed, another Muslim teacher, that while giving them lessons 2-3 months earlier, Mr. Pervez Masih had uttered blasphemous words against the Prophet Mohammad.

Without verifying the facts, Mohammad Ibrahim persuaded Sajjad Ahmed to lodge the case of blasphemy in the Police station against Mr. Pervez Masih. Ultimately the case against the innocent Christian teacher was registered on April 1, 2001 in the Police Station Daska Saddar. Pervez Masih has since been arrested and sent to jail.

Since Mr. Masih's arrest the situation has become very volatile and 20 Christian families in the village are living in fear for their lives. Extremist Islamic groups have announced that those pleading for Mr. Pervez Masih and those found helping him will be dealt with severely. In addition, it was announced in the Bar Council of Sialkot that any lawyer taking up the case of Pervez Masih would be killed. This is despite the fact that three Muslim headmen from Chailayke village have confirmed that the blasphemy charge was being used to settle a personal grudge.

Please pray for Pervez Masih as he is being pressured to convert to Islam to save his own life. Prisoners accused of blasphemy are often murdered in jail before their case can be tried. Also pray for a lawyer brave enough to take the case. Finally, pray for the family of Pervez Masih and other villagers who face daily threats against their lives. After praying, consider writing a letter to the Pakistani Embassy and Secretary of State Colin Powell to bring Pervez Masih's case to their attention (see box below for addresses).

(Click here for more information on Pakistan.)

What you can do: Write letters!

"Gates of Hell" continued from page 2

The night of the planned service the believers gathered together in a house and began to pray. They were going to wait and see what happened. Meanwhile, around 40 police officers were gathered together in a building next door. As the Christians prayed, the building where the police were gathered began to shake. The police became very afraid and fled from the building, abandoning their evil plans to ruin the baptismal service. The Lord had answered the prayer of His children and the Christians were able to carry out their baptismal service as planned. Praise God for His faithfulness to the Christians of China. Their buildings are destroyed but the church - the body of Christ - is being built up day by day!

(Click here for more information on China.)

POSTED:  June 6, 2001

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