ICC Note:
Due to intense persecution, thousands of Christians have fled Pakistan in search of a country where they will be able to safely practice their faith. The Sagar family, who fled to Thailand, are among these thousands of Christians and could now face death if they are deported by the Thai authorities back to Pakistan. What makes this story so terrible, is that this experience is not uncommon for Pakistani Christians. Please keep the Sagar family, and the thousands of others like them, in your prayers.
7/28/2014 Pakistan (Inquisitr) – As the wave of incoming illegal immigrants continues to cause consternation and debate in the United States, sometimes we forget the legal immigrants from all over the world who are facing trials of their own. One family fled Pakistan to Thailand due to persecution over their Christian beliefs, but now Sarfraz Sagar and his wife Shazia, along with their children Roni, Naiha, Rijeka and Roshni, face the real potential of being executed if they are deported because they cannot afford the fees to renew their visas.
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The death threat hanging over the heads of the Sagar family cannot be overstated since it was the reason they fled Pakistan in the first place. It’s said, “Sarfraz was targeted because of his relief efforts in helping his fellow Christians who had lost their homes and businesses when Islamic radicals burned down churches, business and homes in 2012.”
The family went into hiding when Muslim radicals intensified Christian persecution in the country in 2013. With the help of others, Sarfraz was able to afford to escape to Thailand and his family was eventually capable of joining him one by one.
According to Pastor Donald Luszczewski, their trial is just beginning because of the issues surrounding legal immigration:
“The family has applied for asylum with the United Nations, but it is a lengthy process. The family is not allowed to work and the children cannot attend school until they have been in the nation for two years. This month, the visas for Sarfraz, his wife Shazia and their son Roni are set to expire. Children under 15 do not need a visa. Without this visa, they will be deported back to Pakistan and face certain death.”
Luszczewski created a campaign on YouCaring.com in hopes of providing the money necessary to save this family targeted for execution. The cost of renewing the visas is $1,500 per person, although they are also hoping to raise an additional $2,000 in order to provide for living expenses.
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