Prayer Request: Asia Bibi in Pakistan

Continue to lift up to the Lord, Asia Bibi, a Christian mother on death row in Pakistan over a false blasphemy accusation. She has been behind bars for over four years and is awaiting an appeal against her death sentence. This is not expected to take place until 2015 owing to a large backlog of cases. Pray that Asia will have patience and peace as she awaits justice. Give thanks that Rimsha Masih, a young Pakistani Christian girl falsely accused of blasphemy in a highly controversial case last year, is now safe in Canada. She left Pakistan with her parents and four siblings on 14 March. The family had received death threats from Islamic extremists.

Source: Barnabas Fund


Please view my previous posts for more information about her case.

Prayer Request: Zafar Bhatti - Pakistan

Prisoner Profile

Prisoner Name: Zafar Bhatti

Location: Pakistan

Arrested: July 2012

Revised: 27 August 2013

Zafar Bhatti is accused of blasphemy under Pakistan's 295C blasphemy law. He was charged in July 2012, based on rumors that he insulted Muhammad's mother in text messages. Zafar worked selling medicines, and he often went door-to-door with his presentation. He also used those opportunities to share Christ in the various homes, reading the Bible and praying with families. He also established a small NGO called "Jesus World Mission" whose purpose was to assist the poor.

On July 11, 2012, he was accused by a fellow NGO worker of sending blasphemous text messages from a mobile phone that she had given him. Zafar and his wife left the village to avoid a massive riot. Police arrested him on July 26, charging him under 295c of the legal code, which are informally called the "blasphemy laws."

In jail, Zafar has been beaten several times. Someone also tried to poison his food. Several of the Muslim prisoners pressure him, saying if he accepts Islam he will be forgiven. Zafar's sister and wife are quite concerned for his well-being in prison as his case moves through the legal system.

"Pray that God will help my brother stay strong in his faith," said his sister.

Zafar Bhatti has been imprisoned under Pakistan's controversial 295C "Blasphemy Law"

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Asia Bibi - Prayer Request

I have also requested prayers for Asia Bibi in my posts of 3 August 2011 and 6 March 2013. Please keep Asia in your prayers.

Below is a detailed description of Asia's case with an update, from Voice of the Martyrs.

Asia Bibi, a 37-year-old Pakistani woman from the village of Ittanwali, was arrested by police on Friday, June 19, 2009. Asia (also called Asia Noreen) is the wife of 50-year-old Ashiq Masih, and their family is one of only three Christian families in a village of 1,500 families.


Many of the local women, including Asia, work on the farm of Muslim landowner Muhammad Idrees. During their work, many of the Muslim women have pressured Asia to renounce Christianity and accept Islam.

In June, the pressure became especially strong.
On Friday, June 19, there was an intense discussion among the women about their faith. The Muslim women told Asia about Islam. Asia responded by telling them about her faith in Christ. Asia told the Muslim women Christ had died on the cross for sins, then asked them what Mohammad had done for them, according to VOM sources. She told them Jesus is alive, but Mohammad is dead. "Our Christ is the true prophet of God," she reportedly told them, "and yours is not true."


Upon hearing this, the Muslim women became angry and began to beat Asia. Then some men took her and locked her in a room. They announced from the mosque loudspeakers that she would be punished by having her face blackened and being paraded through the village on a donkey. Local Christians informed the police, who took Asia into custody before the Muslims could carry out their plan. She was held at the police station in Nankana city. Christians there urged the police not to file blasphemy charges, but police claimed they were under pressure from local Muslim leaders.


Seventeen months after Asia's arrest, she was convicted of violating subsection C of Pakistan's 295 blasphemy law - blasphemy against the prophet Muhammad - and was sentenced to death. No Christian in Pakistan has ever been executed under the blasphemy law, but in several cases,extremists have murdered Christians after their release from prison. Asia's conviction and death sentence have brought international attention to the country's blasphemy laws. Christians have called for Asia's release and for a repeal of the laws, while extremists in Pakistan continue to demand that she be executed.


The Voice of the Martyrs urges Christians around the world to pray for Asia Bibi and her family.

Monthly Visit With Family

Imprisoned Christian Asia Bibi was visited by her husband, Ashiq, on March 6, 2012.

When Asia inquired after her two young daughters, Ashiq told her that the children were healthy and doing well in school. She told him she was feeling discouraged about ever being released.

He said, "Yesterday when we had family prayer, I asked the children what they were praying for. They said, 'We are praying for those people who are helping us and who are trying to release our Mama.' At that moment, Ashiq "felt God's presence, and he said to me, 'Don't be afraid, I am with you.'"

Prison is Tough, Even for the Most Faithful

In April, Asia was going through a rough time. She had to celebrate yet another Easter away from her family. She told her husband, Ashiq, €I am fine, but to be alone and away from my family is frustrating to me. I want to run away from this imprisonment.

Ashiq encouraged her, and said, €You have been steadfast in your faith so far; be patient and trust in God. He will surely guide you.

In June, Ashiq reported that Asia was feeling better. She said another group had brought her some food and
clothes, and she was thankful for them and for all her prayer supporters.

Asia Transferred to a New Prison

Asia Bibi was transferred to a new prison in June 2013, leaving her five hours away from her family. She was previously only an hour away. Her husband, Ashiq, met her on June 6, 2013. She again requested prayer, and told her husband she's been sick and in a lot of pain. Asia continues to await word on her appeal against her blasphemy sentence.


Please pray for Asia Bibi and her family.

Please also sign the petition calling for her release. You can find the petition by visiting www.callformercy.com.

http://www.callformercy.com/

Prayer Request: Pakistan: Blasphemy cases converge on court in Lahore

Lahore High Court - Pakistan

Mar 06 2013

Release partners in Pakistan are calling for urgent prayer as a series of blasphemy cases are due to be heard in court in Lahore today.

Asia Bibi, the first Christian woman to be sentenced to death for blasphemy, is appealing her case at Lahore High Court. Final arguments in the Martha Bibi case are also due to be presented. Martha, who has six children, was accused of blasphemy in 2007 after an argument with local builders.

A decision is still awaited in the case of Younis Masih, who was arrested eight years ago after complaining about the level of noise at an Islamic ceremony. At his last High Court hearing on February 27 demonstrators called for everyone found guilty of blasphemy to be put to death. Release partners say the intention was to pressure the judges to find him guilty. Younis, who has four children, recently suffered a heart attack.

Lahore High Court will also decide today whether to grant bail to Ghazala Khan, who has also been accused of blasphemy.
(Source: Release partners)

For more news and a country profile about Pakistan, click here

• Please pray for all the Christians who are due to appear in court. Pray that God will give courage to the judges to speak boldly and act justly. Pray for protection for the accused as they attend the court hearings, and for safety for their legal representatives.

Asia Bibi

Younis Masih

Prayer Alert: Younis Masih's Life Sentence for Blasphemy Heard in Court Tomorrow!

Pakistan Christian Younis Masih is scheduled to have his appeal against a life sentence for blasphemy heard in court tomorrow. The Punjabi father-of-four has been detained since November 2005 – after asking local Muslims to reduce noise levels during their worship. Younis is still recovering from a heart attack last week which caused him to be hospitalised. Continue to pray God's protection over him, his family and Release partners supporting them: some fear that Younis may be at greater risk of attack from extremists while he is in hospital. 

 

(Source: Release partners)

Younis Masih, a Christian father of four, is serving a death sentence in Pakistan for blasphemy & suffered a serious heart attack,  according to Release International's prayer alert on 8 January 2013.

Younis, who is detained in a jail in northern Punjab, was transferred to a civilian hospital. His wife, Meena, and their children live nine hours' drive away from the prison, which has made visiting hard since his transfer there in July. Meena featured in our DVD, Pray for Pakistan.

Younis has been in jail for more than seven years. He was detained in November 2005 after a Muslim cleric accused him of making derogatory remarks about Islam's prophet, Mohammed. Younis's supporters say he was falsely accused after asking those attending an Islamic religious ceremony in his neighbourhood to make less noise.

Release partners are concerned that Younis could be at greater risk of attack from Islamist extremists while he is in hospital – and have gone immediately to try to visit him. They are also handling his appeal against the death sentence. A court hearing has been set for January 17.

(Source: Release partners)

http://www.releaseinternational.org

But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.

(Micah 7: 7-8)

A Call for Mercy: Help Free Asia Bibi Now!

“Our Christ sacrificed His life on the cross for our sins. ... Our Christ is alive.”

Asia Bibi, a wife and mother, used these words to defend her faith against mocking co-workers who tried to make her convert to Islam. She was later convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death.
In Pakistan, more than 150,000 Christians have signed a petition demanding justice for persecution victims, including Asia Bibi. Now you can join with The Voice of the Martyrs and our Pakistani brothers and sisters in a call for mercy. We hope to gather 1 million signatures on behalf of our sister Asia, who now sits in prison awaiting the Lahore High Court's ruling on her appeal.
Invite your friends to visit www.CallForMercy.com and add their names to the petition as well. VOM will deliver the petition, along with the list of signers, to the Pakistani Embassy in Washington DC.

Every signature is a call for mercy.

Please also keep Asia Bibi in your prayers!