South Asia: A Persecution Report · Asia Bibi Acquitted of Blasphemy . Conviction 1 | PAKISTAN Signaling the conclusion of one of the most infamous cases of religious persecution

South Asia: A Persecution

Report

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PERSECU ION

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PERSECU ION.orgINTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN

January 2019WWW.PERSECUTION.ORG

2 JANUARY 2019PERSECU ION.orgINTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN

In This Issue

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Regular Features

FEATURE14 | A Living Martyr ReleasedAsia Bibi is finally freed. FEATURE18 | “We Were Given a New Life”ICC revisits a fishing community in India experiencing both successesand setbacks. FEATURE20 | Peace in the PersecutionNepal’s Church has come under intense pressure following new government restrictions enacted last fall.PROJECTS22 | ICC’s Work in South AsiaYour gifts have encouraged Christians in South Asia to trust God and continue sharing Christ with others.LETTER23 | Letter from a Persecuted Pastor in IndiaPROJECTS24 | ICC’s 2019 Plans for South AsiaAn overview of the work ICC will accomplish in South Asia in 2019.FEATURE26 | Daily Life for a Pakistani Sewer WorkerICC examines the severe discrimination facing Christian sewer workers in Pakistan.

3 Letter from the PresidentA few words from ICC’s president, Jeff

King, on the briefing on religious freedom in India he spoke at and its effects.

4 World NewsA snapshot of the persecution that

impacts our brothers and sisters daily, in every corner of the world.

8 Your Dollars at WorkLearn how your gifts are providing

comfort, relief, Bibles, education and vocational training to the persecuted.

12 Fund SpotlightWe support and assist pastors who are building the Church in the most

dangerous areas of the world.

Jeff King, President International Christian Concern

3PERSECU ION.orgINTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN

In This Issue

L ast week, at time of writing, I was in the Russel Senate office building, speaking about the religious freedom situation in India.

I was armed with sweeping sta-tistics and our own collected data. Data is very big in Washington D.C. advocacy circles, and we have it since we did our own survey of 1,000 Christians in India.

Yet, I didn’t start with data or surveys. Instead, I started by reading a letter from a persecuted pastor so the audi-ence could hear from a real victim. As expected, it made all the difference.

It’s one thing to hear about the big picture issues or data about persecution, and a whole other thing to hear from a victim. The story of the victim makes it into the hearts of the listener and is very hard to ignore.

Pastor Radhey spoke about how he was in a prayer meet-ing two weeks prior to the event I was speaking at, when his house was surrounded by Hindu radicals. They were chant-ing for him to come out so they could kill him. When one of the Christians stepped outside to see if he could reason with them, he was severely beaten.

The audience was haunted and stunned by Pastor Radhey’s comments, which you can read on page 23.

The next day, an Indian political TV host made my com-ments the focus of his show. That show had five to six guests on a panel. Sadly, most of them rallied against me and other speakers at the event since we had criticized India’s religious freedom record.

India is the world’s largest democracy, but its prime min-ister and ruling political party are radical Hindus who are more than willing to oppress and even kill Christians to keep out any competing messages to Hinduism.

It is a privilege to stand up as a witness on behalf of our marginalized brothers and sisters in India. It is a privilege you and I share because we are doing this work together. You, our partner, invested in ICC so we can do the work of advocating, bandaging, and telling the world about persecu-tion as governments try to hide what they’re doing.

For this, I am profoundly grateful. As always, your donations will be used efficiently, effec-

tively, and ethically.

Jeff KingPresident International Christian Concern

“Recently, I was [jailed] for a week. The ‘crime’ committed was praying in a Christian home in Chapra village on November 14 (2018). A mob of 25 people surrounded the house and [were] shouting loud, anti-Christian slogans. I was so terrified. They shouted, ‘Where is the Christian monk (baba)? We want to kill him.’”

- Pastor Radhey, India


News

Asia Bibi Acquitted of Blasphemy Conviction 1 | PAKISTAN Signaling the conclusion of one of the most infamous cases of religious persecution in the world, on October 31, Asia Bibi was acquitted of her blasphemy conviction. The judgment, which was announced by the three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nasir, rendered the death sentence against Bibi null and void.

Bibi was initially accused in June 2009 follow-ing a dispute between Bibi and a group of Muslim coworkers. The Muslim coworkers grew angry when Bibi, a Christian whom they considered unclean, drank from the same water bowl as them. An argument between the women ensued and the Muslim coworkers later told a local cleric that Bibi had blasphemed against Muhammad.

In the time since the accusation, Bibi has endured years of imprisonment, death threats, and a legal battle riddled with obstacles. Following her con-viction, Bibi was sentenced to death by the Sessions Court in Sheikhupura in 2010. Her appeal with the High Court was delayed and rescheduled seven times before it was finally held, and her sentence was confirmed in October 2014. On July 22, 2015, the Supreme Court of Pakistan accepted Bibi’s petition for her case to be reviewed and sus-

Boko Haram Murders Aid Worker in Nigeria

2 | NIGERIA In mid- October, Boko Haram, a rad-ical Islamic group based in northern Nigeria, released a video depicting the execu-tion of Hauwa Leman, an aid worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross. In the video, Leman’s hands were bound and she was forced to kneel on the ground before the militants shot her. In a previous video that depicted the murder of another captive, Saifura Khorsa, Boko Haram threatened to kill Leman if the government did not meet their demands. Boko Haram claimed that they killed the two women for being apostates.

In Leman’s execution video, the militants also claimed that they would keep Leah Sharibu and Alice Ngaddah, two other captives, as slaves.

pended her death sentence pending its final verdict.

On October 8, 2018, Pakistan’s Supreme Court heard final arguments regarding Bibi’s appeal. The court then ordered the media not to comment on the case until the official verdict was announced. Despite the media shutdown, extremists took to the streets throughout several major cities in Pakistan, demanding Bibi’s execution. After Bibi was released, the streets were flooded once again with angry protesters calling for violence.

Following Bibi’s release, her Supreme Court Advocate, Saif-Ul-Malook, told ICC, “Asia Bibi today got justice. The Supreme Court held that the charges against her could not be proven. The Supreme Court of Pakistan deserves a salute.” It is ICC’s hope that this acquittal will serve as the precedent necessary to protect vulnerable religious minori-ties throughout Pakistan from baseless blasphemy accusations.

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Largest House Church in Beijing Shut Down by the Government 4 | CHINA In September, more than 20 officials raided Zion Church, shutting down the largest house church in Beijing. Authorities also took the head pastor, Jin Mingri, in for interrogation, but released him later that day. The church was accused of “conducting unauthorized activities and disturbing social order under the name of civil organi-zation.” In response to the harassment of Zion Church and other Christian communities, hundreds of Christian lead-ers throughout China have signed a joint statement, pub-licly expressing their faith and their stance against the lack of religious freedom granted by the Chinese government.

Two Men Imprisoned for Affirming Basic Christian Doctrines

3 | IRAN On September 22, Iran’s judiciary affirmed the jail sentences of two Christians, Saheb Fadaie and Fatemeh Bakhteri. The two were respectively sentenced to 18 months and 12 months in prison for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” The verdict noted that believing in Jesus as Lord and the Bible’s authority are considered attacks against Islam.

Both Christians were arrested during a house church service in May 2017. Fadaie is also currently serving a separate jail sentence in Iran’s infamous Evin Prison. These arrests took place as part of an ongoing increase in arbitrary arrests used to persecute religious minorities.

Three Indonesian Churches Shut Down for “Administrative Reasons” 5 | INDONESIA On September 27, authorities closed down three churches in Indonesia’s Alam Barajo district. The Indonesian constitution guarantees religious freedom for all citizens; therefore, the government cannot close churches for reli-gious reasons. As a result, the authorities claimed “administrative reasons” as the cause of the closures, but did not provide an official statement with further details.

In response to the church closures, the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) will be sending a legal team to assist the churches. However, the PGI General Secretary, Gomar Gultom, noted that they are planning to use a “cultural approach” first, and that legal action is their last resort. He added, “There are thou-sands of other places of worship that don’t have permits, but continue to operate. I just can’t understand why they won’t let us have our churches.”


News

American Pastor Andrew Brunson Released by Turkish Government 1 | TURKEY On October 12, Turkish courts released American pastor Andrew Brunson from house arrest. Although Brunson was convicted of the terrorism charge levelled against him, he was released from house arrest due to time previously served and good behavior. The court also lifted the travel ban against Brunson, allowing him to return to the United States. If he had not been released by the court, he could have faced up to 35 years in prison.

Prior to his arrest, Pastor Brunson and his wife Norine had been serving in ministry in Turkey since 1993. He was initially arrested along with his wife in October 2016. While Norine was released shortly thereafter, Pastor Brunson remained in prison despite a lack of formal charges. It was not until 63 days into his imprisonment that the first series of charges was issued; additional charges were also added as his time in prison progressed.

Pastor Brunson was accused of having links to terrorist groups. This charge, which carries lengthy jail time, is

Ten Pastors Arrested with Their Families in Uttar Pradesh2 | INDIA In September, at least 10 pastors were arrested along with their families during a church service in northern India. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, police interrupted the service following claims from local Hindu nationalist groups of forced conversions. While forced conversion remains illegal in India, the charge is primarily used as a means to target local churches and Christian leaders, rather than to pro-tect vulnerable minority groups.

becoming an increas-ingly common accusa-tion against individuals whom the government is seeking to target.

In the week prior to Pastor Brunson’s release, the US Secretary of State noted, “President Trump has had a focus on it [and] the adminis-tration’s had a focus on it. We’re very hopeful that we’ll see a good outcome before too long.” In an effort to pressure the Turkish government to release Pastor Brunson, the United States imposed sanctions on two Turkish cabinet mem-bers in August 2018.

Due to the decline in religious freedom since the 2016 military coup, Turkey has been designated as a Tier 2 Country on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom’s (USCIRF) annual report. While Pastor Brunson’s release is joyous news, it is concerning that he was still convicted of the terrorism charge. This serves as an indi-cator that there is still progress to be made regarding religious freedom in Turkey.

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Military Court in Egypt Sentences Suspected Church Bombers to Death4 | EGYPT In early October, an Egyptian military court sentenced 17 Islamic militants to death for their involvement in a 2016 church bombing. During the bombing, which targeted a Coptic Orthodox church in Cairo, more than 25 Christians were killed. Additionally, several of the 17 mili-tants were also convicted for their role in another bombing in 2017. While many are grateful for the verdict, others claim that the military trial was unfair and have called for further investigation.

Twelve Christians Arrested in Nyala, South Darfur

3 | SUDAN On October 13, authorities from the Sudan National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arbitrarily arrested 12 Christian men in Darfur for mingling with the Muslim community. The arrests took place at a local market when the authorities surrounded the men and brought them to the police station in handcuffs. Following the secession of South Sudan in 2011, the Sudanese government has supported stronger Islamic policies, leaving Christian minorities vulnerable to legal persecution.

Two Christian Teachers Murdered in Northeastern Kenya

5 | KENYA On October 10, Islamic militants from Somalia ambushed a school in the middle of the night in Mandera East, Kenya. During the attack, they bombed the teachers’ house, killing two non-local teachers, Johnstone Okumu and Simon Wekesa, and injuring three others. Due to the fact that they are a predominantly Christian group, non-local teachers living in northeastern Kenya are often targeted by Muslim radicals in this tense border region.

Following the attack, a teacher in the region lamented, “It is unfortunate that inno-cent teachers who are out to bring light and open up the northeastern region are being slaughtered time to time just because of their faith. It is painful to lose our colleagues through such a heinous act of cowardice. Our hearts bleed because even after dedicat-ing our time and professionalism in serving this community, they still hate Christians.”

Your Dollars at Work


Suffering Wives and Children

Christian minorities are often regarded as second-class citizens in Pakistan, and

therefore face persecution on a daily basis. Barkat, a Christian living and raising his fam-ily in Pakistan, knows this full well.

Barkat was accused of blasphemy by one of his clients at work in 2011. Barkat was arrested under Section 295-C of Pakistan’s Penal Code and placed in jail. For two years, he remained in jail until he was acquitted of all charges in 2013. During his time in prison, he and his family suffered greatly as a result of the shame placed on their family in light of the arrest, the lack of income, and the mounting legal fees.

Once acquitted of his charges, Barkat needed to start earning an income again to support his family. He dreamed of opening a carpentry shop since he was an expert

woodworker and professional carpenter, yet he lacked the start-up funds to do so. Barkat completed small jobs here and there, yet he was unable to generate enough income to provide for his family.

ICC supported Barkat and his family by enabling him to open up a carpentry shop. ICC provided him with rent for the shop, wood for his carpentry work, paint, tools, and other equipment necessary to start his business off on the right foot. Barkat told ICC that he “never hoped or expected to put up such a nice business in life. It is God’s providence; He has listened to our cry!”

Today, his business is flourishing. Barkat makes beds, wooden kitchen accessories, and various other household items, provid-ing a sustainable income for his family.

Carpentry Shop for Blasphemy Victim



On January 24, 2018, armed Fulani militants invaded Zanwra village, burning down the homes and properties of numerous Nigerian families, one of which belonged to the village

pastor. The pastor and his family lived in a small home next to their church for years, until it was completely destroyed. Thankfully, the pastor and his family were safe, but everything else burned to the ground, including their livestock, furniture, and clothing.

ICC helped rebuild the pastor and his family’s home, allowing him to focus on serving his struggling community without the added stress of providing his family with a new place to live. The militants attempted to burn down the church as well, but the pastor claimed that it was only by divine intervention that the church was not damaged in the attack.

Abraham*, a 29-year-old from Sudan, fled to Egypt to seek refuge as a result of the war. While in Egypt, Abraham heard the Gospel and came to know Jesus. He quickly

became passionate about Jesus Christ and wanted to tell everyone he knew. Despite repeat-ed beatings, Abraham has persevered and, as a result of his faithfulness, 14 Sudanese men have come to accept Jesus.

Abraham recently developed a tumor in his back. The pain in his spine was so severe that he could hardly move and had to remain laying down. Abraham needed back surgery, but was unable to pay for the surgery.

ICC helped Abraham obtain the surgery he needed in order to be able to continue to share the Good News of Jesus! “Thank God He cares; the money came in the right time. God is good,” Abraham shared.

One of the largest underground churches in Beijing, China, has experienced heavy persecu-tion since 2011. Seven years ago, when the level of persecution significantly increased,

three of the church’s pastors were placed on house arrest and have been under a high level of surveillance ever since.

All three pastors’ families have faced serious illnesses while on house arrest. One pastor is currently recovering from heart surgery. Another has a daughter suffering from a bone disease in her leg. Another pastor’s wife is suffering from diabetes.

ICC has come alongside these three pastors and their families to assist with their medical expenses in an effort to meet their physical needs while also reminding the pastors that they are not alone or forgotten in their suffering.

Underground Pastors

Suffering Wives and Children

Underground Pastors

Zanwra Village Pastor’s House Rebuild

Medical Assistance for Sudanese Christian

Assistance to Pastors Under House Arrest



Rice Bottle Distribution Hand of Hope

T he people of North Korea live in noto-riously harsh conditions, often suffer-

ing from hunger caused by corruption and poor economic conditions. Christians in North Korea endure even more difficulties as they face persecution based on their faith in a coun-try that actively oppresses religious freedom.

In collaboration with local partners, ICC sought to assist the suffering and bring the Word of God to the lost and those who rely on His strength to endure daily hardships alike. To do this, we helped send bottles of rice con-taining Scripture to North Korea.

The rice helps many North Koreans endure the cold winter, when food is scarcest. The Scriptures also serve as a tangible reminder that God is with them and will always provide for His people as they continue to endure the hardships facing believers and non-believers alike in North Korea.

Juice Business in Iraq Suffering Wives and Children

I n 2014, ISIS invaded the town of Karmalesh, Iraq. As the invasion occurred,

many of the town’s occupants fled in order to evade the torment of ISIS. Karmalesh was regarded as a dangerous place for people thinking about returning.

Ammar is one of the few displaced indi-viduals who has returned to Karmalesh, trying to rebuild his life with his pregnant wife and three children. To provide for his

family, he pursued a business that he began before the ISIS occupation. He sells home-made juices to people in the nearby town of Qaraqosh. However, the success of Ammar’s business relied on his ability to secure a ride to and from Qaraqosh with his goods. Furthermore, during the ISIS occupation, his refrigeration equipment was destroyed, serv-ing as an additional obstacle as he attempted to rebuild his life.

To alleviate some of the burden on Ammar’s shoulders, and to encourage him and his family during their struggles, ICC purchased an auto-rickshaw and refrigeration unit for Ammar’s business. With these tools, he is able to generate a sustainable livelihood for himself and his family.

Although Ammar had never driven an



India Bible Distribution

Church Restoration in Nepal

Bibles for the Persecuted

Northern India is home to some of the world’s least evangelized people groups.

Due to the mass numbers of unreached people living in northern India, there is a unique, but dangerous, opportunity to share the Gospel with them.

The Christian community and frontline missions workers in this region face intense persecution, hostility, and opposition from

Hindu fundamentalists. In order to support the Christian community in this region, ICC distributed 500 Bibles among three northern Indian states.

Through this Bible distribution, two goals were accomplished. First, it equipped new believers, seeking the truth, with Bibles in regions where Christian literature is difficult to obtain. Second, it empowered grassroots Christian workers from persecuted regions in their discipleship and church planting ministry.

Underground Pastors

On May 12, a church in western Nepal was bombed by suspected Hindu radicals.

Although the police arrived shortly after the incident occurred, the damage was already done. After the attack, ICC helped the church purchase the materials necessary to restore the church to its original condition.

One member of the congregation expressed, “We have realized that we have scattered and extended family all over the world who are willing to extend their support to unknown families in other parts of the world.”

This assistance not only restored a congre-gation’s place of worship, but also joy to the Christian community in Nepal.

auto-rickshaw previously, Ammar’s brother-in-law gladly taught him how to drive. “It is easy to drive, unlike the motorbike. I never dreamed on having such transportation means. I will use it even when I purchase wood when the security improves at places where I purchase the wood,” Ammar said.

Conditions in Karmalesh remain dif-ficult as many displaced families have yet to return. Through their return and the re-opening of their business, Ammar and his family are not only rebuilding their lives, but also helping to lay the foundation necessary to rebuild the community. This business assistance has been a source of great encouragement to a family trying to start over in the rubble now called home that ISIS left behind.


Fund Spotlight

In many persecuted countries, under-ground pastors serve as the backbone of the Christian community, dili-gently serving their congregations and ministering to the unreached. However, their job is far from easy, and they face countless obstacles, ranging from violence to poverty to discrimination. Through our Underground Pastors Fund, we seek

to support these brave men and women by meeting their practical, day-to-day needs.

In some cases, a pastor has an immediate, one-time need that we are able to fulfil. This was the case for Pastor Samuel*, a pastor in central India who was ambushed by a group of Hindu radicals. During the attack, the extremists destroyed Pastor Samuel’s motorbike, his only available form of trans-portation for ministry.

After hearing about Pastor Samuel’s situ-ation, we stepped in to provide him with a new motorbike. This vehicle will allow him to travel freely as he evangelizes and plants churches in rural villages that he would be unable to reach on foot. Pastor Samuel expressed, “Now that I have a new bike, I need not to worry at all… Having encourage-ment in this manner not only makes me more responsible, but it motivated me.”

In other remote parts of the world, it is nearly impossible to serve as a full-time pastor and earn a steady income simultane-ously. Therefore, pastors in these regions often struggle to make ends meet and are

Underground Pastors

Right: A form of transportation, such as the motorbike for Pastor Samuel, can be

an essential ministry tool for underground pastors working in rural areas.


Fund Spotlightforced to choose between supporting their families and shepherding their churches. In such regions, we support pastors stuck in this difficult situation by providing financial support.

Throughout Central Asia, we provide regular support to Christian leaders so that they can continue to evangelize while also supporting their families. In Iran, we support several underground pastors who are forced to minister in secrecy due to the ever present threats of violence. In Indonesia, we support a group of church planters who are actively serving and ministering to

unreached people groups.ICC has joined hands with Christian

communities all over the world, from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, to support the efforts of faithful under-ground pastors. However, this work would not be possible without the gen-erous support of donors. If you would like to donate to support underground pastors or learn more about ICC’s Underground Pastors fund, please visit www.persecution.org or give us a call at 1-800-ICC-5441.

*Name changed for security

Check: Use the self-addressed envelope to send in your check with “Underground Pastors” in the note section. Phone: Call us at 800-ICC-5441. Online: Visit persecution.org and click on Donate Now in the upper right corner. You can now create an account where you can manage your donations and see your giving history.

Pastors Fund

Above: ICC supports underground pastors around the world so that they can direct their time and energy toward sharing the Gospel without worrying about finances.


Almost 10 years ago, a Christian woman harvest-ing berries in rural Pakistan got into an argument with her Muslim coworkers. Little did she know that this argument

would result in an accusation that would explode into the most notorious blasphemy case Pakistan has ever prosecuted and would dominate religious freedom headlines around the world for a decade.

The case started when Asia’s Muslim coworkers became upset because Asia, a Christian, used the drinking bowl used by her Muslim workers. This makes sense once you understand that Christians in Pakistan are considered spiritually unclean and untouch-

able, similar to India’s caste system. When confronted by her coworkers, she

defended her faith and, during the ensuing argument, reportedly said, “I believe in my religion and in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for the sins of mankind. What did your Prophet Muhammad ever do to save mankind?”

That was a near fatal mistake. Several of her coworkers reported Asia’s statement to a local imam named Qari Saleem and, days later, he formally accused her of blasphemy at a police station in Sheikhupura.

Soon after, a mob of enraged Muslims attacked Asia and her family at their home. Thankfully, police intervened, but then took Asia to a police station and opened an inves-tigation which led to charges being filed under Section 295-C of Pakistan’s Penal Code, which put Asia’s life on the line.

At trial, Asia maintained her innocence,

claiming that she had been falsely accused by her coworkers to settle a personal score. False accusations of blasphemy are common in Pakistan. Often motivated by personal slights or religious hatred, false blasphemy accusations are an extremely deadly form of revenge. The mere rumor of an accusation can stir up deadly mob violence.

In November 2010, Judge Muhammed Naveed Iqbal of the Sessions Court of Sheikhupura found Asia guilty of blasphemy and sentenced her to death by hanging in addition to a $1,100 fine. With this sentence, Asia became the first woman in Pakistan’s history to be sentenced to death on blas-phemy charges.

Following the trial, Asia was sent to prison, where she was placed under 24-hour surveillance to protect her from other prison-ers and even her own jailers. Asia told the Catholic Herald, “I cried alone, putting my

A LIVING MARTYR

ReleasedAsia Bibi was released from a Pakistani prison after serving 10 years

on a trumped up blasphemy charge. Her case dominated headlines and politics in Pakistan and around the world for the last decade.

By William Stark

A man joins the protests that took place throughout Pakistan following Asia Bibi’s acquittal from blasphemy accusations on October 31, 2018.


Right: Police stand guard at the entrance to the Christian neighborhood of Youhanabad in Lahore after Bibi’s acquittal. Youhanabad is home to over 100,000 Christians and has the largest population of believers in Pakistan.


head in my hands. I [could] no longer bear the sight of people full of hatred, applauding the killing of a poor farm worker.”

Outside of prison though, Asia’s case gained support both nationally and interna-tionally. Salman Taseer, a Muslim governor of Punjab, and an old friend of ICC, Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian and the Federal Minister of Minority Affairs, both advocated on her behalf. Both men denounced her conviction and openly criticized Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. Taseer went as far as to file a mercy petition on behalf of Asia, convinced that she would be released with little trouble.

Internationally, human rights groups like ours and Christian leaders around the world spoke out on behalf of Asia. Even Pope Benedict called for her release. Unfortunately, this support did little to quell the rage of Pakistan’s Islamic fanatics.

Governor Taseer was the first to pay for the rage of these fanatics.

On January 4, 2011, he was shot and killed by one of his own elite bodyguards, Malik Mumtaz Qadri. Qadri pumped 20 bullets into him and then immediately surrendered. He said he killed Taseer because of his support for Asia and for his comments against blas-phemy laws.

This act made Qadri a national hero and defender of the faith among the fundamental-ists. In fact, when Qadri appeared in court on January 9, more than 300 lawyers were there to offer him pro bono representation.

Sensing imminent danger, Shahbaz Bhatti requested greater security measures both nationally and internationally. During a visit to Washington, D.C. in February 2011, Bhatti asked the State Department to help him secure greater protection. ICC’s president, Jeff King, met with Shahbaz on this trip. Sadly, before security arrangements could be settled, he was also assassinated.

With the core of her national support assassinated or silenced by fear, Asia was forced to wait for the Lahore High Court to take up her appeal. After almost four years, the Lahore High Court finally took up her

appeal. In October 2014, that court con-firmed Asia’s death sentence. According to rumor, Justice Anwar-ul-Haq keeps the pen he signed the order with in his coat pocket as a memento.

Over a dozen Islamic clerics, including Qari Saleem, who brought forward the initial complaint against Asia, were present in the court. “We will soon distribute sweets among our Muslim brothers for today’s verdict, it’s a victory [for] Islam,” Saleem told AFP.

Less than a year later though, in July 2015, hope was restored when Pakistan’s Supreme Court accepted Asia’s petition for a review of her case and suspended her death sentence until the case could be heard.

While this was welcome news, Asia still had to wait more than a year for her appeal to be scheduled. Eventually, the Supreme Court scheduled Asia’s final appeal to be heard in the second week of October 2016.

On October 13, 2016, just a few minutes into the highly anticipated hearing, the court indefinitely adjourned. Many were shocked by this sudden and unexpected development.

While many were frustrated by this shocking return to uncertainty, her attorney remained confident that Asia would someday get justice.

“I am still optimistic,” Said-ul-Malook told ICC in 2016. “I hope it will not take too long for the next hearing [to be scheduled] with a

“We will soon distribute sweets among our Muslim brothers for today’s verdict, it’s a victory [for] Islam.” – QARI SALEEM, ISLAMIC CLERIC

Top: Riot police stand guard in Youhanabad in the aftermath of Bibi’s acquittal.

Middle: Police outside of St. John’s Church in Lahore during the wave of protests after Bibi’s acquittal. St. John’s Church was targeted in 2015 by suicide bombers who killed at least 15 Christians.

Bottom: Police also guarded Christ Church (also bombed in 2015) in Lahore following Bibi’s acquittal.


new bench. This was a routine matter. It is not unusual for [hearings] to be postponed due to an incomplete bench. I am still very hopeful for an acquittal.”

While Malook was optimistic, Asia had to wait another two years before the Supreme Court heard her final appeal.

On October 8, 2018, another three-judge bench heard arguments from the prosecu-tion and defense. Following the hearing, the Supreme Court announced that it would reserve its decision for an unspecified future date. The court further ordered the media not to comment until the decision was formally announced.

Days after Asia’s appeal, fanatics took to the streets in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, demanding that the government put Asia to death. Extremist groups warned of “terrible consequences” for the Supreme Court Justices if Asia was allowed to flee the country.

On October 31, the Supreme Court of Pakistan acquitted Asia Bibi of the blasphe-my conviction she had been under for nearly a decade. The 56-page judgement found that the prosecution against Bibi had not proven the blasphemy charges beyond a reasonable doubt and that the presumption of innocence remained with the accused.

“Asia Bibi today got justice,” Malook told ICC after the verdict was announced. “The Supreme Court held that the charges against her could not be proven. The Supreme Court of Pakistan deserves a salute.”

Following the announcement, Islamic fanatics once again took to the streets in pro-test. “The situation on the roads is very tense today,” a Christian from Lahore told ICC after the verdict was announced. “Muslims have blocked the roads, set fire to tires, and are protesting continuously. Christians are feeling very insecure.”

After three days of protests, the Pakistani government signed an agreement with the protestors. The government agreed that it would not block a petition for Asia’s acquit-tal from being reviewed and that it would not block a petition to add Asia to the Exit Control List, barring Asia from fleeing Pakistan.

Some feared that the decision to acquit Asia would be reversed, but most felt that the deal was made to placate Pakistan’s fanatics and bring the protests to an end.

On November 7, after almost a decade in prison, Asia was finally released from jail by Pakistani authorities and moved to a secure and unknown location. At the time of writing, Asia and her family remain in Pakistan, but arrangements are being made to allow them

Blasphemy Laws

Sections 295, 295-A, 295-B, and 295-C collectively make up Pakistan’s notorious blasphe-my laws. Under those sections, Pakistani authorities are empow-ered to punish individuals guilty of various acts that offend the reli-gious sentiments of others.

As seen below, Pakistan’s blas-phemy laws vary in regards to pun-ishment, with 295-C carrying the deadliest consequences for those accused. What also can be seen is how Islam is elevated above all other religions. Section 295: Injuring or defiling places of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class pun-ishable by up to two years’ imprison-ment or fine, or both.Section 295-A: Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment or fine, or both.Section 295-B: Defiling, etc., of the Quran punishable by imprison-ment for life.Section 295-C: Use of derogato-ry remarks, spoken, written, direct-ly or indirectly, etc. that defiles the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad punishable by manda-tory death and fine.

to seek asylum in another country and hope-fully, finally, be at peace.

With such high stakes drama, it is easy to forget about Asia as an individual. While the legal arguments, political assassinations, and international relations are important, what is most important is the simple, central point of this case: Asia stood up for her faith in the face of extreme persecution for nearly a decade. She never backed down and never took the easy way out.

For this simple fact, Asia must be consid-ered a modern day living martyr and hero of the Church.


“It’s exactly how I remembered,” I thought, overlooking the idyllic scenery. I paused for a moment to take in the sound of the waves and the salty smell of the Indian Ocean. Taking a deep breath, I turned to my Indian coworker and said, “It’s too bad the Christians continue to suffer so much here.”

Six years ago, I traveled to India for the first time. The first stop on that trip was Nagapattinam, a small district located on the Indian Ocean in Tamil Nadu. Bringing me to Nagapattinam was one of the first major projects I managed for ICC: The Nagapattinam Boats Project.

In 2012, Christians in Nagapattinam were telling ICC about attacks and social boy-cotts at the hands of their Hindu neighbors. Most troublesome was the fact that these

Christians, all of whom were fishermen, were no longer allowed access to the com-munal boats through which they made a living. Cut off from their livelihoods, many borrowed money at ruinous rates just to keep food on the table.

In response to the crisis, ICC provided five fishing boats with motors, nets, etc. that supported 25 Christian families. In 2013, I was privileged to be a part of the team that delivered the boats to Thirumullaivasal vil-lage and Vanagiri village, both located in Nagapattinam.

I can still remember the joy with which the Christians received the boats. When we arrived, many did not believe it was true. “How could this have happened?” one beneficiary asked. “These people (donors) have never seen or met us. Why have they provided such a huge help?”

For some, it took days to realize that they were truly the owners of the five new fishing boats. Many were so overwhelmed with joy that they openly wept. One woman said, “We were not just given boats; we were given new life.”

Recently, I was able to revisit Nagapattinam. While it was great to be back, the visit was bittersweet.

Walking along the water’s edge in an inlet where the Christians of Thirumullaivasal are still forced to hide their boat, I noticed some-thing different. “Is this a new boat?” I asked. Proudly, the Christian fishermen nodded and explained, “This is the third generation. It’s bigger, has a stronger engine, and can go deeper into the ocean.”

After ICC provided the initial boats in 2013, the Christians of Thirumullaivasal were able to use the boat they were given to save money and purchase a new boat

“We Were Given a New Life” By William Stark


Above: Nagapattinam Christians receive their new boats provided by ICC’s donors.

in 2014. They explained that it took another couple of years, but they were able to use this second boat to, again, earn enough to upgrade to the large boat that stood before me.

While this boat was clearly larger than the boat I had delivered in 2013, the Christians of Thirumullaivasal had intentionally kept the paint job used by the 2013 boats ICC provided. They kept the Christian details as well.

When I asked about the other boats, the Christians reported that three other boats had also been upgraded. “These boats were like a lifeline for our community,” Ramesh, a Christian from Vanagiri, shared. “While the original boats were smaller and slower, we were able to earn enough to improve the project. With the bigger boats, we now have a range of 90 plus miles as opposed to the 13 miles before.”

Despite their financial success, persecu-tion remains a daily reality for the Christians

of Nagapattinam. “We still suffer from social boycotts,” anoth-

er Christian from Thirumullaivasal explained. “We cannot sell the fish we catch in our own village. The Hindus that would buy it will be fined 10,000 rupees. We have to travel to the next village, eight miles away, to sell our fish.”

Additionally, the Christians from both vil-lages report being denied access to government projects, such as government-funded repairs to homes affected by the 2004 tsunami and the installation of modern toilets. Christians also reported attacks on their boats, including the theft of fishing nets, which is why they continue to hide their boats from the other villagers.

In one particularly heartbreaking instance, the Christians of Thirumullaivasal explained, “Once, we were stranded out in the ocean because our motor broke down. When three Hindu boats helped tow us to shore, they were fined 10,000

rupees each by the village leadership.”Feeling guilty about causing other fisher-

men such a financial hardship, the Christians pooled their money together and helped the Hindus pay their fine.

Beyond Thirumullaivasal and Vanagiri, Christians from Pudukupum and Pumbuhar, villages also located in Nagapattinam, reported social boycotts. In Pudukupum, 12 Christian families have been cut off from the village boats since 2014. In Pumbuhar, another five Christian families have suffered a similar fate.

As I left Nagapattinam, I did so with the understanding that I will likely return sooner rather than later.

While the boats ICC provided in 2013 secured their survival, there is still much to do to fully address the persecution they face. ICC’s work will be expanded to at least two more villages, Pudukupum and Pumbuhar.

Feature Article


Peace in the Persecution

The stone idols dot-ting Nepal’s landscape are an ever present reminder of its recent past as the world’s only Hindu Kingdom. The strength of the past echoes into the present, bringing with it ripples of uncertainty

about what the future holds for Nepal’s small Christian minority.

When Nepal’s Hindu Kingdom fell 11 years ago, the door flung open wide for the Gospel to spread across the country. However, in August 2018, the door appeared to close when a vague law took effect, criminalizing reli-gious conversion and any activity that could “hurt” religious sentiments. Christians were

left uncertain as to whether Nepal’s newly secular government would actually allow for the free and public practice of Christianity.

“Before the law was declared, there [were] big crusades, open air crusades!” recalled Pastor Isaiah. “We had groups of evangelism in different parts of Nepal, and even some foreigners came to share the Gospel boldly in public areas.”

Nepal’s recent attitude shift regarding reli-gious freedom was not entirely sudden, nor unexpected. The country adopted a new con-stitution in 2015 which laid the foundation for the challenges currently facing the Nepalese Church. It was clear that the government was making every effort to protect Hinduism, even at the expense of other religions. But exactly how that would impact the Church remained a mystery.

At first, everything appeared to take a turn for the worse. Pastor Adam shared, “A group formed on social media and this group is just talking nonsense against Christians. They use abusive words and create hatred against Christians and they would say anything, whatever they like.”

“The person who was forming this team called me one day,” recalled Pastor Adam. “What he told me was that we have all the details of every pastor, how many people they have converted into Christianity, and that we will take action against them. He was threat-ening me that he would drag 5,000 pastors into jail…even threatening me.”

When the law originally passed, many Christian leaders began preparing themselves and their congregations for persecution, which they believed was inevitable. “The situation

By Claire Evans

Feature Article


Far Left: In the historic district of Kathmandu and throughout Nepal, restrictions on the public practice of Christianity leave believers with narrowing freedom.

Top: Nepal is attempting to protect its Hindu identity by limiting religious freedom.

Bottom: The Nepalese Christian community is living with much uncertainty about its future.

for the Christian community in Nepal is that they are very afraid,” said Pastor Isaiah. “We are afraid because of the new law; it says they can send any Christian to jail. According to the new law, if someone carried the Bible, if someone evangelizes to people, if someone teaches or trains someone from the Bible, that is also against the law.”

But, at the time of writing in November, something unexpected has occurred: nothing. Instead, the Church exists within the uncom-fortable space of not knowing whether the law will ever be fully enforced.

When the law first passed, ICC led an advocacy tour which brought the issue to the international stage. We highlighted how Nepal had signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which meant that the government had pledged to protect

religious freedom. When the international community learned that Nepal had violated this pledge, their condemnation was felt quite heavily across Nepal’s political sphere.

“I believe that the international community has been forcing our government not to do anything against Christian communities, and the government knows that if they attack for a simple reason, like carrying a Bible, there will be crowds of Christians on the streets to ask [for] their rights,” said Pastor Isaiah.

“We’re not being particularly persecuted after the enactment of this anti-conversion law,” added Pastor Adam.

Even so, the possibility of enforcement at any time has deeply scarred Nepal’s small Christian community. “We were really ter-rified of the people who were talking about doing things to us before,” said Pastor

Adam. This fear has greatly transformed how believers study the Bible and interact with their communities.

“We tell new people who come to the Lord that this [persecution] will be happen-ing because it was written in the Bible,” explained Pastor Isaiah. “We clearly inform them… we are in prayers that we can do the ministry until something happens. And we would not stop if something did happen. We will share our faith.”

“We are training pastors to be wise, to use healthy words and to be kind to them (non-Christians) even when we are talking amongst ourselves,” added Pastor Isaiah. “If they really come against us, we will treat them lovingly. We will not attack back… and instead bibli-cally love them.”

This includes teaching Christians how to lovingly stand firm against potential threats. Pastor Adam uses his own experience with persecution as an example for others. When he was threatened with jail, he responded by saying, “Welcome brother, you can do it if you have all the proofs. What can we do because the law permits you? But we will just pray for you.”

Pastor Isaiah emphasizes how important prayer is during this uncertain time. “I under-stand the secret service definitely knows what the Christian community is doing, but nothing is happening as of today. I believe that this is the prayer of the people. Not only from Nepal, but around the world.”

Please join us in praying for Nepal’s Christian community during this season of uncertainty.


India Sri Lanka

Pakistan

Bangladesh

Nearly 30 Christians have been beaten, socially boycotted, and driven from their homes in Chhattisgarh, India. ICC is providing livelihood assistance and immediate relief to these dedicated Christians. Lachho, who was abandoned by her husband for her faith, testified, “God thinks of me and my child; that’s why He sent ICC to take care of us.”

Full-time pastors in Sri Lanka receive little to no financial support, and struggle to feed their families and educate their children. Their financial struggles add to the burden of the increasing persecution they face. ICC is providing assistance to 10 impoverished pastors through small business assistance that will enable them to support their ministries.

When two suicide bombers attacked All Saints Church in Peshawar, Pakistan on September 22, 2013, over 130 Christians died and many more were seriously injured. ICC has provided schooling, transportation, and supplies since early 2014 for children who were orphaned by this tragedy and would have dropped out of school otherwise. ICC continues to support 30 students.

New believers in Bangladesh’s remote villages struggled to grow spiritually without a Bible. ICC provided 50 new Bibles so that these believers can grow by reading Scripture instead of waiting for a weekly visit from an evangelist. “Now I can read the Bible every day to learn more about Christ,” shared Labbonno.

ICC’s Work in South Asia


Thailand

Nepal

When Kashif and his family were denied refugee status in Thailand and returned to Pakistan where they had received death threats four years prior, they did not know how they would survive. ICC developed a toy shop that will enable Kashif to earn a steady income to support his family and provide his three children with educational opportunities. “I am very thankful to God and ICC,” expressed Kashif.

When Hindu radicals set fire to a church in Nepal—just a day after a youth conference concluded—the Christian community was grieved and unable to pay for repairs. ICC stepped in to restore the church to its original condition. One member shared, “I am thrilled. This repairing work taught us that our God does not leave us alone during difficulties.”

ICC Invited to Senate Hearing on India

On November 30, 2018, ICC’s president, Jeff King, spoke at a briefing on reli-gious freedom in India at the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill.

Speaking on direct behalf of persecuted Christians throughout India, King read the following letter written by a pastor in India:

For nearly 20 years, I have shared the Gospel and established house churches in and around Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Although there has always been oppo-sition from the local people, things have become increasingly difficult in the recent past. Anti-Christian sentiment is spread-ing throughout Uttar Pradesh. We used to hear about other churches being closed down, and pastors being jailed, but now it is our turn.

As Christians, we can no longer gath-er together in Sultanpur. I’ve stopped conducting worship services and only pray and counsel other Christians over the phone.

Recently, I was in jail for a week along with three other Christians. The “crime” we committed was praying in a Christian home in Chapra village.

Around 35 Christians had gathered in

the home of Ramsuk Viswakarma’s on November 14, 2018. We were about to conclude the prayer meeting when sudden-ly a mob of 25 people, shouting loud anti-Christian slogans, surrounded the house.

I was so terrified. They shouted “Where is the Christian monk (baba)? We want to kill him.”

One of our group went outside and he was mercilessly beaten and injured. I stayed inside the house and after an hour, the police came and took four of us to the police station. They put us in lock up for the whole night. The next day, they sent us to jail. We were falsely charged for insulting Hindu gods and goddesses under sections 153A and 295A of India’s Penal Code.

A week later, last Tuesday, November 20, 2018, we were released on bail.

Things have become nearly impossible for pastors to lead worship services not just in my area, but all across the coun-try. We hear about attacks on Christians, Christians being beaten up and pastors being intimidated or jailed, on an almost daily basis. There seems to be no religious freedom, although India’s constitution guarantees it.

I am hoping for things to change and become better so that Christians in my place can worship Jesus as they wish.

- Pastor Radhey Shyam, Chapra Village, Sultanpur District, Uttar Pradesh, India

Above: Following Jeff King’s comments on India’s lack of religious freedom, the Indian media picked up on our demand for a religious freedom probe.

Feature Article


“

ICC’s 2019 Plans

1,000 100,000 6,000New

ChurchesNew

BiblesChurch Planters

1,000New

Bikes

To Donate: www.persecution.org/bibles-bikes/ Or give to “Bibles and Bikes” by phone (800-ICC-5441) or check

Bibles and Bikes Initiative

We continue to face opposition, even sometimes physical beating, but God is at work and He is adding people to the Church in the midst of growing persecution,” said Pastor Raju.

Indian evangelists like Pastor Raju have experienced the cost of following Jesus, but they share the Gospel daily across rural villag-

es, miles from home. Pastor Raju regularly ministers in local schools, marketplaces, and villages. Recently, while returning home from pray-ing in a nearby village, he was attacked. Undeterred, he continues to share the Gospel with the lost.

In 2018, International Christian Concern was privileged to assist Pastor Raju and four of his fellow evangelists. After seeing the effectiveness of providing a pastor with a bike and Bibles, ICC launched the Bibles and Bikes initiative. As a result of this effort, ICC hopes to distribute 1,000 bicycles to 1,000 rural pastors and equip each of them with 100 Bibles.

On an average day, evangelists like Pastor Raju walk 13 miles per day, traveling to local villages and markets to share the Gospel and pray for the sick. In a single visit, a pastor shares the Good News with approximately 25 people. Through repeated visits, disciple-ship, and prayer, fellowship groups are forming across India, all as a result of a rural pastor’s dedication.

Though this is great work, ICC shares with them an even greater vision, if they are provided with the right tools. By equipping rural Indian evangelists with bicycles, their effectiveness will double or even triple. They will be able to travel to farther, unreached locations with greater ease and share the Gospel with new people. The Bibles will also assist with the training of the next generation of pastors. By God’s grace, over 100,000 people will hear the Gospel by the end of 2019. It is ICC’s prayer that, through these efforts, hearts will soon be turning to Jesus across the nation of India. Please faithfully consider how you can partner with us to equip these pastors in the coming year!

Bibles and BikesBy Mia Sparr

Above: ICC provided a fabric shop for a blasphemy victim in Pakistan so that he can support his wife and daughter.

Below: Sri Lanka is attempting to protect its Buddhist identity by limiting religious freedom, especially in rural farming communities.

Feature Article


for South Asia“Through training courses for pastors

and evangelists, ICC is equipping and

empowering church leaders to share the

Gospel in some of the most remote areas of

the world.”

IndiaWith persecution on the rise

in India, pastors must learn to expect hardship and know how to respond. ICC will administer legal trainings to teach pastors about their rights. These “Persecution Preparedness Trainings” high-light God’s heart for justice, and the need to report attacks to the authorities and have teams that are prepared to assist the Church when persecution occurs. We hope to see churches remain united and strong in the face of persecution.

Nepal and BhutanIn 2019, ICC is excited to launch

a new initiative across India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Through training courses for pastors and evangelists, ICC is equipping and empowering church leaders to share the Gospel in some of the most remote areas of the world. We will provide pastors with spir-itual and material assistance in order to support outreach efforts.

PakistanAfter eight years of impris-

onment following a blasphemy accusation, Asia Bibi was finally freed from prison. While Asia’s

case garnered international atten-tion, Christians across Pakistan continue to face imprisonment as a result of this law. In 2019, ICC plans to continue assisting not only the direct victims of blasphemy accusations, but also their families.

ICC will continue to relocate these families and provide legal assistance and new livelihoods as they restart their lives.

Additionally, Pakistani Christian women are commonly subjected to forced conversions. For years, ICC has helped these women restart their lives through reloca-tion assistance, livelihood proj-ects, and trauma counseling. In 2019, ICC hopes to see greater restoration in these women’s lives through continued assistance.

Sri LankaThrough God’s direction, pas-

tors across Sri Lanka are being called to serve those in rural, impoverished, and persecut-ed areas. ICC sees the hearts of these servants and looks for-ward to providing livelihood projects so that Sri Lankan pas-tors can direct their attention toward ministry, rather than financial concerns.


Persecution is so much deeper than the beatings and killings that make the headlines and deeply affect our hearts. In many countries, persecution is a life-long, multi-faceted issue that affects all aspects of life.

It involves generational, educational defi-cits, job discrimination, lack of access to capital, and even attacks on Christians who try to start businesses. To give you a real-world example of this, we are going to intro-duce you to the sewer workers of Pakistan.

Pakistani Christians face severe social and occupational discrimination every day. This is especially evident in the lives of Christian sewer workers.

Pakistan broke off from India in the last century. So even though Pakistan is a Muslim country, the caste system is still very much part of the culture. Christians in Pakistan are considered to be spiritually polluted from a Muslim perspective and untouchables from a caste point-of-view. Bottom line: they are considered the lowest of the low by their Muslim neighbors.

In most Muslim cultures, Christians are not allowed to manage or “rule over” Muslims in the workplace, especially in senior level jobs. This mentality is very much in force in Pakistan.

Predictably, Pakistani Christians are there-fore relegated to menial jobs. Although Christians comprise only 2% of Pakistan’s population, they make up approximately 80% of Pakistan’s sewer workers and street sweepers.

This isn’t accidental. Sewer workers are hired and managed by the government. Hiring ads for sewer workers will often say, “Sewer worker/sanitation posts are for Christians only.”

“I tried to get a job other than cleaning. However, I was only offered jobs cleaning roads, manholes, or restrooms, because of my faith,” said Wilson Masih*, a Christian sewer worker.

In Pakistan, people regularly treat public roadways as public restrooms, leaving sewer workers to clean up after them, so it is filthy work. Incredibly, Christians are typically responsible for cleaning Pakistan’s public restrooms, but they are considered so unclean that they aren’t allowed to use the same public restrooms they clean.

Wilson Masih added, “I’ve been discrimi-

nated hundreds of times for being Christian. Managers do not treat a sewer worker as a human being. I am untouchable for them and have no respect at my work place. They often use abusive language for me. However, I can’t reply because I have no other job, and I’m afraid of them. Muslim staff don’t shake hands with me. I’m not allowed to touch or drink or eat from the office dishes.”

Cleaning the sewers—which involves

DAILY LIFE FOR A PAKISTANI SEWER WORKER

“I was only offered jobs cleaning roads, sewers, or restrooms, because of my faith.”– WILSON MASIH, PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN

By ICC’s Pakistan Correspondent

Left: Christians in Pakistan are treated as third-class citizens. Primarily, Christians are hired to clean bathrooms, sewers, and roads. The sewer workers are not provided with safety equipment and are often overcome by gases in the sewers.


unblocking jammed waste via a manhole—may be the worst and most dangerous part of a sewer worker’s job. Dozens of Christian sewer workers die every year from a lack of proper uniforms and safety equipment. Irfan Masih, a young Christian, died in 2017 after he inhaled poisonous gases from a manhole and was refused medical care by a Muslim doctor because Irfan was an “untouchable” Christian.

Wilson personally knows a number of sewer workers who lost body parts after receiving infections from working in the man-holes. Yet, the sewer workers have no choice other than to risk their lives at work in order to feed their families.

Even though the government is legally required to provide proper equipment for sanitary workers, no one in Pakistan enforces the law because the workers are overwhelm-

ingly Christian.Sewer workers are not provided protective

suits, masks, or the proper tools to perform their duties. If they push too hard for safety equipment, they are fired.

When they are not risking their lives in a manhole, Christian sewer workers are con-stantly reminded of their lowly status.

Wilson, like his Christian colleagues, is viewed as dirty and polluted—and treated as such. He said, “I am never allowed to use a chair or bench to sit with other Muslim colleagues. If I take a leave to meet any emergency, I have to lose [a] one-day salary. I have no medical allowance, no first-aid facility during working hours, no [Christian] holidays… and no proper [safety suit] when I need to go into the manhole or clean the gut-ters. People often call me to clean up the gut-ters and sewerage lines… but when I ask for a glass of water to drink, they say no because of my Christian identity.”

Christian sewer workers in Pakistan are unfortunately bearing the cross of Jesus in a way few would expect. In the end, it is the outworking of Jesus’ words to His followers: “If you were of the world, the world would love you. Yet because you are not of this world, the world hates you” (John 15:19).

Please pray for these believers to know on a deep level how loved and valued they are by their Heavenly Father. Pray that they wouldn’t become embittered, but rather to have God’s love for their persecutors.

*Name changed for security.

facebook.com/persecuted @persecutionnews

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Documents

South Asia: A Persecution Report · Asia Bibi Acquitted of Blasphemy . Conviction 1 | PAKISTAN Signaling the conclusion of one of the most infamous cases of religious persecution