Blasphemy accusations rampant in Pakistan, Christians pray for boldness

Pakistan (MNN) — Yet another Christian in Pakistan has been sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy against Islam. Shagufta Kiran was first accused in 2021 of sending a blasphemous message via WhatsApp. She is one of many Christians, Hindus and Muslims who face prolonged trials, imprisonment and often even mob violence over such charges.  According to a report from the Pakistani-based Center for Social Justice, at least 103 new people were accused of blasphemy in the first six months of 2024. Hundreds of others remained imprisoned as of June.  Darrel Templeton with MegaVoice shares the response of their field partners in Pakistan: “They're becoming more frightened. They’re trying to become more cautious and in a way to avoid being prosecuted, because the situation is getting worse. But on the flip side, we see others that are becoming bolder, and it's like they are saying, ‘Well, you know, they can't arrest us all. So let's be bold in our faith.’” The conviction of Shagufta Kiran will likely be overturned on appeal by superior courts; most cases like hers are, because of scanty evidence. But these intimidation tactics used against minority faiths in Pakistan must not be overlooked by the global Church.  Templeton says it’s exciting to see that God is at work in the midst of persecution. In places like Pakistan, “all of a sudden there will be a growth spiritually, a revival in the area, and quickly thereafter it is followed by increased persecution.”  “Many of these accusations seem to be false in the sense that they’re not blaspheming against the other faith. They're just simply standing up for their faith in Jesus Christ,” Templeton continues. “But the problem is [that in Pakistan], when they do, [it] just goes to court, and then people don't have the legal [or] financial means to fight it.” In the midst of these challenges, MegaVoice has seen increased requests for their audio Bibles.

“We know God is at work when people are hungry for His Word, pleading and begging to be able to have God's Word in a way that they can hear it and understand it and engage with it,” he says. 

Believers facing the threat of legal battles need your support in prayer. Templeton says believers are not asking for prayer for an end to persecution but rather for boldness.  “Pray that they will be strong in their faith, that they will be true salt and light in the midst of this increased persecution. But we do need to pray for justice,” Templeton says, "that they (state and local governments) will be just and right and not [only] applying these blasphemy laws as a weapon to try to dissuade church leaders.”     Header photo courtesy of TRAVELERGEEK via Unsplash.