{"id":474,"date":"2011-04-13T19:45:14","date_gmt":"2011-04-13T23:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/pray_for_the_persecuted_church\/?p=474"},"modified":"2011-04-21T21:14:34","modified_gmt":"2011-04-22T01:14:34","slug":"christians-called-to-light-a-candle-for-aasia-bibi-on-april-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/pray_for_the_persecuted_church\/2011\/04\/christians-called-to-light-a-candle-for-aasia-bibi-on-april-20.html","title":{"rendered":"Christians called to light a candle for Aasia Bibi"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Aasia Bibi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Will you pray for Aasia Bibi?<\/p>\n

She’s been in jail for more than a year.\u00a0What is\u00a0her crime? The Christian mother of five\u00a0said to a fellow Pakistani\u00a0co-worker, “Jesus saved me. What has Mohammed ever done for you?”<\/p>\n

Speaking against Islam, the Koran, Mohammed or Allah is punishable by death in Pakistan. Two national politicians who took up Aasia’s case have been assassinated — one of them the only Christian in the national cabinet.<\/p>\n

To read more about the assassinations CLICK HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Her situation is dire. Only a miracle can save her.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And that’s what Christians worldwide are seeking. Worldwide prayer on behalf of this precious Christian sister is asking for a miracle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Aasia Bibi's husband and two daughters, who are now in hiding<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Pakistan-based Masihi Foundation, which defends Pakistani Christians, has\u00a0asked for the entire Christian world to pray. Christians in Pakistan have pledged to light a candle and spend\u00a0a day in prayer and fasting on Aasia’s behalf.<\/p>\n

“We will join in lighting a candle for Aasia Bibi during the Holy Week, and I ask all Christians to pray and fast for Aasia Bibi, who even if she is ill, prays and fasts,” said Pakistan’s Catholic Bishop Rufin Anthony. “We need a world without violence, a world that loves life and grows in justice and solidarity. Growing hatred is a serious problem and the government must take concrete steps. ”<\/p>\n

Will you ask your friends and loved ones to pray for Aasia Bibi? CLICK HERE<\/a> to alert them about this urgent need.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

“Rising threats and persecution for Christians in Pakistan are a serious problem,” reports Jibran Khan of the Masihi Foundation. “Abduction of girls, forced marriages and conversions are a daily reality. ”<\/p>\n

The Masihi Foundation\u00a0says it has\u00a0“received a confirmation from Italy that the Italian Church will participate,” said Khan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A Pakistani mob<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How should you pray? There are reports that Aasia’s health is failing. Another concern is that she could be killed in prison or once the Supreme Court has proceeded to consider her appeal. From 1986 to 2010 there were 43 cases of “extra-judicial” killings of people accused of blasphemy —\u00a019 Christians, 17 Muslims, two Hindus and 5 Ahmadis.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile there is another case of a Christian family persecuted by threats and forced into hiding. Sidra George\u00a0is\u00a0a teacher in Narowal, Pakistan. On April 11,\u00a0she argued with Sit Razia, another teacher, the wife of a Muslim cleric.<\/p>\n

To read about\u00a0Pakistan’s unsuccessful attempts\u00a0at the UN\u00a0to force the blasphemy laws on you and me, CLICK HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Razia praised a young Muslim who days before had desecrated\u00a0a Bible at the gate of the Catholic Church of St. Anthony to “avenge” the burning of the Koran by Pastor Terry Jones, and was arrested by the police.<\/p>\n

Razia, having uttered threats against the Bible, seeing that Sidra George was in the room, began to say that Islam was the only true religion and that all Christians should become Muslims.<\/p>\n

When asked if she condemned the burning of the Koran. Sidra said yes. However, Razia\u00a0persisted, accusing her of only paying lip service, to save herself.\u00a0Then Sidra\u00a0was threatened with terrible consequences, if she did not convert.<\/p>\n

Sidra told her husband about the incident. Shortly after they began to receive threats on the phone. They went to the police, but received no assurances of safety.<\/p>\n

So, Sidra, her\u00a0husband George and\u00a0their three children, left Narowal and\u00a0went into hiding.<\/p>\n

“We got threats to convert,” said George,\u00a0“we turned off our phones and left. Life is becoming difficult for Christians in Pakistan.”<\/p>\n

“Incidents like this have become common, especially in Punjab,” said Christian pastor Gill Anwar of Zafarwal. “Not many people are aware that Christians here in Pakistant are persecuted in their everyday lives.<\/p>\n

“‘The extremist mentality is spreading unchecked. They are\u00a0trying to force their ideology upon Christians. Many Christian girls are kidnapped in Punjab, ‘married’ and converted by force. People would be shocked at how many forced marriages take place every year. ”<\/p>\n

Will you pray for Pakistan’s Christians on April 20? Will you remember Aasia Bibi in particular? Will you light a candle – and spend the day in fasting on her behalf?<\/p>\n

If you’d like to know more about the two Pakistani politicians murdered after\u00a0seeking\u00a0Aasia’s release and advocating the repeal of\u00a0Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, CLICK HERE<\/a>
\n<\/strong>For more about Pakistani’s attempts to impose\u00a0those blasphemy laws on the rest of the world,\u00a0\u00a0CLICK HERE<\/a>
\nFor more about violence against Pakistan’s Christians, CLICK HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Will you pray for Aasia Bibi? She’s been in jail for more than a year.\u00a0What is\u00a0her crime? The Christian mother of five\u00a0said to a fellow Pakistani\u00a0co-worker, “Jesus saved me. What has Mohammed ever done for you?” Speaking against Islam, the Koran, Mohammed or Allah is punishable by death in Pakistan. Two national politicians who took…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":270,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[131,130,16,30,10,4],"tags":[118,35,39,43,117,18,119,115,113,112,3],"class_list":["post-474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blasphemy-law","category-inspiration","category-islam","category-muslim","category-pakistan","category-persecution","tag-bible","tag-christians","tag-convert","tag-intercession","tag-islam","tag-mubarak","tag-muslim","tag-pakistan","tag-persecuted-christians","tag-persecution","tag-prayer"],"yoast_head":"\nChristians called to light a candle for Aasia Bibi - Pray for the Persecuted Church<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/pray_for_the_persecuted_church\/2011\/04\/christians-called-to-light-a-candle-for-aasia-bibi-on-april-20.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Christians called to light a candle for Aasia Bibi - Pray for the Persecuted Church\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Will you pray for Aasia Bibi? She’s been in jail for more than a year.\u00a0What is\u00a0her crime? The Christian mother of five\u00a0said to a fellow Pakistani\u00a0co-worker, “Jesus saved me. What has Mohammed ever done for you?” Speaking against Islam, the Koran, Mohammed or Allah is punishable by death in Pakistan. 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