#2477 (11/1) "Asia Bibi Vindicated—But Still in Danger - Pray for All Believers in Pakistan"

"ASIA BIBI VINCICATED—BUT STILL IN DANGER - PRAY FOR ALL BELIEVERS IN PAKISTAN" - by John Stonestreet and Roberto Rivera, Breakpoint.org, Nov.1, 2018; http://www.breakpoint.org/2018/11/breakpoint-asia-bibi-vindicated-and-still-in-danger/ [AS I SEE IT: 1) As this article explains, while we need to PRAISE GOD for giving the Pakistani justices the courage to rule justly, we need to be in continued prayers for the Christians of Pakistan as they will be the objects for physical attack by militants for at least the near future. I am struck that 39 years ago I was in Pakistan observing special national outreaches sponsored by the churches then (working with Campus Crusade for Christ of which I was a staff member). Back then, I had Christians telling me of how they feared that in the future they would be forced to leave their country because of persecution! Their words have become increasingly prophetic as Pakistan moves to become an Islamic state; and 2) When I see the violent response of the Islamic militants, I can't help but think of the liberals in this country who have behaved with violent actions - and not just violent words - ever since 2016 when they did not get the verdict in the Presidenial election from voters they had expected. Recently, they have behaved with the same intolerance of little children when the Senate approved the nomination of Justice  Kavanaugh despite the Left's often violent opposition. With increasing members of the liberal Democrat Party advocating socialistic policies - and who seem not to be satisfied until America becomes a soicalist state, it's dificult not to make the comparison. - Stan]

     The prayers of Christians around the world for Asia Bibi have been answered, but many more are needed for her and for all Pakistani Christians.

     On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan overturned the conviction of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy. The acquittal was not only a just ruling, it was an incredibly courageous act by the Court. And still, we should be clear that until Asia Bibi is out of the country, she’s not out of danger. Even more, all Pakistani Christians face a very volatile and dangerous situation there now.

   Here’s the background: In June, 2009, Asia got into a dispute with her Muslim neighbors. Her family was the only Christian family in that village, and her neighbors had objected to a non-Muslim using the same cup to fetch water from a well as they did.

   A few days later, her neighbors successfully petitioned the local cleric to charge her with insulting the prophet Muhammad. What she actually said was “I’m not going to convert [to Islam]. I believe in my religion and in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for the sins of mankind. What did your Prophet Mohammad ever do to save mankind?” She was then arrested and imprisoned while awaiting trial. Sixteen months later, a judge found her guilty and sentenced her to death.

   Then matters got even worse. When she appealed her case to the highest court in her native Punjab province, the provincial governor there, Salman Taseer predicted that she would be pardoned by Pakistan’s president. A few weeks later, Taseer was killed by his own bodyguard.
He wasn’t the only politician to be killed for defending Bibi. Two months later, Shahbaz Bhatti, a member of the cabinet, was also assassinated for speaking up on her behalf.

   Bibi was to spend nearly eight more years in jail waiting to learn if she would be executed. In the meantime, her family was forced to flee their village because they too were threatened with death.

   Finally, on Wednesday, Pakistan’s Supreme Court rendered a 56-page opinion citing, among other things, the Quran, Islamic scholars and Shakespeare. In it, the Court overturned the guilty verdict and ordered her release.
   Besides finding that Bibi’s accusers had not proved her guilt, they pointed out something long obvious: Blasphemy allegations are often used in Pakistan to settle scores and provide a pretext for vigilantism. About Asia Bibi the Court said, “She appears to be a person, in the words of Shakespeare’s King Lear, ‘more sinned against than sinning.’”

   While she may have finally prevailed in Court, neither she nor her family are safe. As soon as the verdict was announced, protesters took to the streets and “merchants shuttered their shops.” The leaders of one Islamic group called for the judges to be killed, which as we have seen, isn’t an idle threat. Another cleric said, “Now the decisions will be taken on roads and not in court,” adding that anyone who kills Bibi “will be a hero to Muslims.”

    Bibi and her family are expected to leave Pakistan as soon as possible. But that’s easier said than done. While “several Western countries have offered her family asylum . . . they are understood to be moving cautiously.” Apparently, they’re too afraid of “a backlash against them . . . if they are seen as interfering in the case.”

   Given the perfidious history of the Pakistani military and police, which are both riddled with Islamist radicals, only a fool would expect them to adequately protect Asia Bibi and her family. That’s why we need to pray today for God’s protection on this family.

    We also need to pray for the estimated 2.5 million Pakistani Christians. Being a Christian in Pakistan is dangerous even in less-charged circumstances. Today, however, Muslim radicals have an excuse to satisfy their bloodlust for Bibi by turning on the Christian community.

    Yes, we should rejoice at Asia Bibi’s legal vindication. But her case must remind us just how much our brothers and sisters need our prays and our advocacy on their behalf.

[italics and colored emphais mine]

RESOURCES
"Asia Bibi: Pakistani Christian on Death Row for Blasphemy Released from Prison" - Robert Kenna | Opendoorsusa.org | October 31, 2018; http://www.breakpoint.org/2018/11/breakpoint-asia-bibi-vindicated-and-still-in-danger/
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"Asia Bibi Finds Justice, but Remains in Danger" - Tony Perkins, Washington Watch, Oct. 31, 2018; https://www.frc.org/updatearticle/20181031/asia-bibi

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PRAYER MATTERS:

"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world." - Karl Barth; "Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is the one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer." - Stan 

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Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:To learn more, please go to -https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/

Focus for November: Praying for Pakistan -It is No. 5 on the 2018 World Watch List and has almost 4 million believers (out of a general population of 197 million). Converts who gather for worship face great risk. They are followed and monitored, and anyone who meets with them is investigated as well. Throughout November, Open Doors is focusing on strengthening our persecuted family in Pakistan.

November 1 | PAKISTAN - In Pakistan, Christians—especially converts from Islam—are

often treated with contempt. Please remember to pray for believers who are seen and treated as outcasts.

*Name has been changed to protect identity.