Evangelist Martyred in Karachi

Martyred Evangelist Jameel Saawan

On Wednesday November 16th an evangelist was shot dead outside his shop. There was no attempt at robbery or mugging, and he had no known enemies other than Islamisists who had threatened his life in the past.

A young man approached him early in the morning as he and an assistant were opening up his cosmetics shop and shot him in the neck, and then in the head. He was well known for sharing his faith and standing up for the welfare and encouragement and edifying of his fellow Christians. He had tried to start up a welfare group to help poor Christians several years ago, but ceased at the urging of his wife for the safety of the family after Muslim extremists threatened their life over his efforts.

Mr Sawaan had no property (the shop was leased) and so this, combined with no attempt at robbery, leads his family to think that Islamic extremists must have been responsible, even though Mr Sawaan had not told them of any threats in recent weeks.

The assassin escaped on a motorbike, along with 2 accomplices who waited on the bike for him. The latest reports indicate no progress in the police information, although the President has asked a senior provincial official to look into the matter and report back. It is not considered likely that the killers will be caught.

Pray

Pray for Mr Sawaan's family, including his widow, his two sons and three daughters.

Pray that despite the outlook, his killers will be caught and brought to justice.

Pray that there would be more justice and equality for Christians in Pakistan

Act

Tell others about the situation in Pakistan and share this post, so people can know, and can pray.

Source

Aslam Masih, another martyr to the wicked blasphemy laws!

Aslam Masih

Yet another Christian has died in terrible conditions as a result of false charges under the depraved blasphemy laws. Aslam Masih, 30, died being after kept in atrocious conditions in prison, and then denied the medical treatment he needed.

He was originally accused of blasphemy by members of the conservative Islamic group Tablighi Jamaat. He was in the prison hospital for several months but was not taken to the general hospital for the care he needed due to 'security concerns', although eventually they relented, but too late.

When he was visited by a human rights group towards the end of July, he had a high fever, was unable to stand and struggled to breathe. He had tuberculosis, but the autopsy stated that his death on 9th September was due to dengue fever, a disease entirely curable with proper medical attention.

 Unfortunately he lost contact with his family, who did not visit him after his arrest in 2010. This had a huge effect on his mental health. He, like others in the prison accused of 'blasphemy' was kept in solitary confinement without access to a toilet, water or electricity.

 He was also denied basic sanitary products like soap, toothpaste and clean clothes, and this barbaric treatment contributed considerably to his decline in health.

Sources :

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Persecution/Default.aspx?id=1440182

http://global.christianpost.com/news/authorities-refused-treatment-to-christian-who-died-in-pakistan-prison-56025/

http://www.barnabasfund.org/Christian-man-accused-of-blasphemy-dies-in-Pakistan-prison.html

http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/headlinenewsd.php?hnewsid=3046