LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – The Christian parents of a 10-year-old girl in Pakistan who was abducted and forcibly converted to Islam last month fear she could be sold to sex traffickers, sources said. A month after Laiba Suhail was abducted from her home in Chak 233-RB Ikhlaq Town, Faisalabad District, Punjab Province […]
Christian Girl, 10, Kidnapped and Forcibly Converted in Pakistan
Parents fear she could be trafficked.
Christian Rape Victim in Pakistan Pressured to Withdraw Charges
Muslim suspects influence police, sources say.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Police in Pakistan are pressuring a young Christian woman to withdraw charges against two Muslims who raped, blackmailed and tried to forcibly convert her to Islam, sources said. The 26-year-old woman, a resident of Islamabad whose name is withheld as a rape victim, said Sub-Inspector Muhammad Mehboob was […]
Halt to Abuse of Blasphemy Laws Sought in Pakistan
Multi-pronged approach to religious intolerance needed, advocates say.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – With a soaring number of blasphemy allegations in Pakistan in 2023, rights activists are reiterating demands for legislation against blatant abuse of the country’s notorious blasphemy laws. At least 329 persons were accused of blasphemy under the law in 2023, according to the Center for Social Justice (CSJ), […]
Christians Fearing Forced Marriages in Pakistan Find Hope
Court order aims to halt kidnapped girls from being forced to convert, wed.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – The Lahore High Court’s recent directive to strictly enforce anti-child marriage laws has raised hope among Pakistan’s Christians of some protection against their underage girls being forced to convert to Islam and wed their kidnappers, sources said. In a landmark interim order issued by Justice Anwar Ul Haq […]
Christians in Jaranwala, Pakistan Acquitted of Blasphemy Charges
Investigation showed they were framed.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A judge in Pakistan on Friday (March 1) acquitted two Christian brothers of false blasphemy charges that had led to Muslims attacking Christian homes and businesses in Jaranwala last year, sources said. Faisalabad Anti-Terrorism Judge Muhammad Hussain ordered the acquittal of Umar Saleem, alias Rocky, and Umair Saleem, […]
Acquittal Gives Christian Hope for 2nd Blasphemy Case
Judge cites double jeopardy.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A Christian sentenced to death in one blasphemy case in Pakistan was acquitted on Feb. 20 in another related to the same incident, with the judge citing double jeopardy, his attorney said. Police illegally charged Noman Masih, 24, twice for the same incident, but he remains on death […]
Christian Jailed in Pakistan Despite another’s Blasphemy Confession
Catholic father still incarcerated after six months on false charge, sources say.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A Catholic has languished in jail for six months on a blasphemy charge even though a teenage boy has confessed and told police the 34-year-old father had no part in the acts, sources said. Zimran Asim’s family has been forced to leave their home after officials of the […]
Christian Refugee from Iran Faces Possible Expulsion from Turkey
Convert from Islam was persecuted for his faith in his country.
(Morning Star News) – An Iranian Christian convert faces possible expulsion from Turkey and a three-year prison sentence on a charge of spreading “propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” according to religious freedom advocates. The government of Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan continued its crackdown on expatriate Christians with the Jan. 29 arrest of […]
Christian Sentenced to Life in Prison under Blasphemy Law
Judge refrains from issuing mandatory death sentence.
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A judge sentenced a Christian to life in prison under Pakistan’s blasphemy statutes for a social media message that relatives say was posted using a phone stolen from him, sources said. Fanson Shahid, 56, had been beaten in his home in Lahore when arrested in March 2022 and […]
Christian Convert Couple Slain for their Faith
Parents of four young children came to faith two months prior.
NAIROBI, Kenya (Morning Star News) – A formerly Muslim couple in eastern Uganda, parents of four young children, were slashed to death on Feb. 2, two months after putting their faith in Christ, sources said. Twaha Namwoyo, 38, and his 27-year-old wife, Nadiimu Katooko, were slain for their faith outside their house in Bulalaka village, Saala […]