Paralyzed man charged with blasphemy in Pakistan

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that the Lahore High Court in Pakistan has set June 25, 2019 as the next hearing date for Shagufta Kausar and her husband Shafqat Masih – a Christian couple that was sentenced to death by a session court in 2014 on a blasphemy allegation.

On July 2013 in Gojra, a town in Faisalabad in northeast Punjab, Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Masih, were accused of sending texts insulting the prophet of Islam to a mosque cleric. Police arrested both husband and wife and charged them under section 295 C of the Pakistan Penal Code, the section that outlines the blasphemy laws. The district and session court of Toba Tek Singh sentenced the couple with the death penalty on April 4th, 2014.

After five years of waiting behind bars, their case will be heard on June 25, 2019 and presided over by Judge Qasim Muhammad Khan in the Lahore High Court.

The accused couple denied the allegations and claimed that the false accusation was meant to punish them over a dispute some eight months before the incident between their children and the children of the mosque cleric. The couple believes that the cleric was able to falsely attain a copy of Shagufta’s national identity card, purchase a mobile sim card and then send the derogatory text messages himself. All Pakistani Christians know the cost of committing blasphemy, and Shagufta has said that she would never do that.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time the family has gone through a painful setback. Shafaqat became paralyzed in 2004 and is permanently in a wheelchair. Meanwhile, the couple has three sons and a daughter, who they want to care for but have no option but to rely on relatives to provide for them.

In a conversation with ICC, Nadeem Hassan, the High Court lawyer for the couple said, “There is weak substantial legal evidence against the Christian couple, especially since the police failed to produce the sim card which was reportedly used for circulating the derogatory texts.”

“It is a false accusation against the Christian couple which is based on religious hatred and is being used to settle personal grudges,” Hassan added. 

Hassan also highlighted that “the mental state of Shafaqat has drastically declined since his imprisonment. He also struggles to cope with being paralyzed and living in jail.  The court has to consider the effect of keeping physically and mentally disabled victims in jail. It is very obvious that the law requires serious revision and amendments.”

Coincidentally, Shagufta Kausar is in the same cell where Asia Bibi – another Christian falsely accused of blasphemy – stayed in the Central jail of Multan. Asia Bibi was released last month, after ten years in jail, and now lives in Canada.

Hassan recognized the challenge placed before him in the midst of a community that is bitter about Asia Bibi’s release. He said “Asia Bibi’s acquittal will definitely affect the court proceedings.” However, he is committed to doing all he can to ensure that true justice occurs for Shagufta Kausar and her husband Shafqat Masih.

ICC’s South Asia Regional Manager, William Stark, said, “ICC is in prayer for Shagufta and Shafqat and their family as they prepare for another court session. The abuse of Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws must be curbed. Too often these laws have been a tool in the hands of extremists seeking to stir up religiously motivated violence against minority communities. Without real reform, religious minorities, including Christians, will face more false blasphemy accusations and the extreme violence that often accompanies these accusations.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org. 

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

6 things done simultaneously that increases the risk of earthquakes

In Leviticus Chapter 18, there are five different immoral acts will ensure that your community will experience an earthquake if they are done simultaneously within your area.  The chapter lists what these five factors that could cause a natural disaster.

1. Incest (Lev. 18:6-18).  These verses command people not to have sex with their relatives.  Over the past two years, the trend in pornography is incest porn.

2. Sex with a woman on her period (Lev. 18:19).  There's no need for unnecessary bloodshed.

3. Adultery (Lev. 18:20).  Adultery is cheating on your spouse.

4. Abortion (Lev. 18:21).

5. Homosexuality (Lev. 18:22).

6. Bestiality (Lev. 18:23).

As a result of these six things being done within the land, earthquakes will abound (Lev. 18:24-28).  From this checklist, it's safe to say that people in the USA indulge in all six of these things that are listed above.  Also, earthquakes occur in the USA.  Matter of fact, there was an earthquake in Ohio last night.  Plus, the United States is due for a major earthquake.  We must be prepared to help others with resources when the next big quake hits the country.

China actually released someone from prison

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on June 11, 2019, Chinese authorities released a key Christian leader of Autumn Rain Covenant Church in Sichuan, as well as another church member, from prison. The authorities conducted a massive series of arrests of the church’s members this past December.

Jiang Rong and her husband, Pastor Wang Yi, were detained in December 2018 on charges of inciting subversion of the state. The couple was separated, and Jiang was issued “residential surveillance at a designated location.” These facilities are also referred to as secret prisons where torture and abuse run rampant.

According to a church news release, Jiang was “released on bail pending trial and has been reunited with her son. In addition, Sister Li Xiaofeng was also just released on bail pending trial after six months in jail.” 

Jiang’s release this June was anticipated. Chinese law states that authorities can detain individuals for six months without trial, and a number of other church members have also been released on bail from prison. It is anticipated that Jiang will face a difficult trial as charges continued to be pressed against her because of her leadership role at the church.

According to a statement by China Aid, “We are not currently sure about Jiang’s health condition. The Chinese government should allow her free access to medical examinations and care. She has been released under bail, which means she could be re-arrested at any time; that is one method the Chinese government uses to restrict her freedom of speech and movement.”

The status of her husband, Pastor Wang, is unclear. Pastor Wang was vocal about the government’s human rights abuses targeting Christians. Just prior to his arrest, he made several comments about China’s attempt to prevent Christians from worshiping.

He wrote, “We need to repeatedly tell the ones in power that to disrupt Sunday worship and disband churches is the evilest crime in this world... we truly hate to see the whole nation under great disaster. Lord, have mercy on this nation, and give us the courage to disobey [the government].”

The crackdown on Autumn Rain Covenant Church was widely interpreted as a signal of intolerance by the Chinese authorities toward human rights activism and religious freedom. China is designated as a Tier 1 Country of Particular Concern by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom because of its abuses toward religious minorities.

Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, said, “While we are pleased that Jiang Rong was released from prison and finally reunited with her son, we cannot forget that her ordeal is far from over. Her husband remains in prison. Jiang and other members are facing serious charges which can land them up to 15 years in jail. The authorities are clearly persecuting Autumn Rain Covenant Church to send a clear message throughout China that freedom of worship and conscience will not be tolerated.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Facebook increases sharia law in Egypt

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on the evening of June 10, 2019, a mob of Muslim extremists attacked Christians in the Upper Egyptian village of Ishnin following the Islamic call to prayer. The hardliners were responding to leaflets distributed about a Facebook post that offended a local Muslim religious leader.

The Facebook post was made by Fadi Yousef Tildri, who quickly deleted the post and issued a statement explaining that the account was hacked. This, however, did not ease the building tension. A mob gathered and violently entered Yousef’s home, destroying furniture and electrical work. They also attacked the homes of two of his relatives.

Sooad, a local school manager, told ICC, “The extremists were roaming the village saying, ‘There is no god but Allah.’ We were very afraid in that time. Tomorrow is the village’s market day, but after the incident it will be canceled and no one will buy or sell anything. All of us are now in our homes.”

An acquaintance of Yousef shared, “He is a good and polite boy. He works as a pharmacist assistant in Cairo. Now the situation is stable and police are roaming the whole village.”

Although the police are investigating the incident, many locals are not surprised that tensions escalated so quickly. “This is a village which is full of many Muslim Brotherhood members,” explained one Christian woman. “I'm sure that unless the police had entered the village, the extremists would have killed every Christian, one by one. Now there are many armored police in the village.”

A statement issued by the local archdiocese read, “We thank God for the miraculous survival of Mr. Yousef’s family… As soon as they learned that the militants had gone home, Yusuf, his wife, and his daughter fled.”

Police later arrested both Yousef and his brother.

The circumstances of this incident are reminiscent of a similar mob attack that took place last July in the Upper Egyptian village of Minbal. In that case, a mob also gathered in response to a Facebook post. The holder of the account, Abd Adel Bebawy, was sentenced to three years in prison on blasphemy charges, while the mob was not held accountable for their violence.

Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “Upper Egypt is currently a tinderbox of heightened tension as a result of hardline Islamic mobs targeting entire Christian families because of the perceived wrongs of one individual. The authorities already have a proven track record showing that they appease mobs by arresting victims. Unless this policy changes, mob violence will continue in Egypt. The government must take an active stance in protecting the human rights of Christians.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Eid used as excuse for Muslims to act stupid

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on June 5, 2019, anti-Christian mob violence sparked in the Upper Egyptian village of Shosha, located in Minya Governorate. The predominantly Muslim village is home to approximately 50 Christian families, that are currently confined to their homes as the authorities attempt to regain control of the situation.

No injuries are reported, although Christians have noted that some of their homes were stoned. An estimated 40 Muslim men initially gathered in the streets to celebrate the return of Fransa Abdel Sayeed, a Christian woman who disappeared in April. It was later discovered that she had converted to Islam, married a Muslim man, and was pregnant. Her Christian family immediately began facing harassment and intimidation from their new Muslim in-laws, who live across the street.

Initially, police refused Fransa’s petition to return home to the village, citing concerns that it would incite sectarian tension. However, during the celebration of Eid, police allowed Fransa and her husband to return. A group of Muslims gathered to welcome her, and the situation quickly escalated into anti-Christian violence.

Fransa’s Christian brother, Elisa Yusuf, shared with local press his family’s belief that “the police manipulated us. Now, the police encourage and support the Muslim extremists… We live in a state of terror now and the village has become chaotic as a result of the celebration of Fransa.”

He continued, “Copts have not been able to leave their homes. Despite the great presence of security forces in the village, this has not prevented chaos, and (at) the house of my uncle… stones have been thrown and the Copts are crying. The extremists are provoking the Copts so it's possible to blow up [violent] actions between the Christians and the Muslims of the village.”

A local church leader familiar with the situation further explained to ICC, “At the dawn of Wednesday, the governor of Minya commanded that Fransa must return to the village and there would be a great presence of security forces. He was smart to choose this time. It is a time when all the people are celebrating (Eid).”

“The police members are relatives to the Muslim extremists, so it is hard and impossible for the police to resist or disagree with them,” he added. “The Muslim husband has many relatives and friends in this village. The Muslims want to humiliate the Copts.”

The issue of conversion remains highly sensitive in Egypt, where Islam is the official religion. Christians, most of whom are Coptic Orthodox, are often placed under intense pressure to convert to Islam. Christian families with a relative who converted to Islam are especially at risk of violence and harassment.

Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “Police have known for several months that tension was approaching a breaking point in Shosha. The manner at which they addressed the problem during Eid was the ignition point that has long been boiling. Police should hold the mob accountable for their indiscriminate attacks against Christians. Pray that tensions will soon cease and that the violence will be resolved according to due process of law.”

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org

About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.

Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org