2 of 2

The Ahmed family has filed a lawsuit against the parents, saying they are disturbing Maqsood Ahmed.

This incident is not the first time that extremists in Pakistan have tried to intimidate Christians attempting to exercise their rights.

Last year Muslim extremists promised physical harm to a pastor who supported eight Christian girls raped last May by four Muslim coworkers.

After the girls and their families pressed charges, the assailants' families threatened the girls, who went into hiding. That case, meanwhile, drags on from hearing to hearing.

"We are very upset and in great shock," the parents told Christianity Today. "We love our daughter a lot and we want her back by all means. But we are spiritually satisfied that our daughter is accused for Christ, our Savior. Only this encourages us in our grief."

Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

The U.S. Department of State reports on human rights and religious freedom detail abuses in the Pakistan.

Previous Christianity Today articles about Pakistan include:

Christians Cleared of Blasphemy | But more than 50 Pakistani Christians have been victimized on trumped-up charges since 1987. (Mar. 26, 2001)

U.S. Religious Freedom Commission Criticized | Indian churches reject U.S. inquiry, but Pakistani Christians welcome it. (Oct. 3, 2000)

Pakistan's Christians Demand End to 'Religious Apartheid' at Polls | Election system allows religious minorities to vote only for candidates of their own faith. (Sept. 19, 2000)

Rapes of Christians Put Pakistani Justice on Trial | "Religious apartheid is coming," says human rights leader. (Sept. 12, 2000)

Military Leader Backpeddles on Human Rights Decision (June 12, 2000)

Two Pakistani Christians Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison | Musharraf retracts new blasphemy law policy in wake of protests. (May 23, 2000)

Blasphemy Case Registered Against Young Pakistani Husband | First test of military government's new judicial curb (May 11, 2000)

Churches Welcome Pakistan Promise to Ease Restrictions on Minority Faiths | October coup turns out to be beneficial to Christians as blasphemy laws are overhauled. (May 4, 2000)

Pakistan's Christians 'Not Shocked' by Life Sentence for Former PM | Life has improved, persecution has eased under new leader, say church leaders. (Jan. 15, 2000)

Pakistan's Despised Christians | Despite a Catholic bishop's protest suicide in 1998, Christians hold little hope for repeal of blasphemy law. (April 26, 1999)

Islamic Law Proposal Raises Tensions (Dec. 7, 1998)

Pakistani Bishop's Death Sparks Riots (June 15, 1998)

Muslims Destroy Christian Village | Rumors of a damaged copy of the Qur'an incite riot. (April 7, 1997)

first page |  2 of 2

share this page

May 21 2001, Vol. 45, No. 7