THE BARNABAS FUND

Another Christian Receives Death Sentence for Blasphemy PAKISTAN

A death sentence for blasphemy was passed on Pakistani Christian Kingri Masih, along with a fine of Rs. 50,000 (around  £550) by Additional District and Session Judge Ch. Mohammad Rafiq in the Faisalabad District and Sessions Court on Sunday 29 June. Kingri’s lawyers intend to appeal against the sentence.

The case is complicated by the fact that Kingri Masih (also known as Augustine Ashiq Masih), born into a Christian family, converted to Islam, before reconverting to Christianity. A confrontation about his re-conversion with a Muslim leader in the area where he lived led to an accusation that he had denied Islam and made derogatory remarks about the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. As a result on 17 March 2000, Kingri was charged under the notorious blasphemy law, section 295-C of Pakistan’s penal code.

According to CLAAS (a Pakistani Christian legal group) this case demonstrates the inequality and injustice that exists concerning changing religion in Pakistan. A Christian can freely convert to Islam, but a Muslim who embraces Christianity is considered as an apostate. Islamic law (Shari’ah) states that an apostate should be executed, but there is no law against apostasy from Islam in Pakistani legislation. An accusation under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, however, can be seen by some Muslims as a means of achieving the killing of an apostate.

PRAY

Pray for Kingri Masih that his conviction will be overturned on appeal and that he will be released. Ask that the Lord will be close to Kingri and sustain him while he remains in prison.

Pray that the blasphemy laws will be repealed and that all those who have received prison or death sentences under this law will be released.

11 July 2002

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