Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: July 3, 2021
‘Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.’ (Psalm 107:1)
God has already given us lots of reasons to be thankful, and still we can keep coming back to him with our prayers, knowing that his goodness and love will never run out.
This week, we thank God for the acquittal of a Christian couple in Pakistan who had been on death row for seven years, and we continue to pray for their protection on their release.
In 2014, Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar were wrongly convicted under Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws for allegedly sending text messages which disrespected Islam’s Prophet Mohammad. The couple are illiterate and unable to text in English; they have always maintained their innocence.
After years of waiting, and repeated delays to their appeal, Shafqat and Shagufta’s death sentences were finally overturned on 3 June 2021.
‘Defending Christians accused of blasphemy is my Islamic duty’
This is an amazing breakthrough! However, there are now fears for the couple’s safety as they and their lawyer, Saif ul-Malook, have been receiving death threats. Extremist groups consider that Malook, a devout Muslim, collaborated with the alleged blasphemers.
‘I’m a devout Muslim, and I love the Prophet Mohammad in the same way the other Muslims do,’ Malook said. ‘Defending Christians who are accused of blasphemy is my legal, constitutional and Islamic duty.’
We lift up prayers of thanksgiving for the victory of the couple’s acquittal, and pray for protection over them and their lawyer.
In summary, please pray:
- Thanking God that he has been faithful in bringing victory after the many years of waiting for justice.
- For Shafqat and Shagufta’s complete healing from the trauma of their ordeal.
- For God to protect Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar, their lawyer Saif ul-Malook, and all those who fought for justice in this case.