Wouldn’t it be amazing if God answered all our prayers as soon as we asked them? In Acts 16, we read that God freed Paul and Silas immediately as they were singing and praying in their prison cell. We know that God can release prisoners in an instant, but our experience often looks quite different.
For years, CSW supporters like you were faithfully praying for a Christian couple in Pakistan who’d been on death row since 2014. But it wasn’t until June 2021 that justice finally broke through.
Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar lived in Punjab with their four children until 2013, when they were accused of sending text messages which disrespected Islam’s Prophet Mohammad. Despite a lack of evidence – including their illiteracy – the Christian couple was convicted under Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws in 2014.
Shafqat and Shagufta’s appeals were postponed again and again until, finally, their death sentences were overturned on 3 June 2021. They had spent seven years on death row.
Their lawyer, Saif ul-Malook, believes that international pressure played a vital role in their acquittal – particularly a resolution passed by the European Parliament in April 2021.
We praise God for faithfully establishing the victory through years of prayer and advocacy, but we know that one couple’s release is not enough.
The weaponisation of blasphemy
The laws as they stand criminalise insults against Islam, and they are highly problematic. Not only is the definition of blasphemy incredibly vague, but the standard of evidence required to secure a conviction is low, as this case shows. The legislation is therefore open to exploitation and many live in fear of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws being weaponised against them during a dispute.
Our Founder President, Mervyn Thomas, stresses that once an accusation is made, the damage is done: ‘It’s a death sentence for life, even if subsequently the actual death sentence is removed.’ No-one convicted of blasphemy has ever been executed in Pakistan, but over 79 have been murdered since 1990, according to Al Jazeera. Even when a verdict is overturned, the accused remains guilty in the eyes of the people.
It’s not just Christians who are at risk. More Muslims are targeted with blasphemy than any other faith group, as the laws are regularly misused to avenge petty disagreements and business rivalries. Members of the Ahmadi community – an Islamic sect which is not recognised as one and suffers many violations – are often accused of blasphemy. Saif ul-Malook, a devout Muslim, received death threats after representing Shafqat and Shagufta in court, as extremist groups consider him to have collaborated with blasphemers.
The bigger picture
While we celebrate one couple’s freedom, we recognise the ongoing need to amend or repeal this controversial legislation. We may also be wondering: why didn’t God bring justice sooner?
Nowadays we’re used to having instant access to almost anything, so it can be frustrating when our prayers aren’t immediately answered. But God is always working for justice, and the journey to freedom of religion or belief for all is a marathon, not a sprint. That’s why we’re so grateful to our supporters who regularly give and faithfully pray. Together, we can keep pursuing justice for all those who are still waiting for their breakthrough.
We believe God uses the power of prayer to bring change. Over 4,000 people receive our weekly prayer email – and you can join them too! Sign up and start praying for justice: csw.org.uk/prayer