Religious freedom concerns include discriminatory legislation, institutional and social discrimination, and targeted violence against the country’s religious minorities – Christians, Hindus, Shi’a Muslims and Ahmadis. Religious minorities are regularly treated as second- class citizens, with many facing discrimination in employment and education, and through electoral procedures. This situation is exacerbated by terrorist attacks, sectarian violence and the state’s failure to hold perpetrators of violence to account.

Sunday 11 August

In recent years there has been a rise in the number of Christian and Hindu girls being forcibly converted to Islam and forced into marriage. Between February and March 2019, within the space of 45 days, 17 girls were abducted and forcibly converted in Sindh Province alone. Today, on Pakistan’s National Minorities Day, pray for a change in legislation to protect girls from forced conversion, for the release of these girls, and their swift return to their families.

Monday 12 August

Shafqat Masih and Shagfta Kousar were falsely accused of blasphemy and sentenced to death in April 2014. Despite being illiterate, the Christian couple was accused of sending blasphemous text messages to a local cleric and lawyer. Shafqat is very ill and their appeal hearing has been repeatedly postponed. Pray for Shafqat’s recovery, and that the couple would be swiftly acquitted.

Tuesday 13 August

Today pray for Asia Bibi, who was falsely accused of blasphemy and sentenced to death in 2010. She was finally acquitted in October 2018, and she and her family have been granted asylum in Canada. Thank God for the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold her acquittal, and pray that the hearings of others unfairly accused of blasphemy might also be successful.

Wednesday 14 August

Job adverts often discriminate against religious minorities, with many roles for cleaners and sanitation workers stipulating that applicants must be Christian. Pray that government departments would remove such adverts and that the state wouldn’t perpetuate the already widely-held view that religious minorities should only undertake low-paid, dirty or dangerous work.

Thursday 15 August

Over the last few months, human rights activists have experienced a rise in threats, break-ins and state monitoring. Today, pray for their safety, and that God would give them the encouragement they need to continue to fight for justice and equality for people of all faiths.

Friday 16 August

The Ahmadiyya community is the most widely persecuted religious group. The penal code criminalises the practice of their faith and, in order to vote, Ahmadis must sign a certificate denouncing their faith and their founder. Pray that this group, which numbers around four million, would be treated equally and would enjoy the full rights of citizenship.

Saturday 17 August

Lord Jesus Christ, you teach us the importance of showing compassion and love for our neighbours, whoever they may be. We ask you to bring about a lasting change in the nation of Pakistan; to bring an end to the religious prejudice that currently pervades all areas of life. Help the people of Pakistan to see the faces of their neighbours in all their compatriots, whatever their religion. Amen.