Praise God! In February 2025, a civil court in Bahawalpur, Punjab, annulled the ‘marriage’ of an abducted Christian woman, Shahida Bibi.

Shahida was forced to convert to Islam and marry her abductor, a Muslim man, who had been sexually exploiting her since she was 11 years old. Now 25 years old, she has been given a new identity card with her marital status cleared and her status as a Christian restored.

Lord Most High,

We praise you for this good news of freedom!

Thank you that Shahida’s ‘marriage’ was recognised for what it truly was: forced, abusive, and wholly unjust.

Please continue bringing restoration and healing to Shahida’s life after all she has suffered. As we read in Psalm 91, we ask you to be a fortress of protection around Shahida and her family; a shelter from fear and danger.

Thank you that the judge boldly made this ruling, even in a very hostile environment. We pray that others would judge with similar courage and integrity – especially in cases of abduction, forced marriage and forced conversion.

We pray that other victims’ families would not be intimidated into silence, but would be well supported in their search for their loved ones. May authorities be swift to investigate so that perpetrators do not escape justice.

Lord, bring freedom to many more women and girls like Shahida.

Amen.

The number of cases of abduction, forced conversion and forced marriage of Christian and Hindu girls have increased in recent years, particularly in Punjab and Sindh provinces. Girls from ‘low’ caste Hindu communities are particularly at risk.

In 2024 there were 83 registered cases, according to the Centre for Social Justice. However, the true figure is assumed to be much higher as many cases are not reported due to fear of backlash from the abductors or extremist groups.

Find out more at csw.org.uk/pakistan

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