Christian Rights Activist Attacked in Pakistan
by Staff
June 20, 2008
(christiansunite.com) - Joseph Francis, a Christian rights activist and partner of Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) was attacked by two unidentified Muslim militants in Lahore, Pakistan on May 23, according to a June 4 report from CLAAS. The men chased down Francis' vehicle on motorbikes and one of them pulled a gun in an attempt to forcibly stop his car. They accused Francis of committing blasphemy, a crime punishable by death, and threatened to kill him if he continued to work with CLAAS to help "blasphemers." Due to the heavy traffic, he was able to escape the men and call his staff members for help. When the staff members arrived they stopped the men, who then fled.
This is the second attack on Francis in less than three months. On March 6, militants attacked his car as he arrived at a rehabilitation centre with a Christian girl who had been raped by Muslims.
Pray for the safety of Francis and the other CLAAS staff members as they serve Christ. Pray for Francis' health as he suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure. Pray that persecutors in Pakistan will come to repentance and salvation, just as Paul did.
For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Pakistan, go to www.persecution.net/country/pakistan.htm.
