Release International
Eighteen-year-old ‘Alian’* suffered a brutal sexual assault – but local police in Pakistan seem reluctant to investigate. The Christian teenager was beaten, stripped, gang-raped and forcibly converted to Islam – and left unconscious.
Please ask God to comfort and heal our young brother in Attock district in Punjab.
Release contacts who are supporting Alian and his family say it was a Muslim friend of Alian who lured him to an isolated place on false pretences.
When Alian was found after the attack, he was taken to hospital, where he was threatened and told to remain silent, according to his family. Police initially dismissed his rape allegations. Police have since arrested several suspects but appear to be pressuring the family to drop the case.
*Name has been changed
UPDATES
Please continue to pray for the release of our American brother Andrew Brunson who’s imprisoned in Turkey. President Erdogan has raised the possibility of an exchange, releasing Pastor Andrew in return for the extradition from the US of Islamic cleric Fetullah Gulen. Andrew is accused of links with the Fetullah Gulen organisation which Turkey blames for last year’s failed coup. The state prosecutor has asked for four life sentences, one of which relates to ‘spying’. (Source: Middle East Concern)
Pray for Chinese pastors Su Tianfu and Yang Hua who have just been refused a hearing to contest a stiff fine against their church, in breach of normal legal protocol. Huoshi Church in Guizhou province was fined 7 million yuan (about £800,000) for receiving the same amount in ‘illegal income’ through members’ giving. Yang is currently serving a two-and-a-half year sentence for ‘divulging state secrets’ and the same charge has now been made against Su. (Source: China Aid)
Continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Sudan, amid a recent upsurge in persecution. Last Friday, Mahjoub Abotrin, an elder of the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) in Omdurman, was taken in for questioning. In August, seven church leaders were interrogated then released on bail, including Pastor Kowa Shamaal who was detained during the investigation into Czech aid worker Petr Jašek. The arrests are reportedly linked to the SCOC’s refusal to hand over its leadership to a government-appointed committee. (Source: Morning Star News)
Release International
Young Christian in Pakistan suffers brutal attack – then ‘police cover-up’
September 29th, 2017
Eighteen-year-old ‘Alian’* suffered a brutal sexual assault - but local police in Pakistan seem relu[...]
Please ask God to comfort and heal our young brother in Attock district in Punjab.
Release contacts who are supporting Alian and his family say it was a Muslim friend of Alian who lured him to an isolated place on false pretences.
When Alian was found after the attack, he was taken to hospital, where he was threatened and told to remain silent, according to his family. Police initially dismissed his rape allegations. Police have since arrested several suspects but appear to be pressuring the family to drop the case.
*Name has been changed
- Please pray that God will heal and restore Alian and deliver justice for him. Pray that Alian will know that the God of unfailing love cares deeply for him and sees his distress (Psalm 33:18).
- Pray for a sharp change of heart in the local police dealing with Alian’s case. Ask God to give them the courage to bring his attackers to justice.
- Ask God to sustain and strengthen His people in Pakistan, amid severe persecution and relentless discrimination.
UPDATES
Please continue to pray for the release of our American brother Andrew Brunson who’s imprisoned in Turkey. President Erdogan has raised the possibility of an exchange, releasing Pastor Andrew in return for the extradition from the US of Islamic cleric Fetullah Gulen. Andrew is accused of links with the Fetullah Gulen organisation which Turkey blames for last year’s failed coup. The state prosecutor has asked for four life sentences, one of which relates to ‘spying’. (Source: Middle East Concern)
Pray for Chinese pastors Su Tianfu and Yang Hua who have just been refused a hearing to contest a stiff fine against their church, in breach of normal legal protocol. Huoshi Church in Guizhou province was fined 7 million yuan (about £800,000) for receiving the same amount in ‘illegal income’ through members’ giving. Yang is currently serving a two-and-a-half year sentence for ‘divulging state secrets’ and the same charge has now been made against Su. (Source: China Aid)
Continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Sudan, amid a recent upsurge in persecution. Last Friday, Mahjoub Abotrin, an elder of the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) in Omdurman, was taken in for questioning. In August, seven church leaders were interrogated then released on bail, including Pastor Kowa Shamaal who was detained during the investigation into Czech aid worker Petr Jašek. The arrests are reportedly linked to the SCOC’s refusal to hand over its leadership to a government-appointed committee. (Source: Morning Star News)
Release International
Young Christian in Pakistan suffers brutal attack – then ‘police cover-up’
September 29th, 2017
Eighteen-year-old ‘Alian’* suffered a brutal sexual assault - but local police in Pakistan seem relu[...]
