Release International

Release is calling on its supporters to pray for Christian mother-of-six Martha Bibi who was scheduled to appear in court last Friday on blasphemy charges.

Martha, who was first arrested on January 22, 2007, is facing charges of 'defaming the prophet Mohammed' under Pakistan's Section 295C blasphemy laws (Prayer Alert, May 15, 2007). She was released on bail in May 2007 – and went into hiding.

The accusations against Martha, who comes from Kot Nanak Singh village in Kasur, Punjab, followed a dispute she had with local building contractors. Local Christians allege that builders accused Martha of blasphemy because they did not want to pay for materials supplied by Martha and her husband, who run a scaffolding business.

Martha was originally due to have her case heard in Kasur, but her lawyer had made a successful appeal for the case to be moved to Lahore, for fear of possible attacks on Martha or her family.

Martha recently told Release that she had been promised that the charges against her would be dropped if she recited an Islamic prayer – but she had refused. Release partner Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan has been supporting Martha and her family since their ordeal began more than three years ago.

 (Sources: AsiaNews, ASSIST News Service, Release, VOM Canada)

• Pray for justice for Martha Bibi. Pray that she will be acquitted of all charges.
• Pray God's peace and protection over Martha and her family, who are likely to remain a target for Islamist extremists even if she is acquitted.

Back to top