Release International

Christians in Pakistan are said to be on high alert after news of Osama bin Laden's death triggered extremist threats against their community.

An Islamic radical group calling itself Pakistan's Taliban issued a statement threatening retaliatory attacks on Christians after the al-Qaeda leader's killing at the hands of US troops.

The Anglican Bishop of Gojra, John Samuel, said Christians were 'very apprehensive' of attack – because of the perception widely held in Pakistan that Christianity is a Western religion. Gojra, in Punjab, was the scene of a brutal extremist attack in August 2009 which claimed the lives of seven Christians.

In fact, even before bin Laden's death was announced Christians in another part of Punjab, near Gujranwala, were under siege for the second time in a fortnight.

Hundreds of angry Muslims attacked Christian homes, a school and a Presbyterian church building in Aziz Colony after learning that police had released two Christians accused of blasphemy.

Pastor Mushtaq Gill and his son Farrukh were freed after a handwriting expert hired by police ruled out their involvement in an alleged blasphemy involving the burning of a Koran. They were first arrested some four months ago.

Further allegations of Koran burning surfaced in Aziz immediately after the father and son were released.

In fact, this is the second time the Christian men were released by police officers. A mob attacked Christian properties in the same community on April 15 when police first tried to release the pair (Prayer Alert, April 26, 2011). Pastor Mushtaq and Farrukh were immediately taken back into protective custody after the first riot. The men are now said to be in hiding with their families.

NEWS UPDATE:
Three of the four Christians arrested in Hamedan, Iran, last year have been released after a court hearing – but one of them remains in custody. The two couples – Pastor Vahik Abrahamian and his wife Sonia Keshish-Avanesian, together with Arash Kermanjani and his wife Arezo Teymouri – were taken into custody on September 4. The release of all but Pastor Vahik on April 30 followed a court hearing at which the four Christians and their lawyers were allowed to present their defence. It is not yet clear whether charges against them have been dropped – and it is not known why Pastor Vahik has not been freed. Sonia is said to have suffered a miscarriage during her ordeal (Prayer Alert, March 1, 2011) . The three Christians who have been released are said to be very weak.

(Sources: Compass Direct, Farsi Christian News Network, International Christian Concern, Middle East Concern, The Telegraph)

• Pray God's protection over Pastor Mushtaq and his son, Farrukh, and the rest of their family in Pakistan – as well as over all other Christians in Aziz Colony, Gujranwala. Pray that moderate Christians will accept the police findings eliminating the Christian men from their inquiry into the alleged blasphemy.
• Thank God for the release of the three Christians from Hamedan, Iran, and ask Him to restore them to full health. Pray for the immediate release of Pastor Vahik.

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