Pakistan: Crowds demand death penalty for Christian activist

Angry mobs have surrounded the courthouse where a Christian human rights activist is on trial for sending a 'blasphemous text' on his mobile.

Hector Aleem, who heads up an organisation called Peace Worldwide promoting social harmony, was arrested at his home in Islamabad last month.

At the first two hearings, large crowds gathered outside the court in Rawalpindi, demanding that Aleem be given the death penalty. He was scheduled to appear in court for a third hearing on February 2.[A1]

Some 50 police officers raided Aleem's house at 1.30am on January 22and took him into custody, following an accusation made against him by Islamist militant group Tehrik-e-Sunat. Aleem is alleged to have sent a text on his mobile phone making derogatory comments about Islam's prophet Mohammed – a claim he strongly denies.

Lawyers at the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), a partner of Release in Lahore, have taken up Aleem's case. His wife Kausur told CLAAS she believes he has been 'framed' because of his involvement in a land dispute between Christians and developers.

Meanwhile, police in Lahore are reportedly investigating a failed plot to bomb a city cathedral on Christmas Day. Militants had planned to detonate a car bomb outside the Sacred Heart Cathedral – but instead it went off by accident three miles outside Lahore, according to ACN News. Six suspects have since been arrested.

The congregation's near-miss has only strengthened their faith, says their pastor Andrew Nisari. 'Our people are very brave,' he told a charity called Aid to the Church in Need. 'As the church is persecuted, people become more conscious of their faith.'

(Sources: ACN News, Assist News Service, Pakistan Christian Post)

* Pray for the release of Hector Aleem: ask God to protect him and his family.
* Thank God that He has kept safe the Lahore cathedral's congregation safe.