Pakistan: Father Not Giving Up Hope for Children
Aug 01 2006
Postings >> Pakistan

Almost two years after a Christian woman's children were abducted by their Muslim father, she has had no word from them -- but has not lost hope of ever finding them.

Maria Samar John was finalising arrangements for her divorce from Abdul Gaffar through the courts when Abdul seized his son and daughter from inside the courthouse. Miriam and Joshua, now five and seven, have not been seen since.

Her children's kidnapping is particularly poignant for Maria because, as 7x7 reported on September 28, 2004, she herself had been kidnapped and sold into marriage at the age of 17. Her Muslim husband Abdul tried to force her to read the Koran. When she refused, she was beaten. Maria escaped with Joshua in 2000, when she was pregnant with Miriam.

It was in September 2004, when Maria and Abdul were battling for custody of their children through the Lahore Family Court, that Abdul abducted Joshua and Miriam.

Release's partner CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement) helped Maria win her divorce and gave her refuge in its women's shelter. In March, Maria, now 26, married Basharat Masih, a Christian employee at the refuge.

'I am happy but the wound that I have because of my children can never be completely filled until they come back,' Maria told Compass Direct. 'Only if God allows it will they stay away but do please keep praying.'

• Pray for the happiness of Maria and her new husband Basharat. Ask God to bless them with a family and build their faith.
• Pray that Maria will one day be reunited with Miriam and Joshua and pray that God will give her the strength to endure until that day comes.