Forced Conversions in Pakistan
A report issued last week by the Aurat Foundation in Pakistan, has stated that around 1,000 girls are forcibly converted to Islam in Pakistan every year. Predominantly, the victims are girls from the Christian and Hindu communities.
According to report, forced conversion occurs when anyone uses any sort of pressure, force, duress or threat, whether physical, emotional or psychological, to make another person adopt another religion, without their consent.
It is also common to find the pressure applied to the victim’s family, loved ones or community, using threats against them to ensure the victim’s conversion.
In Pakistan, the two common methods to force conversion are through bonded labour or forced marriage, i.e. forcing non-Muslim girls and women to marry Muslim boys and men and change their religion due to their marriage.
With the growing intolerance in Pakistani society of religious minorities, evidenced by the increased violence, murder and persecution of religious minorities in the country, forced conversions have emerged as a disturbing trend, and the numbers of reported incidents continues to increase each year.
- Pray for Pakistan, for an end to intolerance of religious minorities, and for freedom to worship for Pakistan Christians.
- Pray for women and girls in Pakistan, for protection from forces marriage, bonded labour and forces conversion. Pray that they will be seen as having worth and value in their communities.
- Pray for the Pakistan government to bring in laws to protect women and girls from forces conversions.
Psalm 5 vs 11: “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, so that those who love your name may exult in you.”
Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk, http://www.persecution.org
