Pakistan Christian Mother Of Five Hiding After Death Threats
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
ISLAMABAD (Worthy News) – A Christian woman and her five children are hiding in Pakistan after receiving death threats from extremists who demand that she converts to Islam, her supporters confirmed Thursday.
Despite these warnings, Naseem Bibi apparently refused to abandon her faith in Christ, though it meant fleeing her home with her five children, aged eight to 22. “I was born a Christian and will remain a Christian until my last breath,” she added in remarks shared with Worthy News. “And I’ll make every effort to make my children stronger Christians and [ensure] they marry Christian partners….”
According to rights activists, the threats are part of an ongoing campaign by a militant Islamic group in their area that has already forced some 100 people to convert to Islam.
Sources didn’t want to reveal the exact location amid security concerns.
Militants reportedly offered Naseem’s husband a house, along with promises to cover all wedding expenses for their four daughters in exchange for conversion.
“Unfortunately, these promises have resulted in Naseem receiving added threats from her husband, who is prepared to accept the militants’ lucrative offer,” said advocacy group Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC).
As a local church provided Naseem and her children a temporary shelter, the pastor has been questioned by those searching for the threatened Christian woman, Worthy News learned.
Speaking of the militants seeking to take her life, Naseem said: “They are too powerful, and we have no resources to fight with them. We need urgent legal and financial support.”
VOMC told Worthy News that it urged its supporters to pray for Naseem, her children, and her pressured husband.
The Center for Legal Aid Assistance and Development (CLAAS) has expressed concern about the government’s attitude towards them and other minority Christians in Pakistan, a mainly Muslim nation. “The reality is that the forced conversion of Christian and Hindu girls is happening in Pakistan. And [it’s] one of the most serious concerns now for religious minorities in the country,” explained Nasir Saeed, director of CLAAS-UK.
Yet, the Pakistani government has failed to enact legislation to protect the nation’s religious minorities, rights activists say.
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