Day 28
Pakistan
The government has established a new religious body called the Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority (RAA). The RAA is to teach the life of the prophet Mohammed to adults and children. They will monitor school curriculum and watch for “blasphemous” content on websites and social media. Human rights groups, women’s rights advocates, and religious minorities, including those representing Christian churches, have all expressed concern that the RAA will further limit their freedoms. Today we marvel at the coming of Jesus into our world, to bring freedom and break the chains of oppression. Pray that the Church in Pakistan will have the courage and voice to spread the word concerning Jesus Christ (The Bible, Luke 2:15-20).
Source: New religious body draws ire from rights activists (DW)
Pakistan has the world’s third-largest Muslim population. It is also one of the world’s most corrupt countries. Pakistan’s political and economic systems are crippled by the interference of refugees and radical Islamists. Pakistan hosts 1.4 million refugees and at least 48 terrorist and extremist groups – including the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and IS. The country’s culture of Islamization with its notorious blasphemy laws has led to devastating consequences for Christian Believers, who experience more violence than almost anywhere else. Threats of violence and terror attacks are a very real part of life for the Christian community. Despite obstacles, the Church continues to grow, though lack of sound teaching opens the door to corruption, immorality, and low spiritual standards among Christians. Pakistan has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic with numbers of cases and deaths high, and economic impact felt keenly among the nation’s poor.
