Pakistani Christians Threatened with Blasphemy Charges if They Refuse to Hand Over Church Property

A group of Muslims criminals has ordered a Christian congregation in Pakistan to vacate its property or be accused of blasphemy. The Christian Post reports the 300-family Jerusalem Church told to leave its building and never return, but the Christian members are fighting back. 

The Muslim group that threatened the church with blasphemy accusations poses a serious risk as blasphemy is an offense punishable by death in Pakistan. Citizens who are accused of blasphemy are put in jail; many are attacked by mob violence before they can get a court hearing. 

Jerusalem Church pastor Ilyas Masih said that the Muslim group has targeted the congregation before. 

"These Muslims have been pressuring the church people not to play musical instruments and asked the church leaders to stop girls from singing with boys in the church. Several times they stopped and threatened the worshippers and pastors for going into church for prayers and harassed the women in the past."

In response to the latest threat, church members filed a request for protection with police. Many have said that they would be killed before a group of criminals forced them off their property. 

"The Christians of the locality have responded in a brave manner and announced that they will die before they let them grab the church property," Masih said.

Publication date: June 10, 2015