Islamists attack Pakistani Christian family for refusing to convert

This afternoon we received the following report from our friends at International Christian Concern. Please remember this family in your prayers. Why not show your solidarity with them by posting a prayer for them on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall?

Washington, D.C. (October 06, 2009) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on September 28, Islamists attacked the home of a Christian family for refusing to convert to Islam in Murree, a town near the Pakistan capital of Islamabad.

Rafiq Mashi Bhatti and his family had lived in peace and harmony with their Muslim neighbors for years. However, in the past few months, they received anonymous phone calls and letters warning them to convert to Islam, leave their home or die.

The threatening letters were inscribed with verses from the Qur’an, including Sura 5: 51 which reads, “O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends...”

In one of the letters, the Christian family was told, “You Christians are agents of US led forces…Therefore it is our religious duty to wipe out all Christians from Islamic Holy land of Pakistan.”

The family reported the death threats to the police but the police were unable to prevent the attack. The police are investigating the attack but the unknown assailants remain at large.

ICC’s Jonathan Racho said, “This latest attack once again highlights the insecurity that Pakistani Christians are living with. Despite promises to protect Christians, they continue to face attacks in Pakistan.  We urge Pakistan to fully investigate the attack against Rafiq and his family and bring the perpetrators to justice. We call upon Pakistani police to protect Rafiq and his family from further violence.”