Two Christian brothers were shot dead yesterday outside the courthouse where they were standing trial for blasphemy, Release partners report.
Pastors Rashid and Sajid Emmanuel had reportedly just left the courtroom in Faisalabad District and Sessions Court, Punjab, when five masked gunmen opened fire on them, according to Compass Direct news agency.

Zafar Hussein, a police officer escorting the brothers, was also shot as he tried to protect them and is reported to be in a critical condition in hospital.

Rashid and Sajid were arrested earlier this month and charged with blasphemy after they were accused of distributing a pamphlet which Muslims considered blasphemous against their prophet, Mohammed. Handwriting experts have since told police that the brothers’ writing did not match that on the offending leaflet.

Hundreds of Islamist extremists had been staging protests in Christian neighbourhoods against the alleged blasphemy and calling publicly for the Emmanuel brothers to be executed. Mosque loudspeakers had been broadcasting inflammatory messages urging more protests. Release sources say the brothers were not given adequate protection.

The situation in Faisalabad is said to be extremely tense. A curfew is now in force after individuals from Muslim and Christian communities reportedly began ‘firing indiscriminately’ at each other.

The Emmanuel brothers ran an organisation called United Ministries Pakistan, an umbrella ministry for several churches and Christian ministries in Faisalabad.

(Sources: Apostolic News, Associated Press, CLAAS, Compass Direct, SLMP)

• Ask God to comfort Rashid and Sajid’s close relatives and keep them safe. Ask God to heal the injured police officer, Zafar Hussein.
• Pray that the Pakistan authorities will take note of this huge injustice against the Christian community and repeal the notorious blasphemy laws, which are so often misused against religious minorities.

• For more information, plus opportunities to support persecuted fellow Christians, please visit Release International.

• Filed under Indian Sub-Continent, Persecuted Church, Scottish Christian News Monitor.