News / Thoughts

Update: Asia Bibi court hearing

Asia Bibi, the Christian lady from Pakistan facing death penalty for alleged blasphemy, is still awaiting her final court appeal. The case was due to be heard last Thursday, but the Pakistani Supreme Court adjourned the appeal after one of the judges, Justice Iqbal Hamid-ur-Rehman, refused to hear the case on the grounds that he has previously heard the Salman Taseer case. Governor Salman Taseer was murdered by his bodyguard for publicly defending Asia Bibi.

A new date for the hearing has not yet been set.

Pray now…

• That Asia’s court hearing will come soon, and that her death sentence will finally be overturned
• For comfort and strength for Asia and her family
• For wisdom and courage for the judges and legal team involved in her case
• For those who would seek to use this case to incite hatred and violence, that their hearts would be changed.

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Original article: 12th October

Asia Bibi is a Christian from Pakistan. She was sentenced to death by a Pakistani court for allegedly blaspheming the prophet Mohammed when she was having an argument with local Muslim women, who didn’t allow her to draw water from the well. She has been imprisoned since 2009. She was sentenced to death but then the verdict was later suspended by a higher court (July 2015).

Her appeal hearing is tomorrow – Thursday – and this will be her final court appearance when Pakistan’s Supreme Court will finally make a decision.

Pakistani Christians are ask their brothers and sisters worldwide to pray for Asia, her lawyer and family.

In the past, Muslim extremists have been able to influence court decisions. But local Christians have told Open Door’s partners that they remain hopeful, because of obvious mistakes that were made during the police investigation and court cases.

This Thursday, many Christians will gather to pray for Asia and other Christians in prison because of the Blasphemy Law. Below are five simple points to help you pray.

Asia is married with five children. She is 45 years old. Sometimes she is referred to as Asia Bibi, Noreen Bibi or Asia Noreen Bibi.

Five ways to pray now…

• Pray for Asia, that the Lord will use her testimony to draw people to him and to unite Pakistani Christians.
• Pray that Asia will receive much strength and hope from Thursday’s court hearing. Pray that she will finally be released.
• Pray for the Christians who gather together to pray, that the Lord will guide and answer their prayers.
• Pray for the judges, the lawyers and the prosecutors that the Lord will work in their heart.
• Pray for the Muslim extremists, that they will allow Asia to go and won’t take revenge on her or on others, so she can be reunited with her family and rebuild her life.