A 24-year-old Christian woman was shot and killed in Pakistan after she refused a marriage proposal and invitation to convert to Islam by a Muslim man.
On 11 November, Sonia Bibi was shot and killed in public by Muhammad Shehzad and Faizan, two Muslim men. Sonia was reportedly confronted and killed while she was on her way to work at a garment factory.
According to Sonia’s family, Shehzad had been harassing Sonia for the last six months and had tried to force a physical relationship with her. Sonia refused these advances due to the difference in faith backgrounds.
Eventually, Shehzad proposed that Sonia should marry him and convert to Islam. Shehzad’s mother was even sent to Sonia’s family home in an attempt to negotiate an arranged marriage. Sonia’s family also refused the marriage.
“A few days before the incident, Sonia was again harassed by Shehzad,” Allah Rakha, Sonia’s father, said. “Since she was a committed Christian, she did not betray Jesus and sacrificed her life for her faith.”
“We are being harassed and pressurised to withdraw the case against the culprits,” Rakha continued. “However, I want the culprits brought to justice.”
Police have registered a First Information Report against Shehzad and Faizan. Faizan has been taken into custody. Police are searching for Shehzad.
Sources: International Christian Concern, Aid to the Church in Need
- Ask God to comfort Sonia’s parents and four younger siblings. Pray they will feel the Lord’s presence as they come to terms with such a terrible loss.
- Pray for justice for the family and ask God for their protection.
- Pray for Shehzad and Faizan, may they have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and be brought to repentance.
Post your prayer in the comments below.
Dear Lord,
Comfort the family that is left behind, please protect the siblings of Sonia who might also be given into arranged marriage and watch your people in Pakistan. They need your intervention so that more Muslims are being drawn to Jesus and become your children.
We pray this in Jesus name!
Yes dear Lord we ask that your peace and blessings be poured out in terms of comfort and the grieving will not be turned into despair nor a desire for revenge and hated towards these perpetrators. We all ask for your spirit to be their source of strength during these sad and difficult times in Jesus Might Name Amen!
Yes dear Lord we ask that your peace and blessings be poured out in terms of comfort and the grieving will not be turned into despair nor a desire for revenge and hated towards these perpetrators. We all ask for your spirit to be their source of strength during these sad and difficult times in Jesus Might Name Amen!
Thank you God because as sad as this may seem here, Sonia is in a better place. However, Lord, it isn’t easy loss for the family and friends. God please show up and prove yourself God! Let God arise!
Yeshua how sad this is. Lord we pray for her family in their time of grief, that they are filled with your love, strength, and peace to get them through.
We pray this death will not be in vain. That you will use it for your glory, and that out of it, those who did this horrible crime will come to true repentance in you, and that many will come to know you as a result.
In your name we pray Yeshua
Dear loving and gracious Father in heaven, have mercy on the family and friends of Sonia Bibi. We thank you for her faith and witness and ask that the perpetrators of her violent harassment and death maybe brought to faith in Jesus as they come to inwardly understand and be moved by the Spirit of Christ concerning His death and resurrection. Prosper the work of your people who are pastorally caring for all victims of forced marriages and conversion in Pakistan and bring light to this nation through the faithful preaching and teaching of your Gospel. O Lord, please have mercy on all concerned.