Claims of a charity in Pakistan refusing to serve food aid to Christians and Hindus went viral on social media on Sunday.
The story brought into sharp focus the discrimination minorities in Pakistan often face due to their religious identities in the midst of crisis.
News of the discriminatory incident went viral on Facebook after several families posted videos testifying about what happened. According to those testimonies, Christian and Hindu families were refused food aid by Saylani Welfare International Trust staffers who were distributing aid in Karachi in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Pakistan’s first COVID-19 case was detected in late February when a man in Karachi tested positive for the virus. This man had recently returned to Pakistan from Iran, a country hit hard by COVID-19.
Since 21 March, most of Pakistan has been placed in lock down by authorities seeking to slow the spread of the virus. This action has left the country’s poor and vulnerable communities in a state of desperation as they search for food and other necessities.
Due to widespread religious discrimination and intolerance, Christians and Hindus are often treated like second-class citizens in Pakistan. This reality means these communities have been left more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 and the nationwide lock down.
Source: International Christian Concern
- Pray this news of discrimination will draw attention to the sufferings of vulnerable minorities in Pakistan and bring change.
- Pray the authorities will do more to protect and provide for all Pakistani citizens.
- Pray for VOM Australia partners who will soon be distributing Bibles Plus packs to vulnerable believers in Pakistan.
Post your prayer in the comments below.
Lord, you provide for your people and give them all they need. Please have mercy on our brothers and sisters in Pakistan and other minority groups who are seeking the most basic of necessities at this time. Thank you for the visible evidence drawing attention to the suffering of vulnerable minorities Please provide for them and we ask that the Government and PM Imran Khan might continue to advocate on their behalf to bring more equality in the society so burdened with Satan’s lies. We ask all this for the sake of the advance of your most powerful Gospel and for your glory. Please cause success to follow the distribution of Bible Plus packs.
Thank you Steve for your continued prayer for our brothers and sisters in restricted nations and for your support of our mission. We really do appreciate it. Have you seen our Tortured for Christ movie? If not, I will send you a link to to watch it online.
Father in Heaven, Thank you so much for this severe mercy of pestilence that will be used by you for good in the lives of all believers. I pray that Your Name will be glorified and lifted up in the lives of each believer. Whether we live or we die let us give You the honor and glory. Let there be no fear of death to rule our hearts and cause us to act in ways that would bring shame, but rather let us take courage and continue to fulfill our purpose on this earth. Help those who are also experiencing persecution to remain steadfast in their faith, always abounding in the work You have given knowing that all that they do with Jesus is not in vain. May the peace of God fill their hearts and minds and be a witness at this time. Amen.