Photo by Reuters
Pakistan (MNN) ― Suicide bombers attacked this week, and rival parties are clashing with more frequency in the run up to Pakistan's parliamentary elections slated for February 18.
Candidates are keeping a low profile since the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto at a political rally in December and the subsequent deaths of several other candidates in the upheaval since then.
To curb the anticipated trouble, the government sent tens of thousands of troops out to bolster security ahead of the event. Abductions, bombings, assassinations and riots are cropping up like grass fires. The problem with grass fires is that they grow.
As the wave of pre-poll violence spreads south, Open Doors' Al Janssen says there are concerns mounting about the influence Muslim extremists are exerting. "Never before have they been as far down as Lahore. Extremists have also been attacking the church lately. There's even more concern among the Christians: 'What's going to happen coming out of these elections?'"
In 1998, Sharia law was adopted in Pakistan, under which Christians have limited rights. Many Pakistani Christians have been falsely accused under Law 295c of blaspheming Mohammed or the Koran, a crime punishable by death.
Despite these harsh conditions for the church, Christians seek to be representatives of spiritual courage and faith to unbelievers in their country.
Janssen got a letter from a Christian in Pakistan with a number of prayer requests: "Pray for President Musharraf and his family--for protection, and for wisdom for him. They also ask for prayer for the Bhutto family, particularly for the son who's been handed the mantle. We're just praying that he'll have Christian influence in his life. Pray for no further violence during the elections."
For those who want to send encouragement to the believers in Pakistan, click here.
