By Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net)
SANTA ANA, CA (ANS – Oct. 31, 2018) — Asia Bibi, the illiterate mother of five children who was on death row in Pakistan accused of blasphemy, has today been acquitted and found innocent.
David Curry, CEO of Open Doors USA, an organization that has supported persecuted Christian minorities for more than 60 years, said: “We are breathing a sigh of relief today after learning the Pakistani Supreme Court has dropped charges against Asia Bibi, as these charges stemmed from her Christian identity as well as false accusations against her.
“We are hopeful that Pakistan will now take additional steps to offer religious freedom and basic human rights throughout the country.”
Pakistan is No. 5 on the 2018 Open Doors World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to live as a Christian.
Much of the Christian persecution in Pakistan comes from radical Islamic groups that flourish under the favor of political parties, the army and the government. These radical Islamic groups run thousands of Islamic education centers where youth are taught and encouraged to persecute religious minorities like Christians.
For more than 60 years, Open Doors USA has worked in the world’s most oppressive and restrictive countries for Christians.
Open Doors works to equip and encourage Christians living in dangerous circumstances with the threat of persecution and equips the Western church to advocate for the persecuted.
Christians are one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world and are oppressed in at least 60 countries. For more information, visit www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
