A sessions court in Islamabad has handed down a 25-year prison sentence to a Muslim man for murdering a Christian woman three years ago after she turned down his marriage proposal. Judge Azam Khan of the Islamabad Sessions Court convicted Muhammad Shahzad (also known as Shani) for the murder of 24-year-old Sonia Allah Rakha while acquitting three other suspects who had been involved in the case.

Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman discusses this landmark verdict with Asher John of Kross Konnection, a digital media platform that advocates for human rights on behalf of vulnerable minorities living in this Muslim-majority nation. During their conversation, Asher also provides an update on a recent incident in which a pastor in Jaranwala faked his assassination, and describes the current situation for followers of Jesus in an area where thousands of militant Muslims burned churches and Christian homes this past August.

In addition, Asher and Greg preview a documentary focussing on the plight of Pakistan’s Christian women and girls, who are being kidnapped, forcibly converted to Islam, and then married against their wills – incidents that have been taking place with alarming frequency throughout the country.

Length: 37:30

Episode Notes

To watch the interview with Asher John

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada - Closer to the Fire (vomcanada.com)

View the Stolen Lives documentary: www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YQXm_5Lo0Ig

Kross Konnection: www.krosskonnection.pk

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada: www.vomcanada.com