Dear Friends,   

Ezra Shujat, Advocates Pakistan

Thank you again for your continued prayers for Martha Bibi and her attorney, Ezra Shujat of Advocates Pakistan.  The report from Pakistan is that Martha's hearing continues to be postponed.  The next hearing for her is now scheduled for 3 November.   

Please continue to pray for Martha and her entire family as they, like most "blasphemy" defendants in Pakistan, face a life of legal limbo while their accusers, facing possible cross-examination in court, fail to show up to press their original accusations, yet the prosecutors and judges in Muslim countries won't simply dismiss the cases, as they would in just about every other legal jurisdiction around the globe.

In addition to the 3 November hearing for Martha Bibi, our friends in Pakistan are defending numerous others falsely accused under the blasphemy laws.  Joseph Francis reports the following upcoming hearings:

Younis Masih's appeal from death sentence conviction under false charges for blasphemy is fixed in the Lahore High Court on 25 October, 2012.

Asia Bibi hearing to be schedule for end of October.

Khuram Masih has another bail hearing scheduled for 15 October and a jail trial scheduled for 18 October.

While these brave advocates continue to represent these brothers and sisters in court, please pray for their safety and boldness, but pray especially that true Justice is given.

Pray also for the Religious Liberty Partnership's Blasphemy Task Force as we continue to plan for March 2013 meetings at the United Nations' Geneva meetings.  A team of religious liberty advocates will be coming together to raise awareness of the issue, and will be bringing together experts who can address decision-makers at the UN.  Pray that those who can make a difference will hear the truth and have the courage to act on it to pressure Pakistan and other countries to repeal their blasphemy laws. 

Thanks again for your prayers.

May the Lord bless and keep you in His perfect. . .