Faithfulness and Joy Amid OppressionExemplo

Blessed by Persecution

As Pakistani Christian Dawud Yacoub walked to work on the morning of June 10, 2011, he had no idea that his day would end in a dank prison cell. When he passed the madrassa on the way to his job as a painter, he noticed a group of boys pushing and taunting a smaller boy in front of the Islamic school. He assumed the victim was a Christian, since boys from the school often harassed Christian boys and girls, so he moved quickly toward the scuffle. Soon he realized the boy in the center of the pack was his 8-year-old nephew, Eyad.

The Muslim boys were trying to force Eyad to repeat the phrase, “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet,” which according to Islamic teaching would make him a Muslim. Eyad refused, so the boys screamed at him and beat him. Dawud pulled his nephew away from the boys and walked him back home before continuing on to his job. 

Soon, word spread that he had disgraced the Muslim proclamation of faith. The news was repeated from one mosque loudspeaker to another, from village to village. Urged on by calls from the loudspeakers, a crowd of 500 assembled and began chanting, “Kill him! Death for the blasphemer!” 

The mob of angry Muslims marched to Dawud’s house, but he wasn’t there. To prevent his murder, a Muslim political leader urged police to take Dawud into protective custody. Police complied with his request, but they later filed a blasphemy charge against Dawud under Pakistani law 295A — offending another religion, specifically Islam. 

Dawud faced a potential three-year prison sentence, and his family received threats. His wife, Naimah, and their two children were forced to flee to another village. Dawud’s nephew, Eyad, and his family also fled. Christians in Pakistan live under the fear that anything can happen any time.

Three months after Dawud’s arrest, Naimah said, “I am strong in my faith and asking God to fill me with the Holy Spirit and give me the strength to face this problem.” 

Naimah and the children visited Dawud in prison each week. At first Dawud was afraid, but when he learned that his family was being helped by Christians around the world, he was encouraged. “My time in prison … cannot be called punishment, because it’s part of my faith test,” he told his father, Yacoub. 

Soon, an amazing development occurred. The local village leader called a traditional committee to discuss Dawud’s case, and he invited Yacoub. During the meeting, local Muslim leaders acknowledged that Dawud had been falsely accused. Eyewitnesses in the case withdrew their testimonies, and more than 20 villagers signed a statement asking the court to drop the case. 

Dawud was released on March 27, 2012, after spending more than nine months in prison. “It was a tough time to live in a prison,” Dawud said, “but God showed his blessings on me.” He said his imprisonment enriched the faith of both him and his family. “By facing the persecution, we became close to our Lord,” he said. The verse they held onto during Dawud’s imprisonment was 1 Peter 3:14, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.” 

“Our life is completely changed by this persecution,” Dawud said. “We are close to God and never forget our daily prayers.”

Dear Lord, we thank You for Dawud’s early release from jail and that village leaders took note of the great injustice that had occurred. Thank You for his faithfulness to You as he endured such a trial. We lift up Christians in Pakistan like Dawud who are persecuted for Your sake. I pray that they, too, will see persecution as a blessing. Lord Jesus, as we encounter trials in our own lives and opposition for sharing our faith with others, I pray that You will remind us of Dawud’s testimony and that we will see the blessing, knowing You will use it for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Photo caption:  Dawud was reunited with his wife and children after almost a year in prison on blasphemy charges.