On Trial
Anila and Perveen
(These names have been changed to protect
the individuals and their families)
17 and 18 years old
Pakistan
1997
Anila met Perveen at school. As their friendshipgrew,
Anila gave Perveen a Bible and taught her Christian songs.
Perveen quickly learned Christian songs and began to teach
them to her younger sister when her parents weren't home.
Perveen's parents soon learned of the songs. Being strict Mus-
lim's, they were not happy about them. But rather than con-
fronting Perveen right away, they had her younger sister try to
find out where she was getting this Christian influence.
Anila eventually invited Perveen to a Good Friday ser-
vice. When the young Muslim heard the Gospel presenta-
tion, she immediately accepted Jesus and saw great
changes take place in her life. She read the Bible and praised
God boldly. Anila knew that, before long, her friend would
encounter opposition from her family.
Perveen's parents were furios when they learned of her
conversion. They had previously arranged for her to marry a
Muslim man. When Perveen again refused, she ran away.
When Perveen's parents could not find her, they accused
Anila and her pastor of kidnapping her. They had Anila
arrested. Anila was slapped and beaten in front of her parents
for over nine hours. Finally she was taken to prison.
Anila's pastor and his family were taken to prison on the
following day. Anila and her pastor experienced horrible tor-
tures in jail. She was whipped sixteen times (five times
would make a normal man pass out). When they were
released, Anila could not sit for two months, and her pastor
could barely walk from the bruises on his hips and thighs.
Perveen was later found by her family. In Muslim nations,
children are often severely beaten for converting to Chris-
tianity. Others are killed by their own parents or siblings for
apostasy, convertinf to another faith.
To restore honor of his family, Perveen's brother
stabbed her to death. He then turned himself in to the local
authorities. As is not uncommon in such situations, he was
eventually released without incident.
Anila was then arrested of kidnapping.
She was imprisoned, then released on bail a little more
than a month later. She and her family went into hiding, as
their lives were threatened by radical Muslims.
In May 1999,
Anila was acquited of all charges!!!
