Christian woman murdered for refusing to convert to Islam

Sonia Bibi (Photo: Aid to the Church in Need)

A Pakistani Christian woman has reportedly been murdered after refusing to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim man. 

Sonia Bibi, 24, was shot dead multiple times in the head at a bus stop in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on 30 November. 

A police manhunt is underway for the suspect, Muhammad Shehazad, while a suspected accomplice, known only as Faizan, has been taken into custody, Aid to the Church in Need said. 

Miss Bibi is reported to have refused Shehzad's marriage proposal just days before she was killed. 

ACN said there were now fears for the welfare of her family as she was a domestic cleaner and the main breadwinner. 

Neville Kyrke-Smith, National Director of ACN (UK), said Miss Bibi's death was a tragedy.

"Sonia's killing demonstrates the mortal danger girls and young women – especially those from Christian and other minority backgrounds – face in situations where they are under pressure to marry and abandon their faith," he said.

"It is urgent that action is taken to ensure the safety of these young people.

"We call upon those in authority in Pakistan and our own Government to act now. Otherwise there will only be more tragic cases such as this."

Miss Bibi's death comes as another Christian girl, Maira Shahbaz, 14, remains in hiding with her family because of death threats after escaping from a Muslim man who forced her to marry him and convert to Islam.

ACN is appealing to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to grant Shahbaz asylum. 

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Royal College of Nursing criticised for display of trans flag
Royal College of Nursing criticised for display of trans flag

Typically a flag denotes the ownership of a tribe or group over an area.

Christians call for ceasefire amid DRC's Ebola crisis
Christians call for ceasefire amid DRC's Ebola crisis

So far 131 people have been killed by the outbreak.

Without a culture shift, Christian street preachers will continue to be arrested
Without a culture shift, Christian street preachers will continue to be arrested

Christian street preachers are almost invariably arrested under a section of law that was originally intended to deal with football hooliganism.

Thoughts on Ruth
Thoughts on Ruth

Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster reflects on poor judges and famine through the lens of the book of Ruth.