Rehmat Masih, a Pakistani Christian, was ensnared in the clutches of modern-day slavery. Being Christian and poor is a double punishment in a society controlled by a radical Muslim mindset.
Rehmat and his wife, Suriya, were enslaved in a brick kiln in Punjab, Pakistan. They were among the families facing severe persecution and threats of forced conversion from the kiln owner and manager. Additionally, they were pressured to either settle their debt or marry both their daughters to Muslim men.
Rehmat and Family:
The couple had four children: two daughters and two boys. The elder daughter was 16, while the second daughter was just 13. Despite the girls being underage, Rehmat was forced to consent to their marriages, or else they would be forcibly married to Muslims.
Rehmat shared with our team that he took a 10,000 PKR loan 13 years ago for his sick mother’s kidney failure treatment. Since then, they had been living in the brick kiln. Despite working more than 14 to 16 hours daily, their debt increased, reaching 960,000 PKR.
He further informed us that when he and other Christian slaves were summoned to the kiln manager’s office to embrace Islam, and upon refusing, he was physically assaulted with rods and iron pipes. They were given a 30-day deadline to pay the debt.
ECSPE’s Action:
Upon discovering the plight of these Christians, our organization planned a rescue mission to free them from the brick kiln. We were aware that failure could result in not only persecution but also the loss of their daughters and forced conversion to Islam.
With determined team efforts, we successfully rescued these families, including Rehmat and his family, relocating them to a safer place. We provided separate living facilities and job opportunities for both Rehmat and Suriya to help them start anew.
Countless Christians in Pakistan endure enslavement due to poverty, facing religious persecution. Women and girls often experience sexual harassment from kiln owners and managers. Your support, no matter how small, can free a family from slavery and persecution. Join us in making a difference in the lives of Persecuted Christians.
Original Posted — https://ecspe.org/rescuing-persecuted-christians-rehmats-liberation-from-modern-day-slavery/
Rehmat Masih and his Family— ECSPE
