Pakistan: Christian couple tortured by police, resist pressure to convert to Islam
December 06, 2011
Salma Emmanuel and her husband, Rashid Emmanuel, were tortured by Pakistani police over a three-day period after Salma, a maid, was falsely accused of stealing from her employer, according to news reports.
"I begged them for mercy, pleading that I am five months pregnant, but they continued their merciless onslaught," said Salma, referring to the policewomen who tortured her. "They continued to try to force me to admit to the crime, even threatening that they would kill my baby, but I refused to confess a false allegation."
"I had complete faith in Jesus and trusted that He would rescue me and Emmanuel from this great problem," she said. "It was our faith that kept us going."
"The police beat me up mercilessly," her husband added. "A policeman offered to remove the theft charges against me if I was willing to renounce Christianity and convert to Islam. I told him that no matter what happens, I will not renounce my faith, nor would I confess the false charges made against us."
Following their detention, both Salma and Rashid lost their jobs, and Salma is at risk of losing her unborn child.
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