In many countries where Islam is the state religion, state policies can severely restrict religious freedom. Following one’s faith often comes with immense challenges. Jubilee Campaign has launched a campaign advocating for the freedom to follow Jesus, challenging oppressive policies and laws which prohibit leaving Islam. These restrictions violate the fundamental right to choose and practice one’s faith.
Amid this climate of religious repression, Saima’s inspiring yet heart-wrenching journey to Christ stands as a testament to unwavering faith and courage.
Saima’s Journey to Christ in Pakistan
Saima was born into a deeply religious Muslim family in a small village where life revolved around the mosque next door. She was the second of three sisters and had three brothers. Her father, a respected community member, and her brothers were deeply involved in Islamic practices, praying at the mosque daily under the guidance of the local imam, who was a close family friend.
“My father and brothers would wake up every morning at 4 a.m. to pray at the mosque, always standing in the front row with the imam,” Saima recalls. Growing up, she faced immense pressure to reflect her family’s devout Muslim image.
Even as a child, Saima was drawn to the stories of Jesus and Mary mentioned in the Quran. “I was touched by the story of Jesus—His miracles, His compassion, and the peace I felt whenever I read or heard about Him,” she says. However, societal hatred and fear of Christians in her community prevented her from seeking more knowledge about Jesus.
Years later, while working in the fields of a nearby Christian village, Saima met a kind Christian boy who listened as she shared her feelings about Jesus. “I told him how much I loved Jesus and how His story gave me peace and comfort,” she remembers. This simple conversation became the first step in Saima’s profound journey of faith.
Despite knowing the risks, Saima made the bold decision to leave her father’s house to follow Jesus.
A Life Defined by Faith and Persecution
For the past 14 years, Saima’s life has been marked by relentless persecution. After accepting Jesus as her saviour, she found herself isolated. No one was willing to conduct her marriage ceremony, and multiple attempts were made on her life.
“I have faced death threats and attempts on my life, but Jesus has protected me,” she says with unwavering faith.
Living Under Constant Threat
Saima and her family live in a state of constant fear. Her children endure daily humiliation and threats at school, where classmates insult their mother for being an illiterate convert. Teachers regularly attempt to persuade her children to renounce Christianity and return to Islam.
“My Muslim parents have even tried to abduct my children and force them to convert to Islam. Every day, my children come home telling me how they were humiliated and pressured,” Saima shares.
Despite these challenges, Saima prays daily for courage and protection for her family.
Sacrifices and Struggles
Saima has been blessed with five daughters and two sons, but providing for them is an uphill battle. She faces discrimination in the workforce, with local Muslims refusing to hire her or allow her to collect vegetables in agricultural fields.
“We’ve faced hunger, for months in the same clothes and without shoes. But I have never accepted help from Muslims if it meant renouncing my faith in Jesus,” she says.
Danger from Her Own Family
The greatest threat to Saima’s life comes from her own family. Her father, brothers, and even friends see her as an infidel whose death would bring them salvation.
“Everyone around me sees me as a ‘kafir’—an unbeliever. They believe that killing me will bring them paradise,” Saima explains.
Her constant fear is for her children, who face danger at every turn. “When they go to school, the market, or even play in the streets, I am always afraid,” she says.
Holding on to Faith
Despite relentless persecution, Saima clings to her faith in Jesus. She dreams of freedom—not just for herself but for her children.
“I wish to be free from the fear and trauma of being killed or seeing my children killed. I want to live in a place where my children can go to church, follow Jesus freely, and attend school without fear,” Saima says.
Her decision to follow Jesus has cost her relationships with her parents, brothers, and sisters, but her faith remains unshaken.
A Cry for Help
Saima’s story is a testament to the resilience of faith in the face of relentless adversity. She dreams of celebrating her marriage ceremony, baptizing her children, and worshiping freely without the constant fear of violence or persecution.
Joseph Janssen’s campaign for religious freedom brings hope to believers like Saima. By filing a constitutional petition on behalf of converts and against the municipality’s restrictive policy, the campaign seeks to defend the fundamental right to choose one’s faith. This effort aims to pave the way for a brighter future for countless secret believers.
Despite her pain and struggles, Saima’s unwavering faith remains a beacon of hope. “We may suffer in this life,” Saima says, “but I know Jesus is with us, protecting us, and giving us the strength to carry on.”
Her prayer is simple yet profound: freedom to live, worship, and raise her children in faith without fear. Saima’s story is a call to action, a plea for support, and a reminder that faith, even in the harshest circumstances, is a light that cannot be extinguished.
With your support, we can bring the Good News of the Gospel to more lives and provide legal aid and shelter to Saima and families like hers in a country where leaving Islam is prohibited. Together, we can offer hope, safety, and a future to those who suffer for their faith.
Report by JJ.