Faith Facts

• Scripture calls believers to defend the oppressed and seek justice for the innocent in every nation.
• Christians worldwide continue to pray for religious liberty and fair treatment under the law in countries where the Gospel faces restriction.
• The rule of law rooted in Judeo-Christian principles remains essential for protecting individual rights and families everywhere.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has stepped in to suspend prison sentences handed down to two prominent human rights attorneys. The ruling came on Thursday, September 17, when justices granted bail to Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, while their appeals move forward in the Islamabad High Court.

The decision provides immediate relief to the legal couple as they continue to challenge their convictions. Supporters say the case highlights ongoing concerns about due process in Pakistan’s judicial system.

“The suspension of their sentences allows the appeals process to proceed without the attorneys remaining behind bars,” court observers noted following the hearing.

The couple’s legal troubles have drawn attention from international observers who track religious freedom and civil liberties in South Asia. Many conservative Christians in America view such developments as reminders of the importance of safeguarding constitutional protections at home.

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Faith Facts

• The Costa Rican Evangelical Alliance Federation is standing for integrity and truth in public life by demanding accountability from those who misuse the name of the church.
• Scripture teaches that leaders must be above reproach, and the Alliance is upholding that standard by rejecting any suggestion that votes can be bought with money.
• Believers across Costa Rica are being called to pray for righteous governance and for pastors to remain faithful witnesses rather than political brokers.

The Costa Rican Evangelical Alliance Federation has taken a firm stand for honesty in politics after an opposition lawmaker publicly claimed that a pastor offered her 42,000 votes in exchange for 420 million colones.

April Gordienko, the lawmaker who made the allegation, said the offer came during the most recent election campaign.

The federation is now insisting that Gordienko name the pastor involved so that the church can deal with the matter openly and biblically.

Evangelical leaders in Costa Rica believe that any attempt to barter spiritual influence for political favor damages the witness of the gospel and must be exposed.

“We cannot allow the name of Christ to be used as a bargaining chip in political transactions,” said a federation spokesperson.

Local pastors have echoed the call for transparency, saying the church must remain separate from any appearance of corruption.

Many Costa Rican believers view this moment as an opportunity for the body of Christ to demonstrate that its loyalty belongs first to God, not to any political party or financial promise.

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Faith Facts

• The Archbishop of Canterbury withdrew an interfaith award from Pakistani cleric Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi after old remarks praising Osama bin Laden resurfaced.
• Church of Pakistan Moderator Bishop Azad Marshall had recommended Ashrafi for the honor, prompting questions among Pakistani Christians.
• Christian leaders continue to stress the importance of discernment and truth when extending recognition across religious lines.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has withdrawn an interfaith award given to Pakistani Muslim cleric Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi. Past remarks praising Osama bin Laden resurfaced and forced the reversal.

Questions have since arisen in Pakistan about why Church of Pakistan Moderator Bishop Azad Marshall recommended Ashrafi for the honor in the first place. The decision has stirred discussion among local believers who value clarity and moral consistency.

“The Archbishop of Canterbury has withdrawn an interfaith award given to Pakistani Muslim cleric Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi after past remarks praising Osama bin Laden resurfaced, raising questions in Pakistan about why he was recommended for the honor by Church of Pakistan’s Moderator Bishop Azad Marshall.”

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