Remaining Grateful Despite Persecution: The Ayub Brothers' Message From Pakistan's Death Row

On July 6, the Supreme Court of Pakistan heard arguments on appeal in the case of two Christian brothers, Amoon and Qaisar Ayub, who were falsely accused of blasphemy against Islam.

We thought this case had essentially concluded because the Supreme Court is Pakistan’s court of last resort, after which no appeal remains, leaving clemency by the President of Pakistan as the only option for relief. The court, however, reserved the decision. And, after two months, we are still waiting for the decision.

This injustice has extended beyond the 15-year mark. In June 2011, the Ayub brothers were charged with posting content online disparaging Islam and its prophets. The alleged blog where the content appeared listed the names, phone number, and address of the Ayub brothers on the homepage, which led the police to them.

Without providing any proof that the Ayub brothers created the blog or posted the material, the trial court tried them and sentenced them to death in December 2018. The Lahore High Court upheld their convictions in June 2022. We appealed the decision, and thankfully the Supreme Court finally heard oral argument. The court did not announce a ruling but instead reserved its decision for a later date, with no timeline given for when that announcement might come.

While the Ayub brothers’ continued incarceration is a sad reality, our teams in both Pakistan and the United States are encouraged by a letter Amoon recently wrote to us. He stated, “I had thought that this time I would talk to you after I get out of prison. Not only talk to you briefly, but a lot. But, since it hasn’t become possible, I decided to write you this letter to thank you.”

Amoon and his fellow prisoners, Shahzad and Ahsan (also our clients), have expressed their gratitude to our team in Pakistan and supporters in the United States.

Amoon wrote:

I want to thank your entire team, including Sunil, Khurram, Augustine [members of the legal team], and others whom I have not been able to meet.

I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. Brother Sunil has always taken care of all of our needs, whether big or small. He has gone out of his way to help us, and I thank God for you brothers. You all have always supported Huma [Amoon’s wife], and she is also thankful to God and you all. I pray that one day God would also allow Huma and me to help those who are persecuted. . . .

Both Shahzad and Ahsan also send their regards. Brother Sunil takes very good care of all of us. You are very lucky that God has given you such a loyal team. By God’s grace, even in poverty we are spending time in prison like someone who has a lot of value. Other Christians who are imprisoned with us also praise your team because of your care for us.

In Amoon’s letter, he also acknowledged and thanked a specific Christian family that has been sending letters, prayers, and other forms of support to these brothers. Amoon writes:

Please tell Mr. Jeff and his family that I am very happy and impressed by the letters they send us. Even my own relatives, who live close by, don’t remember me like that. I get comforted in the Lord by their prayers and letters. I pray that soon God will allow me to be able to talk to all of you face to face. A few days ago, I told Huma to safely keep all the letters and drawings sent by Emmaline and Jack [Jeff’s children] so that, one day when the Lord gives us freedom, we will frame those letters and display them at our house. I love children and hopefully these two will become my friends one day.

While we wait for the court’s decision in the Ayub brothers’ case, we are encouraged by their faith in the Lord and gratitude to our legal team and ACLJ supporters. Please continue to pray that the court delivers a positive decision soon. Take action with us as we continue to defend them. Sign our petition.