If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
2 Timothy 2:11b-13
Tahir Iqbal (1992)
“I found the truth”
Tahir was a Christian convert from Islam who died in mysterious circumstances whilst in prison in Pakistan, having been arrested on blasphemy charges.
He was born in 1959 into a Muslim family and as a young man became an Islamic extremist. In 1982 he contracted meningitis, which left the lower part of his body paralysed and brought an end to his career in the Pakistan Air Force. He received support from a local group of Christians, who helped him acquire a wheelchair.
Tahir began a comparative study of Islam and Christianity which led to his conversion. He was rejected by his family, received anonymous threats and was pressurised by some influential people to re-convert to Islam. A case of blasphemy was filed against him by a local imam, the evidence being Tahir’s copy of the Quran, which was marked on several pages. Tahir was thrown into prison where he was mistreated and was under constant pressure to renounce Christ. But he told his persecutors, “You want me to say that I changed my religion because somebody pushed me into it for the sake of money, to get a job, or to have women. But you are lying. You should know that I changed because I found the truth. I will kiss the rope that hangs me, but I will never deny my faith.”
On 23 April 1992 an application was made to the court, seeking Tahir’s execution. The court refused, on the basis that conversion from Islam is not a crime under Pakistani law. On 21 June Tahir told his counsel that he feared for his life and also sent letters to the highest authorities in the land appealing for protection. He died mysteriously in prison on 20 July 1992, aged 33, having been described as in good health at his last court hearing a week before. The Christian community was certain that he was murdered – a charge denied by the prison authorities. Tahir’s body was given to his stepmother without a post-mortem or investigation being conducted. He was buried in Faisalabad according to Islamic rites.
Thank you, Lord Jesus that you will be our hiding place whatever happens.
Corrie Ten Boom (1892-1983)