Pakistani group seeks help for Christians detained in Saudi Arabia

Published: 2005-05-05

LAHORE, Pakistan (CNS) -- The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has asked its government to intervene on behalf of 40 Pakistani Christians detained in Saudi Arabia for practicing their religion. The independent national human rights organization sent a letter May 3 to Pakistan's foreign minister asking for immediate intervention in the matter, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. According to media reports published April 24, Saudi police detained 40 Pakistani Christians, including women and children, who were attending a prayer service in a private house. Saudi law does not allow the practice of any religion other than Islam. A Pakistani preacher reportedly was preaching when police raided the house in Riyadh, the Saudi capital. No further details were available concerning actions taken by the Saudi authorities against the Christian group.

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