The Anglican church in bin Laden’s neighborhood

Every day the Church of Pakistan faces danger as a result of the “blasphemy law.” Although it is legal for churches to operate, Christian leaders must be cautious not to violate this law, which prohibits speaking against Islam.

Saint Luke Church, Abbottabad

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: The Houston Chronicle
By Kate Shellnutt | May 14, 2011

The Episcopal Church is urging parishioners to pray for Christians living in Abbottabad, Pakistan—the city where Osama bin Laden was located and killed.

Located in the heart of Abbottabad is St. Luke’s Anglican Church, a historic Gothic chapel that holds between 250 and 300 people during Sunday services, according to an article posted by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. The diocese, headquartered in Houston, has maintained a relationship with the church in Pakistan, called the Peshawar Diocese.

Pakistan’s former bishop the Rt. Rev. Mano Rumalshah and current leader the Rt. Rev. Humphrey S. Peters visited Houston in February.


They donned cowboy hats and met with local bishop the Rt. Rev. Andy Doyle. The leaders discussed the dangers of living in area with the threat of Taliban forces as well as powerful natural disasters.

Their church is certainly the minority: There are an estimated 100,000 Christians out of the 17 million people living in the Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan, according to a diocese report.

    Every day the Church of Pakistan faces danger as a result of the “blasphemy law.” Although it is legal for churches to operate, Christian leaders must be cautious not to violate this law, which prohibits speaking against Islam.

    “Many Christians have been put to death, houses and villages put on fire because of the misuse of this law,” said Bishop Humphrey Peters. “We have to be cautious but we are constantly requesting the government and everyone to stop the misuse of this law.”

Leaders from St. Luke’s and a few other Christian churches warranted extra security from local police following bin Laden’s death since they may be seen as retaliatory targets by his supporters.


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