Sabir was born into a Muslim family in Nepal and was devoted to his religion and his community. However, he felt that something was missing in his life. One day, Sabir went to a respected Muslim teacher for assurance. “Will this way lead me to heaven?” he asked. “If Allah wills it”, was the answer.

This left Sabir unsatisfied, and when he met some Christians in college he was attracted by their faith and their certainty of salvation. Putting his faith in Jesus, Sabir went on to lead eight other friends to Christ and was baptized. Soon after, the local Muslim community confronted Sabir, considering his conversion to be punishable by death. The eight believers were beaten but Sabir escaped to Kathmandu where he has been able to study the Bible further. He also secretly travels to visit other believers in remote parts of Nepal where he encourages them to share his faith in “the existence of a living God, His kingdom and His unfailing love.”

Muslims make up only 7 percent of the population of Nepal, but this percentage is growing, partly through conversion from the Hindu majority despite strict laws against any kind of religious proselytization or conversion in Nepal. As Nepal seeks to create even stricter laws about religious freedom there are concerns about the impact of this on individual freedom, but also about the risk to religious minority communities. While the Muslim community may violently defend their identity, the majority Hindu population has also been known to violently defend theirs, and religious laws can be used as a weapon in personal conflicts.

Pray for them

• Christians in Nepal are surrounded by potential threats. Pray for them to have the great courage that is required to be a light in such a place.
• Pray for laws that promote peace and allow freedom for Nepalis to follow the faith of their choosing.
• Pray for God’s kingdom to grow in Nepal.