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The Be Heard Project is a voice for the persecuted Church. Through law, public policy, and grassroots action, we amplify your voice to demand that world governments respect the most basic human rights and human dignity of persecuted believers. Join with us today and Be Heard.

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Confronting Religious Persecution at the IRF Summit

Feb. 10Stories That Demand Action:

Last week I spoke on a panel at the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit in Washington, D.C.—a global gathering that brings together advocates, policymakers, and legal experts from around the world who are on the front lines of defending religious freedom. The Summit provides a rare forum to share firsthand experiences, expose ongoing...More

As Iran’s Christian Persecution Escalates, ACLJ Takes Urgent Action...

Feb. 04As Iran’s Christian Persecution...

Why Somalia Is One of the Most Dangerous Places for Christians

Feb. 02Marked for Death: Why Somalia Is...

The Fate of the Kurds Is Critical to Syria’s Future

Jan. 30The Fate of the Kurds Is Critical...

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Save Christians From Murder in Congo

Save Christians From Murder in...

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has once again become the site of unspeakable violence , with Christian communities being targeted by terrorists and militant forces. On February 15, over 70 Christians – primarily women, children, and the elderly – were added to the list of victims when they were abducted...More

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Save Christian Pastor Raymond Koh

Save Christian Pastor Raymond Koh

Free the Israeli Hostages from Hamas

Free the Israeli Hostages from...

Save Ahsan Masih

Save Ahsan Masih

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Save Shahzad Masih From Death

UPDATE: ACLJ Speaks With Shahzad Masih, a Young Christian Currently Sentenced To Hang for Blasphemy in Pakistan

Shaheryar Gill

October 18th, 2024

Innocent Christian Shahzad Masih was arrested on fabricated blasphemy charges in July 2017 when he was 16 years old. Despite the lack of any evidence against him, Shahzad was sentenced to hang. He just turned 24 on death row in a Pakistani prison.

This young Christian has already lost eight years of his life behind bars for a “crime” that even the local Pakistani authorities admitted in court he had not committed. Now he will die unless we take urgent action to save him.

Our legal team on the ground in Pakistan has been working tirelessly to have Shahzad’s appeal heard and see his conviction and death sentence overturned.

I traveled to Pakistan to meet with our legal team about his case and prepare for the upcoming argument in court. I just spoke directly to Shahzad by telephone only days after his birthday. He said that he’s doing well, praying constantly, and engaged in a Bible study in the prison with fellow Christians. I also informed Shahzad that thousands of Christians are praying for him.

As we’ve told you previously, Shahzad’s only “crime” was that he told his Muslim co-worker that his father’s Muslim friend used derogatory words whenever he found out anyone’s name had Muhammad in it. And Shahzad only said this when Ishtiaq Ahmed, his Muslim co-worker, had brought up the topic of religion, and in merely making conversation, Shahzad told him that he really didn’t know much about religion in general. After Ishtiaq told Shahzad about the Muslim prophets, including the Prophet Muhammad, Shahzad mentioned his father’s friend. That was all.

But a radical Muslim group fabricated the charges of blasphemy against Shahzad and pressured the judge to pass down the maximum penalty – death by hanging.

Recently, we renewed our application with Pakistan’s High Court, requesting that his appeal be heard sooner. This is the fourth application we have filed. Finally, the court agreed and set a date to hear the appeal in late October.

In our conversation, Shahzad also mentioned that his sister is getting married this coming December, and he is hopeful that the court will overturn his conviction and set him free in time to attend the special family event. That would surely be the greatest wedding gift Shahzad’s sister could receive.

As we prepare to go back to court in Pakistan to defend Shahzad’s life, we ask that you please continue to pray for our legal team as well as for the judges to see the injustice and rule to save this innocent young Christian’s life. And finally, please pray for Shahzad Masih and his family.

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Receive the latest news, updates, and contribution opportunities from Be Heard Project

Stories That Demand Action: Confronting Religious Persecution at the...

Shaheryar Gill  //

Feb 10, 2026

Last week I spoke on a panel at the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit in Washington, D.C.—a global gathering that brings together advocates, policymakers, and legal experts from around the world who...

Read More

>

Muslim Gang Member Sentenced After Sexually Assaulting Christian...

Shaheryar Gill  //

Jan 27, 2026

We recently informed you about V, a seven-year-old girl, who was sexually abused by a Muslim neighbor in Pakistan. We have been working on a similar, and even more horrific, case in which two Christian women...

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Fighting for Justice for Abused Seven-Year-Old Christian Girl in...

Shaheryar Gill  //

Jan 21, 2026

Today I want to bring you an important update on another critical case involving a vulnerable seven-year-old Christian girl , to whom we will refer as “V” to protect her identity. V was sexually abused by a...

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American Center for Law and Justice | Washington D.C. | Copyright © 2026, ACLJ | Privacy & Security Policy | Annual Report

Be Heard Project is a project of the American Center for Law and Justice. American Center for Law and Justice is a d/b/a for Christian Advocates Serving Evangelism, Inc., a tax-exempt, not-for-profit, religious corporation as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, specifically dedicated to the ideal that religious freedom and freedom of speech are inalienable, God-given rights. The Center's purpose is to engage legal, legislative and cultural issues by implementing an effective strategy of advocacy, education and litigation to ensure that those rights are protected under the law. The organization has participated in numerous cases before the Supreme Court, Federal Court of Appeals, Federal District Courts, and various state courts regarding freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Your gift is very much appreciated and fully deductible as a charitable contribution. A copy of our latest financial report may be obtained by writing to us at P.O. Box 90555, Washington, DC 20090-0555.