A true hero of the faith, Christian minister Shahbaz Bhatti was murdered by Islamists (al-Qaida and the Taliban) outside of his mother’s house. He knew all too well that his life was in danger but still he continued to speak out and fight against the tyranny of Sharia.
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” -Matthew 5:10
Militants gunned down the only Christian in Pakistan’s government outside his widowed mother’s home, the second assassination in two months of a high-profile opponent of laws that impose the death penalty for insulting Islam.
Wednesday’s slaying in Islamabad followed the killing of Salman Taseer, a liberal politician who was gunned down in the capital by one of his guards. Both men had campaigned to change blasphemy laws in Pakistan that impose the death penalty for insulting Islam and have been loudly defended by Islamist political parties. …
Shahbaz Bhatti was aware of the danger he faced, saying in a videotaped message that he had received death threats from al-Qaida and the Taliban. In it, the 42-year-old Roman Catholic said he was “ready to die” for the country’s often persecuted Christian and other non-Muslim minorities.
Bhatti had just pulled out of the driveway when three men opened fire, said Gulam Rahim, a witness. Two opened the door of the car and tried to pull Bhatti out, Rahim said, while a third fired a Kalashnikov rifle repeatedly into the dark-colored Toyota, shattering the windows.
The gunmen then sped away in a white car, said Rahim, who took shelter behind a tree.
Bhatti was hit with at least eight bullets and was dead on arrival at hospital.
In leaflets left at the scene, al-Qaida and the Pakistani Taliban Movement in Punjab province claimed responsibility. They blamed the government for putting Bhatti, an “infidel Christian,” in charge of an unspecified committee, apparently in reference to his support for changing the blasphemy laws.
“With the blessing of Allah, the mujahedeen will send each of you to hell,” said the note, which did not name any other targets.
Here is a striking video of Shahbaz Bhatti talking about death threats being made against him and how he is ready to die for the cause of Christ.