AFGHANISTAN: AASIF PAYS THE ULTIMATE PRICE

The Taliban’s takeover OF AFGHANISTAN just over two years ago has made AN ALREADY EXTREMELY TOUGH SITUATION even harder FOR SECRET AFGAHN CHRISTIANS. IT’S RARE TO BE ABLE TO SHARE STORIES FROM THE COUNTRY, AND THE TALIBAN TAKEOVER HAS MADE GETTING INFORMATION MORE DIFFICULT. HERE’S ONE SAD STORY WE”VE HEARD RECENTLY, Please note that you might find some of the content below distressing.

After becoming a Christian, Aasif* had a dream to return to his birthplace to share the gospel with others. He and his family went, and over two years more than 30 people gave their lives to Jesus through Aasif’s witness.

But his father grew suspicious. “Aasif’s father was a respected figure in the community and, when we returned home, he could see changes in his son’s behaviour,” says Shaziz*, Aasif’s wife. “The way he was living raised questions. He repeatedly asked Aasif why he no longer prayed or attended the mosque.

“His father started monitoring him for a month, trying to discover who he was meeting with and why his behaviour had changed. One night, when Aasif returned home from one of his groups, his father discovered that he had a book and took it from him. After reading it, he learnt that his son had become a Christian. That night he declared him an infidel and deserving of Islamic punishment.”

A month later, Aasif’s father decided to kill him. “One day, he suggested the two of them go swimming, but instead of spending time together, Aasif’s father drowned him in the water,” recalls Shaziz. “He returned home alone.”

Shaziz pressed his father-in-law over Aasif’s whereabouts, but he insisted the two of them never went swimming after all. The following day, Aasift’s body was discovered. 

“I knew my father-in-law had killed my husband, but I was too afraid to share the story with anyone,” continues Shaziz. “I feared my father-in-law’s retribution; if I revealed the truth, I might be the next target.

“Forty days after his death, I decided to move back to where we used to live. We have three daughters and three sons. My father-in-law did not provide any support, and there was no one to help me take care of my children or provide for their basic needs. We are now living in a rented house.”

Despite the immense grief and financial struggles, Shazia has not given up hope. She wants to set up her own bakery so she can take care of her family.

*Names changed for security reasons