Enslaved Christians enjoy new outlook on life after debt relief

About enslaved Christians in Pakistan

To properly understand the plight of enslaved Pakistani believers like Faqiria, we must first understand that Christians represent a very small minority (less than 2%) of the overall population in Pakistan. This leaves Pakistani Christians subject to intense religious persecution in the form of threats, violence and discrimination. Specifically, discriminatory practices involve denying believers access to:
•high-quality education,
•good jobs,
•proper wages, and
•fair loan terms.

How are enslaved believers marginalized?

Unfortunately, many Christians including Faqiria are marginalized by the Muslim majority in Pakistan to such an extent that they live out their entire lives in abject poverty. This life-long lack of financial resources forces them to take out predatory loans from the brick kiln industry for both emergencies and everyday expenses.

Thereafter, the impoverished believers must make hundreds of bricks a day in a feeble attempt to pay off their spiraling loan debt. What many of these uneducated Christians do not know is that the financial system of the kilns is set up to ensnare them for the long term through a sinister combination of soaring interest rates and garnished wages—meaning that very little of their daily wages go toward paying off the principal of their loans. Enslaved Christians like Faqiria also lack financial transparency, as the brick kiln managers do not provide accounting statements or financial disclosures that explain how much debt they have remaining.

Work in the brick kilns is often reserved for those on the lowest rung of society, who have nowhere else to turn when they need a financial loan during hard times. And a small loan of just $1,000 is enough to trap a family of believers for decades on end, effectively making them modern-day enslaved Christians.

Read on for an insightful Q&A session and video with Faqiria, as he discusses how GCR and our partners on the ground helped him and his family escape from bonded labor. He proudly mentions his new small business enterprise: a mobile grocery store that serves as an alternative source of income for the newly freed family—made possible through your prayers and generous support!

Q&A with Faqiria and his family, formerly enslaved Christians in Pakistan

Brian at GCR: I could tell right away from this time meeting that your countenance is different.

Faqiria: There’s a lot of difference ever since you’ve stepped in and helped us and paid our debts. We’re very good. Our labor rate has increased.

Brian: I can see the smile. I can see the joy in you and your family.

Faqiria: Our time is going well.  Now, we have an amazing glow on our faces.

Brian: As previously enslaved Christians, how has repaying the debt specifically impacted your lives?

Faqiria: My wife had an operation on her stomach. We spent [approx. $900 USD] on her procedure, using money generated from our new grocery shop which GCR helped us set up.  If you wouldn’t have paid off our debts, she would have died.

Brian: When you were trapped in modern slavery, how did it feel?

Faqiria: Our family had so much tension over the debt we owed. That’s why we couldn’t even talk about it properly with you when you visited the first time. We didn’t have anything to give you, such as good hospitality.

Brian: What are some of the challenges facing enslaved Christians today? 

Faqiria: We even had to buy our children’s medicine by getting a loan [from the brick kiln]. But now all has improved for us. We’re so grateful.

Brian: What would you say to those who helped give and were a part of your debt relief?

Faqiria: We pray for them. Now, with their help, we’ll never have to take out another loan. We’re so thankful to God. They came to us like God’s messengers. 

Brian: Now that you are newly freed, what are your plans for the future? 

Faqiria: God showered his blessings on us. We’re ready to move where there is a church and a school nearby. We’ll be thankful for it. We can pray and sleep with no regrets.

Brian: How has God been encouraging you lately?

Faqiria: Before we were like slaves. Now we have freedom. God has blessed us. When we sit at home with our kids in evening, then we pray. We tell God we’re grateful … God has sent you.

A prayer for enslaved believers

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your grace and for the opportunity to spend quality time with Faqiria and many other enslaved Christians in Pakistan’s brick kilns. Thank You for releasing Faquiria and his family from debt and freeing them! We praise You for their resilient faith. Please be with those still trapped in the cycle of bonded labor in the brick kilns. Give them endurance and strengthen their faith in You. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

About the author

On behalf of the team at Global Christian Relief, Brian O. travels the world to hear from persecuted Christians first-hand, and to pray for them in their hardship. Brian has encouraged suffering believers in places like Nigeria, Nepal, India, Pakistan Korea, Afghanistan and more. He invites you to read updates and watch video of the most recent persecution stories on the GCR website.