In 2014, my husband and I first met Mariam and Amir*, a young Pakistani Christian couple, working with a Catholic English community in the Netherlands. They needed a ride to church and it was the start to a journey we are still on. Today, they face being returned to Pakistan where they will face certain death for getting married and their strong Christian faith. We need the international community to help save this amazing couple. 

This is their story: 

A few years ago, 19-year-old Mariam, a young Pakistani Muslim woman, fell in love with a young Christian man from her village, Amir. When her family learned the news, they immediately promised her to a cousin more than twice her age. Mariam refused the arranged marriage and was severely beaten. A few days later, fearing for her safety and being separated from the love of her life, she fled from her home.

Mariam converted to Christianity so she and Amir could get married in secret. This almost cost Amir his life. A few months after they were married, Amir was shot and almost killed by Mariam's family. Luckily, he survived, but the threats did not stop. The couple face accusations of blasphemy and abandoning Islam, for which the penalty is death. Mariam was seen as having brought dishonor on the family, and the threat of an honor killing was whispered among her family. Life in Pakistan was now too dangerous, and the couple fled to the Netherlands.

Unfortunately, the Netherlands has repeatedly rejected their asylum requests. They don’t believe they are married or Christian. With no rights and the ability to be sent back to the Pakistan at any moment, Mariam and Amir fear, at the ages of 23 and 25, their lives may be cut short all because of their faith and who they love.

When we met Mariam and Amir, we couldn't sit back and do nothing, so we started this petition. You shouldn’t either. We need your support and for people around the world to rally to save Mariam and Amir. Call upon the Dutch government to respect the right to freedom of religion and to grant asylum to Mariam and Amir!

When sharing the petition, please use #SaveMariamAmir to help spread the word. For more details about their story or to make a donation, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/supportmariamamir

*Names have been changed for security. Mariam and Amir's lives are in danger, having been threatened by their family on numerous occasions. Mariam is known to the Dutch Immigration Services IND under the number V-2702809681 and Amir, under the number V-2701493150.

Para la petición en español, haga clic aquí.

Pour la petition en francais, cliquer ici.

Per la petizione in italiano, clicca qui.