Two Pakistani teens, Areeb Umeed Bakhsh, 13 and Somer, 15, face being returned from Glasgow to Pakistan, where their family fears for their safety.
A letter which was written by Rt Rev Susan Brown, who is the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, asking Sajid Javid to intervene, has been signed by the Edinburgh Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews and Bishop Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Others, who have added their name to the appeal, include John Cross, Moderator of the United Free Church of Scotland, Rev Dr David Easton, chair of the Synod of the Methodist Church in Scotland, and 13 former Church of Scotland moderators.
They want Sajid Javid to examine the family’s case and “recognise the Pakistan-wide threat they face”.
The boys’ father stated that he had received death threats from Islamic extremists, due to his Christian faith. The family fled Faisalabad in 2012.
Mrs Brown wrote: “As you will be aware, the blasphemy laws in Pakistan are such that even without substantive evidence, accusations can be made against those, not of the Muslim faith.”
“Petty disagreements between neighbours, for example, can result in people of another faith being accused under the law and lead to their imprisonment or being pursued with the intent to kill.”
“This is precisely the reason why this faithful Christian family find themselves in Scotland.”
It is understood that the UK Government rejected the families plea for Asylum because officials do not believe they would be at risk if they moved to a different part of Pakistan.
A petition has been signed by more than 88,000 people, calling on the Home Office not to deport the boys.
Somer is currently studying five higher and is hoping to become astrophysicists. Somer’s brother Areeb is said to be interested in Astronomy and Art.
The Church of Scotland said: the brother’s father, Maqsood holds two masters degrees and has worked as a data analyst in Pakistan. The boy’s mother Parveen is a trained midwife with 17 years of experience.
The family are unable to work in Scotland and have been getting by on benefits and charity due to their immigration status.
Mrs Brown wrote: “With all respect, we urge you and, through you, the Home Office to step in and allow this family to play their part in serving a nation they very much feel a part of and want to contribute to.”
The Home Office said it does not comment on individual cases.
