View the video.
On August 16th, thousands of people stormed a Christian colony in Jaranwala, a town located in the Faisalabad district of Punjab. Angered by allegations of blasphemy, and spurred on by urgent announcements that had been broadcasted over mosque loudspeakers, the incited mob either damaged or utterly destroyed up to 26 church buildings and as many as 400 homes. Thankfully, there were no reports of casualties following this recent attack. Please take the time to view the informative video alert that VOMC released the next day, which includes footage of the actual attacks.
This incident was sparked after two Christian brothers, named Rocky Saleem Masih and Raja Amir Saleem Masih, had been burning waste paper. Accusations that they were desecrating pages of the Quran ensued. Three local men also produced a letter that allegedly contained blasphemous comments about Muhammad. The brothers have been detained and charged under Pakistan's blasphemy laws.
Members of the military and police force were called in to stop the rampage, and their emergency intervention eventually settled the protestors. While the violence had abated in the days that followed, underlying tensions remain. The government has publicly condemned the attacks, and more than 100 warrants of arrest have been issued against the rioters. Governing leaders have promised to help the victims rebuild, but the survivors are sceptical.
On the Sunday following the attacks, the victimized Christians gathered for worship, but with apprehension. "We used to come here without any fear, but today we need the police," stated Nosheen Farman, who was unable to return to her burned home. At the Salvation Army church, around 200 Christians sat on chairs in an alley, amidst the rubble of their destroyed building. Worshippers were urged to remain steadfast in their faith, especially those who had experienced tremendous loss.
While the attacks are considered the result of a planned attempt to disrupt peace, not all Muslims in the area have sided with the rioters. In fact, at least one local mosque has announced that its facility is available to be used for Christian prayer services while the rebuilding takes place.
Tensions remain high in a country that's renowned for the violence of militants sparked by allegations of blasphemy. In Sahiwal, a city located about 100 kilometres south of Faisalabad, an attack of similar outrage was narrowly averted on August 20th. Ehsaan Shan Masih, a member of the Sahiwal Baptist Church, came across a video about the Jaranwala incident and shared the post on social media. Militant Islamic leaders in the area quickly called for protests, claiming that the Christian had committed blasphemy. Due to the timely intervention of police, thankfully the violence was prevented, and Ehsaan and his family were taken into protective custody. However, as demands were made for an arrest, the accused believer has been formally charged and remanded.
Please remember to pray for the hundreds of believers in Jaranwala who have been terribly affected by this most recent incident of senseless violence. In the aftermath of the riots, may the Lord greatly comfort our Christian family in Pakistan and provide His divine protection from further attacks. Ask that He would also meet the practical needs of all those who have lost so much – not only providing for their daily sustenance, but also the funds required to rebuild their homes and church buildings. Additionally, please pray for Rocky, Raja and Ehsaan, who are now facing allegations of blasphemy – along with the many other Pakistani Christians already imprisoned on similar charges – asking that they would be found innocent and kept safe from vigilante violence.
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