Muslim mob attacks churches and Christian homes over alleged Quran desecration.
Angry Muslims Attack Churches and Christian Homes Over Alleged Quran Desecration
On Wednesday, a violent rampage erupted in eastern Pakistan as angry Muslims targeted a Christian area, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The mob set fire to a church and caused damage to two others, while also demolishing a man’s house. The attacks took place in Jaranwala, a district in Punjab province, after some Muslims accused a local Christian, Raja Amir, and his friend of tearing out pages from a Quran and defacing them with insulting remarks.
The incident sparked outrage among the local Muslim community, leading to a mob gathering and launching attacks on multiple churches and Christian homes. Furniture and household items were burned, and some members of the Christian community were forced to flee their homes to escape the violence. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of casualties.
Police eventually intervened, using force to disperse the attackers with the assistance of Muslim clerics and elders. Authorities have also initiated raids to apprehend all those involved in the attack. Videos and photos circulating on social media depict the angry mob descending upon churches, throwing bricks, and setting them ablaze. In one video, two other churches are targeted, with windows broken and furniture thrown out and set on fire. The presence of several policemen who watched without intervening to stop the vandalism is also captured in the footage.
Police chief Rizwan Khan assured that additional police forces were deployed to protect the Christian community, and an investigation into the incident is underway. He emphasized that all those responsible for the attack would face prosecution. “Our first priority was to save the lives of all the Christians,” he stated.
Later in the evening, troops arrived in Jaranwala to support the police, urging the angry Muslims to return to their homes with promises that the individual who desecrated the Quran would soon be arrested. A delegation of Muslim clerics from Lahore also arrived in Jaranwala to express solidarity with the Christians.
Blasphemy accusations are unfortunately common in Pakistan, and the country’s blasphemy laws carry severe penalties, including death, for insulting Islam or Islamic religious figures. While death sentences for blasphemy have not been carried out, mere accusations often lead to riots and incite violence, including lynching and killings.
This attack drew nationwide condemnation from top leaders and major political parties. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar expressed his distress over the images coming out of Faisalabad and vowed stern action against those who violate the law and target minorities. He called on law enforcement to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice.
Bishop Azad Marshall, a senior Christian leader, appealed for help on social media, expressing deep pain and distress. He called for immediate intervention from law enforcement and justice providers to ensure the safety and value of all citizens in their own homeland.
Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the rampage, emphasizing that violence has no place in any religion. In Karachi, dozens of Christians rallied to denounce the attacks in Jaranwala.
Human rights groups, both domestic and international, have highlighted that blasphemy allegations are often used to intimidate religious minorities in Pakistan and settle personal scores. Tragically, in December 2021, a Muslim mob killed a Sri Lankan man and publicly burned his body over allegations of blasphemy at a sports equipment factory in Sialkot district.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
The post Muslim Mob Attacks 3 Churches and Multiple Christian Homes Over Alleged Quran Desecration appeared first on The Western Journal.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
