A Christian community in Pakistan found itself under attack on Wednesday as a Muslim mob reportedly vandalized churches, torched homes, and burned Bibles after two Christians were accused of blasphemy.
At least two churches were vandalized and one was burned in Jaranwala, a largely Christian area in the Faisalabad district in eastern Pakistan, according to the Associated Press. In addition to the mob – armed with rocks and sticks – attacking places of worship, at least one home was demolished while several others were vandalized, though some reports say more churches were damaged. Many Christians were forced to flee their homes for safety.
“We, Bishops, Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident in the Faisalabad District in Pakistan,” Bishop Azad Marshall, the moderator bishop of the Church of Pakistan, posted to X Wednesday. “A church building is being burnt as I type this message. Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been tortured and harrased (sic) having been falsely accused of violating the Holy Quran.”
“We cry out for justice and action from law enforcement and those who dispense justice and the safety of all citizens to intervene immediately and assure us that our lives are valuable in our own homeland that has just celebrated independence and freedom,” Marshall added.
Words fail me as I write this. We, Bishops, Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident in the Faisalabad District in Pakistan. A church building is being burnt as I type this message. Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been… pic.twitter.com/xruE83NPXL
— Bishop Azad Marshall (@BishopAzadM) August 16, 2023
Two Christian members of the community were accused by the mob of blasphemy, alleging that they desecrated a Quran by tearing out pages and writing insulting things in others, according to the AP. Pakistan has notoriously harsh laws relating to blasphemy, and those convicted of it can be sentenced to death.
The AP notes that even a simple accusation of blasphemy is enough for a mob to lynch and kill the accused, who are often Christians. According to Open Doors, a Christian organization committed to serving persecuted Christians worldwide, roughly 25% of blasphemy accusations are levied against Christians, who make up less than 2% of Pakistan’s population.
Videos on social media have emerged showing the scenes in Pakistan, with the mob toppling crosses from the tops of churches, throwing furniture from windows, and burning fires in the streets.
Pakistan🚨 Alarming situation in Faisalabad. Christian community under attack over charges of Blasphemy.
Majority muslim mob has already burned 3 churches. Mob is heading to the 4th church in Faisalabad.
Several Christian homes, properties and churches have been burned down.… pic.twitter.com/qjPjPFKaFf
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) August 16, 2023
France24 news reported that some videos showed mosque loudspeakers encouraging followers to demonstrate: “Christians have desecrated the Holy Koran. All the clerics, all the Muslims should unite and gather in front of the mosque. Better to die if you don’t care about Islam,” a Muslim cleric reportedly said.
“They broke the windows, doors and took out fridges, sofas, chairs and other household items to pile them up in front of the Church to be burnt. They also burnt and desecrated Bibles, they were ruthless,” one Christian who fled his home told AFP.
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Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the interim Prime Minister of Pakistan – which is 97% Muslim – posted to X that “Stern action would be taken against those who violate law and target minorities. All law enforcement has been asked to apprehend culprits & bring them to justice.” However, as the AP notes, earlier video shows police officers failing to promptly intervene to stop the attacks.
The crowd was eventually dispersed by police firing into the air and with assistance from Muslim clerics and Pakistani troops – and the promise to arrest the accused Christians. Police chief Rizwan Khan said that all people involved in the mob would be prosecuted.
According to Open Doors, the police force in Pakistan “is more interested in appeasing local strongmen than implementing the law and protecting minorities.” The organization notes that Christians often sit in prison for years before the courts determine their fate.
According to the 2023 Open Doors World Watch List, of the top 50 countries that most severely and frequently persecute Christians, Pakistan ranks number 7, with the most frequent types of persecution being Islamic oppression, ethno-religious hostility, dictatorial paranoia, and organized crime.