Multiple Churches set ablaze after Blasphemy Allegations in Pakistan

2023.08.16 23:36:14

Armed mobs brutally attacked on two churches in Garanwala town

 

Newsnomics AJAY ANGELINA reporter |

 

Armed mobs brutally attacked on two churches in Garanwala town, Faisalabad District of Pakistan after having two Christians been falsely accused of violating the Holy Quran.


Videos circulating on social media visualize hundreds of people armed with batons and sticks attacked on the Salvation Army Church and the Saint Paul Catholic Church, set them on fire while another mob attacked on Christian homes, breaking the windows, harassing and torturing the Christian peoples.


Akmal Bhatti, the chairman of Minorities Alliance Pakistan, condemned the incident and said the crowd had “torched” at least five churches and looted valuables from houses that had been abandoned by their owners.


More than 150 Christian families residing near the Salvation Army Church are in the worst situation and started running towards their relatives in a nearby village roughly 40km (24miles) away from Jaranwala town” said Bhatti, a lawyer.


The controversary erupted as the torn pages of Quran, the Holy book of Muslims were found with alleged blasphemous contents near the Christian colony.


The torn pages were taken to a local religious leader, who reportedly urged Muslims to protest against the act and demand for Culprits arrest.


Hundreds of people blocked a nearby highway to protest against the alleged desecration of the Quran, moved towards the Christian colony and then attacked on Churches and private residents of the people.


Bishop Azad Marshall demanded justice for the minorities and tweeted, “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.”


Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar called for stern action against those responsible for Wednesday’s violence. “I am gutted by the visuals coming out,” he said.


Blasphemy is really a sensitive issue in Pakistan always erupt in widespread violence, commonly misused to settle scores of personal reasons, often put off trials, languishing in prison and even results in fearful death.


More than 2,000 people have been accused of blasphemy since 1987, and at least 88 people have been killed on been falsely accused of blasphemous allegations according to the data provided by the social justice authorities, the independent group advocating for the rights of minorities.

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