https://sputniknews.in/20230819/sowing-discord-what-is-behind-attacks-on-christians-in-pakistan-3708215.html
Sowing Discord: What is Behind Attacks on Christians in Pakistan?
Sowing Discord: What is Behind Attacks on Christians in Pakistan?
Sputnik India
An angry mob of Muslim men burned down more than 20 churches in Pakistan's Punjab province in the Jaranwala district over unconfirmed blasphemy charges against... 19.08.2023, Sputnik India
2023-08-19T23:26+0530
2023-08-19T23:26+0530
2023-08-19T23:26+0530
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pakistan
south asia
christians
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blasphemy
political crisis
religious discrimination
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The attacks on churches occurred on Wednesday and some of them were still burning on Thursday. Apart from the places of worship of the Christian community, many Christian houses were attacked with property demolished as people had to run for their lives.It is labelled as the worst incident against Christians in the history of the country and law enforcement agencies have been tasked with bringing the culprits to justice. Multiple reports suggest that the Christian community in the Jaranwala district was still sleeping when the announcements were made on Mosque loudspeakers at 5.00 am, inciting the people against Christians following a blasphemy allegation.What Caused the Mob Violence?The violence erupted after some locals alleged that several desecrated pages of Quran had been found near a house at Cinema Chowk in Jaranwala, where two Christian brothers resided. Following the allegations, members of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) started calling on people to reach the site of the incident to take action.Thousands of men gathered, attacking and burning down the accused brothers’ home as well as nearby churches. It was reported that no lives were lost, but the damage to the community was unprecedented, and hundreds of Christians had to run and hide, with many having to spend the night in the fields, afraid of going back home.Section 144 was imposed in Faisalabad, and the Punjab Rangers were called in to maintain peace in the area.Minorities Cry for JusticeFollowing the attacks, members of religious minorities cried out for justice and said they had been left at the mercy of the angry mob.He said that bibles have been desecrated and Christians tortured and harassed after being falsely accused of violating the Holy Quran.Sputnik reached out to Reverend Dr Alfred Yaqub, pastor of Grace Assemblies of Pakistan, who is also a professor at Forman Christian College Lahore, to discuss the incidents and why there is a growing intolerance toward people of other religions in the country.He said that millions are struggling because of the poor economy and that leads to frustration and wanting to unleash their anger on someone.Damaging the Country’s ImageIn his observation, the reverend said that over the past year, attacks on religious minorities have increased in Pakistan. He said that political instability gives rise to terrorism, and recently Christians have been experiencing the brunt of it.Blasphemy charges in Pakistan can be a cover for all sorts of disputes, both interpersonal and political. The church burning incidents have left many Pakistanis shocked, with people taking to social media to express their sorrow for the Christian families whose homes were burned down by the angry mob.Newly appointed interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, who said he was gutted by visuals from Jaranwala, stated on Twitter that stern action would be taken against those who violate the law and target minorities.He added that such incidents affect the country's economy, because it presents further challenges, such as relocating the Christian community, rebuilding their homes and churches, arresting the culprits, etc., and all of this plays into the hands of international powers.Inciting Muslims Has Its ConsequencesSputnik also spoke with a UK-based political analyst and writer Parvez Salik, who had a different viewpoint on the situation.He further said that Pakistan was the only Muslim country created for Muslims, so any other religion must not forget that.Talking about the recent Quran burnings across Europe, Salik said that Muslims already feel disrespected because of such incidents, so they can easily be agitated if it happens in their own country.
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pakistan, south asia, christians, quran, blasphemy, political crisis, religious discrimination
pakistan, south asia, christians, quran, blasphemy, political crisis, religious discrimination
Sowing Discord: What is Behind Attacks on Christians in Pakistan?
An angry mob of Muslim men burned down more than 20 churches in Pakistan's Punjab province in the Jaranwala district over unconfirmed blasphemy charges against two Christian brothers. Sputnik spoke with Reverend Dr Alfred Yaqub and writer Parvez Salik about the violent incident.
The attacks on churches occurred on Wednesday and some of them were still burning on Thursday. Apart from the places of worship of the Christian community, many Christian houses were attacked with property demolished as people had to run for their lives.
It is labelled as the worst incident against Christians in the history of the country and law enforcement agencies have been tasked with bringing the culprits to justice. Multiple reports suggest that the Christian community in the Jaranwala district was still sleeping when the announcements were made on Mosque loudspeakers at 5.00 am, inciting the people against Christians following a blasphemy allegation.
What Caused the Mob Violence?
The violence erupted after some locals alleged that several desecrated pages of Quran had been found near a house at Cinema Chowk in Jaranwala, where two Christian brothers resided. Following the allegations, members of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) started calling on people to reach the site of the incident to take action.
Thousands of men gathered, attacking and burning down the accused brothers’ home as well as nearby churches. It was reported that no lives were lost, but the damage to the community was unprecedented, and hundreds of Christians had to run and hide, with many having to spend the night in the fields, afraid of going back home.
Section 144 was imposed in Faisalabad, and the Punjab Rangers were called in to maintain peace in the area.
Minorities Cry for Justice
Following the attacks, members of religious minorities cried out for justice and said they had been left at the mercy of the angry mob.
Church of Pakistan President Bishop Azad Marshall said in a tweet, “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”.
He said that bibles have been desecrated and Christians tortured and harassed after being falsely accused of violating the Holy Quran.
"We cry out for justice and action from law enforcement", Bishop Marshall added.
Sputnik reached out to Reverend Dr Alfred Yaqub, pastor of Grace Assemblies of Pakistan, who is also a professor at Forman Christian College Lahore, to discuss the incidents and why there is a growing intolerance toward people of other religions in the country.
"There are many reasons for this intolerance toward people of other religions. The psychological one can be that people are frustrated with the general situation in the country”, the reverend said.
He said that millions are struggling because of the poor economy and that leads to frustration and wanting to unleash their anger on someone.
“The fact that multiple churches were burned down in different areas across Jaranwala district shows that this could have been a pre-planned operation to sow discord in the community”, the reverend explained.
Damaging the Country’s Image
In his observation, the reverend said that over the past year, attacks on religious minorities have increased in Pakistan. He said that political instability gives rise to terrorism, and recently Christians have been experiencing the brunt of it.
"Right after this coalition government with the PML-N running the show came to power, after ousting the former prime minister, the terrorism incidents across the country arose exponentially", Dr Yaqub said.
Blasphemy charges in Pakistan can be a cover for all sorts of disputes, both interpersonal and political. The church burning incidents have left many Pakistanis shocked, with people taking to social media to express their sorrow for the Christian families whose homes were burned down by the angry mob.
Newly appointed interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, who said he was gutted by visuals from Jaranwala, stated on Twitter that stern action would be taken against those who violate the law and target minorities.
"All law enforcement has been asked to apprehend culprits and bring them to justice,” he said, adding that the government stands with "our citizenry on an equal basis".
"It's really sad that we are having such conflicts within certain sects of a religion as well as between two religions Christianity and Islam. This is really damaging the image of the country", the reverend told Sputnik.
He added that such incidents affect the country's economy, because it presents further challenges, such as relocating the Christian community, rebuilding their homes and churches, arresting the culprits, etc., and all of this plays into the hands of international powers.
Inciting Muslims Has Its Consequences
Sputnik also spoke with a UK-based political analyst and writer Parvez Salik, who had a different viewpoint on the situation.
"If we compare Pakistan in terms of intolerance shown by other countries towards Muslims, whether in the UK, US, India or especially Israel (where killings, seizure of property and apartheid exists), then Pakistan is indeed a model for others to follow. Minority groups are free to worship and have equal rights and opportunities in the country", Salik said.
He further said that Pakistan was the only Muslim country created for Muslims, so any other religion must not forget that.
"If you decide to make Pakistan your home, then you must respect their religion if you yourself want the same. Blaspheming or burning the Holy Quran or inciting others to do so will naturally have consequences", the writer told Sputnik.
Talking about the recent Quran burnings across Europe, Salik said that Muslims already feel disrespected because of such incidents, so they can easily be agitated if it happens in their own country.
"The burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden and blasphemous cartoons in France or Denmark can easily enrage otherwise tolerant people. In Pakistan though there may also be a political element where religion is exploited for votes in the coming election", Salik concluded.
