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8/1 UPDATE: Never Ending Persecution of Christians in Pakistan
--- 07/31/2009
UPDATE: We have learned from a first hand account, who was present on the scene, that 46 additional homes have been burnt. 6 people have died; 3 remain in the hospital severely burnt. We have heard that the Muslim mob now numbers in the thousands and it is rumored that they are moving into other Christian areas.
We would like to urge you to prayerfully consider making a financial donation to help us in the work in Pakistan. We have teams that will be heading to Pakistan soon and it is clear that the work will be vast and broad, making it costly. But we will stand with our brothers and sisters as best we can. So, we encourage you to seek the Lord in relation to the role that He may have designated for you in the healing of our Christian brothers and sisters. If you are interested in making a financial donation, please visit our Support page and designate "Pakistan." CLICK HERE.
 
 
 
ORIGINAL PHOTOS:
   
It is 11.30 am, July 30, 2009. One of my friends called me and shared about the following tragedy. I am very sad to report that a mob of thousands of Muslims set fires that burned 60 houses of Christians. Their livestock including cows, goats and buffalos burnt to death.
Finias Paul is an eye witness who saw a mob burning and demolishing the homes of Christians. Finias told me the problem started in a village called Korian. On July 28th, a wedding celebration was going on in the area. Throughout the night the Christian families, their relatives, and Christians in the area celebrated.
On the morning of the 29th, a few Muslims saw some pieces of Quranic verses in the street in front of the family's home where the wedding had been celebrated.
The Muslims spread the word that the family desecrated the Quranic pages. A group of Muslims called upon many Christians, man-handled them and forced them to admit that they committed blasphemy. But one family, the family of Talib Masih refused.
The following day, July 30th, Christian women and men were severely beaten by the Muslims. It appeared that the conflict had been resolved.
But late in the evening, Muslim clerics gave a call to Muslims to come and teach a lesson to the Christians.
When the Christians heard this they evacuated the villages and fled to save their lives. Approximately, seven to eight hours later, a mob of thousands of Muslim men set fires to burn the houses of Christians. More than 40 houses have been completely burnt and the loss of livestock is very high.
The local administration was called to protect and save the homes and property of the Christians. The police and fire brigade responded, but they responded too late. When the mob of Muslims saw the police and fire brigade, they blocked the road and burnt the tiers.
There are reports that the mob had violent clashes with police, who used their batons and tear gas.
The District Coordination Officer and the District Police Officer reached the village four hours too late. The Police Officer suspended the Station House Officer named Juniad Chishti, then also suspended Sadar Gojra. The Mob demanded that the police suspend him. The Muslim clerics filed a written application against Talib and his family under Pakistan Penal Code section 295 B & C, but he took no action.
The Muslim mob demanded that the District Police Officer (DPO) shoot Talib Masih and his father in front of the mob on the main road of the village. The DPO refused.
Qari Noor Ahmad and Bilal Asghar Warriach, members of the Punjab Assembly led a dialogue and the mob was dispersed.
As the dialogue was in progress the mob allowed the fire brigade to start tending to the fires, but by that time it was too late and almost all of the sixty homes were badly burnt and demolished.
Mukhtar Masih, 70, one of the local residents said “thousands of Muslims were on Toba-Faisalabad Road to protest and block the road and stop the police and fire brigade while another mob was busy burning and demolishing the house. The arsons did not even spare the poor animals.”
The Chief Minister of Punjab province ordered the Commissioner of Faisalabad to initiate an immediate inquiry and take actions against the people involved. He ordered legislators to rush to the conflict zone to resolve the issue. Many have visited the area including the Commissioner, the Inspector General Police, Khalil Tahir Sandu and Joel Amir Shohtra. The higher authorities of Faisalabad have also visited the village. Also present are Christian organizations such as Strategic World Impact.
The local media has showed a double standard policy over the issue. I spoke to different media personnel in both Urdu and English. They told me that they have been stopped in reporting it as Christian / Muslim conflict. They are only being allowed to report it as fighting between two groups. Almost all TV channels reported it as groups that were fighting and burning houses. The media focused on the mob that blocked the roads and did not allow the firemen to save the animals or properties.
There have been no Christian voices in the news. The media has ignored the Christians seeking protection; who have hidden themselves in the village and want to get out. But neither the media nor the district administration has paid attention to them.
The Christian’s losses are shown but their statements and their condemnation are hidden. Presenting one side of the story has created more difficulties for the affected Christians.
The report has been made in the light interviews of local residents, media, eyewitness etc.
Please pray for my people..
Reported by Faras Mukhtar
Country Director, Pakistan
Strategic World Impact.
   
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