In the city of Jaranwala, located in the Faisalabad district of eastern Pakistan, a violent mob attack on churches and Christian homes left destruction and despair in its wake. The incident was sparked by allegations that a Christian man, Raja Amir, had desecrated the Koran, the holy book of Islam. According to the city police chief, Bilal Mehmood, Amir had torn out pages from the Koran, thrown them on the ground, and written insulting remarks on other pages.
The mob quickly gathered and began attacking multiple churches and several Christian homes. The rioters also attacked the offices of a city administrator on Wednesday, but police intervened, firing into the air and wielding batons to disperse the rioters with the help of Muslim clerics and elders. Despite the efforts of the police and security forces, the violence was widespread, and many Christians were forced to flee their homes, leaving behind their belongings and livelihoods.
The destruction was extensive, with at least one church burned to the ground, and four other churches damaged beyond repair. Two dozen homes were also torched or badly damaged, leaving families without a place to live. The violence was so widespread that the local authorities had to shut down schools and offices and ban rallies for a week to prevent further unrest.
The mob’s actions were condemned by Christians and Muslims alike, with many from the Christian community expressing bewilderment at the violence. As one Christian, Shazia Amjad, said, “We were sitting at home when suddenly we heard that a mob is coming and it is burning homes and attacking churches.” Amjad and her family were forced to flee their home, leaving behind their belongings, and are now living in a makeshift tent, waiting for the situation to calm down.
Mobs Tear Churches and Homes apart in Pakistan
The international community also responded to the violence, with Amnesty International calling for the repeal of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. The organization has long argued that these laws have been used to intimidate religious minorities and settle personal scores, rather than to promote peaceful coexistence.
The Pakistani government has since arrested 129 Muslims, including Raja Amir, in connection with the violence. The government has also ordered police to ensure that the rioters are arrested and brought to justice. However, the violence has raised concerns about the fragility of Pakistan’s social fabric and the need for greater efforts to promote tolerance and understanding between different religious groups.
In the aftermath of the violence, many are calling for greater action to address the root causes of the violence, including the unjust blasphemy laws and the social and economic marginalization of religious minorities. The attack on Christians in Jaranwala is a grim reminder of the dangers of intolerance and hate, and highlights the urgent need for greater efforts to promote peace, understanding, and coexistence in Pakistan.
