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CHRISTIAN VILLAGES DESTROYED

From Audrey Whitefield <a.whitefield@quest.org.uk>
Date 27 Feb 1997 02:54:47
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Date: Mon, 17 Feb 1997 10:43:07 +0000
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Feb. 14, 1997
ANGLICAN COMMUNION NEWS SERVICE
Canon Jim Rosenthal, Director of Communications
Anglican Communion Office
London, England

[97.2.2.6]

PAKISTAN: CHRISTIAN VILLAGES  DESTROYED

(CEN, National Council of Churches in Pakistan, Diocese of Raiwind, CMS)
At
the time of going to press the Anglican Communion Office was receiving a
number of reports about the desecration of churches, Bibles and
Christian
homes in Khanewal, Shanti  Nagar and Tobba villages. What follows is a
summary of the reports received by 14 February.

On February 5th and 6th three Christian villages were attacked and
thousands of buildings and homes were destroyed by Muslims from
neighbouring villages. The riots were incited by broadcasts from local
mosques and an estimated 20,000 Muslims  went on the rampage. Religious
leaders in the broadcasts claimed that torn and burnt pages of the Koran
and pieces of paper carrying
derogatory remarks about Mohammed had been thrown into the mosque of
Chak
village.

The National Council of Churches of Pakistan has provided background
information to the attacks and given details of the destruction. This is
a
summary of their statement:

On 17th January a police team raided the house of  Raj Masih. They had
been
informed that he was involved with the illegal sale of alcohol and
gambling. The police searched the house but could not find anything
illegal. They took away Raj Masih.  The police are believed to have
desecrated the Bible found in Raj Masih's house. Villages from Shanti
Nagar
and the surrounding area
formed a large procession to protest against this desecration and
demanded
immediate action against the accused policemen who were later seen on
duty
during the elections. The local administration suspended the accused
policemen but Christians were warned that there would be dire
consequences
if they refused to compromise with the police.

Rumours then spread that a resident of Shanti Nagar village had burnt
two
or three pages of the Holy Koran. On 5 February this rumour was
announced
on loud speakers in the village mosques.  The residents of 14 villages
marched towards Shanti Nagar and Khanewal. The mob of about 20,000
people
attacked the Churches of Khanewal on 5 February. They destroyed
completely
the Church of Pakistan building, the Salvation Army building and the
Roman
Catholic Church.  They also burnt a pastor's house, damaged a Roman
Catholic boys' hostel. They then continued  their march to Shanti Nagar
and
Tobba villages.

The police arrived at Shanti Nagar and told the villagers to run for
their
lives as they could not stop the mob although they said they would try
to
safeguard their properties. All the villagers left. The mob arrived and
burnt all the belongings of the villagers. Nearly everything in the
villages was destroyed.  The Army was brought in to restore peace to the
area but by the time they arrived nearly everything was destroyed.

The Christian Council reports that the people in the villages now have
nothing.  The attacks have also alarmed Christians throughout the
country.
The estimated population of the villages attacked is 20,000-25,000
people.
Twelve churches have been destroyed completely and 4,000 homes.  "The
loss
is unbelievable and tremendous.  The Government is trying its best to
help
the residents as well, but it is not enough.  Major problem is
rehabilitation of these people.  The cost of rehabilitation and
resettlement is tremendous.  It will take 10-15 days to get the
estimate.... You are thereby requested to please come forward for your
financial support and also to keep the Church in Pakistan in your
prayers
so that it can meet the big
challenge that it faces." Samuel K Gill, Executive Secretary.

The Bishop of Raiwind, the Rt Revd Samuel Azariah and other Christian
leaders in the area have signed a statement demanding that certain named
policemen be suspended and arrested; that there should be an inquiry by
a
Judge of the High Court and that the Government should repair all the
Churches and the destroyed homes and shops of the Christians in Khanewal
and Shanti Nagar.

"It is unfortunate that neither the Governor Punjab, Chief Minister and
the
President of Pakistan have shown no word of concern.  It gives us the
impression, that this big damage has not been taken seriously by the
authorities.

"As the nation goes to Eid prayers it should be remembered that
Christians
have been deprived of their worship places, and people have been
humiliated.

"We strongly demand that such shameful acts be not repeated and positive
assurance from the Government and Muslim Clergy be given to the
minorities
of Pakistan, so that sense of insecurity amongst them may be finished."
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