wfn.org | Christians in Pakistan: recent attacks and the challenge for the future

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Christians in Pakistan: recent attacks and the challenge for the future

Posted On : August 4, 2009 3:51 PM | Posted By : Admin ACO
Related Categories: ACO  Pakistan

ACNS: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2009/8/4/ACNS4644

Anglicans around the world are expressing concern for, and solidarity
with, fellow-Christians in Pakistan, particularly in view of the recent
violence in the area of the Diocese of Faisalbad.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, issued a statement on
August 4 2009, stating that, 'The recent atrocities against Christians
in Pakistan will sear the imaginations of countless people of all faiths
throughout the world... I appeal to the Government of Pakistan to spare
no efforts, not only in seeing that justice is done in the wake of these
terrible events, but also in continuing to build a society in which all
faiths are honoured and in which the most vulnerable can be assured of
the protection of the law and the respect of their fellow-citizens.'
(The full statement of the Archbishop can be found at:
http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/2509)

There has also been a letter sent to the President of Pakistan, Dr Asif
Ali Zadari, by the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches,
Dr Sam Kobia, appealing to Sr Zardari to ensure the 'safety and
security' of Christians in Pakistan, particularly in view of the recent
incidents in the Punjab. (The text of this letter can be viewed at:
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/general-secretary/messag
es-and-letters/letter-to-the-president-of-pakistan.html)

The incidents to which these statements refer are described by members
of the Christian community of Pakistan as follows:

The Frontier News of the Diocese of Peshawar reported that, 'On the
night of July 30, 2009 in the village of Korian Toba Tek Singh, that
falls in the pastoral and episcopal jurisdiction of Faisalabad Diocese -
Church of Pakistan, some Muslim extremists set on fire about 75 houses
of the Christian community and two Churches of the locality were also
damaged.' Two days later The Frontier News reported that extremists had
also attacked a Christian neighbourhood in the town of Gojra, seven
miles away from Korian on Saturday August 1, after a false report
surfaced that some Christians had desecrated the Holy Qur'an, burning
more than one hundred houses. This has resulted in at least seven
people, including two children, being burned to death.

Gojra has been a major headquarters of the Anglican Church of Pakistan
for 150 years, and the Bishop of Faisalabad of the Church of Pakistan
lives there. A leading member of the local Christian community in Gojra
said, 'We are in great distress and helpless. We have no protection or
resources to help our Christian community. I saw, today, the homes of
our church members being destroyed and Christians being shot. Please
pray for God's mercy and protection for us.'

These incidents are the latest in the ongoing series of attacks that
Christians in Pakistan have had to endure in recent years.

The Revd Patrick Augustine, now a priest of The Episcopal Church in
Wisconsin, United States, but himself born in Gojra, where his father
and grandfather ministered, writes that in such attacks, 'The Muslim
attackers have often justified the persecution of Christians in Pakistan
on the basis of the draconian Blasphemy Law section 295-B and 295-C
passed in 1982. These two laws make anyone deemed to have insulted the
holy prophet of Islam or dishonoured the Holy Qur'an liable for capital
punishment and life imprisonment and fines. In its selective application
it has provided a pretext for private vendettas, but its victims almost
always have been Christians.'

Bishop Mano Rumalshah of Peshawar Diocese in Pakistan commented, 'It is
horrible to have to say this - but at least these latest incidents have
led to somebody - both in Pakistan and outside the country - hearing our
cry. Such episodes occur again and again, and their nature is always
very similar: false accusations being made against Christians, and
Muslim militants being stirred up by the voices of extremist preachers.'

Commenting from the perspective of his work as the inter faith officer
of the Diocese of Lahore, and a NIFCON correspondent for Pakistan, the
Revd Rana Youab Khan noted on Monday 3 August (after describing the
incidents in Korian and Gojra):

'Now the situation in Gojra is a little calmer after registration of
First Information Reports (FIR) yesterday against 20 people from that
vicinity. District police and administrative officers have also been
reported for their negligence. Yesterday the Rt Revd Dr Alexander John
Malik Bishop of Lahore called a press conference at Lahore Press Club
and from today (3 August) all Christian educational institutions (Roman
Catholic and Church of Pakistan) in Karachi and Balochistan will be
closed for three days in condolence. Last evening in Lahore
representatives of civil society and human rights organizations also
demonstrated against the Llasphemy Law and in solidarity with the
victims of violence in Gojra.

In spite of the violence and the attacks, the presence and assistance of
peaceful and friendly Muslims can not be ignored. During the attacks a
number of Christians in Gojra were given shelter by their Muslim
friends. Yesterday a significant number of local people from the
majority community (in Gojra) were showing their solidarity with
Christians during the funerals and through demonstrations against
religious extremism. It clearly expresses that there is still hope.
Major political parties especially those which are in government offered
their support to Christians.

A major factor in the explosion of violence was incitement by preachers
in the mosques. A criminal case has been registered against the people
who led these violent activities. It is very important that they should
be given a proper trial. On the one hand it would build the confidence
and feeling of security of the Christian community, and on the other
hand people would become more aware of the consequences of over reacting
and such violent attacks. What is needed is a joint strategy on the part
of the churches for following up of the cases, and national and
international pressure on the government for a fair and rapid trial.

Most of these violent incidents happen in villages and remote areas.
Poverty, the class system, religious discrimination, lawlessness, and
extremism are factors that contribute to them. Segregation and the
division of communities at the religious level is also involved
Christians living in Muslim majority villages are often socially,
economically, politically and educationally underprivileged. These
conditions can become hindrances against social integration of
Christians with the Muslims in these areas. It is important that
churches and human rights organizations research ways to alleviate such
problems and encourage a sense of local community across religious
boundaries.'

For more information - contact the NIFCON (the Network for Inter Faith
Concerns for the Anglican Communion) at the Anglican Communion Office:
Clare.amos@anglicancommunion.org or
suminder.duggal@anglicancommunion.org

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