Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Mission Overseas - PAKISTAN: Another Church burnt to the ground

15th September 2009

Yet another church building has been torched by a Muslim crowd and burnt to the ground. This sad incident took place last Friday, 11 September, in a village not more than 15 miles (25km) from Gujranwala in NE Pakistan.

Seemingly, an alleged quarrel between a Muslim and a Christian family led to a plot to punish the Christian community.

Reports quickly circulated alleging that Christians had torn up a copy of the Qur’an and that the fragments had been found in front of the church. In response, an angry crowd gathered and set fire to the church building.

Some 30 Christian families worship in the church. All have since fled the village in fear for their lives, seeking refuge elsewhere, and are now deprived of the comfort of their own homes.

Thankfully, there was no loss of life but the fact that the authorities seem unable to protect minority Christian communities in such circumstances is a continuing cause for concern.