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Jeremy Sewall, Advocacy Director
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Update: Jihad Attack on over 100 Christian Homes in Pakistan

Washington, D.C. (July 7, 2009) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has received additional details on a Muslim mob that assaulted and robbed Christians before burning over 100 of their homes in the Kasur District, near Lahore, Pakistan. ICC first reported this story on July 1.

The mob, estimated at three to four hundred, waited until the men had left the village and attacked Christian women and children in their houses with sticks, hatchets, and acid on the evening of June 30th. Over 100 homes were burned, and dozens of injuries were reported, including two women burned with acid. The Muslims robbed the families of their money and jewelry and vandalized the church.

This violence erupted after a dispute between a Christian and a Muslim on June 29th. The Muslim, Muhammad Riaz, had parked his motorcycle in the street of the village Bhanmini, when Sardar Masih asked him to move it aside so that he could drive his tractor past. Riaz, who was drunk, refused and began cursing and beating Sardar. Sardar’s son ran home to get help from his uncles, who came and rescued Sardar.

Later that evening, Riaz came to Sardar’s house with a group of friends and beat his family. A council-member of the village asked Sardar not to file a complaint against Riaz, in the “interests of reconciliation.” The same council-member then helped Riaz go to the police station and lodge a complaint against Sardar. After hearing about it, Sardar tried to file a complaint of his own, but the police refused to accept it.

The next day, the imam at the local mosque accused Sardar of blasphemy and asked Muslims to “teach the Christians a lesson.” He went on to say, “Kidnap the Christian women, destroy their belongings, and get ready for Jihad.” A mob then assembled, and attacked at 7 pm.

Noreen was in her home taking a shower when the mob attacked. Frightened, she tried to run onto the roof, but the Muslims dragged her out by her hair and threw acid on her. She later tried to commit suicide.

Allah Rakhi said, “I was sitting in my home when the mob came in and started breaking furniture and other things. They beat me with a stick, ripped my clothes off, and took the money in the house.”

Another woman miscarried her unborn child after being beaten.

After the attacks, the imam told his followers not to sell any food to the Christians, and anyone who did would be “thrown out of the community.” The homeless Christians went hungry for two days until relief arrived.

Despite promises of support from local politicians and officials, no arrests have been made. Local churches and ministries have offered emergency aid to the victims, but until police prosecute the attackers, these Christians will not be safe.

Please call the Pakistani embassy in your country to protest this assault.

Pakistan Embassies:

USA: (202) 243-6500
Canada: (613) 238-7881
UK: 0870-005-6967

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ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

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