[Today’s Prayer] Pakistani Muslim mob attempts to kill Christians for damaging the Quran
Muslim rioters in Pakistan recently attacked and attempted to kill a Christian accused of blasphemy, the American Christian Daily International (CDI) reported.
Lawyer Akmal Bhatti, chairman of the Minorities United Pakistan (MAP), said, “On the 7th, a mob attacked Saima Masih (32), a mother of two, in Katore village of Gojra tehsil in Faisalabad district of Punjab province and stole Islamic scriptures. “After accusing her of damaging and desecrating pages of the Quran, they tried to kill her,” he said.
“If the police had not arrived in time to rescue Saima, the mob would have ganged up on her and assaulted her,” Bhatti told Morning Star News. “They also attacked other Christian residents of the village, who left their homes and fled to the fields to survive. “I had to hide,” he said. It is reported that 30 to 35 Christian families live in this village.
Bhatti said that after accusations of blasphemy spread, a crowd of about 250 to 300 Muslims blocked a major highway and did not allow anyone through.
“We contacted sources in the village and they told us that Muslims had assaulted several Christians, raising fears of violence within the community,” he said. He also added that Saima, a Catholic, was charged amid heightened tensions due to the involvement of extremist Islamist groups, while her family remains in hiding for their safety.
The MAP chairman said police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 295-B against Saima Masih for allegedly damaging the Quran, and she could face up to life imprisonment.
He expressed regret that the government was taking no action against the flagrant abuse of the blasphemy law. The MAP president pointed out that inaction against those who use blasphemy charges as an excuse to commit violence emboldens Muslim extremists.
On August 16, 2023, an incident occurred in a Christian residential area of Jaranwala, Punjab, where thousands of rioters attacked a church, looted and set fire to the homes of Christians. The incident was sparked by claims that two Christian brothers had torn pages from the Quran and scribbled blasphemous content on them.
In the end, the two brothers were released without charge, and most of the Muslim suspects involved in the attack were also released on bail due to the police's poor investigation and Christian leaders' insufficient follow-up measures.
In Sargodha district, a 74-year-old Christian man, Gil, was gang-assaulted and his house and small shoe manufacturing factory were burned down, but all suspects were released on bail due to a poor police investigation.
Pakistan ranked 7th in the 2024 World Christian Persecution Ranking (WWL) published by Open Doors, the same as the previous year.
Source: News
Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. (Psalm 17:7-9)
Lord, we hear from a sister in Pakistan who is accused of defacing the Qur'an and is being assaulted and threatened with death. Not only that, but Christian families are being persecuted in their villages and their workplaces are being burned down, and they have no protection.
Lord, Savior of all, have mercy on Pakistan, where persecution of Christians continues, and would you protect Sister Saima, who is being persecuted.
For the souls of Pakistan, whose hearts are broken and tormented by Christian persecution, let the grace and love of the cross overflow once again, and let them be born again to faith in Jesus, your only begotten Son, who did not even lay down his life for us.
Use them as a fragrance of Christ that testifies to the name of Jesus, even to the enemy, so that you, your followers and your church may, rise up throughout Pakistan! May the Pakistani people overcome hardship and persecution and move boldly forward in faith in Jesus Christ alone!
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