Anglican Communion News Service

 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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