Christians flee after Muslims destroy village in Pakistan

(August 1, 2009) Smoke was still rising from the Christian village of Korian in Punjab province on July 31 after it was completely destroyed in a violent raid the previous night by thousands of Muslims. Korian was home to about 100 Christian families, most of them labourers, who all fled the area in the wake of the attack. No one died in the incident. The village in Faisalabad diocese was attacked after Muslims accused a family there of blasphemy. In all, 60 houses and two churches belonging to the Church of Pakistan and the New Apostolic Church were destroyed and livestock stolen. The mob also blockaded the road leading to the village for several hours refusing entry to police or fire fighters. Many saved their lives by hiding in the fields. Tension between the Christian and Muslim communities in the area arose after pages containing Islamic inscriptions were found in front of a Christian home on July 26 following a wedding. A group of Muslims then interrogated those who attended the wedding party, and accused the family of desecrating the Qur'an. The family says it has no knowledge of the offence but nevertheless apologized on July 30. Local Muslims have filed charges against the family according to the country's blasphemy laws..