Muslim mob in Pakistan burns Church after blasphemy allegations

(September 12, 2009) Hundreds of Muslims set ablaze a Protestant church September 11 in Jaytike town of Punjab province after a Christian youth was accused of tearing the Qur’an. The attack took place after torn pages of the Muslim holy book were found in front of a Christian house. Mobs have blocked access to the town and raised slogans calling for the severe punishment of the “blasphemer.” Tension built in the area and police have been trying to control the situation. Security forces have asked Christians to remain in their homes. Jaytike town has about 60 Christian homes. Father Shehzada Khurram of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church is heading a team to the town. The latest anti Christian violence is the seventh such incident this year. Just over a month ago, 10 Catholics were killed in rioting in the Punjab city of Gojra and in the nearby village of Korian. A Muslim mob vandalized and looted 113 Christian houses and damaged four Protestant churches in these areas on July 30 and Aug. 1. Tensions arose after pages containing Islamic inscriptions were found in front of a Christian home in Korian. Muslims accused the family of blasphemy against Islam. In another incident, suspected Muslim militants shot six Christians and injured seven more in Quetta city, Baluchistan on Aug. 28 after threats of “Convert to Islam or Die,” media reported.