"The Church Fire Case in Jaithikey-Sambrial Silkot Pakistan
Friday September 11, 2009 4:44:05 PM"
A mob protesting against alleged desecration of Holy Quran by some Christian youths torched a church in a village near Jaithikey-Sambrial, Tehsil District of Sialkot Pakistan. Some 30 KMs away from as Friday after noon, on the eve of the 9/11 (on the eve of
eighth anniversary of 9/11).
It was the second such nasty incident of burning Christian church in Pakistan after the burning of the houses and churches of local Christians in Gojra-Pakistan on July 30, 2009. According to reports reaching here, Muslim girl Hina (15) daughter of a local farmer Asghar Ali was going back to her home after getting religious education in a
local mosque in her Jaithikey village, when five accused Christians forcibly snatched a Para (copy of Holy Quran) from her and threw it into the local drain.
A large number of villagers armed with bricks, stones and sticks attacked the church and set it on fire. Rescue 1122 personnel rushed to the place and extinguished the fire. All markets in Sambrial and adjoining areas were closed and police patrolled the village to avert further violence. Gujranwala Commissioner Hashim Tareen, acting DCO of
Silakot Tariq Zaman, DPO Waqar Ahmad Chohan and local legislators visited the village and held talks with leaders of religious groups.
The DPO told reporters that the father of one of the accused had been detained and the people involved in the incident would be arrested soon. Local Christian leaders condemned the burning of the church. Emanuel K. Gill, Bishop Samuel Pervaiz and Javaid Silvestre told reporters that the situation was alarming and the government had
failed to protect minorities and their places of worship. They demanded that those who attacked the church should be arrested. Senior police officials claimed that the attackers were local people. There are more than 100 houses of Muslims and 30 of Christians in the village. All the Christians have left the village to save their lives.
The accused fled away. This nasty incident created harassment amid fears of sectarian violence as the mounted gripped the areas. The local Muslims became infuriated after the desecration of Holy Quran by four Christians. A mob of the people armed with bricks, stones and wooden sticks attacked on the church. Later, they stormed into a local
church and set it ablaze by sprinkling patrol and kerosene oil in the church and outside the church. No Christian was reportedly present in the Church. No casualty or injury has yet been reported. Rescue 1122 staff extinguished the fire in church after a great struggle.
All the shops, markets and bazaars were shuttered down in Sambrial and surrounding areas after this nasty incident in a bid to avert any further untoward incident. The agitating mob of the people led by local Ulema took out the agitational processions there after the Juma Prayers, demanding immediate arrest of the accused Christians for
desecrating the Holy Quran. All the scared villagers (thousands in the number) took shelter in their homes by locking their doors. After this nasty incident, all the Christians left this troubled area instantly to save their lives from the infuriated people. A huge contingent of the police from entire Gujranwala Division besieged the area and
started patrolling in the village to avert any further untoward incident.
The personnel of police and Elite Force Commandoes took the positions on rooftops, shops and other buildings to ensure peace by sealing the area. Commissioner Gujranwala Division Hashim Tareen, acting DCO Sialkot Tariq Zaman, DPO Sialkot Waqar Ahmad Chohan, local MNAs, MPAs and other public representatives were also present there on the spot asking the infuriated mob of people to remain peaceful. They
negotiated with the protesting people during which the PML-N, Shabab-e- Milli, Sunni Tehreek, Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamaat Ahle-e-Sunnah leaders gave a dead line of 24 hours to police for the arrest of the accused Christians. DPO Sialkot Waqar Ahmad Chohan told the newsmen that the accused would be arrested within the next 24 hours. DPO said that the police have arrested accused?s father who is (50), in this regard.
Dear Brother/Sister in Christ! I'm greatly blessed to know that you have introduced us to many of your friends around the world so that they in return help the ministry. Thank you very much once again for allowing me to pour my heart before you closing in the precious love of our lord Jesus on the cross for us so that we establish the kingdom
of our lord in the heart of the most neglected poor Pakistani Christian community. Do you know the member of Christian people was almost killed in a Muslim uprising in Pakistan, Nigeria, India & around the world? It is true that Christians are to be peaceful, but also true that we should defend ourselves and our families. Is it time for Christians to stand up and fight if necessary for their lives, but more importantly for the gospel of Christ? There is a war raging now around the world between Islam and Christianity. Can we just lie down and not defend ourselves? May you find rest, inspiration, joy and peace as you sever Him? Please keep in touch with our ministry. We love you in Christian love and pray that above all I will prosper, even as our soul prospers. It is wonderful to keep you before the
Throne of Grace and to know that the Lord will watch over you and bless you and the ministry. May God grant you a great harvest as you plant and water for Him!
Yours Brother in Christ!
