In the small town of Jaranwala, located in the heart of Pakistan, a cloud of fear and despair descended upon the Christian community 16th August 2023.
Allegations of blasphemy and desecration of the Holy Quran set off a chain of events that led to violence, destruction, and displacement. Read more (here).
Since the first few hours after the attack, the British Asian Christian Association has been involved in supporting the families affected by the attack. They initially provided housing for 15 families and offered food (click here) to those who were left destitute by the attack (click here).
Now, BACA is actively engaged in assisting with the extensive restoration efforts for these families.
On August 16th, hardline Muslims used mosque loudspeakers to accuse Christians in Cinema Basti Jaranwala of desecrating the Holy Quran and insulting the Holy Prophet. This incendiary rhetoric quickly incited a mob of Muslims from across the city to march towards the Christian neighborhoods. In the wake of these provocations, terrified Christian families fled their homes, witnessing their properties being looted and set ablaze.
What made the situation even more distressing was the apparent inaction of the local police, who remained passive observers during this religiously motivated rampage against innocent Christian residents. The mob, consisting of thousands of Muslim men and boys, chanted slogans as they razed everything in their path. At least 26 churches were burned, hundreds of Bibles and Christian literature were destroyed, crosses were uprooted, and more than a hundred houses were vandalized or flattened.
Immediate Relief from BACA
In this time of horror and loss, the persecuted Christian community of Jaranwala desperately needed help. BACA swiftly arrived on the scene, working closely with local pastors to rescue and provide relief to affected families. They fed or transported over 200 families to safer locations on the first and second day following the attack. BACA continued to offer assistance as families gradually returned to their homes and began the process of rehabilitation.
Police Investigation and Community Demands
The police’s role in investigating the Jaranwala incident has come under scrutiny, with allegations of bias and harassment. Many Christian families were arrested, some of whom were subsequently released. The police have been accused of harassing arrested Christians during interrogations, pressuring them to identify Muslims already in custody as the perpetrators.
Up until now, police officials have publicized various self-contradictory and controversial statements regarding the facts behind the incident in Jaranwala.
Initially, the police stated that a local Christian shopkeeper conspired to commit the desecration and blasphemy against the Prophet because he wanted to settle abroad. Later, the Inspector General of Punjab Police stated during a press conference that the Jaranwala incident involved the involvement of foreign agencies aiming to divert global media attention from the persecution of Christians in Manipur, India. However, the most recent statement has shocked the community.
According to the latest version of the police findings, Raja Amir, one of the main accused, had an illicit relationship with a local Christian, Pervaiz Kodu’s wife, who wanted to end it. Therefore, Pervaiz Kodu is now considered the main culprit behind the desecration of the Holy Quran.
Demanding transparency and justice, the community has called for the establishment of a joint investigation committee headed by a high court judge, having lost all faith in the police.
Government Response
The government, in the face of this horrifying incident and ensuing public and international scrutiny, condemned the majority-Islam-driven- violence and recognized it as a threat to peace in the region. The Prime Minister and Chief Minister of Punjab visited the affected people, promising financial support and the reconstruction of the burned-down churches.
On August 21st, Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakkar visited Jaranwala, distributing financial aid in the form of two-million-rupee cheques to the affected individuals and families. The government has claimed to have extended financial support to all those affected, but some families dispute this assertion, citing that they have not received any assistance.
Evangelist Victor Masih shared with us that a significant portion of the charitable aid has been directed towards Esa Nagar and Christian Basti, while other areas have been largely neglected by the government. Government-issued checks have been distributed to only 80 families, leaving the rest of the affected community struggling to cope with the losses they endured during the attack. Many families in Esa Nagar and Christian Basti have not received any financial assistance from the government.
In response to this disparity, men and women from other areas have been coming to Esa Nagar and Christian Basti to seek assistance for food and other essentials.
BACA’s Ongoing Efforts
While the government seems to have provided relief to those whose houses were burned, many families whose homes were looted and properties damaged have reported receiving no government support. In such cases, Christian charities and churches including British Asian Christian Association have stepped in, offering essentials like charpais (traditional woven beds) and food to those in need.
The Current Situation in Jaranwala
The majority of Christian men in Jaranwala and its surroundings work in menial jobs, such as road sweeping and sewage cleaning for the local municipal committee. Unfortunately, many of these workers were unfairly terminated from their contracts following the attack. Christian women, who were employed in house cleaning for wealthy Muslims, faced a similar fate, already reeling families have lost their livelihoods.
The trauma has extended to school-going children as well. Instead of providing comfort and support, some Muslim teachers subjected Christian students to biased questioning about the attack, further traumatizing these young minds. As a result, some children refused to return to school, fearing additional persecution. Boota Masih, a local resident, said:
“Teachers often rationalize the cruelty of the mob, which in turn forces children to believe that their community is responsible for desecrating the Quran and committing blasphemy in order to seek refuge abroad.
Many children have refrained from returning to school due to the trauma of the attacks on their churches and homes.”
Food Insecurity and Discrimination
In the aftermath of the violence, Christian families face economic hardships and discrimination. Muslim shopkeepers in the area are refusing to sell vegetables to the Christian community, leaving many without access to basic necessities. Families are relying on food camps organized by charities and churches.
Two young sisters, Kiran Masih and Irum Masih, have shared their experiences:
“Muslim shopkeepers have declined to sell vegetables to the Christian community.”
“We still don’t have cooking facilities at home.”
“We rely on food provided at the community food camps, organized by charities and people from other cities who have come here to help us.”
Kiran and Irum, who used to live alone in their house next to AEC Church in Esa Nagar, faced significant hardship. Their house was consumed by fire, and the roofs had collapsed. Irum had her marriage planned for October, and they had purchased dowry items for it. Unfortunately, during the attack, a hostile mob stole their valuables while the rest of their property was set ablaze.
They informed BACA that they had received some financial assistance from the government and had initiated the process of rebuilding their burnt house. However, when discussing the ongoing persecution faced by the Christian community in Esa Nagar, they expressed that the animosity from the Muslim community had not diminished, even after the burning of churches and homes.
BACA’s Compassionate Assistance
Amid these challenges, BACA continued to provide crucial assistance to the affected families. On September 3rd, we have further food packages along with charpais (rope beds) to those families that had been denied financial help by the government. Hundreds have already benefitted from our distribution, but the need for additional aid remains pressing.
Many families are still without beds and struggling to provide for themselves as they work towards rebuilding their lives. BACA is committed to assisting with these essential needs, and our appeal for support remains open. If you would like to contribute to this restoration project, please consider making a donation (here).
Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for British Asian Christian Association, said:
“The Christian community in Jaranwala has endured immense suffering and hardship in the wake of the tragic events of August.
“While the government’s initial response provided some relief, challenges persist, and the community remains vulnerable.
“Organizations like BACA and compassionate individuals have stepped forward to offer aid, but sustained support and justice are needed to heal the wounds inflicted on this marginalized community.
“Furthermore, the repercussions of this incident will continue to affect this community for years, manifesting as mistrust and fear.
It is essential for the Pakistani authorities to make a sustained and concerted effort to reassure and support this community in the long term.”
Attacks on Christians in Pakistan have increased since the Jaranwala incident. A pastor has been shot (click here), a community threatened with a similar attack (click here), a Christian man murdered (click here), and two additional blasphemy allegations have been made against Christians (click here). Please keep Pakistan in your prayers.
