Christian Institutions Attacked in Violence over Cartoons

22 February 2006

^{St. Michael's Convent School, one of the
schools damaged in the attacks}

Violent protests in Pakistan against the cartoons of Mohammad have tended to centre on businesses and institutions of Western origin. Local Christians have also been targeted in recent days. On February 13, Muslim college students and Islamic militants vandalized the missionary-run Edward's College in Peshawar by smashing windows in various buildings. Two days later, protestors in Peshawar damaged St. Michael's Convent School, St. Elizabeth Girls' College and a mission hospital run by the Church of Pakistan. A United Presbyterian girls' school in Kasur was also damaged by a mob of several thousand Muslims. The mob also tried to attack the city's Catholic church but were stopped by police. Father Yaqoob Barkat told Compass Direct that Christians were the only target in Kasur.

The Voice of the Martyrs condemns these acts of violence being perpetuated on local Christians by Muslims who are angry over the Danish cartoons. "I am firmly of the position," said Glenn Penner, spokesman for VOMC, "that this continuing violence is being fueled by militants who have no real interest in defending Islam. There is an agenda here that is wicked and should no longer be pandered to by well-intentioned Westerners who insist that we must keep apologizing for freedom of expression that we value and who advocate apologetic self-censorship. We cannot give in to this kind of terrorism."

Pray for our brothers and sisters in Pakistan and around the world as they face such senseless and opportunistic violence. Pray that their response will put to silence the ignorance of foolish men (1 Peter 2:15).

For more information on Pakistan and the difficulties facing Christians there, click here.

Pakistan

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC partners to train Christian women in sewing skills throughout Pakistan to provide a sustainable source of income for their families and encourage them in their faith and witness for Christ.

Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Women’s Ministry
Country Information
Population
247,653,551 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Punjabi (44.7), Pashtun [Pathan] (15.4), Sindhi (14.1), Saraiki (8.4) Muhajirs (7.6) Balochi (3.6), Other (6.3)

Religion (%)
Islam (96.5), Other - Christian and Hindu (3.5)

Leader
President Asif Ali Zardari (2024)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
Common law system with Islamic law influence

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Pakistan
Pray that amendments will be made to Pakistan's existing blasphemy laws so that the country's citizens – including its children – will be protected from injustice and abuse. May our Lord's mercy and justice prevail, not only in the judiciary system but also in the hearts of the country's militants. Ask Him to transform their "hearts of stone" into hearts that are receptive to His love, mercy and the workings of His Holy Spirit – not only for the purpose of protecting the Christian minority but also for the salvation of their own eternal souls.

Pakistan News

Christian Man Beaten to Death in Targeted Attack

Photo: PickPic

On the evening of September 24th, Asif Raza was returning home from work in the Vehari district of Punjab when he was suddenly ambushed by a group of seven assailants. The men brutally assaulted Asif, deliberately targeting his head while striking him repeatedly with bricks.

Read more...
Fake Facebook Account Sparks Blasphemy Allegations

Photo: Pixabay / umarseehar

"No Christian in Pakistan, fully aware of the devastating consequences, would intentionally publish or write anything that could be perceived as blasphemous against Islam." This statement by Father Lazar Aslam was made in response to recent allegations against a young Christian man, Asher Bhatti, whose case has sparked widespread concerns among religious freedom advocates.

Read more...
Zafar Bhatti Dies Shortly After Acquittal

Zafar Bhatti
Photo: Release International

Zafar Bhatti was imprisoned in July 2012, following accusations that he had sent blasphemous text messages from his cell phone. Over the years, at least 47 separate appeal hearings were held on behalf of the Christian believer. Despite repeated recommendations from prison authorities for his release on medical grounds, Zafar remained in custody. In 2019, he suffered two minor heart attacks, and doctors warned that a third could be fatal. (View previous reports on Zafar's case.)

Read more...
Justice Delayed in Jaranwala

The riots in 2023.
Photo: Morning Star News

Incensed by allegations of blasphemy against two falsely accused Christian brothers, thousands of angry people stormed a Christian colony in Jaranwala, Punjab, on August 16th, 2023. The mob destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses before the violence was eventually brought under control. (Video footage of the attack is available here.)

Read more...