Pakistani Christian Village Attacked Over Alleged Blasphemy
Thousands of Muslims raided a Christian village in the Punjab province of Pakistan Thursday, destroying around 60 houses and two churches, according to local sources.
The village of Korian was attacked Thursday night after pages containing Islamic inscriptions were found in front of a Christian home on July 26 following a wedding, confirmed the Union of Catholic Asian News in a report that was also posted on the Indian Catholic, a website owned and maintained by the Catholic Bishops' Conference in India.
Though the family accused of desecrating the Qur'an said they had no idea who was responsible and nevertheless apologized for the offense, local Muslims filed charges against the family according to the country's blasphemy laws and went on to attack the village, forcing the some 100 Christian families who live there to flee.
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"They have left nothing. My horse, my only source of income, has also been taken," Shubaan Masih, a local Christian, told UCA News.
Christian politicians and Catholic priests have condemned the attacks and demanded a quick and full investigation.
The incident has also drawn international attention and prompted the general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches to release a message shortly after he was contacted by a Christian church leader in Pakistan regarding the attacks.
"I deem it important to bring this to your attention and to call on all to pray along with those affected by this tragedy and all who continue to suffer," WARC's Setri Nyomi wrote.
According to media reports, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has also strongly condemned the incident and expressed his sorrow over the destruction of homes and loss of livestock.
Reports said that Sharif has directed authorities to secure the area and control the situation.
