Islamabad. During a recent wave of violence in Pakistan, more than 20 Christian churches and over 200 residences belonging to members of the Christian minority were vandalized, according to Joseph Farooq, the sole priest of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) in Pakistan.
“Twenty one churches and 200 homes of Christians were vandalized,” Farooq claimed, adding that hundreds of Bible copies were also destroyed. The violence started in the city of Jaranwala in mid-August.
According to the priest, some people wrongly accused local Christians of shredding pages from the Quran and writing insulting comments about Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam.
“They made such announcements in the mosque, and the mob gathered against Christians, and they destroyed their houses, churches, and copies of the Holy Bible,” the priest explained. The ROCOR mission in Pakistan is 16 kilometers from Jaranwala and was unaffected by the violence. Many parishioners, however, have family and friends from other Christian denominations whose homes were wrecked and who provided them with shelter. “I was told that they [the mob] stole valuable items from people’s homes.”
They destroyed everything; all property was destroyed. People are wailing and weeping,” said Father Joseph, who visited the victims shortly after the disaster. Farooq highlighted that it is a significant blow to the Christian community because the majority of them are poor and must work for Muslim landowners. “Their bread is very hard, and they are working very hard for their daily bread,” he explained. According to the priest, the initial inquiry found that the violence was well coordinated.
He claimed that extremists began by making announcements in mosques, amassing a crowd, and encouraging the mob to commit violence against Christians. Even in the midst of the community’s misery, there was reason for optimism, Farooq added, as many Muslims sought to protect and shelter innocent Christians. “In Pakistan, the vast majority of Muslims are good, kind, and welcoming to Christians.” “Radical Islam is practiced by a small minority,” he stated.
When asked about the causes of such violence, the priest cited a lack of education and aggressiveness induced by Pakistan’s continuous economic problems. “The people are uneducated. In the mosques, they pay attention to their clergy. “They misapply their minds,” the priest stated, adding that it is critical to teach children about tolerance, patience, and the genuine teachings of Islam, which state that all persons are equal and are children of God regardless of creed.
According to Father Joseph, authorities have already apprehended approximately 100 people responsible for the violence. He stated that the Christian community has demanded that the Pakistani government protect religious minorities. “Those responsible for the violence must be apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.” Otherwise, these tragedies will reoccur,” the priest forewarned.
UNI/SPUTNIK AKS
