Mob throws acid on Christian women in Pakistan during 'blasphemy' attack on village |
Reports are coming in from Pakistan of an attack against a Christian village. An angry mob petrol-bombed homes and threw acid over Christian women, after mosque loudspeakers accused the Christians of blasphemy.
The attack took place on June 30 at Bahmani village in the district of Kasur, in Punjab. Partners of Release International, which serves persecuted Christians, say a mob looted and burned the houses of Christians.
Lawyers told Release International that one of the victims of the acid attack was Noreen, a young teenage girl. She was taking a bath when a petrol bomb was hurled through the window.
‘After she ran naked from the room a Muslim boy threw acid on her,’ said Katherine Sapna from CLAAS, the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement. ‘The acid burnt her back and a little went on her face.’
Noreen was so distressed that she later tried to kill herself. ‘She threw petrol on her body and tried to set her self on fire,’ said Ms Sapna, ‘but a team from CLAAS was able to stop her.’
Nine women and girls had to be treated for acid burns, while another four children were also injured in the attack, which left many villagers traumatised. The attackers also destroyed water pumps, leaving the villagers without running water.
‘Everything in their houses has been damaged,’ said Ms Sapna. ‘The villagers have no food to eat and no water.’
Release partners CLAAS and Sharing Life Ministries Pakistan (SLMP) are attending to the villagers. CLAAS have arranged medical treatment for the injured and have provided food, and have called on the local authorities to provide water.
‘Release is deeply concerned about the growing number of attacks against Christians in Pakistan,’ says Release CEO Andy Dipper. ‘Extremists are deliberately trying to drive a wedge between communities, and it is becoming an increasingly dangerous place for the Christian minority.
‘Please pray for Christians in Bahmani, especially Noreen and the other women and girls who have been traumatised by this acid attack and the destruction of their homes.’
The attack in Bahmani took place after a quarrel broke out between a Christian and a Muslim in the village which then escalated, according to SLMP.
A scuffle broke out, and the Muslim later complained to a local religious leader. According to SLMP, mosque loudspeakers subsequently accused Christian villagers of blasphemy against the prophet Mohammed and said they were liable to death. The loudspeakers urged Muslims to attack the Christian community.
Of the 700 families in Bahmani village, 100 are Christian. The two faith communities are said to have lived together there for many years. But in common with other areas in Pakistan, there have been growing religious tensions.
In Kasur district, as elsewhere, increasing numbers of Christians are being accused of blasphemy to settle personal scores and stir up discord between religious groups.
Under a 1990 ruling, a guilty verdict should mean the death penalty: in practice, there have been no official executions for blasphemy to date. Courts have tended to give a life sentence, though it is often reduced on appeal.
But even if courts acquit the defendant, which they usually do, the accused can be targeted by vigilantes determined to take their lives. Release is working with partners in Pakistan to defend Christians accused in the courts, provide safe houses for them and to safeguard their legal rights.
Through its international network of missions Release supports Christians imprisoned for their faith and their families in 30 nations. It supports church workers, pastors and their families, and provides training, Bibles, Christian literature and broadcasts. Release is a member of the
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NOTES TO THE EDITOR
Pictures of the attack are available by return email.
For a country profile on Pakistan, please go to: http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/country-profiles/pakistan.php
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