Release International

Islamic militants attacked Christians in the Gujarat district of Punjab in just the latest in a string of assaults on their community in less than a month.

About 40 extremists wielding firearms, axes and clubs rampaged through the streets of Mohalla Kalupura, firing at people and houses and beating some Christians so severely that they were 'left for dead', according to Compass Direct news agency. Several residents were 'critically injured' in the raid on September 23.

Among those seriously injured was Tariq Gill, a man against whom blasphemy charges were dropped in September 2009. Tariq's parents were also badly hurt; his mother was stripped naked and dragged through the streets. The attack on Gill, who was cleared after Christian leaders and Muslim elders intervened in his case, proves that even an acquittal is no guarantee of safety for those accused of blasphemy in Pakistan.

Church leaders say that militants have attacked Christians in Mohalla Kalupura more than ten times since September 8. They report that the attackers threatened to mount an attack on the colony similar to the brutal raid on Gojra in August 2009 in which at least seven Christians were burnt to death.

Christian leaders allege that three senior politicians were involved in either leading or organising the attack. They also accuse local police of failing to act to apprehend the culprits. Christians have since staged protests at the National Press Club and at Parliament House in Islamabad, demanding justice for those injured.

(Sources: Compass Direct, VOM Australia)

• Ask God to heal all those attacked and traumatised by recent attacks on Mohalla Kalupura.
• Pray that the authorities will act fairly and with integrity to bring the culprits to justice.

News update:
A church in Bekasi City, West Java, has agreed to move temporarily to a site offered by the Government, following an attack on its pastor and one of its elders (Prayer Alert, September 22, 2010). Rev Luspida Simanjuntak and her church have now moved from Ciketing to a government-owned building – on the condition that officials keep their promise to build them a new place of worship within two years. Rev Luspida required hospital treatment after Islamist extremists attacked her on September 12. Church elder Hasian Sihombing was critically injured. Pray God's healing over Hasian and His protection over the whole congregation. (Source: Compass Direct)
 

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