Mob attacks Christian home and small business in eastern Pakistan

Pakistan (MNN) — Several Christians in East Pakistan remain under police protection today after a mob attack over the weekend.

FMINehemiah says, “This Christian man, Aziz, had a very small shoe factory, and there were Muslims in the same area who did not like that. So they accused this person (of blasphemy), and they became a mob and wanted to kill him; they tried to stone him to death.”

Mountains of shoes and other materials are burning in front of the Christian shop.
(Photo courtesy of FMI)

The mob looted and burned down the shoe shop and set fire to the Christian’s house. The angry mob also attacked the Christian’s elderly father, accusing him of burning pages of the Koran.

“Nazir, 74, was taken to the hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit, where he was arrested by police and handcuffed to a hospital bed,” Nehemiah says.

In Muslim-majority Pakistan, mobs often use the country’s blasphemy laws as a pretext for attacks on Christian communities. Last AugustRadical Muslims burned down more than 200 houses and two dozen churches after accusing believers of desecrating the Koran.

Nehemiah says the mob’s intent on Saturday was crystal clear. “This mob wanted to lynch the Christian men. They were armed with sticks and stones; they gathered in front of this house and tried to break in,” he says.

“It is easy for any Muslim to blame Christians and accuse them of blasphemy in order to gain private benefits.”

Ask the Lord to give FMI church founders security and wisdom as they spread the hope of Christ throughout Pakistan. “You never know where you will be attacked or accused of blasphemy or a mob will come and try to kill you,” Nehemiah says from personal experience.

Here you can connect with FMI to learn how you can support church planters in Pakistan.

Header and story images courtesy of FMI.