Burned Christians in Lahore, Pakistan
The Christian neighborhood
of Joseph Colony in Lahore, Pakistan was attacked on Saturday after a Christian
sanitation worker allegedly blasphemed the Prophet Mohammed.
Several thousand people armed
with batons and pistols set fire to houses and churches on Saturday morning.
178
houses, 18 shops and 2 churches were damaged by fires.
The incident reportedly
began earlier in the week as an argument between Sawan Masih, the
sanitation worker, and his friend, a Muslim barber named Shahid Imran.
Imran reportedly accused Masih of
blasphemy on Friday, a serious crime in Pakistan that triggers visceral and
often violent reactions. A large group of Muslims reportedly visited the
Christian's home Friday night, and a blasphemy case was registered with the
police after the crowd demanded action.
Hundreds
of Christians reportedly fled the area overnight following the incident, the AP
reported.
"They
have burnt each and every thing in my whole house. Nothing is left here. I
don't know why this happened," Samina Riaz, a resident of Joseph Colony,
told the news. "Now we don't have even enough to eat."
We Christians in Canada are
looking to raise whatever donations we can to support our brothers and sisters
in Badami Baag whose lives and everything were taken away from them within a
few hours.
Badami Baag is a poor neighborhood in Lahore and it will take generations for these people to rebuild their homes and their lives. Your small donation and support can make a big difference!
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These horrific
incidents are not faced by the minorities and especially Christian community
for the first time in Pakistan. This incident has freshened the wounds
inflicted by previous attacks on Gojra where the whole village was smoked in
flames by the extremists.
Pakistani
Christians overseas have become very concerned because there seems to be a
pattern of persecution that whenever there is a personal animosity between
individuals especially between a Christian and a Muslim the Christians have to
fall victims to the penalty of blasphemy law and this penalty is always being
carried out by regular citizens who have no concern about law and order.
We are going to
give our best efforts to create awareness about this incident and we will
highly appreciate your financial contribution in helping out the unfortunate
victims.
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About us!
This initiative is being spearheads by iGnite for Christ - a youth organization based in Brampton & Mississauga in Ontario, Canada. All funds raised will be provided to our community organization who have resources on the ground to spearhead relief efforts & we will inform you on development and the use of these funds by email, pictures and videos.
Besides this fund raiser our initiative also includes:
1.) Used cloth donation from our members and community.
2.) Raising awareness about the persecuted Christians in Pakistan.
Please pray for us & Pakistan!
