SW News: On Wednesday, mobs attacked Christian communities and set fire to a number of churches at Jaranwala town in Pakistan's Faisalabad province after two Christians were accused of defiling the Quran.
Upto 15 churches have been destroyed, hundreds of Christian homes have been destroyed, and thousands of Christians have been forced to flee because of the attacks, a statement released by the Catholic relief organization Aid to the Church in Need International. Over 100 houses were set on fire, forcing authorities to launch an immediate evacuation drive.
Local Christians Rocky Masih and Raja Masih were accused of insulting the Quran, which is considered blasphemy in Pakistan and carries a life sentence in jail. As a result, there was chaos and bloodshed in Jaranwala. Exit and entry routes to the city have been blocked while Christian institutions and churches in adjoining cities have been closed in an attempt to avoid further attacks.
There were attacks in Jaranwala following the adoption of new blasphemy laws in Pakistan. The current blasphemy laws in Pakistan demand life in prison for insulting or defiling the Quran, but death for insulting the names of Muhammad or other Muslim prophets.
The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act of 2023, which has been approved by both houses of the Pakistani Parliament but has not yet become law, would further enhance the penalty for insulting any wife, member of Muhammad's family, or companion to life in jail. The new amendments still haven't received presidential approval and are not yet in force. Many fear that blasphemy laws can be used to settle personal scores.
The United States has firmly demanded that Islamabad look into the event, stating that resorting to violence or the use of threats is never an acceptable form of expression. It urged Pakistani authorities to carry out an impartial probe without obstructing the peaceful expression of one's opinions.
US state department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel called for calm for all of those involved.