SW News: Zarish Imelda Neno, a Pakistani Catholic blogger living in Italy, expressed her pain over the attacks on Christians in her home country. On Wednesday, August 16, Christian churches and homes were vandalized by an angry Muslim mob in Jaranwala, a city located in Pakistan's Faisalabad district. This was in response to allegations that two Christians had desecrated the Quran. Citing officials, the Associated Press reported on Thursday that 129 people had been arrested in connection with the attacks.

"When I heard the news from Jaranwala, Pakistan, I was initially shocked. However, those feelings quickly turned into deep sadness and worry," Zarish told SW News. She added, "August 16 will forever remain a black day for us Pakistani Christians." She appealed to the international community to "raise their voice for Pakistani Christians." Zarish emphasized, "This violence and terrorism against minorities need to not only cease in Pakistan but also be met with legal consequences."

Prayer services were held at the vandalized churches on Sunday. Meanwhile, in a statement published on Saturday, the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs "strongly condemned" the attacks.