The Right Reverend Mushtaq Andrew, Bishop of the ACC Diocese of Lahore, has reported on an attack on Christians by Muslim extremists in Jaranwala, Pakistan, on August 17th. Bishop Andrew, along with several clergymen, visited the city, bringing food, clothing, and Bibles to the affected areas.
According to news reports, two local Christian brothers were charged under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws after pages torn from a Quran were found near the men’s home. Bishop Andrew notes that the allegations were repeated in local mosques, resulting in some 5,000 Muslims descending upon a predominantly Christian neighborhood. Over 100 houses and shops were looted and 23 churches burned.
Bishop Andrew requested prayers and support, saying, “the Jaranwala incident has left a lasting impact on the more than 1,000 Christian families; the destruction of their homes and businesses left them homeless and financially devastated. This is a black day in the history of Pakistan.”
