Christians flee violence by Islamic extremists in Faisalabad
Local mosque launches protest action against Christians in Waris Pura. Yesterday, flyers calling for mass action against Christians were handed out. A Catholic church is attacked with rocks and stones. An alleged case of blasphemy involving two Christian brothers is the cause of the latest episode of anti-Christian violence, which brings back memories of last year’s destruction in Korian and Gojra.
07/16/2010 Pakistan (AsiaNews)-A large number of Christians has fled Waris Pura, on the outskirts of Faisalabad , fearing violence. Muslims launched a protest action that started at a local mosque after Friday prayers.
The risk of attacks against Christians and their property is very high, a source in Faisalabad told AsiaNews, choosing anonymity for security reasons.
Yesterday, hundreds of Islamic militants joined a protest march, calling for the death of two Christian brothers accused of blasphemy. During the procession, the mob stoned a Catholic church.
An alleged booklet with offensive words about Prophet Muhammad is behind the rising tensions.
Local Muslim leaders have called on Muslims to join en masse in today’s demonstration. Local sources told AsiaNews that “flyers were handed out at the mosque and door to door” with threats against Christians.
In Waris Pura, a suburb of Faisalabad ( Punjab ) and a former Christian ghetto with some 100,000 residents, tensions are running high. For this reason, “a large number of Christians fled”.
