05/17/2019 Pakistan (International Christian Concern) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that 38 Christians graves were desecrated by unknown individuals in Chak #10/4-L, a village located in Okra District, southwest of Lahore. In addition to desecrating the graves, the unknown assailants also defaced several crosses fixed to the graves.
The vandalism was discovered on Sunday, May 12, by Samson Masih, a local catechist, and other local Christians when they visited the local graveyard following Sunday prayer service.
“It was shocking for us as we haven’t experienced any incident of religious intolerance in the village for decades,” Samson shared with ICC. “However, it shows that some religious fanatics have their roots in the neighborhood and want to seed religious hatred in the mindsets of the young generation which is alarming.”
According to Samson, Chak #10/4-L was founded by Father Antonio, a Catholic missionary, in 1914. The village has been home to a sizable Christian population since its founding.
Most of the Christian graves and crosses in the village’s graveyard are made of precious stones, wood, and bricks. Investigations into the incident are in process, however no arrest have been made at the time of this report.
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
