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Two Pakistan churches come under attack from Islamists

According to Compass Direct News Christian communities in two areas in Punjab Province came under attack earlier this month, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

Compass Direct News (www.compassdirect.org) reports that in Sargodha, an unidentified motorcyclist on July 1 tossed a grenade in front of the gates of St. Filian’s Church of Pakistan, next to a small Christian-owned amusement park where children were playing, Christian sources said. The grenade did not explode.

Compass quotes the Rev. Pervez Iqbal of St. Filian’s who said the Bomb Disposal Squad and New Satellite Town police took the grenade away. Rev. Iqbal added that high-ranking police officials cordoned off the area, declaring a 'High Red Alert' in Sargodha.

Compass also reports that at a small village near Sheikhupura, a church building and Christian homes came under threat of demolition on July 5.

Islamic extremists issued threats as, accompanied by local police, they intended to demolish the Apostolic Church Pakistan structure in Lahorianwali, Narang Mandi, with a bulldozer, area Christians told Compass.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Rana Rauf led Narang Mandi police and the extremists in an attempted demolition that was averted with the intervention of Christian leaders who called in district police.

Zulfiqar Gill, a Christian believer in the area, told Compass that the Islamic extremists threatened the Christians with violence.

"They said that if we ever tried to rebuild the walls or renovate the frail Apostolic Church building, they would create a scene here like Gojra," Gill said, referring to the Aug. 1, 2009 attacks that left at least seven Christians dead.

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TAGS: Pakistan Pakistan churches Islamist attack persecution anti-Christian violence

[07/14/2010]

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