Friday, March 9, 2018

Worshipping Christians Attacked at Church…

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A Christian church and the congregation within were brutally attacked by an estimated 20 armed Muslim hooligans during a worship service on Sunday 4th March 2018. Scores of men, women and children were injured as the mob violently attacked worshippers with large sticks. 

Members of Pakistani Gospel Assembly (PGA) have expressed great fear and anxiety as they come to terms with the trauma of a unexpected attack during a worship service at their church based at 77/4R in the district of Sahiwal. Pastor Cecil Daniel was leading the service at 9:30am but stopped proceedings to investigate loud noises at the back of the church.  Pastor Cecil then went out into the courtyard and was shocked to see a large group of bearded Muslims trying to demolish the boundary wall of the church. Most of the church had followed him and the women could be heard screaming in fear of what was happening before them. 

The young men of the church rushed to the wall to try and protect their building but this only angered the mob who were yielding sticks, axes and bricks who began beating the church congregants indiscriminately.  The mob  cared little about the age and the vulnerability of the victims they were simply intent on inflicting pain.  Woman have complained about being slapped in the face and their clothes being ripped by overzealous men and children were slapped and kicked as they ran to the aid of their men.  The men of the church suffered a more brutal attack that involved being hit with sticks and other items.  

One church member used his mobile to call the local police and shouted out a warning to the Muslim combatants, however initially this did little to curb their desire for violence. The men carried on with their assault but quickly fled once they heard a police siren. 

On arrival the police took a note of the crime scene and eye witness statements from the wounded Christians, they then helped the bleeding victims get to Civil Hospital Sahiwal. 

Once the young men had been taken to hospital, elders from the church and Pastor Cecil visited Noor Shah Police Station and described the whole incident where a First Information Report (FIR) , was registered. 

The dispute is said to be a response to the recent installation of a church boundary wall on land bequeathed to the church via a Mr George Masih. A jealous local Muslim man named Tufail Rao whose property is adjacent to the church land and has expressed a desire for the church space, planned the attack in association with the latest fast-growing extremist group in Pakistan, Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLY). A mud church had been present on the land for over 20 years, however when the building was built in brick 3 years ago and part of a boundary wall had been installed last week this triggered local animosity. 

The Station House Officer (SHO) Muhammad Asif and District Police Officer (DPO) Atif Akram were extremely cooperative with the Christian community. They immediately set about on an investigation, they managed to find all of the perpetrators of the assault and have arrested them. On Monday 5th March a Panchayat (Meeting of community elders) was presided over by SHO Muhammed Asif during which Mr George Masih brought his landownership papers to prove it belonged to him. The police confirmed publicly to the two opposing factions, both the Christian and Muslim community and confirmed that the land belonged to George Masih and that the church was permitted use of the land. 

Police are aware that the walls of the church are damaged are will pursue compensation as part of their prosecution. Seven men involved in the attack are still to be arrested.  

Pastor Cecil Daniel, said: 

"The attack frightened our congregation we did not expect such a reaction from Tufail Rao and his cronies.  We knew he wanted our land and that he could not stand that it had been dedicated to God, but his attack was nevertheless a surprise. 

"Our brave young men obstructed the bandits and in the process saved the rest of the congregation from attack.  They fought without weapons and may have broken bones and some bleeding but they are heroes to us. 

"God has been with us and created a listening ear amongst the local police who have been remarkably supportive.  They have provided such wonderful assistance from the outset and I could not praise the officers at Noor Shah Police station anymore. 

"A strong message has come of all this nasty business, all local Muslims now know that this land belongs to God and no one can take it away from Him." 

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association, said: 

"In a rare case of justice, Pakistani Christians have thwarted a land mafia attack that would normally resulted in extreme fear and eventual loss of Christian land. 

"By upholding the law Noor Shah police have set a good precedent that is a small step towards a fairer Pakistan.  

"By ensuring that the culprits are convicted and sentenced the Police can ensure that the impunity that exists for crimes such as these no longer has an image of impregnability." 

Pastor Cecil Daniel has asked us to help with the cost of a wall to surround the church property so that local Muslims will not be able to dispute ownership of the land in future.  We estimate that the cost of this will be in the region of £4000.  If you would like to donate please (click here) 

 


FIR Translation: 

"Respected SHO police station Noor Shah, on the 4th March 2018 at 9;30 am when Mr. Latif Rehmat and George Masih Resident of 77/5R were constructing the boundary wall on a plot related to the church. At this time Tariq Kashif , Mohammad Tahir, Mohammad Tufail, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Usman and six unknown individuals entered the Church plot they were fully equipped with weapons like axe, sticks and attacked Babar George and William George by beating them. During this time they injured Nasreen Bibi (Widow) of Pervaiz George and when wife of William, Jameela came they attacked her also due to this all her clothes were torn.The culprits after attacking ran from that plot so the injured people instantly reported this incident to the police. The FIR has been registered under the section 452, 354, 427, 148 and 149. William , Babar, Jameela and Nasreen were immediately taken to Civil Hospital. William's left hand has been injured, Babar got injuries on his head and back." 
 
BPCA officer Grace with some of the victims. 

 
An Injured congregant 

 
Grace with land donor George Masih  

  
Grace with women congregants 


 
Grace with Pastor Cecil Daniel

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