Eye witness account describes aftermath of Pakistan violence

The following is an eye witness account of the violence that left seven Christians dead in the village of Korian, near Gojra, Pakistan.

‘We were horrified to see what has happened to the helpless and very poor Christian community of 70 families, mostly labourers, writes the Revd Dr Maqsood Kamil, Executive Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan.

‘A Muslim mob from three surrounding villages, armed with weapons and petrol bombs, attacked the Christian community at about 5pm [last Saturday].

‘They blocked the main road for ten hours, demolished boundary walls, broke electric meters, then torched every house. Animals belonging to Christians, like cows, buffalos and goats, were taken away. Christians ran away to escape the fearsome mob.

‘While we were there, many of the houses were still on fire. Police did not come in time and the mob did not let the fire brigade reach the village to control the raging fire.

‘Christians have lost everything they owned. They were only able to take away the clothes they were wearing.

‘We later found three very old Christians, nearly 80 years old; they were probably unable to move.

‘A couple in their house were spared their lives after they beseeched the attackers. Although their lives were spared, their house was badly damaged. The mob even destroyed their earthen pitchers containing drinking water, so for 16 hours the older couple did not have a cup of water to drink.

‘Another old and deaf woman was left behind. Her family ran away. Her house had the smouldering look of an inferno.

‘We tried to find out the real cause of this terrible tragedy, but we could only hear the Muslim side of the story. It is told that the issue started five days back when there was a Christian wedding. Sometime people throw paper currency at the dancing couple. Muslims accused Christians of using fake money made from pages of holy Qu’ran – hence desecrating the holy Qu’ran.

‘This enraged Muslims. Announcements were made from the mosques through PA systems. People from three villages – Chak Numbers 61, 63 and 95 – looted every Christian house and set it on fire. Every house was destroyed.

‘These 70 Christian homes housed 450 people. They have lost virtually everything: homes, businesses, cattle, their silver and gold, beds, cooking utensils and clothes. They literally need everything to rebuild their lives. Their rehabilitation will require a huge amount of energy and funds, but right now they must be provided with most basic necessities of life.’

• The Revd Canon Edgar Ruddock, the Director of USPG’s International Relations Team, commented: ‘Every outbreak of religious hostility, however caused, is an affront to human dignity and to the name of God. USPG is urgently seeking clarification of how our partners in the Church of Pakistan may invite our help in supporting the victims of these attacks and in working for a new and shared vision of a common humanity.’

• Statement by the Archbishop of Canterbury

Posted on 06.08.2009