Pakistan (MNN) — Pakistani police blame an unnamed “enemy” country for recent violence against Christians but offer no further details.
On August 16, violent mobs attacked dozens of churches and more than a hundred Christian homes in Pakistan’s third-largest city. Believers were falsely accused of desecrating the Quran, sparking the unrest.
According to a report from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s (HRCP) fact-finding mission:
“The attack on the minority community cannot be entirely deemed as random or spontaneous, with a suspicion that it was orchestrated as part of a larger hate campaign against the local Christians while the role of police and its ability to effectively mitigate and control the situation is questionable.”
(Photo courtesy of MENA Leadership Center)
Christian leaders immediately contacted MENA Leadership Center for help following the August 16 attacks.
“We have heard from Christian leaders [saying] ‘Please help us; [teach us] how to maneuver around this (persecution,’” MENA Leadership Center Vice President Fadi Sharaiha says.
MENA Leadership Center helps to bridge leadership gaps and expand the capacity of Christian leaders by providing tools and training. More about that here.
A few years ago, MENA Leadership Center offered a course on religious freedom and the rights of persecuted Christians. “We had people from Pakistan [attend]; it was a very powerful course,” Sharaiha says.
Now, the leaders need a refresher. Pray the ministry receives the necessary funding to cater this training to Pakistani Christians. You can help cover the associated costs here.
“We’re looking for funding to do this course and support our brothers and sisters living in Pakistan,” Sharaiha says.
Ask God to strengthen believers’ faith in the face of persecution. This weekend, Pakistani Christians petitioned the Lahore High Court to formally investigate the mob violence. Believers also informed the court of ongoing threats.
Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Aa Dil/Unsplash.
