« Communal riot » à Gujranwala (Penjab) – 30 avril 2011

Release of alleged blasphemers sparks riots in Gujranwala

tribune.com.pk

May 1, 2011

Hundreds of people in Gujranwala, mostly residents of Azizabad Colony, on Saturday attacked a Christian seminary, a church as well as houses of Christians — including a pastor — after finding out that two Christians who had been accused of blasphemy have been released from protective custody by the police.

Father Mushtaq Gill Masih and his son Farrukh Gill Masih were taken into protective custody by the Gujranwala police on April 15, in an attempt to prevent another Gojra-like massacre, after the two were accused of desecrating a copy of the Holy Quran. Upon conducting an investigation, the police found the charges against the two men to be fabricated and have not registered a case against them.

The two men were accused of writing a blasphemous note, but a handwriting expert hired by the police determined that it was not written by them. Police are still trying to find the real author of the note.

The two men were released on Friday afternoon after the police felt that matters had calmed down. However, at 7:30 am on Saturday morning, as news of their release spread, Muslim residents began rioting and hurling rocks at the houses of Christians, including that of Pastor Eric Isaac, as well as a neighbourhood church and a Christian seminary.

A climate of fear seems to have overtaken the Christian community in Gujranwala. At least 3,000 Christian families are reported to have fled Azizabad Colony and its neighbourhoods. Most have fled to Sialkot and Lahore, fearing another incident like Gojra, when eight Christians were killed after another false blasphemy accusation.

The fear, however, is not limited to just the Christian residents. Even Muslims in Azizabad Colony have started putting up their names and religious affiliation on their doors to avoid having their houses stoned. Residents of Azizabad say that most of the protesters were not from the neighbourhood. Read more…

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2011.

Punjab: Muslim extremists attack, forcing Christian families to flee

asianews.it

05/02/2011 13:19

A mob attacks homes and places of worship. The Christian minority is forced to flee fearful of more violence. The discovery of a burnt copy of the Qur‘an in a Christian cemetery sparks a reaction among Muslims. Restrictions are imposed on the right to assembly. Paul Bhatti meets victims, urging everyone to remain calm.

Lahore (AsiaNews) – Tensions are running high in Gujranwala, a town in the Pakistani province of Punjab, recent scene of repeated attacks by Muslim extremists against the Christian minority. Yesterday, a mob attacked Christian homes and places of worship, setting fire to a number of churches. Only the action of police prevented any loss of life and injuries. The attacks were sparked by reports that a burnt copy of the Qur‘an had been found on Saturday. Muslim religious leaders responded by urging people to attack Christians. Scared for their lives, many families fled the area. Meanwhile, the authorities have begun enforcing Section 144 of the Pakistan Penal Code to limit public assemblies to a maximum of four people.

Speaking to AsiaNews, Fr Philip Gomes said he personally saw “episodes of violence in the Aziz and Gulzar colony” on Saturday. Police stopped the attackers, arresting some of them. Churches and other places of worship were placed under police protection during Sunday service, the clergyman added.

The authorities in Gujranwala also imposed restrictions on the right to assembly in accordance with existing laws. Security officials said that they took “all necessary steps to ensure that lives and property are saved.” Read more…