Pakistan arrests 129 Muslims after mob attacks on churches and homes of minority Christians
Aug 17, 2023
Police in eastern Pakistan have arrested 129 Muslims after a mob angered over an alleged desecration of a Quran by two men attacked more than a dozen churches and homes of minority Christians
JARANWALA, Pakistan (AP) — Police arrested 129 Muslims after a mob angered by an alleged Quran desecration attacked a dozen churches and nearly two dozen homes of minority Christians, officials said Thursday. Police also arrested two Christian men accused of defacing Islam's holy book.
The alleged desecration set off a violent rampage Wednesday in Jaranwala, causing Christians to flee to safer places in the eastern city as the mob inflicted one of the country’s most destructive attacks on Christians.
The city police chief, Bilal Mehmood, said officers arrested Raja Amir and a friend who were accused by local Muslims of tearing pages from a Quran, writing insulting remarks on other pages and then throwing the book on the ground.
The regional police chief, Rizwan Khan, said 129 people had been arrested as suspected rioters and the situation was under control. Authorities summoned soldiers to restore order, and Christian residents slowly returned home to see the destruction Thursday.
“We were sitting at home when suddenly we heard that a mob is coming and it is burning homes and attacking churches,” Shazia Amjad said as she wept outside her charred home.
She said that the mob burned household items and furniture and that some of her possessions were stolen while she was staying with her family in a safer area.
Other Christians described similar ordeals and expressed bewilderment.
Azeem Masih wept as he sat outsisitting outside his home, which was one of several buildings burned on his street. He said some rioters brought in vehicles to haul away Christians' household items after burning furniture and other belongings.
“Why did they do it to us? We had not done anything wrong,” he said.
Local priest Khalid Mukhtar said he believed most of Jaranwala's 17 churches were attacked and his own home was damaged.
Government officials said all of the damaged churches and homes would be repaired within a week and those who suffered losses would be compensated.
The violence drew nationwide condemnation, and caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul-ul-Haq Kakar ordered police to ensure rioters were arrested.
The regional police chief said the mob quickly gathered and began attacking churches and Christian homes. Rioters also assaulted the offices of a city administrator, but police intervened, shooting into the air and wielding batons to disperse the attackers with the help of Muslim clerics and elders.
Videos and photos posted on social media show a throng of angry people descending on a church, throwing pieces of bricks and setting it on fire. In another video, four other churches are attacked, their windows broken as attackers throw pieces of furniture outside and set them on fire.
In another video, a man is seen climbing to the roof of a church and removing a steel cross after repeatedly hitting it with a hammer as a crowd cheers him on.
The violence drew condemnation from domestic and international human rights groups.
Amnesty International called for the repeal of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.
Under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, anyone found guilty of insulting Islam or Islamic religious figures can be sentenced to death. While authorities have yet to carry out a death sentence for blasphemy, often just an accusation can incite mobs to violence, lynchings and killings.
Rghts groups say blasphemy allegations have been used to intimidate religious minorities and settle personal scores.
Vedant Patel, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, urged Pakistan to conduct a full investigation. “We support peaceful freedom of expression and the right to freedom of religion and belief for everybody,” he said in Washington on Wednesday.
___
Ahmed reported from Islamabad. Associated Press writers Asim Tanveer in Multan and Babar Dogar in Lahore, Pakistan, contributed to this report.
MORE NEWS
Why has Google not released Gemini 4 Argon yet? New AI model's safety testing delays wider public access
Google has announced its new flagship AI model, but its access remains limited to selected cybersecurity defenders and internal teams only. The company is testing safety measures, gathering feedback and taking part in the US government’s voluntary pre-release process. Google has not given a fixed date for wider public access, although paid API customers and Google AI Ultra subscribers are expected to receive access next.
Pete Hegseth’s New Field Manual: What does Pete Hegseth's 144-page military manual reveal about his vision for U.S. forces?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided a 144-page field manual to service members at Quantico. This manual includes transcripts of his speeches and a message from President Donald Trump. Trump emphasized that troops will not be sent into unnecessary conflicts or 'dumb Wars.' Hegseth also announced plans to reduce the number of generals and admirals by 20 percent during his address.
Micron stock has surged 275% this year; MU earnings beat Wall Street estimates as AI demand fuels $60 billion-$63 billion revenue outlook
MU stock today: Micron reported better-than-expected earnings, resulting in a significant stock increase for the company this year. The company is projecting future revenue between $60 billion and $63 billion, exceeding analyst forecasts. Driven by strong demand for memory chips, Micron plans to invest $10 billion in research focused on memory and AI.
Japanese mindset: Zazen- The Japanese Zen practice of sitting still and learning to let the mind be
Japanese mindset: Zazen is a form of seated meditation that focuses on observing thoughts and feelings without judgment. Practitioners learn to let thoughts arise, pass, and return to their breath over time. The emphasis is on repetition and observing the mind rather than seeking instant transformations. This practice can change the way people experience their thoughts and emotions, fostering a different relationship with stillness.
SEC exposes $15 million alleged scam: How WhatsApp groups, AI trading promises and fake SEC claims lured investors
The SEC has charged multiple entities over two alleged investment scams totaling more than $15 million. The agency says WhatsApp groups, AI trading promises and fake SEC claims were used to attract hundreds of retail investors, with the schemes allegedly involving fraudulent trading platforms and investment programs.
Social Security payment schedule for 2027: When will your check arrive and why could some payments reach you earlier than expected?
The Social Security payment schedule for 2027 gives beneficiaries a useful head start on planning their finances. Most retirement, survivor and disability payments are tied to your birthday and arrive on one of three Wednesdays each month. SSI follows a different calendar, and some payments move into the previous month when weekends or holidays affect the normal date.
US midterm elections 2026: Latest predictions and odds from Polymarket
According to Polymarket, there's a remarkable 93% likelihood that Democrats will secure the House in the 2026 elections. The Senate presents a more competitive landscape with Democrats at 63% and Republicans at 38%. The surge in trading volume indicates high public interest in both markets as November 3 approaches. Key individual Senate races are particularly pivotal, potentially affecting the overall power dynamics.
Andy Burnham wants UK to consider EU re-entry
"We could stay as we are. That's definitely an option, if people think this is the right place to stay," Burnham said, listing certain options including one to "go all the way". It is not clear how Burnham will canvass opinion on the EU, but he said in his conference speech that he would "take the opportunity around the summit to lay out to you, to lay out to the country, what I believe the different options are".
Israel to ramp up pilot checks
Saudi authorities have arrested and interrogated the co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 from the United Arab Emirates to Israel, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said. Some 169 of the total 172 passengers on board were Israeli nationals, Ambassador Daniel Meron at the Israeli permanent mission in Geneva told Reuters.
Claude, New Yorker, Bandcamp: RBI rules leave international card payments in grey area
New regulations from the Reserve Bank of India will mandate reporting of international credit card transactions starting October 1. Consumers may need to provide details on all payments for services purchased abroad, leading to potential compliance challenges. The existing framework lacks clarity on how individuals will report these transactions to banks. While international credit card purchases are part of the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, the reporting process remains unclear.