By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
SARGODHA, PAKISTAN (Worthy News) - Christian families are fleeing their homes in Pakistan’s Punjab province after Muslims threatened to attack them, and several believers were reportedly detained for alleged blasphemy against Islam, a senior rights official told Worthy News.
“We regret to inform you that, in the aftermath of this incident, some Christian families have felt compelled to flee their homes for security reasons” in Maryam Town, said Nasir Saeed, director of the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS-UK). “Additionally, there are reports of the police arresting some Christians. However, it is important to clarify that as of now, no charges have been filed against anyone,” he added.
Tensions rose over the weekend in Maryam, also spelled as Mariam, a predominantly Christian area in Punjab’s Sargodha District, with Muslim crowds accusing Christians of blasphemy, Worthy News reported earlier.
Saeed said the protests were sparked by the July 16 discovery of “a small pamphlet containing blasphemous content on the boundary wall of the house belonging to Mohd Abdul Gaffar, a retired Pakistan Air Force.”
He called the content “highly disrespectful” towards Islam’s “Prophet Prophet Muhammad and other revered figures.” It also included “derogatory comments about the holy Koran.”
Saeed added that “the pamphlet even praised the recent burning of a Koran in Sweden, exacerbating the gravity of the situation. Disturbing sketches targeting revered personalities were also found.”
PRETEXT FOR ATTACKS
It was unclear who was responsible for the pamphlet. Still, rights activists fear it could be a pretext for attacks against Christians in the area and elsewhere in Pakistan, an Islamic nation.
“The Christian population residing in neighboring areas, with an estimated population of 4,000-5,000, remains gripped by fear,” noticed Saeed.
“While the police intervention prevented an immediate attack on Christians, the apprehension and anxiety persist. It is distressing to note that this incident marks the third case of blasphemy in the Sargodha district,” he added.
Saeed expressed concerns that the tensions will escalate as in other incidents “Innocent lives were lost, and numerous Christians were falsely accused and imprisoned.”
He condemned the recent burning of the Koran in Sweden but said it was “disheartening to witness certain individuals exploiting the Swedish incident as an excuse to instigate hatred and revenge against local Christians.”
He cited “the case of Rimsha Masih, where a local imam fabricated false accusations to marginalize and displace Christians from their communities.”
RESTORING HARMONY
Saeed urged “authorities to restore peace and harmony in the country and take necessary steps to protect religious minorities from the misuse of blasphemy laws.”
He said he had asked supporters for “prayers, support, and advocacy in raising awareness about the challenges faced by our Christian brothers and sisters in Pakistan. Let us stand united to promote peace, respect, and religious freedom for all.”
Advocacy group Open Doors ranks Pakistan 7th on its annual World Watch List of 50 countries where Christians reportedly face the most persecution for their faith in Christ.
“Pakistan's notorious blasphemy laws target religious minorities (including Muslim minorities), but affect the Christian minority in particular,” noticed Open Doors.
Roughly a quarter of all blasphemy accusations target Christians, who only make up 1.8 percent of the population, according to Open Doors researchers.