Another church attacked in Pakistan

It was the second church attack within a week as countrywide protests continue against American Pastor Terry Jones, who withdrew his threat to burn copies of the Islamic holy book on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: CathNewsIndia | USANEWS
By UCA News | September 20, 2010

A Pentecostal church in Karachi has been attacked and vandalized by militants still angry over a threat to burn Qur’ans in the United States earlier this month.

Nine copies of the Bible, three hymn books and three wooden crosses were found burnt on Sept. 18 at the Nasri Pentecostal Church in Shah Latif Town, Karachi.

The area is home to about 120 Christian families.

A dholki or hand-held drum used in gospel music was also found damaged.

“The church gates were open and the locks broken. The attackers broke open a cupboard and vandalized religious items at around midnight,” said Pastor Peter Shahzad.


He was speaking to ucanews.com after a Sept. 19 Sunday service in which he urged the government to punish the culprits under the country’s blasphemy laws.

Pastor Shahzad later led his congregation to a protest rally at the Karachi Press Club, a popular venue for demonstrations.

It was the second church attack within a week as countrywide protests continue against American Pastor Terry Jones, who withdrew his threat to burn copies of the Islamic holy book on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

A Lutheran church was attacked with grenades on Sept. 12 in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

“Muslims want the US government to hand Jones over to them. There are many people poorly educated in Islamic teachings that are still causing tension,” said Father Thomas Gulfam, general secretary of the Heralds of Peace, an interreligious group.

Father Aftab James Paul, director of Faisalabad diocese’s Commission for Interfaith Dialogue, said more attacks were likely.

“It makes no difference whether the perpetrators of recent church attacks are arrested or not, nothing will happen. There may be more attacks,” he said.

Source: ucanews.com


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