Another act of religious extremism has left multiple burned down churches and ransacked homes in the Jaranwala Church attacks. Here are some thoughts fron Twitter/X.
The escalating acts of vandalism and arson against churches and the Christian community in Jaranwala, in response to an alleged blasphemy incident, are now making headlines worldwide. Itβs a shame how once again, this is the light the world will see Pakistan in. Even more concerning is our proficiency in perpetuating hostility, causing fellow citizens to feel unsafe and causing wreckage to our own land. According to news reports, a group of Muslim individuals targeted the Christian community in Jaranwala, Faisalabad, on Wednesday. They engaged in the destruction and burning of churches, as well as setting homes ablaze. These actions were prompted by accusations against two community members of disrespecting the Quran.
Videos showed men attacking a church with sledgehammers while setting fire. Hundreds of people charged towards the Salvation Army Church and the Saint Paul Catholic Church armed with batons and sticks setting the places of worship ablaze. While other mobs attacked peopleβs homes setting fire and ransacking.
Many amongst us rhetorically question, do we even see or remember the white in our flag? Do we realize what it stands for, stands to represent, stands to protect? Because if we did, what took place in Jaranwala would have not done so. As a nation we don’t even respect the foundation our land stands on, the ideologies our founders and flag represents so then how do we expect our nation to not deteriorate even further? Considering our history, the struggles we were born from, we as nation should be rather more introspective to the travesty of religious extremism. But have we turned into what our ancestors strived to run away from?
Here is how Pakistanis on Twitter are reacting:
The Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Statement
Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi in a press conference in Lahore apologised for the #Jaranwala violence and reaffirmed the commitment to protect “our Christian brothers” “Yesterday, I saw a video in which young girls were hiding in the fields, they spent the entire night there [.. these are the same girls who our Holy Prophet (PBUH) called blessings.”
The Total Count Till Now
21 #Churches and 378 #houses were burnt down by radical Muslims in #jaraanwala #Faisalabad chanting the catchphrase “Allah-o-Akbar”. My #Christians friends of #Jaraanwala are scared because today is #Friday #jummamubarik and #radicalmuslims could rage again. Religious Minorities are not safe in Pakistan.
Still Not Enough To Shake Our Nation’s Dead Conscience?
This image of this Christian boy wearing special dress for Independence day, consoling her crying mother, should be enough to shake the dead conscience of this nation.
Returning To Ransacked, Gutted, Burnt Down Homes
The Christian community of Jaranwala returns to their neighbourhood to find their homes ransacked and gutted. βWhat the mob could not steal they burned to the ground,β said one woman.
The Biggest Issue Right Now
Dont know about you all but making comparisons about the current situation with political protests doesnβt sit right. Whatβs happening with our Christian community/or minorities is a bigger issue right now. Itβs about human rights. PTI/Police/Army clash is a story for another day
Must Be Arrested & Sentenced To Death
The people who attacked the church and burnt it must be arrested and sentenced to death Because they attacked on the holy place of a religion and also tried to defame the Islam and created terrorism in the country. As a Muslim I demand justice for the Christians #ChurchAttack
Driving The Nation Deeper & Deeper Into A Dangerous Abyss
The hands of intolerant bigots have taken control of #Pakistan, driving it deeper and deeper into a dangerous abyss. #ChurchAttack #Christians #JaranwalaIncident #Faisalabad.
Where do you think all this is going to lead us a nation? Are you shaken to your core post the Jaranwala church attacks or have now just accustomed yourself to these incidents in the country?
Alia Bhatt & Ranbir Kapoor: Exploring The Fine Line Between Concern & Intrusion!
Sources: Reuters, Al Jazeera
