▶ A crowd in majority-Muslim Pakistan assaulted a Christian locality in an eastern part of the country and set on fire several buildings, including churches, over allegations of blasphemy, Aug. 16, 2023.

👉 Local police said the vandalism had occurred in Jaranwala, a small town in the industrial district of Faisalabad, after a Christian boy was accused of desecrating Islam's holy book, the Quran.

Pakistani authorities did not immediately share details of the losses inflicted by the enraged mob on the minority community, but Christian leaders reported significant damage to multiple churches and houses.

"Words fail me as I write this. We, Bishops, Priests, and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident," Azad Marshall, moderator bishop of the Church of Pakistan, said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been tortured and harassed having been falsely accused of violating the Holy Quran," he added.

Marshall demanded that Pakistani authorities immediately bring those responsible to justice and ensure the safety of all citizens.

Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar vowed "stern action" against those behind Wednesday's attack. #pakistan #church #blasphemy

https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-muslim-mob-attacks-christian-churches-property-over-blasphemy-charges/7227449.html #news #voanews

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