History repeats itself in Pakistan. The vandals who burnt down five churches and damaged twenty others in Jaranwala, Faisalabad district on Wednesday have nothing to fear. Instead, the two Christians lightly accused of “blasphemy” have already been arrested and face, at best, years in prison while their case is resolved. At worst, lynching at the hands of other prisoners or during court appearances, as often happens.
Blasphemy – against Islam – can carry a death sentence in Pakistan. And although it has never been formally applied, others have executed it outside the State.
The attempted pogrom began at five in the morning on Wednesday, when the loudspeakers of one of the local mosques amplified the rumor – which was already on the networks – that two Christians had torn and scratched pages from the Koran Christian neighbors hurried to hide in the fields or seek refuge in other towns. Around eleven o’clock, a crowd of young people, led by a Muslim extremist group, set fire to the Catholic church. Then, that of the Salvation Army. Then they went to the cemetery and other Protestant churches. Up to twenty-five, according to a neighbor.
Many Christian homes were ransacked – those of the two alleged blasphemers, burned – piles of furniture were made and utensils and televisions were stolen. Although Pakistani Christians almost always belong to the poorest strata of society. The one who cannot even dream of immigrating illegally or with sponsorship, as other Punjabis do.
The police passively attended the riot, although the local police chief says they made 145 arrests the following day, when some Christian neighbors were already daring to return to their homes, amid appeals for the serenity of some religious leaders, also Muslims.
Interim Prime Minister Anwar ul-Haq has also promised protection for designated minorities, including Hindus and Ahmadis.
In 2001, in Sialkot, a Sinhalese manager – unable to read Urdu – was lynched after throwing posters in his factory containing verses into the garbage.
In the case of Asia Bibi, who was sentenced to death for blasphemy, the governor who asked for her release was killed by a fanatic, for whom a mosque was later built, by popular subscription.
