By Theodore Shoebat
Muslims in Pakistan attacked a church, setting it on fire and burning Bibles. Here is the report:
Pastor Zulfiqar of the Apostolic Church revealed that Bibles and sacred vessels were burned in the fire, and suggested that the earlier dispute between Muslims and Christians might have had something to do with the attack.
The British Pakistani Christian Association also reported the attack in Bath village, noting that it created “great suspicion and fear” among Christians in the community who believe it was a religiously motivated attack.
The fire was reported to the police, though authorities initially claimed that it could have been caused by a short circuit, and refused to file a report.
Dildar Bhatti, a local resident who lives close to the church, said police refused to cooperate with villagers.
“I showed police officials suspicious marks on the wall of the church that illustrated someone had climbed the church wall to gain entry to our church, but the police officers just ignored my evidence and did not add the detail to their reports,” Bhatti said.
Karamat Masih, another local resident, added: “All the local Christians are now in great fear, the fire illustrates that Christians are not wanted in the local area.”
Church officials believe that the damage, which includes lost furniture and upholstery, could be close to $1,000 USD, which is a lot for the community.
A Protestant Christian church was burned by suspected Islamic radicals in the village of Bath in Pakistani Punjab, leaving Christians in the community fearful and asking for protection.
Fides News Agency reported that the Protestant Christian congregation called “Apostolic Church” was set on fire last week following a dispute between Christians and Muslims in the village. The attack occurred the day after a prayer vigil for Epiphany on Jan. 6, when an arson destroyed the church building.