Jubilee Campaign’s partner in Pakistan Joseph Francis sent disturbing news on Thursday, July 30, that 40 Christian houses and churches were burned by local Muslims in Gill Wala Chauck, a village in Faisalabad, Pakistan. The incident, reported to him by a panicked eyewitness, happened in the evening around 8:00 p.m. during a Christian marriage ceremony.
An eyewitness called Mr. Francis and told him approximately 200 Christians were set on fire. Women and children are burned severely. Fire brigade vans arrived to control the fire but the Muslim mob did not allow them to pass by laying down in front of the vans and creating a blockade. The riots were incited by broadcasts from local mosques.
A team headed by Joseph Francis, director of the Center for Legal Aid and Assistance Settlement (CLAAS), is going to Faisalabad immediately to help the injured and burned victims and will assure they receive medical treatment. Local police have arrived on the scene but the situation is reportedly out of control as thousands of Muslims have gathered for this purpose on the announcement of the local Mosques.
The event is reminiscent of the recent July 1st, 2009, incident in Bahminwala village, Kasur. We ask for your support and prayer in this matter and we will keep you updated with the latest information as we receive it.
We also give thanks to the Lord that this past Monday, a judge finally granted bail to permit the release of Joseph Francis from jail in a case which originates out of false accusations that Joseph attempted to re-convert a young lady who had converted to Islam by dousing her in kerosene and threatening to set her on fire. Joseph is in good spirits, and he expresses deep gratitude for all those who prayed for him during his incarceration.
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