The attacks in Gojra were triggered by reports of desecration of the Quran. It was reported that Mukhtar Maseeh, Talib Maseeh and his son Imran Maseeh had desecrated the papers inscribed with Qur’an verses at a wedding ceremony. District Police Officer Inkisar Khan said a case had been registered under section 295-B of the Pakistan Penal Code against Mukhtar Maseeh, Talib Maseeh and Imran Maseeh without any arrest. Fourty houses and a Church were set ablaze by a mob on August 1, 2009.
Most of the houses were burnt by youths who had their faces covered with veils. The victims including women and children were all burnt alive. 18 others were injured. Televised footage showed burning houses and streets strewn with blackened furniture and people firing at each other from their rooftops. According to the eye witnesses, “They were shouting anti-Christian slogans and attacked our houses.” Residents said that police stood aside while the mob went on the rampage. “We kept begging for protection, but police did not take action”.
Today, through this video Mr. Asif Mall, the Chairman Pakistan Minorities Rights Organization (UK) is recalling that cruel incident and appealing the international community to take action against the constant persecution that Christians face in Pakistan whose only crime is to love Christ and not abandoning His way in any circumstances.
