Anti-Christian riots leave churches and homes devastated in Jaranwala, Pakistan – can you help Christian families affected by the violence?
“This mob have ruined not only our lives but also looted everything… what bad have we done? Where is justice? O God, have mercy on us,” said Fayaz Masih, a Christian resident of Jaranwala to the Barnabas team who is already on the ground out there.
He is just one of thousands of Christians who have been left with nothing in the aftermath of the anti-Christian riots in Pakistan on Wednesday 16 August.
Fayaz Masih, a Christian in Jaranwala, lost everything when the mob looted and ransacked his home
The world sat up and took note this week as Christians in Jaranwala, Pakistan were forced to flee as their churches were vandalised and homes were ransacked and burned.
Armed mobs, reportedly incited by local mosque leaders, attacked the Christian community after torn pages of the Quran were allegedly discovered nearby. At least 16 church buildings were attacked, with five of them set ablaze. Dozens of houses of Christians were also ransacked and set on fire.
Bibles, hymn books and other Christian materials were burned in the riots, along with several churches and homes
Christian residents returning home to destruction
Hundreds of Christian families fled for safety to nearby villages or to Faisalabad city about 40km away. As of Thursday, some started to return to the scene. They are coming home to still-burning remains of churches, and discovering the little they had has been taken or destroyed.
But they still cling faithfully to the Lord.
“Thanks be to God, whose hand was on us today. Though we’ve lost our possessions, we still have our lives thanks to Him,” said Fayaz.
A Christian child tries to comfort his weeping mother by the burnt-out remains of their home. Can you give Christians in Jaranwala hope and help them to rebuild their lives?
Can you give a gift to help Christian families in Jaranwala after such hatred and destruction? And please pray for them.
How you can help
£13
($16.50; €15.20) could provide a hygiene kit containing soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels, detergent, buckets and sanitary pads for a Christian family
£31 ($39; €36) could provide a food package containing enough to feed a Christian family for one month
£37 ($47; €43) could provide sleeping mats and bedding for a Christian family
£66 ($84; €77) could provide a clothes package for a Christian family for up to two adults and four children to replace what has been lost in the riots
