Churches Raided in Pakistan
| International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that two churches in Lahore, Pakistan, were raided by police during their Sunday services. According to local Christians, the police desecrated the churches, harassed the Christians worshipping there, arrested both churches’ pastors, and damaged their sound systems.The police raid took place February 8, and according to one eyewitness, “The police officials took possession of the sound systems, made hate speeches against Christians using amplifiers, and later took all the electric stuff away to the police station.”
“All the worshipers were almost held hostage by the police,” a church member, said. “The women and children started praying, but stopped when they were threatened by the Station House Officer. The officer ordered the congregation not to come to the church for prayers anymore.” At the time of the raids, there were around 200 people in both churches, and all of those who were interviewed by ICC have said that this has made them more determined to worship and pray in their churches, and not to bow to intimidation by authorities. ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, said, “The Christian community of Pakistan continues to be treated like an unwanted religious minority in Pakistan … More must be done by Pakistan to secure the rights of Christians, who have played a crucial role in the country’s history. Unless positive steps are made in this direction, the security of Pakistani Christians and their places of worship will continue to deteriorate.”
Psalm 57 vs 1: Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul take refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. Source: International Christian Concern (ICC), www.persecution.org |
