Pakistani Bishop Pleads With International Community to Help Rebuild Church in Mardan

Where's the media outrage?

Photo by Shamim Masih for Salem-News.com

(ISLAMABAD, Pakistan) - Angry Muslims attacked the Church in Mardan near Peshawar following noon prayers last Friday in settling of scores for the anti-Mohammed film that has stirred riots and protests throughout Pakistan.

Talking on the telephone, Bishop Peter Mujeed said, thousands of people on 21st September broke into a church compound, burnt the church, school books, Bibles, (Bible is not an ordinary book) New Testaments and even copies of the Jesus Film were trashed and burned. The mob destroyed 27 homes in the church compound including the houses of two priests and the school head teacher, he added.

Displaced families are living with their friends and relatives now and need your help to restore them, according to Bishop Peter Majeed.

The extremists tried to set the pastor's son (Zeeshan) afire. Items of value to the militants--computers, office equipment, and chairs were stolen and the buildings were set ablaze.

Innocent Pakistani Christians had nothing to do with the production or promotion of the anti-Mohammed film. Most know little about it, yet they are paying the price simply for being Christian in a nation dominated by Islamic extremists--a country where government officials and moderate Muslims are fearful to talk about protecting minority’s rights on their behalf, he claimed.

The Diocese of Peshawar, where the attack took place, provides education and health services to the local community – Muslim and Christian alike – and provided substantial support to victims of floods and a major earthquake in recent years, regardless of their religious affiliation.

Where's the media outrage? When a Quran is burned or a film considered blasphemous appears on You Tube, Muslims respond with global riots and protests. But When Christian holy books are destroyed, or a church is burned, there is silence. Where is the Chief Justice of Pakistan?

In the case of Rinkal Kumari, who was brought to the apex Court, and were assured by the Chief Justice, but in the end the girl was handed over to her so-called husband, said Rameesh Lal (member legislative assembly)

Bishop Peter Mujeed (the church pastor) asks Christians around the world to pray for God’s protection for Pakistani believers. He also requests help to rebuild their church building as early as possible.