By – Professor Dr. Saleem Massey
 

Attacking and burning churches, schools, hospitals and Christian villages in the Islamic world is not a new phenomena. Everyday, in this modern world innocent Christians are being persecuted, tortured  and burned alive by the fanatic ISIS around the world. Why? Because “millions of Muslims take literally the explicit commands to fight, seize, kill, crucify, and to smite the necks and cut off the hands and feet of those who do not follow Islam” (Decision,vol.56, Number 1, p.12, January 2015, USA).

 
A–TERROR ATTACK AT CHURCHES:
 
It was Sunday morning March 15, 2015 when Christians were worshiping the Lord under the shadows of the guns.  Suddenly two Taliban suicide bombers hit the two churches at Youhana-abad (John’s colony) Lahore city, where 25 persons were killed and more than 100 were injured badly. That news spread around the world like prairie fire in the wild jungle!
 
That Sunday, I was preaching the Gospel at Christian Evangelical Church, Nash-e-Mann Town–about 2 miles away from Youhana-abad.  One worshiper received a call on his cell phone and informed us in trembling voice, “churches are attacked but, our Christian Evangelical church, Khaliq Nagar is safe”  This church is very near where two terror attacks happened.
 
Soon after the incident, the residents launched a protect in that area on the main road against the terror attack. While others were running towards different hospitals to save the lives of their love ones who injured badly. The angry and violent mob grabbed two unidentified persons whom they claimed were the companions of the suicide bombers and started beating and thrashing them. They “burned them alive in the presence of police” ( DAWN, Lahore, March 16,2015).
B–JUSTICE NOT AID
The angry and frustrated mob was demanding to the Government to provide them security not aid like beggars.  This is not the first time, that the Christian community experienced terrible suffering, attack and hatred  They are becoming victims of the the discriminatory laws since Pakistan came into existence in 1947. For example, the Blasphemy Law is like a two- edged sword hanging around their necks. There are many innocent Christians who are suffering in different prisons like Asia Bibi without fair trials. Judges do not hear their cases because of the fear of extremists to kill them. Where poor and helpless community go for justice?
 
Whenever majority Muslims and terrorists wish they set on fire churches, Bibles,  Crosses and Christian localities like Joseph colony, Gojra and Shanti Nagar villages. Last year Taliban extremists attacked Peshawer church where more than 85 Christians were martyred and hundreds were injured. They are still struggling to get any aids from the Government.
 
Recently, a Christian couple Shahhad and Shama (she was pregnant) were burned alive by the violent Muslim mob at the brick kiln factory Kot Radah Kishan, District Kasur, under the false accusation that they insulted Muslim holy book Qur’an.  My friend Jochen Brand a German missionary and I went to see orphan children of the couple, who are wandering and hiding to save their lives.  
 
 
C–HIDING FOR LIFE
 
After the terror attack at two churches the  Government declared Youhana-abad colony an insecure and dangerous place.  Police daily arresting young and old people in order to identify who burned the suspected terrorists. Several Hundred innocent residents had been arrested and their families did not know where police has taken them. More than 500 families had left their homes and hiding to save their lives.They are suffering economically, psychologically and spiritually and are hiding under fear and threat away from their immediate families.
 
The bomb blast victims who were admitted in different hospitals are not getting proper medical treatment from the Government, and 22 of the patients has been expired in their painful wounds.  
 
There is no doubt, that the church will suffer and scatter around the world by the hands of extremists and terrorists but, she will never be defeated by them. She is purchased by the victorious blood of Jesus Christ. 
 
Saint John draws real picture of the martyrs, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” being faithful and conquerors in Him! (Rev. 7:14; Rom 8: 37).
 
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Note: Blasphemy law is this: If any person insults prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and their book Quran shall be put to death.