October 2023 Persecution Magazine

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“What I encountered was a scene of profound devastation. Every item within the homes had been reduced to ashes or torn into unrecognizable pieces. From ceiling fans to toilet seats, no object had been spared from the relentless flames” - GINGER, ICC STAFF MEMBER WHAT WAS IT LIKE WHEN YOU FIRST ARRIVED ON THE SCENE? Ginger: I arrived at the scene 22 hours after the unjust vandalism had taken place. My first stop was at Essa Nagri. What I encountered was a scene of profound devastation. Every item within the homes had been reduced to ashes or torn into unrecognizable pieces. From ceiling fans to toilet seats, no object had been spared from the relentless flames. The air still bore the scent of the chemicals that had been used in the destruction. As I entered the churches, the extent of the damage became even more heart-wrenching. Bibles, symbols of faith, had been ruthlessly set ablaze. Carpets, chairs, fans, and even electrical sockets lay shattered and broken, a testament to the senseless destruction that had unfolded within these sacred places of worship. In Christian Town, which incidentally is the hometown of the accused, the scene was different. The area was heavily fortified with a notable presence of police and rangers. Makeshift tents had been erected to block off access to the streets, effectively keeping the media and outsiders at bay. It was a considerable challenge to gain entry. Once inside, I found that the houses were vacant. The inhabitants fled, seeking safety from the chaos that had descended on their lives. Only a handful of male residents remained. Their tears and expressions mirrored the sheer horror of seeing their cherished residences reduced to smoldering ruins. Ironically, during my visit to Christian Town, I crossed paths with some Muslim individuals. The expressions on their faces spoke volumes about their emotions; they seemed unmistakably proud of their actions, wearing their perceived “achievement” as a badge of honor. Oscar: When we went to the affected area, the place looked like burnt-out ruins. The voices of people screaming and shouting could be heard, and the view was no less than any hell. 12 <strong>Persecution</strong> | OCTOBER <strong>2023</strong>
WE’VE SEEN THE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS, BUT WHAT WERE YOU HEARING IN THE CROWD? Ginger: They were simply grieving their profound losses, while those who had recently returned after fleeing were utterly stunned to see their once-familiar homes reduced to ashes. Oscar: They were saying that no one comes for our help, they attack us, and we lose everything: our belongings, homes, and businesses. We have given our lives to build these houses and to build these things we live by doing small jobs and small businesses. We are poor, and they burnt everything in minutes. A disabled man who was missing an arm and legs was telling us loudly, “They took away our water pumps we don’t have water for drinking and consumption anymore, they burnt our Bibles and churches, but they cannot remove the love of God from our hearts which will remain in our hearts until we die!” WHAT DID THE SURVIVING FAMILIES AND PASTORS SAY TO YOU? Ginger: Pastor Shahzaib recounted the events, saying, “It was like any other ordinary day. It was approximately 7 a.m. when I received a call from Christian Town, urgently advising us to evacuate our homes if we wished to stay alive. I was taken aback, bewildered by the lack of information. Without wasting a moment, I hurried to my church, gathered the youth, and rallied other pastors. Together, we began spreading the word, urging people to secure their houses and evacuate the town for the sake of their lives.” Ayesha said, “As soon as I heard the news of the approaching mob, I grabbed my children. We were in such a frantic rush that we didn’t even have the presence of mind to put on shoes or grab a scarf. All that mattered to us was ensuring the safety of our kids, so we fled the town without looking back.” Sana expressed his anguish, saying, “My son worked for his entire life, 18-hour shifts to build this home. In seconds, this house was reduced to ashes by these individuals’ hands. What was our fault in all of this? How can we possibly rebuild our homes from scratch? They left nothing behind, not a single possession in our houses.” Farhan expressed, “We’ve called this area home for Photos: Images in the aftermath of the mob attack. PERSECUTION.ORG 13
Page 1 and 2: WWW.PERSECUTION.ORG OCTOBER 2023 PE
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Page 27 and 28: The Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence, c.

October 2023 Persecution Magazine

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