In response to the severe attack on a Christian neighborhood in Lahore on March 9, Pakistan's National Assembly suspended its agenda on Monday, March 11 to condemn the riots. The attack, carried out by around 3,000 enraged Muslims, reportedly followed a rumor that a Christian resident of the working-class Joseph Colony neighborhood had made blasphemous remarks about Islam's prophet Muhammad. Commentators believe that the attack must have been planned in advance and that the perpetrators were simply waiting for an opportunity. Police had actually arrested a Christian man for blasphemy, but it didn't help. 150 homes were burned down and extensive looting took place. Residents of the area had been evacuated, but some stayed behind and there are reports of at least one death, a girl who was injured in the attack and later lost her life.
The material devastation is especially hard on the many families with daughters who were about to get married in the weeks after Easter. During Lent, weddings are traditionally not held, but the brides' dowries are ready in the form of furniture and jewelry. In Joseph Colony, all this bridal equipment has now either been destroyed or stolen by the perpetrators. Based on video footage, police have arrested 150 suspected perpetrators and authorities have promised compensation to the families affected. The authorities are offering an amount equivalent to approximately 5,000 US dollars to each of the families who lost their homes and belongings.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered a report on the incident, but when the first report failed to mention the reasons for the attack and the measures taken by the police, the Supreme Court refused to accept it. Four senior police officers were dismissed for failing to prevent the attack. Both Christian and Muslim religious leaders and organizations have condemned the attacks. However, this does not take the fear away from the followers of Christians and other religious minorities. Many are thinking thoughts along the lines of: "Will the culprits ever be punished? - Where will it happen next? - Will I be accused of blasphemy by my Muslim neighbor for no reason? - Can we even gather for worship without being attacked?" (Sources: AsiaNews, WorldWatchMonitor and private sources with relatives in the area)
