Villagers attack showing of Jesus video
December 23, 2009
Some 50 Muslim villagers attacked a showing of the “Jesus Film” in Punjab Province on December 9, injuring three evangelists -- two of them seriously -- and four attending Christians. The Muslim hardliners also damaged a movie projector, burned reels of the film and absconded with the public address system and donations from Christian viewers.
Eyewitnesses report that numerous Muslim villagers and their clerics had gathered outside the church compound as the film played, some of them climbing trees to get a clearer view of the screen. The church compound was crammed with Christian villagers clapping as the film showed Jesus Christ performing miracles, raising the dead, casting out evil spirits and healing ailments. As soon as the Muslim attackers watched the resurrection and ascension of Christ, they became enraged and attacked. Although Muslims hold Christ as a prophet, they do not believe he was crucified.
The evangelists showing the film said from their clinic beds that a Muslim cleric instigated the Muslim villagers, who were armed with clubs, spades and axes.
“They charged on us deadly and swiftly and left us injured and broke all our appliances and took away funds collected by congregants to help us. Muslim men also injured those Christian villagers who tried to intervene and stop them.”
Intervention by the village headman resulted in the rescue of the Christian evangelists and the surrender of the Muslim mob. The Muslims were forced to evacuate the church grounds, but only after a stand-off of nearly two hours.
A local Christian leader says the assaulted Christians tried to register a case against their Muslim attackers, but police scornfully rejected their application. Officers peremptorily told them to settle the dispute in a local jury of village elders.
~ adapted from Compass Direct
Some 50 Muslim villagers attacked a showing of the “Jesus Film” in Punjab Province on December 9, injuring three evangelists -- two of them seriously -- and four attending Christians. The Muslim hardliners also damaged a movie projector, burned reels of the film and absconded with the public address system and donations from Christian viewers.
Eyewitnesses report that numerous Muslim villagers and their clerics had gathered outside the church compound as the film played, some of them climbing trees to get a clearer view of the screen. The church compound was crammed with Christian villagers clapping as the film showed Jesus Christ performing miracles, raising the dead, casting out evil spirits and healing ailments. As soon as the Muslim attackers watched the resurrection and ascension of Christ, they became enraged and attacked. Although Muslims hold Christ as a prophet, they do not believe he was crucified.
The evangelists showing the film said from their clinic beds that a Muslim cleric instigated the Muslim villagers, who were armed with clubs, spades and axes.
“They charged on us deadly and swiftly and left us injured and broke all our appliances and took away funds collected by congregants to help us. Muslim men also injured those Christian villagers who tried to intervene and stop them.”
Intervention by the village headman resulted in the rescue of the Christian evangelists and the surrender of the Muslim mob. The Muslims were forced to evacuate the church grounds, but only after a stand-off of nearly two hours.
A local Christian leader says the assaulted Christians tried to register a case against their Muslim attackers, but police scornfully rejected their application. Officers peremptorily told them to settle the dispute in a local jury of village elders.
~ adapted from Compass Direct