Drunken mob vandalizes church in Pakistan

TALAB SARAI, Pakistan — Armed and drunken Muslims struck two greeters at a Sunday evening service of a church outside Lahore, Pakistan, the week of Nov. 12, later returning to pelt the building with stones and bricks. Led by Zulifiqar Akbar Jutt and Asif Ramzan, 10 men broke fluorescent lights and a cross on the outer gate of the Talab Sarai village Nazarene church Nov. 12, a Lahore-based human-rights organization reported.

Pastor Rafiq Masih told the Center for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) that the Muslim men began to hit greeters who had earlier stopped them from harassing Christian women; the congregation of about 40 families quickly came out of the church, halting the attackers. The Muslim men "had every intention to use the firearms," CLAAS coordinator Wasim Muntizar told Compass Direct news service. "But because the Christians didn’t respond angrily, the situation did not get worse."