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25-12-2023
By SJA Jafri + Agencies
LAHORE/ JARANWALA: Four months ago, the Christian community in the city of Jaranwala, in north-eastern Pakistan, saw nearly two dozen churches and tens of homes ransacked by hundreds of protestors. In the aftermath, the government promised money to help rebuild. As they prepare for Christmas, many here are still living with the damage and shock of the attack.
The Christmas carol procession lurches its way through Jaranwala’s back streets, gathering singers as we go.
We start at the church, the pastor, two drummers, 15 or so enthusiastic singers, lighting the way through the dark streets with phone torches. With each turn more come to their doors to join.
Children are dressed in their Christmas best, some belting out their favorite carol lines. Others shyly join in, dressed in sparkly dresses with glittery bows, Father Christmas hats and light-up trainers, stomping through the streets. Some of the older boys throw small firecrackers, giggling as their mothers shout at them for making them jump.
Christmas traditions in Jaranwala have a renewed importance to Pastor Rizwan Mill this year.
“Christmas now is in all our hearts,” he says, taking a small break from leading the congregation. “Christ is a savior for me. He saved me during the hours of the attack. He is all our savior.”
On 16 August, thousands gathered in Jaranwala, angry at allegations that someone from the Christian community had deliberately damaged pages from the holy Quran. People were being accused of blasphemy.
The crowd turned violent, attacking churches and private homes. Many from the Christian community fled, spending the night in open fields, fearful of returning to the city. While nine police officers were injured, no civilian lives were lost.
The police promised justice, arresting more than 350 people, while the government promised to help rebuild both trust and the buildings.
The authorities have said that all 22 churches that were attacked have now been renovated and reopened, the walls are still crisp with fresh paint and the floors have that new carpet smell.
Alongside money from the government, there have been works and donations by charities, NGOs and outreach programs between local mosques and churches but four months later, some homes still show the scars of that night.
We find Saima sitting in the one room of her home still intact, surrounded by blackened walls. The money has been paid, she says, but once divided amongst all the relatives who live in the building, it wasn’t enough. The damage was extensive and the repair work is taking time.
