Just another day for Christians in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Nothing to see here: no “Islamophobia” was committed, so all is well.
The cross is an affront to Islam. The Qur’an claims that Jesus was not crucified, although in somewhat equivocal language for what is supposed to be the perfect word of an omniscient god:
“And their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.’ And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but another was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain.” (4:157)
And a hadith depicts Muhammad saying: “The Hour will not be established until the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends amongst you as a just ruler, he will break the cross, kill the pigs, and abolish the Jizya tax. Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it (as charitable gifts).” (Bukhari 46.37.2476)
This means he will destroy Christianity (break the cross), force the Christians to obey the Islamic food laws (kill the pigs) and end the second-class dhimmi status (abolish the jizya) that Islamic law specifies for Christians, such that they will either have to convert to Islam or be killed.
“Armed gang attack church in Pakistan leaving Christians ‘terrified’ – Cross ripped down,” by Laura O’Callaghan, Express, June 14, 2020:
CHRISTIANS in a small town in eastern Pakistan have been left “terrified” after an armed gang attacked their church, tearing down a cross and knocking over a wall.
Neighbours of Trinity Pentecostal Church in Kala Shah Kaku in Punjab province were alerted by the sound of commotion at around midnight and quickly rushed to the scene. They found a group of radical Muslim men, some of whom were locally-known gang members, armed with guns, according to reports. It is believed the mob shouted hate speech at the Christians and threatened to shoot them and set the church on fire.
By the time police arrived on the scene the culprits had fled.
Witnesses, none of whom were injured, believe the incident was an attempted land-grab….
Volunteer Hannah Chowdhry told Express.co.uk: “There were two mafia gang members who brought five or six other men with them with guns and pistols.
“They broke down the outer wall of the church. There was a cemented cross as well that they broke down and threw on the floor and they tried to break into the church.
“This happens on a regular basis and we just have to make people aware of what is happening around the world….
Pastor Samuel Hidayat recalled the phone call he received from witnesses.
He said: “From the descriptions provided to me by local people the situation was very dangerous and I feared there would be bloodshed so I called the police immediately.
“It was clear these would-be property usurpers were not willing to negotiate or leave our church any other way.”
The community suspect the gang took advantage of the coronavirus lockdown to attempt to break into the church in a bid to illegally wrestle the property from its rightful owners….