Christian Coalition International (Canada) Inc.
March 28/2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Editorial Comment: A disturbing report was received from our Pakistani Christian
Friends at the Christian Liberation Front of Canada indicating a despicable
terrorist attack on Sunday worshippers during a church service in Khahamba
Village near Lahore, Pakistan.
CCIC condemns this despicable act of violence directed against defenceless
Christian worshippers and asks the Pakistani Government to guarantee freedom of
religion for Christians of all denominations in peace and security. Judaeo-Christian
principles need to be respected by all nations to ensure equal treatment for
Christians the world over and allow for the free exercise of religion for
Christians and non-Christians alike.
CCIC will ask the Canadian Government to denounce this senseless act of violence
perpetrated by radical fundamentalists.
To donate financially in support of the Christian Community in Khahamba Village,
Pakistan, please go to our website noted above and click on the donation button.
Please designate any donations appropriately as "Khahamba Village" in the
comments field. All donations over $ 10.00 will re receipted.
CCIC Inc.
"Dear brothers & Sisters
Few gun men attacked worshipers attending Easter mass at Apostolic Church,
Khahamba Village near Lahore, Pakistan in which one worshipper Arshad Masih died
and seven other seriously wounded.
INCIDENT
The incident took place on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2005 at 10:30am when few
armed men suddenly appeared and sprayed bullets with automatic guns on the
worshippers, who were about to leave the Church after Easter mass service. The
attackers escaped leaving worshipers in pool of blood, while other worshippers
helped wounded victims to reach hospital.
APMA representatives at Lahore were informed about the incident by few
worshippers. A team of APMA immediately reached the site of incident and
assisted victims.
BACKGROUND
Team of APMA met Pastor Riaz Rehmat, Anwar Masih (Councillor), Dr. Saleem Masey
and other Christians of the area and collected the facts as below:
According to the facts, Khahmaba is a village located at Riwand Road near
Lahore. This village has total population of more than 200 families out of which
50 families are Christians and rest that of Muslims. Christians of the area
built a Church “Apostolic Church†at a part of Christian graveyard land many
years ago. Few Muslim extremist elements having links to land Mafia several
times intimidated local Christians to close the Church. Subsequently these
Muslims confiscated a part of Christian graveyard illegally, on which Christians
of the area complaint to local authorities that infuriated perpetrators. The
culprits continued to close the Church and give the land to them but the
Christians refuse to close the Church.
CURRENT SITUATION
The Christians of the area are harassed and terrorised. Seven wounded worshipers
are admitted in Hospital at Lahore Police arrested two culprits while others are
still at large.
Christians of the area are protesting on this tragic incident and act of
terrorism. APMA has informed the government higher authorities about the tragic
incident and have asked for immediate intervention. This is an act of terrorism
which created sense of insecurity among the Christians.
Kindly pray for the recovery of wounded worshippers and security of Christians
in the area. We will continue to inform you on further developments.
PETER BHATTI
PRESIDENT
CHRISTIAN LIBERATION FRONT CANADA
Christian Coalition International (Canada) Inc.
P.O. Box 6013, Station A
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5W 1P4
Phone nr. 1-905-824-6526
Phone nr. 1-905-824-6526
Media Relations: 416-622-1045
For information on how to become involved in the Christian Coalition
International Canada, click the Become Involved link on the Homepage. For
membership, or to support the work of CCIC INC. with a donation, please click
the Red Maple Leaf Membership Button, or the Donation Button on our Homepage at:
http://www.ccicinc.org