PAKISTAN BLASPHEMY ATTACK ANNIVERSARY WEB
Metadata
- PAKISTAN BLASPHEMY ATTACK ANNIVERSARY WEB
- August 13, 2024
- Content Type Package
- Language English
- Transcript/Script ((PLAYBOOK SLUG: PAKISTAN BLASPHEMY ATTACK ANNIVERSARY HEADLINE: Pakistani Christian neighborhood slowly rebuilds year after Muslim mob attack TEASER: Though the scale of violence in Jaranwala shocked Pakistan, blasphemy-related mob attacks continue PUBLISHED: 08/12/2024, 2:15P BYLINE: Sarah Zaman CONTRIBUTOR: DATELINE: Jaranwala, Pakistan VIDEOGRAPHER: Wajid Asad VIDEO EDITOR: Malik Waqar Ahmed SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, Baragona VIDEO SOURCE: VOA original, Wire PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X__ RADIO X_ TRT: 3:07 VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath TYPE: TVPKG EDITOR NOTES: Aug 16 is the anniversary of the mob attack.]] ((INTRO)) A year ago this month, a massive mob attacked Christians in the Pakistani city of Jaranwala. Crowds of angry Muslims enraged by reports of alleged blasphemy burned several churches and homes. VOA Pakistan bureau chief Sarah Zaman visits the city as it approaches the anniversary of the violence that shocked the nation. ((Nat of worship)) ((Narration)) The bright interior of Saint John Catholic Church in Jaranwala’s Christian Town neighborhood hides signs of a horrifying mob attack. On August 16 last year, Muslim mobs — enraged by reports that local Christians had allegedly desecrated a Quran — went on a rampage. They destroyed about two dozen churches and looted and damaged several Christian homes across this densely populated city in Pakistan’s Punjab Province. ((Radio: Saint John priest Yaqoob Yousaf says the desecration and destruction of the church was a huge tragedy, but the Christian community repaired it in a year. The government provided ceiling and wall panels, fans, etc. to restore the church, but Christians are doing the actual building work now.)) ((The Rev. Yaqoob Yousaf, St. John Catholic Church)) ((Male, Urdu)) “The desecration and destruction of this place was a huge tragedy for us. After one year, we repaired it. The government provided us with ceiling and wall panels, fans, etc. But now we are doing the actual building work." ((Narration)) Sajid Masih’s residence across from the church was one of many destroyed that day. A year later, his home is livable again. ((Radio: "Thank the Lord, we are in better shape," he says, adding that a lot of the repair work is done, but a lot remains.)) ((Sajid Masih, Victim of Mob Violence)) ((Male, Urdu)) “Thank the Lord. A year later, we are in better shape. A lot of the repair work is done, but much more still remains.” ((Narration)) With government funds, support from Muslim charities, and help from Christians in Pakistan and abroad, the restoration of churches and homes continues. Though many are unhappy with the pace. ((Sarah Zaman, VOA Pakistan Bureau Chief)) "The scale of the violence that happened here was shocking. Condemnation came from the highest offices of the state. And still in this last year, Pakistan has seen more incidents of mob violence spurred by allegations of blasphemy." ((Radio: Peter Jacob is the executive director of the Lahore-based Centre for Social Justice. He says when the state has a weak narrative, it emboldens people. And when the state negotiates with those involved in acts of terror and extremism in the name of religion, they become powerful and the state becomes weak. It's like holding everyone hostage.")) ((Peter Jacob, Centre for Social Justice)) ((Male, Urdu)) “When the state has a weak narrative, it emboldens people. And the state’s treatment of those who are involved in acts of terror and extremism, who use the religion card, when the state negotiates with them, they become powerful and the state becomes weak, and it's like holding everyone hostage.” ((Narrative)) Change courtesy: ((Courtesy In: Rehman Masih)) Of the thousands who took part in the violence in Jaranwala, only 301 are facing trial. Most are out on bail, police records show. ((Courtesy Out)) ((Radio: Christian Town resident Anosh Anthony says the people involved in the violence and arson returned home to cheers upon release and were welcomed as if they had done something great.)) ((Anosh Anthony, Christian Town Resident)) ((Male, Urdu)) “Those who were involved in the violence and arson, people cheered them on their release. They were welcomed as if they had done something great.” ((Radio: Christian Action Committee member Shakeel Bhatti says the officials who visited assured them of justice, but the situation is very disappointing.)) ((Shakeel Bhatti, Christian Action Committee)) ((Male, Urdu)) “All the officials who visited here assured us that we would get justice, but this is a very disappointing situation for us.” ((Narration)) In July, an anti-terrorism court sentenced a Christian man to death. Authorities said his social media posts containing blasphemous content fanned the August 16 violence. ((Nat of labor working)) As the community slowly gets back on its feet, fear persists. ((Radio: Resident Shahnaz Masih says she does not feel safe. There is no mental peace. Even if something happens somewhere else, they get scared, lock their doors, lose sleep.)) ((Shahnaz Masih, Victim of Mob Violence)) ((Female, English)) “Our people are not safe. There is no mental peace. Even if something happens somewhere else, we get scared, we lock our doors, we lose our sleep.” ((Street nats)) ((Narrator)) For now, in the streets of Christian Town, the epicenter of last year’s violence, an uneasy calm remains. ((Sarah Zaman, VOA News, Jaranwala, Punjab, Pakistan))
- NewsML Media Topics Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
- Subtitles / Dubbing Available No
- Network VOA
- Embargo Date August 13, 2024 04:18 EDT
- Byline Sarah Zaman
- Brand / Language Service Voice of America - English