Two Christians in Pakistan have been taken into protective custody yesterday to protect them from militants who believe they are guilty of blasphemy and want to kill them, Release International has said.
Five Christians have been charged with blasphemy and others are linked with a case that has already led to a mob attack on a Christian colony in Punjab.
There are growing concerns that Christians in Toba Tak Singh could face further attacks from Islamist hardliners.
"The case graphically illustrates once again the need to repeal Pakistan's notorious blasphemy laws which are wide open to abuse," says Andy Dipper, the CEO of Release International, which serves the persecuted church. "Pakistan's blasphemy laws are divisive and dangerous. They must be repealed. Please pray for the Christians of Toba Tak Singh."
The five Christians were charged with blasphemy after a squabble between children escalated into a mob attack on a Christian colony in the Punjab, causing Christians to flee their homes.
It is an illustration of how quickly tensions can spring up and get out of hand in a nation where blasphemy can be punished by the death penalty, RI has said.
Christian and Muslim versions of the story differ enormously. But both sides agree there was a squabble between youths during celebrations of Mohammed's birthday on 1 April.
According to Muslims, Christians snatched a religious sticker bearing the name Mohammed from a Muslim boy and began beating it with their shoes. They claim angry Christians then went round to the Muslim's home armed with a pistol and sticks and made insulting remarks against Mohammed.
However, the Christians say Muslim children beat up an 11-year-old child, Daniel, when he refused to play with them. This sparked a heated confrontation between Daniel's mother and a Muslim family, who then brought false charges of blasphemy to the police.
Lawyers and a Christian priest describe the case as "fabricated".
There have been many instances of the blasphemy law being invoked as an act of revenge to settle scores over the past year.
