Fearing Attacks, Christians Flee Their Homes in Pakistani Capital

August 29, 2012 from Voice of America

Afraid for their lives, Christians have fled their homes in the Islamabad neighborhood where a young girl has been accused by Muslim neighbors of blasphemy. Sharon Behn reports from the Pakistani capital on what some see as the growing intolerance for religious minorities in the country.

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Christianity in Pakistan

Christianity is the largest religious minority in Pakistan. The total number of Christians in Pakistan is approximately 2,800,000 in 2008, or 1.6% of the population. Of these, approximately half are Roman Catholic and half Protestant. All modern Christians in Pakistan are desc... Explore this topic

Minorities in Pakistan

Pakistan is a very diverse society with various ethnic and religious minorities. Explore this topic

Quran desecration

The term "Quran desecration" is defined as insulting the Quran - What Muslims believe to be the literal word of God, in its original Arabic form - by defiling or defacing copies. Intentionally insulting the Quran is regarded by Muslims as blasphemous. Most traditional schools ... Explore this topic

Pakistan

Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a sovereign country in South Asia. With a population exceeding 180 million people, it is the sixth most populous country in the world. Located at the crossroads of the strategically important regions of South Asia, Cent... Explore this topic

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan and the ninth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory, the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.15 million as of 2011. The greater Islamabad-Rawalpindi Metropolitan Area is the ... Explore this topic

Blasphemy

Blasphemy is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for a religious deity or the irreverence towards religious or holy persons or things. Some countries have laws to punish blasphemy, while others have laws that sanction those who are offended by blasphe... Explore this topic

Christian

A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. "Christian" derives from the Koine Greek word Christ, a translation of the Biblical Hebrew term Messiah. Central to the Christian fait... Explore this topic

Blasphemy law

Blasphemy law is law limiting the freedom of speech and expression relating to blasphemy, or irreverence toward holy personages, religious artifacts, customs, and beliefs. In place of or in addition to prohibitions against blasphemy, some countries have laws which give redress... Explore this topic

Quran

The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims believe to be the verbatim word of God. It is widely regarded as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language. Muslims believe the Quran to be verbally revealed through angel Gabriel from God to Muhammad ... Explore this topic

Voice of America

Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors. VOA provides a wide range of programming for b... Explore this topic

Also See

Christianity in Pakistan

Minorities in Pakistan

Quran desecration