The local police tell you to leave immediately; a violent mob of 3,000 people is on its way and you need to flee before they attack. By the next morning your home and church have been burnt to the ground and what little you had is now gone.

We wish we could say this is just a story, but sadly it isn't. It's what happened to one of the poorest Christian communities in Pakistan, when a violent mob went on the rampage.

We really want to stop this happening ever again. That's why we need your help...

Sowing the seeds of hate

The seeds of hate are sown throughout Pakistani society. Whether through the media, in the education system, via social media or public discourse, prejudice is tolerated and bred to such an extent that the environment is ripe for an attack on religious minorities. These expressions of religious hatred, or hate speech, pervade society and are one of the main reasons for the persecution, harassment and violence towards religious minorities, including Christians.

When hate speech erupts with violence

Over 100 Christian homes were torched and destroyed when a violent mob of 3,000 people targeted the Christian community at Joseph Colony in Lahore, in March 2013. The violence was sparked after a young Christian man was accused of blasphemy and local imams openly called for him to be killed. What followed was a devastating attack that left Joseph Colony completely ruined. What little they had was destroyed by hate.

Today, almost two years on, Joseph Colony's Christians still live with the aftermath of the attacks, struggling to rebuild their lives. What of the people who destroyed their homes? Well, they're still freely going about daily life as they did before. The only person in prison is the man whose alleged blasphemy triggered the riots.

The answer: countering prejudice with positive speech

So what's the answer? At CSW we believe that to stop the rising tide of attacks on minorities, we need to get to the root cause and tackle hate speech. Only once we change the culture and mindsets within a society that allow religious hatred and intolerance to breed, can we stop the violence which is devastating minority communities across Pakistan and elsewhere.

CSW is supporting and working with partners in Pakistan who are working directly with religious leaders to help change society at a grassroots level, encouraging them to speak tolerance in place of hatred. We're also calling on Pakistan's government to put into action their promises to protect religious minorities, by implementing the recommendations made last year by their Supreme Court which set out clear steps for creating an environment of religious tolerance. As part of our advocacy, we're looking to help create an unbiased education in Pakistan and working with local organisations to make that a reality.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide, 19/12/2014
Please pray for the overthrow of Pakistan's unjust blasphemy law that is being used to persecute and kill believers in Christ.

Pray also for a series of special prayer initiatives in various cities of the nation this month that Christians of all denominations and their leaders will come together in reconciliation, repentance and united intercession for their troubled nation.