ATLANTA – Global Ministries invites both prayer and appeals to the government of Pakistan to protect minority faith communities. The Christian minority, who comprise 2% of the population, experience active persecution.

“Hundreds of Muslim men have attacked a Christian community in eastern Pakistan, vandalizing several churches and a cemetery and setting scores of houses on fire,” the Guardian newspaper reported in mid-August. Subsequent reports have indicated that 21 church structures of various denominations across the country have been burned in another attack, said to have been triggered by Christian desecration of the Quran, the Muslim holy book.

“We ask all United Methodist congregations, groups and individuals to pray for the safety and freedom of Christians and all minority communities in Pakistan,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

Global Ministries condemns attacks on Pakistani Christians and asks the government of Pakistan to exercise greater vigilance in protecting Christians.

About the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church

Global Ministries is the worldwide mission and development agency of The United Methodist Church. Founded in 1819, Global Ministries today supports more than 200 missionaries in over 60 countries, including the United States. It has personnel, projects and partners in 115 countries. Founded in 1940, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the global humanitarian relief agency of The United Methodist Church and is a part of Global Ministries.

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