Washington D.C.— The American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) has released a groundbreaking documentary titled “Faith Under Fire,” shedding light on the ordeals faced by Christian communities in Pakistan. The film chronicles the devastating August 16, 2023 incident in Jaranwala, where over 80 homes, 24 churches, and a graveyard were destroyed by violent mobs in less than 10 hours.
Filmmaker Wajid Ali Syed, who directed the project, emphasized the critical importance of documenting these events. “This was a story that needed to be told,” Syed stated. “It’s a stark reminder of the courage and resilience of those who have faced unimaginable trials for their faith. I was honored to undertake this project and hope that it will encourage people worldwide to stand in solidarity with persecuted communities.”
The documentary reveals how the violence began with false blasphemy allegations stemming from personal disputes between individuals, rather than actual religious offenses. What started as a routine morning quickly escalated into communal violence when papers allegedly containing blasphemous content were discovered, leading to announcements from local mosques that inflamed religious tensions.
Anila Ali, President of AMMWEC, underscored the broader mission behind the project:
“This documentary embodies AMMWEC’s mission to promote understanding, unity, and the protection of human dignity across faiths. By presenting the hardships faced by Christian communities in Pakistan, we hope to inspire meaningful action toward building a more inclusive society.”
The documentary includes harrowing testimonies from victims of the Jaranwala attacks, where blasphemy allegations—later revealed to be rooted in a personal dispute—ignited widespread violence. Survivors recount hiding in fields, going without food or water, and enduring physical assaults while mobs set homes and churches ablaze. Many families continue to struggle with deep psychological scars and economic devastation.
Despite the destruction, Faith Under Fire also highlights moments of interfaith solidarity, as Muslim neighbors in some areas risked their safety to protect Christian churches and families. Despite the widespread destruction, the film also documents acts of interfaith solidarity. Some Muslim neighbors protected Christian churches from destruction, and relief efforts were organized to provide food, medicine, and shelter to affected families. One local leader, Malik Sahib, opened his village to displaced Christians and successfully prevented the burning of a local church.
While the government provided financial compensation of 2 million PKR per family unit and initiated church reconstruction projects, survivors criticized the response as insufficient and lacking community input. Notably, no members of the affected Christian community were included in damage assessment committees.
The documentary reveals that only the main perpetrators spent 8-10 days in custody before being released, despite video evidence of their involvement in the violence.
“Faith Under Fire” traces the root causes of the violence to personal vendettas disguised as religious conflicts. The incident began with a dispute between individuals but was manipulated into communal violence affecting thousands.
The documentary concludes with calls for:
- Creation of minority task forces to unify religious communities
- Stronger legal protections for religious minorities
- Empowerment through education and healthcare access
- Equal treatment of all Abrahamic religions under Pakistani law
- An end to false blasphemy charges and systematic persecution
The film contextualizes the Jaranwala incident within a broader pattern of attacks on religious minorities, referencing previous incidents in Shantinagar, Sangla Hill, Gojra, Joseph Colony, and the All Saints Church bombing, demonstrating that this violence represents a systemic problem rather than isolated incidents.
The documentary, available on YouTube, serves as both a documentation of trauma and a call for justice, emphasizing that protecting religious minorities is essential for Pakistan’s social fabric and democratic values.
The documentary “Faith Under Fire” can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyZlKwC447E
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