Asia Bibi Faces Death Under Pakistan's Blasphemy Law
Across the Muslim world, the fight over what constitutes blasphemy continues to rage. And this battle has fanned into flame again in Pakistan as appeals on behalf of Asia Bibi, a jailed Christian woman sentenced to death under the controversial blasphemy law, continue around the world.
The Pakistani High Court in Lahore is expected to set the date for her appeal this week. At the same time, extremist Islamic parties and organizations have launched a campaign in favor of Pakistan's blasphemy legislation, announcing street actions and strikes over the coming weeks. There have
"Maulana Fazl ur Rehman, head of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islma Fazl party, launched the campaign at a press conference," according to a Spero News story based on one released by Asia News. "He said that the campaign would unfold in three stages: demonstrations on December 24 after Friday prayers, a general strike on December 31, and a great rally on January 9, 2011 in Karachi."
According to Intercessor's Network, an Islamic cleric in Pakistan has put a contract out on the life of Asia Bibi. Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs says, “Earlier this month, a mullah in Pakistan offered a 500,000 rupee bonus for anyone who kills Asia Bibi. So literally, he has put a price on her head.”
During Asia Bibi's trial, her attorney called the charges a "fanciful drama" by a Muslim majority "arrayed against a Christian minority."
The case began after Asia Bibi offered her fellow farm workers water, which they refused because, as a Christian, she had made it "impure."
Both sides firmly defended their faiths, but Asia Bibi was charged with blasphemy.
The Rev. Samson Dilawar, a parish priest who was wounded by gunmen in 1997 and saw his Catholic church burned to the ground in 2005, has claimed that he has been threatened by anonymous callers for assisting Asia Bibi. He said that Bibi is "not safe in prison."
Dilawar said that the murder last year of a young Christian man accused of blasphemy in nearby Sialkot was a cautionary tale. "That boy was killed in the jail. She can also be murdered in the jail as well. She can be killed anytime. So anything can happen," the Rev Dilawar said.
Bibi is appealing her death sentence and there has been an international outcry on her behalf. “It’s another example of how these blasphemy laws are used against Christians in Pakistan," Nettleton explains. "Any time there is a dispute of any kind, instantly, blasphemy charges are filed.”
Last week, President Asif Ali Zardari stated that he wanted to modify the controversial blasphemy law, which has been condemned around the world.
According to Dan Wooding of Assist News Service, at a recent seminar titled "Protection of the blasphemy law and its importance," Justice Mian Nazeer Akhtar said that Punjab Governor, Salmaan Taseer, was also a blasphemer for protecting those who indulged in blasphemy. "Section 295C was included in the Criminal Procedure of Pakistan in 1986, and a handful of people cannot be allowed to damage it," he explained.
At the same time, he accused the Federal government of allowing "dubious debates" on the blasphemy topic on various Pakistani television channels.
But Maulana Fazl said that religious parties are "united on the issue." He insisted that he would oppose any attempt by the government to change the blasphemy law.
Todd Nettleton explains that Christians in Pakistan know the risk they take identifying themselves with Christ, but they focus on the positive message of the hope of Christ. “Instead of talking negatively about Islam, or the Koran, or Mohamed, they simply talk about the Bible and Jesus, and the fact that He loves us, and He died for our sins.”
At the same time, millions of Christians around the world are praying for God to protect and release Asia Bibi in a case that appears to illustrate the prejudice of Pakistan's blasphemy laws.
Related from CBN News: Pakistan Court: No Pardon Yet for Christian Woman
The Global Lane Blog: Christmas Prayers and Protests in Pakistan
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