Christian Woman Sentenced to Hanging for Blasphemy
Blasphemy laws in Pakistan legislate against "wounding the religious feelings of any person," specifically regarding Islam. In 1992, the death penalty became mandatory upon conviction on blasphemy charges. So far no one has been executed under the blasphemy law, but others have languished in prison for up to 14 years without a trial. Up to 10 others have been murdered while under investigation.
This week, Asia Bibi, a 45-year-old mother of five from the Punjab Province, became the first woman ever sentenced to death under Pakistan's blasphemy law. Bibi has already been imprisoned for over a year. Pakistani officials make arrests based on a blasphemy complaint, and suspects are held during the investigation.
The police complaint against her said she called the Qur'an "fake" and made comments about one of Muhammad's wives and his declining health late in life. The incident under investigation happened when Bibi, a farm worker, brought water to her fellow female workers. Apparently, the Muslim women refused to share water with a Christian, calling it "unclean." The Punjab is home to Pakistan's small Christian minority and has seen over 30 group incidents against Christians since September 11.
It's hard to wrap my mind around a culture like that. Yet it sounds familiar because it's much like the relationship between Jews and Samaritans in the Bible. Jesus addressed the Jews' animosity toward the Samaritans many times, not only with the Parable of the Good Samaritan, but when he asked—and received—a drink from the Samaritan woman (John 4:7-42). That was considered "unclean" contact, as well, but Jesus—who was in the majority group at the time—set an example by interacting with her. Of course, in the Bible, religious persecution stops short with Jesus, which speaks of blasphemy but also tells us that judgment is in the hands of God, not his people. Jesus became the persecuted while freeing others from it.
Pakistan's population is 95 percent Muslim, and minority groups, including Christians, have often complained of discrimination by government and society. Christian women are particularly vulnerable, due to the country's history of rape violence. (Pakistan passed the Women's Protection bill in 2006, intended to make charges of adultery following rape less common.)
"The [blasphemy] laws are discriminatory and intended as such and are used for precisely that purpose," according to Ali Dayan Hasan, senior South Asia analyst for Human Rights Watch. "So, the issue is not of their misuse but of the laws being on the statute books at all. Vague all-encompassing wording allows the laws to be used as an instrument of political and social coercion, legal discrimination and persecution."
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Dianne
My husband teaches ESL classes to many men and women from Saudi Arabia and they are asking him many questions daily about HIS JESUS. They are hungry for what he has because he is gentle and loving towards them. One day, after his sister took her own life, my husband had to step out of the room for a bit, and one of the students went to the white board and wrote, "our teacher is sad." This really touched him. The really love their teacher. Please pray for more souls for the True and Living God.
C0rnelia Seigneur
I first heard about this on CNN. We need to speak up for our fellow believers and writing about injustices as you are doing is one way. There has been outcry against the sentence yet radicals are demanding the president not pardon her. How sad is that... http://www.corneliaseigneur.com/pakistani-christian-mom-sentenced-to-death-for-blasphemy/
Quentin Wadmn
The only good way toreach Muslems is to first form casual relationships. I then recommend that you gently chalange them about forgivnes, and present them with the fact that without forgivness ther can be NO eternal life. It usualaly takes a long time to conver a Moslem to Christianity. The fruit of the Spirit is required in full measure! The Holy Spirit is realy the one that draws unbelievers to salvation. He is present everywhere, ane everywhen! He is also your burden bearer. God bless you! And multiply your congreations.
Nyke
When world and islamic leaders,during any islamic festivity, ask islamic adherents to imbibe the tenets and life of Mohammed, it is often clear that either they do not know Mohammed's historical life and the contents of the Quoran. As I read in a book written by an ex-islam, who said that Mohammed fought 59 wars and personally led in 29. The author equally quoted some verses of the Quoran that ask all moslems to kill and totally anihilate their 'harna' (non-islam-belivers) living in their yard or neighbourhood. If the god of the quoran can advocate this, what do you expect from islamic countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, etc? As a matter of fact, it is this (kill-your-unbelieving neighbour) injuction in Quoran that the islamic fundamentalists want to carry out like the core-christian born-again preachers do (as in the bible) in non-vilence manner but in persuassion - preaching to people the hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus. But islam has no such persuassive hope except violence. Sadly, the writter concluded by quoting that Mohammed, while dying, said he did not know where his was going, neither his followers. Very very said indeed.
Sabrina Messenger
In many ways, this is not unlike how the conditions were back in the days of the Early Church. Maybe some of you need to read the stories of the martyrs from those days...and realize that we need to change our perspective here. Do none of you realize that this woman KNEW the risk she was taking? That she is brave enough and strong enough in her faith to speak the truth? She KNEW that by speaking out that she is going to die a martyr, and in her death live to the Glory of God! We as Christian have grown ridiculously soft and unworthy! She is an inspiration to us all. Are we willing to take the same risk as this woman? No, instead we think we can walk around with our cutesy "christian" jewelry and t-shirts with pithy slogans and handle issues in secular humanistic ways, which does nothing but water down the message of the Good News. Back in the days of the early church, there would've been no 'polls' taken, no Amnesty International, or political correctness. Maybe MORE of us need to speak up like she is doing. I will pray, but pray for GOD'S WILL to be done, not the will of the so-call activists.
Christian
With the world rich and Islamic countries pumping Billions to the retarded 'jihadists' in Pakistan and elsewhere. Why won't they be doing as they want? When they massacre Christians the West will pretend as nothing happened, but when one Muslim is killed in Palestine or Pakistan, the West in their ever hypocritical manner will be on line to send Billions, and to condemn and rain abuses on Israel (Who is defending itself in a more responsible manner, than any other powerful country). The Fundamentalist 'appeasement' by the West will turn out to be their biggest undoing. Think of how much help is being giving to Pakistan and how much is being giving to a place like Haiti, where earthquake and Hurricane with ongoing Cholera has taken more lives than can count. In places like Nigeria this sick Islamic fundamentalism is has gained more ground that massacring non Muslims has become a pass time hobby. Yet we hardly hear the West condemning it. With the backward attitude Islam is continuing to prove that it is an intolerant and barbaric 'religion'! A religion that kill and destroy those who do not have the same view as them is not only sick but should be banned! Religion is supposed to be a better option to 'evil' and the wickedness that goes with it, but when evil and all sorts of wickedness is perpetrated in the name of a 'religion' over and over again, then we may all safely agree that it is not a good one for the advancement of the human race. No wonder why the capital of Pakistan is Islam-a-BAD. (Islam is bad).
Servant of the Lord Jesus
Muslims really ought to take advice from surah 3:55,56 (verses may be numbered afew up or down due to the number of different translations and compilations of the Quran), where it states taht followers of Jesus are to be considered above those who do not believe in Jesus. According to the Quran then, Bibi cannot be considered unclean.
For Him
You can sign an online petition for this blessed Christian woman in Pakistan and to help Christians there, it already has nearly 2000 online signatures. Please also pass this on to your friends and churches and let us keep our faith strong. www.releaseinternational.org/pages/take-action/current-campaign.php
Gigel Ionescu
Dear Sarfraz Sabir "all the Muslim community failed to understand the teaching of forgiveness" because Forgiveness is NOT in Islam . May God strengthen Asia Bibi ,her family and Pakistani Christians.
Mark Hausfeld
Another example of "peace and tolerance" in an Islamic country. May God bring His perfect justice to her and her accusers.
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