Archbishop of Canterbury calls for Pakistan blasphemy review -26/11/05 The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has called on President Musharraf of Pakistan to review the country’s controversial blasphemy law. The Archbishop is in Pakistan to visit quake-stricken zones in the north, to meet with church leaders, and to promote inter-faith understanding. The appeal from the spiritual head of the world’s 77 million Anglicans comes a few days after the violence perpetrated against the Christian community of Sangla Hill. On 12 November 2005, a crowd of 2,000 angry Muslims vandalized and then set fire to three churches, a convent, two Catholic schools, the homes of a pastor and a parish priest and a hostel for girls, as well as the homes of some local residents. The rioting was the result of hard-liners alleging that Yousaf Masih, a Christian, burned copies of the Qur’an on 11 November 2005. But neighbours say that he is an innocent illiterate caught up in a local argument about money which has spawned a potent urban myth. In Pakistan the blasphemy law hands down the death penalty for apostasy or for desecrating the Qur’an, together with severe penalties for other more minor offences. Dr Williams has been careful to develop mutually respectful dialogue with Muslim leaders in Pakistan. In a lecture to Islamic scholars in Islamabad earlier in the week he sought to correct popular misunderstandings of Christianity, such as the idea that it worships three gods. The Archbishop has also said on his visit that ‘Islam and Christianity are part of the same story that is told differently.’ He added that that Christianity is not a Western religion, but one with its founding roots in Asia. Turning to blasphemy, Dr Williams questioned ‘a law whose penalty is so severe and whose practice gives so many loopholes [as] to allow people to indulge in arbitrary violence by appealing to blasphemy.’ He called on the Pakistani government to review the law, and to ensure justice and fair treatment for Christians and other minorities alongside the Muslim majority. In trying to reduce the support base of militant Islamists, President Musharraf is known to be in a quandary over this issue. He has condemned the violence against Christian communities. However he has also been keen to be seen denouncing the alleged desecration of the Qur’an, in spite of the lack of evidence for it. Meanwhile Christian and other minority leaders say that the police and the military are not doing enough to stamp out communal violence and abuse. [Also on Ekklesia: New call to end Pakistan blasphemy law; Archbishop of Canterbury to visit quake-hit Pakistan; Pakistan minority leaders condemn arson attacks on churches; Pakistani Christians join hunger strike for church building. And in Britain: Response to racial and religious hatred bill]
