Christian Woman charged with Blasphemy released on bail
-03/04/06
By Fran Race
A Pakis
Christian Woman charged with Blasphemy released on bail
-03/04/06
By Fran Race
A Pakistani Christian Woman, Naseem Bibi, has been released on bail after being imprisoned for blasphemy in Pakistan.
On March 3rd in Kasur, Pakistan, a group of Muslims protested against the anti-Islamic cartoons by constructing a cross out of garbage, as well as burning an effigy of President Bush.
They were seen by Naseem Bibi, a Christian Pakistani woman, who rushed out to protest against their actions.
Her husband Gulzar Masih, in a statement issued by the Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan (SLMP) said ìthey were large in number; they clutched Naseem and tortured her severely. They stripped her clothes publicly.î
After beating Naseem they left, only to return a few hours later, bearing with them a picture of Khana Kaba, one of the most sacred Muslim shrines in Saudi Arabia, smeared with excrement.
According to her husband, Gulzar Masih the mob said that for this act of desecration they were going to kill Naseem Bibi. Fearing for her life, Naseem hid in a trunk. A neighbour meanwhile telephoned for the police.
Upon hearing the charges against Naseem Bibi, the police allegedly found her, beat her and took her to the police station where she was charged with blasphemy and kept in solitary confinement for 7 weeks, while no one from her family was permitted to visit.
Though she was denied bail by the court on April 7th, she was released on 22nd April, after paying surety bonds of 50,000 rupees (832 USD).
The Pakistani Christian Post reports that Naseem Bibi and her family fled for their lives, in fear of further attacks from Muslim extremists if she returns to her home town.
Critics suggest that this is one further example of the mis-use of the blasphemy law in Pakistan. It forms part of the Pakistan penal code and carries a life sentences for offences against the Quíran and the death penalty or life imprisonment for defamatory actions against the prophet Muhammad.
Despite the Church and human rights agencies calling for the repeal of the law the government has made only slight amendments to the law, which are often disregarded by the police. A recent case cited was that of Yousaf Masih, a Christian who was arrested for desecrating the Quíran.
Earlier this year Rev Alexander John Malik, a bishop of Lahore and moderator of the Church of Pakistan took part in a nationally-televised talk show on one of Pakistanís private networks, saying ìThere is no need for blasphemy laws in Pakistan; they are used by Islamic fundamentalist to proselytise among Christiansî. He went on to say ìThe blasphemy laws are generating a climate of insecurity. Many Christians simply want to leave the country because they fear that sooner or later someone is going accusing them [of blasphemy]. But I can say with absolute certainty that no Christian in Pakistan would carry out any act of blasphemy.î
Despite this climate of fear Pakistani Catholics apparently celebrated Easter without any incident.
Mgr Evarist Pinto, Archbishop of Karachi led Easter mass celebrated by Pakistani Catholics. He said it was ìa sign of love and reconciliation for the whole nationî. He went on to say it was ìedifyingî to see ìthe courage of Catholics who gathered together to proclaim the death and Resurrection of the Lord, despite the aggression they are submitted to. There were fears and anxiety was expressed in my community whether we would be able to hold the celebrations without disturbance. But the local government kept its word and provided adequate security, allowing all to go well,î continued the bishop.
This call to peace was echoed in words spoken by Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, when visiting Kasur, earlier this month asked the people to raise their voices against religious extremism and terrorism, as whenever such terrorist acts happened, Pakistan and Islamic world was maligned and hurt.
Fran Race is a reporter for Ekklesia and a member of All Hallows Anglican church in Leeds. She can be contacted: [email protected]
Christian Woman charged with Blasphemy released on bail
-03/04/06
By Fran Race
A Pakistani Christian Woman, Naseem Bibi, has been released on bail after being imprisoned for blasphemy in Pakistan.
On March 3rd in Kasur, Pakistan, a group of Muslims protested against the anti-Islamic cartoons by constructing a cross out of garbage, as well as burning an effigy of President Bush.
They were seen by Naseem Bibi, a Christian Pakistani woman, who rushed out to protest against their actions.
Her husband Gulzar Masih, in a statement issued by the Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan (SLMP) said ìthey were large in number; they clutched Naseem and tortured her severely. They stripped her clothes publicly.î
After beating Naseem they left, only to return a few hours later, bearing with them a picture of Khana Kaba, one of the most sacred Muslim shrines in Saudi Arabia, smeared with excrement.
According to her husband, Gulzar Masih the mob said that for this act of desecration they were going to kill Naseem Bibi. Fearing for her life, Naseem hid in a trunk. A neighbour meanwhile telephoned for the police.
Upon hearing the charges against Naseem Bibi, the police allegedly found her, beat her and took her to the police station where she was charged with blasphemy and kept in solitary confinement for 7 weeks, while no one from her family was permitted to visit.
Though she was denied bail by the court on April 7th, she was released on 22nd April, after paying surety bonds of 50,000 rupees (832 USD).
The Pakistani Christian Post reports that Naseem Bibi and her family fled for their lives, in fear of further attacks from Muslim extremists if she returns to her home town.
Critics suggest that this is one further example of the mis-use of the blasphemy law in Pakistan. It forms part of the Pakistan penal code and carries a life sentences for offences against the Quíran and the death penalty or life imprisonment for defamatory actions against the prophet Muhammad.
Despite the Church and human rights agencies calling for the repeal of the law the government has made only slight amendments to the law, which are often disregarded by the police. A recent case cited was that of Yousaf Masih, a Christian who was arrested for desecrating the Quíran.
Earlier this year Rev Alexander John Malik, a bishop of Lahore and moderator of the Church of Pakistan took part in a nationally-televised talk show on one of Pakistanís private networks, saying ìThere is no need for blasphemy laws in Pakistan; they are used by Islamic fundamentalist to proselytise among Christiansî. He went on to say ìThe blasphemy laws are generating a climate of insecurity. Many Christians simply want to leave the country because they fear that sooner or later someone is going accusing them [of blasphemy]. But I can say with absolute certainty that no Christian in Pakistan would carry out any act of blasphemy.î
Despite this climate of fear Pakistani Catholics apparently celebrated Easter without any incident.
Mgr Evarist Pinto, Archbishop of Karachi led Easter mass celebrated by Pakistani Catholics. He said it was ìa sign of love and reconciliation for the whole nationî. He went on to say it was ìedifyingî to see ìthe courage of Catholics who gathered together to proclaim the death and Resurrection of the Lord, despite the aggression they are submitted to. There were fears and anxiety was expressed in my community whether we would be able to hold the celebrations without disturbance. But the local government kept its word and provided adequate security, allowing all to go well,î continued the bishop.
This call to peace was echoed in words spoken by Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, when visiting Kasur, earlier this month asked the people to raise their voices against religious extremism and terrorism, as whenever such terrorist acts happened, Pakistan and Islamic world was maligned and hurt.
Fran Race is a reporter for Ekklesia and a member of All Hallows Anglican church in Leeds. She can be contacted: [email protected]