Christians persecuted under Blasphemy laws in Pakistan
A Pakistan Christian who was previously acquitted of blasphemy is still in hiding almost a year after charges were dropped because Muslim militants are trying to kill him.
Posted: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 12:48 (BST)
A Pakistan Christian who was previously acquitted of blasphemy is still in hiding almost a year after charges were dropped because Muslim militants are trying to kill him, a report from Release International has said.
In addition, a 16-year-old boy is now a fugitive in fear of his life after a squabble with another schoolboy led to accusations of blasphemy, Christian Today has been told.
Both cases highlight the reason Pakistan's notorious blasphemy laws must be repealed, RI has urged.
"They can shoot me or burn me, they can kill me if they know that I am hiding here," Schoolboy Rashid Masih told Release International.
Hospital worker Ranjah Masih was jailed for life under Pakistan's blasphemy laws simply for knocking over a sign - an offence which would be considered too trivial to bring to court in most countries. But the sign, which it turned out had a verse of Koran on it, belonged to a Muslim shopkeeper, and so the blasphemy charge was used.
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 22:14 (BST)
The blasphemy laws are only used to attack other religions and not to protect Islam. Does a camel need protection from a fly? Islam is far too large to need protection from a few Christians. And yet the law is used continually to threaten, harass and punish Christians.
Amon, Kashmere, Pk
Added: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 20:25 (BST)
I disagree because it's usually the Christians being harrased without reason...the blasphemy laws need to be done away with and true religious freedom allowed, not just there but in all countries.
MM, Illinois, USA
Added: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 20:18 (BST)
To Peter Henderson, Karachi,
You indicate that Pakistani people gives respect to every religion. Applying Muslim law to Christians is not showing respect. It is demanding obedience from people who do not worship as you do. At least, in the West, Muslims can worship as they wish, alongside Christians in mutual respect. Muslim countries do not offer the same mutual respect to their non-muslim populations. There is no debate about this.. it is simply fact...
Tina B, New York USA
Added: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 17:57 (BST)
Give me a break Peter! INNOCENT PEOPLE (and not just Christians) are increasingly victimized, SIMPLY BECAUSE they don't toe the Islamic line. This happens around the whole world on a daily basis. It is obvious that Islam is unwaiveringly intolerant of EVERYTHING outside the concept of it's narrow-minded teachings. And you blame the victim. Shame on you!
Jim, Walnut, Iowa
Added: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 17:40 (BST)
That has to be one of the most foolish comments I have read in a long while. Muslims are so quick to criticize and take offense to anything big or small. In the West they want our tax money to fund there schools, to change our bathrooms so they could wash there feet, and not show there face when displaying ID. They kill people over cartoons, ect, ect, and yet the onus is on peaceful Christians in Pakistan to respect Islam!! Give me a break!!
I think Christians do respect Islam, the problem is that Islam gives no respect to anyone including themselves. They will make up an excuse to be offended to act like asses. It is disgusting what Muslims do each and everyday in the name of God. The West then has to clean up the mess and pay for it through aid including food. Muslims have to grow up. The excuses for overlooking and justifying there heinous acts have got to stop.
PG, Ontario, Canada
Added: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 15:39 (BST)
i think this blasphemy law is actualy protecting the christians in Pakistan because being a christian worker in pakistan since last 28 years i noticed that the christians especially young blood are using thier international protection in worst way and always humiliating muslims relegious nobels if this law is not in place than belive me every day there will be like wars in most of the places of the country i honestly belive that Pakistani peoples gives respect to every relegion expect the sects within thier own relegion every day there is inter sect killings throughout the country, but we never noticed they attack chrstians without a reson so we should aware the christians that they should respect other relegions too
Peter Henderson, Karachi
