We have not had an update on Asia Bibi in a while, but she remains in a Pakistani prison, unjustly sentenced to death for blasphemy charges brought in retribution for her defending her Christian beliefs and refusing to convert to Islam. The law is inherently abusive, and only lends itself to further abuses.
Barack Obama should know the name of Asia Bibi. Every member of Congress should know her name. Every prospective presidential candidate should know her name. Her case is emblematic of all that is wrong with our "friend and ally" Pakistan. Future aid to Pakistan should be tied to her release, along with all similar prisoners of conscience, with substantive pressure applied to Pakistan to secure the release of all captive women and girls forced to convert to Islam -- a "common practice," according to the Bishop of Islamabad.
"ASIA/PAKISTAN - Asia Bibi was sentenced to death by a court "influenced by Islamic extremists' and 'without a lawyer'," from Agenzia Fides, September 15:
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - There is more than a shadow on the case of Asia Bibi, a 40-year old Christian woman, who was sentenced to death for blasphemy. Asia was judged by a court "under the obvious pressure of Islamic extremists", and "for personal vendetta". In addition there is an obvious procedural irregularity: during the investigations and preliminary interrogations, conducted by the police after the complaint, Asia did not have a lawyer: for this reason the whole trial could be invalidated. This is what is stated in a note sent to Fides by the influential Muslim study Centre "Jinnah Institute" in Karachi. Named after the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the institute is a "think tank" composed of Muslim intellectuals and chaired by the parliamentary Sherry Rehman. She carries out her research in the field of law, human rights, rule of law and promotes the establishment of a democratic and secular Pakistan, as desired by Ali Jinnah.
The note by the "Jinnah Institute" on Asia Bibi brings attention to the case of the woman who for over a year languishes in the prisons in Sheikhupura in Punjab. Even Pope Benedict XVI launched an appeal for her release in November 2010. The lawyer, now guaranteed by the "Masihi Foundation" - who has taken charge of her case - is preparing the application for appeal to the High Court, but there is also the possibility of presidential forgiveness. Her story is behind the murders of Salman Taseer, Governor of Punjab, and Shabhaz Bhatti, federal Minister for religious minorities, who had defended her.
The government subsequently tried to rewrite the official story on the circumstances of Bhatti's murder, but appears to have backtracked for the moment, because no one was buying it.
The Jinnah Institute reports that from the outset, Asia Bibi’s court case was marred by irregularities and manipulations. The "National Commission on the Status of Women", after a meeting with Asia Bibi in jail, found that "only 8 days after the alleged incident - in which Asia pronounced blasphemous sentences - Qari Muhammad Salim, a local Muslim religious leader, using three women as witnesses, was able to register an official First Information Report FIR on the basis of which Asia was arrested". During the 8 days allegations against Asia had been orchestrated. These suspicious circumstances - note the Jinnah Institute - are described in the Report written by Shabhaz Bhatti and Salman Taseer and delivered to the President of Pakistan, Ali Zardari. The Report highlights that "the judge sentenced her due to pressures by Islamic extremists, ignoring the true facts".
These pressures are deleterious to the system, notes The Jinnah Institute, recalling the murder of the Lahore High Court judge, Arif Iqbal Bhatti, who was killed in 1997 when he issued an acquittal towards two Christian boys, Salamat and Rehmat Masih, sentenced to death for blasphemy in 1995 by a court of first instance. In addition, during the period of investigation and interrogation before the trial, Asia Bibi had not been granted the right, enshrined in the constitution, of legal assistance: a serious matter, sufficient to invalidate the verdict.
Let us pray for Asia Bibi every day and for those who would help her. Was salman taseer a Christian? Well anyway, god bless the memory of those who have paid with their lives for trying to help a defenseless believer.
USA is currently paying aid to Pakistan (plain text: jizyah, 9:29) to "protect" Christians & Jews
The Muslims of Pakistan, have to read and listen to the Quran (e.g. 9:29), and not hear to their imams
http://newstime.co.nz/muslims-persecute-and-kill-chrisitans-in-middle-east-and-pakistan-95-2191.html
(video) Asia Bibi of Pakistan – Muslims Persecute and Kill Chrisitans in Middle East and Pakistan (9:5, 2:191, 5:51)
Asia is a name we must remember and pray for. Also our gov't should tell Pakistan that if anything happens to her all aid to Pakistan will stop. Maybe money will open the ears of the courts and gov't officials. We should pay attention to their use of Sharia laws and realize what it involves lest we allow American courts to use it for any reason. It violates our Constitution and as in this case, leads to a great injustice. No Sharia in America, not now, not ever.
The death sentence may be the first step in the scam of portraying Sharia as merciful and kind, like Allah. What I mean is that it would be no surprise if the sentence was reduced for idiots like Afghan Knight and Imam Rauf to claim the Sharia was harmless, really.
They only figured out now that she didn't have a lawyer? What, pray tell, was the judge & rest of the court doing during the trial, that they didn't notice??
What can we do to actually save and help Mrs. Bibi? I am not saying this in a defeatist sense but in an action sense.
What can be done? What is being done? Not just to save her but to keep her and her family safe afterwords.
A judge was killed for freeing a "blasphemer" so only outside pressure will get her freedom. Leaving her in prison even if it is for her own saftey is not an option because a "blasphemer" was killed while in prison.
Though nobody's been executed for blasphemy, people have been killed upon leaving the courts.
The second anyone knows she will be pardoned her family must be either put under non muslim guard or whisked away to an embassy.
She must be met by guards wherever she is let free. Since someone was killed by his muslim bodyguard over this issue the guards must be forign embassy personel or private contractors. From there she must be taken to either the embassy to join her family or directly to the airport.
Once out of the country the family will need housing and employment. India is probably the best place to go because there won't be a language or cultural barrier and the family will be able to return to a normal life all the quicker. Are there companies in India we can get to assist them with housing and employment?
If she comes to America, Canada or Britain is there a network of Indian christians that is ready to provide fellowship and jobs?
Has there been a process started to expedite immigration visas for her and her family?
It's not a good idea to get details out there but it is important to know if there is or is not something in the works so that a process can be started if neccissary.
This is Islam 101 for you! Peaceful religion that beheads those who speak their mind! What is to be expected from people who take as a role model a polygamist pedophile and murderer? Mohamed married Aisha when she was 6 and had sex with her when she was 9 and he was 56! He ordered a murder of 900 Jews of Medina whom he originally admired as "people of the book" but then ordered to be beheaded because they would not accept his egomania of being a God's prophet.
Nice guy indeed whose followers are either Jihadists (20% equal 300 millions crazy men) ready to murder and die for Allah (because Koran adores "eternal" and disses Jews for liking life on THIS earth) in order to get to promised martyr's paradise with 72 virgins. The other 80% are "moderate" Muslims who whitewash the truth about Koran, Hadit and Islam by claims that it is "peaceful religion", while tacitly approving of the radicals in our midst. In the meantime, Jew-hatred and Christian-animosity in Koran is spread by Muslims imams and mullah causing various terrorist actions. It IS ISlAM itself, stupid! Islam needs reformation badly and UN should expel all the countries that have not yet signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which are mostly Muslim countries causing trouble for the West.
Because of our dependence on oil, our governments cater to those medieval evil guys, just as they did in 1946 when they let Amin al Hussyni, the Mufti of Jerusalm of the hook for his crimes against humanity while helping Hitler in Berlin in WWII!
Important. If America does not have the neccissary clout with them right now is there another country they could be pressured by?
Maybe Canada could offer her asylum?
Apparently both Canada and Italy have already offered her asylum, back in December 2010.
But the Pakistani barbarians aren't letting her go.
www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/World.php?id=2280
re canada. Yes I was looking at the list of countries pakistan has relations with Canada and both have embassies in each others countries.
Are there any canadian readers who can find out if their country is pressuring Pakistan on this? Or if there is a campagn to convince Canadian lawmakers to do so?
Contact Information:
Hon. Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
Fax: (613) 992-6802
E-mail: Cannon.L@parl.gc.ca
Contact info for members of Canadian Parlement Here:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC
For USA
Hilary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Phone: 202-647-4000
Fax: 202 647 1579
Email: http://contact-us.state.gov
US house of representitives (search widget is in the uppr right) : http://www.house.gov/
US senate (search widget is in upper right): http://www.senate.gov/
But what is important is that there be a concrete plan for the very second of her release. She will be killed if trustable experienced guards do not meet her with some kevlar at the door of wherever she is released and she is not immediately taken out of the country. That's why its important that a definite destination of asylum is prepared.
Obama stand up & make a speech about the real goings on in countries governed by your much admired "religion of peace". No he won't do it, he doesn't have the courage, he just wants to sugar coat it. Pakistan is rapidly going to hell in handbasket, just like Obama's ratings.
If it isn't a problem to say you are anti-Nazi, why is a problem to say you are anti-Muslim, since Muslim and Nazi believe essentially the same things?
Do I pray Muslims turn from their worship of Satan, aka Allah? Of course. But will I support them in their pursuit of evil? NO.
Is anyone else having problems getting comments on the correct post? Sorry, the anti-Muslim comment was meant to go on the post about Moderate Thailand....
The face of Islam...Muslim cleric offers 500,000 rupies for the execution of Asia Bibi...
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/12/holy-muslim-cleric-offers-500000-for-christians-execution-for-blasphemy-no-president-no-parliament-a.html
yes that is because a judge who let a "blasphemer" go was killed and Christian minister Shahbaz Bhatti was killed by his own bodyguard for speaking out against the blasphemy laws. The members of government know they will be targeted for assassination if they are seen to release her too willingly.
That is why they have to be severely pressured.
There have been protests but the only ones I read about in front of the UN were by The Pakistani Christian Congress. Though other christians might have joined them.
Has there been a large demonstration in front of the UN Involving christians, jews and hindus of every stripe? There's a lot of very upset people out there over this.
""the judge sentenced her due to pressures by Islamic extremists, ignoring the true facts"".
What else is new? I've come to expect ignoring the facts when it comes to Islam.
If I were living in any Arab country in the middle east I'd leave right now. You have know civil law protecting you there. Fact is if you are a kuffar you are a target. All none Muslims should leave Arab counties at once. Your safety is our concern. Islamic extremists are taking over every country in the middle east.
Time to raise a reasonable question again.
Has anyone heard prayers or petitions for the persecuted Christians and Jews in Muslim jurisdictions during Mass and services as were frequent during the Cold War?
Have we so sensitized ourselves in PC, that we're comfortable to let the distant of our flock be bloodied by the wolves?
I remember about a year ago a Pakistani Christian minister who was accused of blasphemy was disappeared from police custody even before he had a trial. Funnily enough, I haven't heard anything about his sad story since then either...
The official murder of this young woman demonstrates the barbarity of the entire country and the cowardice of the worst president in the history of the USA since Jimmy Carter---or maybe James Buchanan.
I made over a dozen business trips to Pakistan in the 1980s and was a friend of Arnie Raphel, our US Ambassador murdered there by terrorists, or perhaps ISI, since President Zia Al-Haqq was also killed in the plane that blew up in mid-air just after picking up a huge load of mangoes [yes, MANGOES!] from Multan, which I can assert grows the tastiest in the world. ISI is a terrorist organization which is fighting America and aiding Al Qaeda and also responsible for the Mumbai massacre almost two years ago.
I had the opportunity to have a half-hour interview with the number two ISI Chief at the time and it didn't go very well. He was a brutish specimen of nasty arrogance. I've been in every part of Pakistan except the Beluchi part and it is a beautiful country, but is now governed by terrorists and an Army riddled by corruption, treason, & hatred for the USA.
Despite the sacrifices of our brave fighting men, my firmest hope is that the USA let the Taliban take over Afghanistan & Pakistan, so we and India can nuke the sh*t out of these two Islamic hellholes. Ditto for Iran. I also happen to be a State Dept trained Arabist who has lived in three Arab countries---the Pakistanis also persecute what they consider heretical types of Sunni Islam and the Shi'ites as well---however, as they are both terrorist states, the Paks get along well officially with Iran.
Sadly, the PRC is the true friend of Pakistan & got the stealth helicopter parts left behind in the killing of POS Osama bin Laden. Pakistan isn't worth one US life and represents Islam at its worst. A sort of Fareed Zakaria as if he were a country----full of lies, BS, and treachery.
Barack Obama should know the name of Asia Bibi. Every member of Congress should know her name. Every prospective presidential candidate should know her name.
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Yes, they should. We should—at the least—link any further aid to her release and ability for her and her family to leave for sanctuary in the civilized West.