Pamela Geller's "Exclusive Interview with Jailed Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi" ran at the Atlas Shrugs on Christmas Day. She was in contact with Asia Bibi through a Pakistani journalist and human rights activist. Her opening points about how restrictions on free speech about Islam are not limited to Pakistan, but are coming here as well in different forms, are very important.
Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, has been sentenced to death under Pakistan's notorious blasphemy law for insulting Islam. She is now in prison. The law is often used to settle grudges, persecute minorities and fan rage of the Islamic devout.The same thing is coming here. The recent cancellation of my event by a Houston hotel, and the subsequent cancellation of an anti-Sharia conference in Nashville represent the first stage of the application of Islamic blasphemy laws here in America. Where full-on Sharia is enforced, "blasphemers" get the death penalty. Here in America, your character is assassinated.
As part of my work to aid those whose lives are threatened for leaving Islam, I have been in touch with Asia through a Pakistani journalist and human rights activist from the Masihi Foundation, which works for the human rights and education of Pakistani Christians. He recently visited Asia Bibi in prison and asked her questions I gave him. Here are her answers:
Pamela Geller: What happened when you were arrested?
Asia Bibi: When I was arrested, I was assaulted and harassed by the police. I was in a state of shock for many days. I fasted and prayed. My family has been in trouble; they have been moving one place to another. But I have forgiven the Muslims who put me and my family in this situation.
PG: How are you being treated?
AB: I live in a confined cell. I am allowed to go out for only 30 minutes every day, and allowed to meet my family for one hour every Tuesday. I am given raw material to cook for myself, since the administration fears I might be poisoned, as other Christians accused of blasphemy were poisoned or killed in the jail. The security on my duty is polite. Last week, a few hot words were exchanged with the warden over a minute issue, and she tried to strangle me. She has been suspended.PG: What are your expectations for the future?
AB: I pray and fast. I want to be with my family, hug my daughters, kiss them. I am waiting for a date from the Lahore High Court for the appeal regarding my death sentence. Life for All is supporting my family and has hired a lawyer for the case. A petition has been filed at the Lahore High Court asking them to accept the case for hearing. I am hopeful that I will be released, although there is a bounty of about $8,000 offered by the Islamic clerics to anyone who will kill me. I have left everything on God, I will accept His will.
PG: Do you have a message for the Christians of the U.S.?
AB: I request them to pray and do something for the Christians in Pakistan who are suffering and persecuted. There are many other Christians in jails who need help. The Christians in the U.S. can help the human rights organizations who fight for the persecuted, and become the voice of the voiceless.
Be sure to read it all.
It was very gratifying, listening to Queen Elizabeth's Christmas message yesterday (a Canadian tradition!).
The Queen called Christmas a "great Christian festival", going on to say:
Finding hope in adversity is one of the themes of Christmas. Jesus was born into a world full of fear. The angels came to frightened shepherds with hope in their voices: ‘Fear not’, they urged, ‘we bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.’
Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general (important though they are) – but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.
Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.
In the last verse of this beautiful carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem, there’s a prayer:
O Holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us we pray
Cast out our sin
And enter in
Be born in us today
It is my prayer that on this Christmas day we might all find room in our lives for the message of the angels and for the love of God through Christ our Lord.
I wish you all a very happy Christmas."
Even to an atheist like myself, the Queen's message was warm and inspiring. I think she was very brave to place so much emphasis on her Christian faith. She has more balls than all the politicians in the world put together.
Asia Bibi -- and Pamela Geller too -- deserves huge credit for her courage.
Asia Bibi -- and Pamela Geller too -- deserves huge credit for her courage.
THANK YOU for posting this message from Queen Elizabeth here. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't be aware of it. I'm very impressed!
"She has more balls than all the politicians in the world put together."
AMEN!!
"I have left everything on God, I will accept His will."
Sure, let God decide, He knows best...
We meet with this spineless attitude repeatedly, by our politicians, the media, and across this and other anti-Jihad sites. It is leading Western civilisation into ruin, and yet its timid adherents cling to its artificial comfort which allows them to sleep soundly at night.
While Islam credits its god with precisely everything, since everything exists purely by His favour, it leaves nothing at all in his hands. Instead, it tasks his followers with uncompromising devotion to achieve his wishes.
This is one reason why Islam is in ascendance, and we are in decline. It does as it pleases, with impunity, while we feel sorry for ourselves but thank our infidel gods for sitting on the sidelines.
Just as well we're not a football team.
C'mon David. The woman is in prison and at the mercy of her captors. What else can you expect from her?
And I think your assessment of the typical Moslem attitude to Allah is also faulty. The spirit of resignation and stagnation is very strong among them.