Common sense and simple justice. But of course, not Sharia. “Governor of Punjab; the law on blasphemy should be abolished,” by Fareed Khan for AsiaNews, September 18 (thanks to C. Cantoni):
Lahore (AsiaNews) – Abolishing the blasphemy law to protect minorities. This is what has been “suggested” by Salman Taseer, Governor of Punjab, who is urging the central government “to consider the repeal” of a law – a plea that has been repeated on several occasions by the Christian community in Pakistan – a law that is used by Islamic fundamentalists to commit crimes and violence. Christian leaders have reacted positively, but now expect concrete steps from the central government.
“The blasphemy law – said Salman Taseer – should be repealed to protect minorities, particularly the growing violence and persecution against Christians by extremists.” Speaking to reporters during a dinner in Lahore, the Punjab Governor adds that “there was an abuse of the blasphemy law. This is what I think. This law should be erased.
Commenting on the statements of Governor of Punjab, Peter Jacob – Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) of the Catholic Church – said that “it is an important statement” and “a welcome one”. “But what counts most – added the activist Catholic – is that the Prime Minister of Pakistan ought to speak of the matter and explain to the people” what’s happening in the country.
In recent months Punjab has experienced an escalation in attacks against Christians and their places of worship, committed in the name of “the alleged desecration of the Quran” On 22 April 2009, a band of extremists attacked a group of Christians in Tias, a suburb of Karachi, burning houses and seriously injuring three people. One of these was Irfan Masih, who died three days later.…
Many more examples follow. Read it all.