The blasphemy laws in Pakistan are the cause of innumerable human rights abuses. But no one is concerned about it. After all, it isn’t as if something serious such as “Islamophobia” were being committed.
“Christian Father of 2-Year-Old in Pakistan Jailed on Flimsy Blasphemy Charge, Brother Says,” Morning Star News, June 18, 2017:
LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – Amid a government campaign in Pakistan against “blasphemous” content online, a Christian was arrested on Friday (June 16) when a Muslim accused him of blasphemy after a dispute over a repair bill, sources said….
The charge against the 23-year-old father filed in Lahore last week was not a cyber case but was rooted in the same vindictive instinct that critics say the online crack-down threatens to unleash. A Muslim, Mohammad Irfan, on Thursday (June 15) refused to pay Ishfaq Masih for a repaired bicycle tire in the Green Town area of Lahore, Masih’s brother Mahmood Masih said.
Irfan told Ishfaq Masih that it was not right to demand money from a “Mirasi,” or genealogist and traditional singer, and an argument followed, Masih’s brother said.
“During the argument, Irfan said that he obeys only one master, Prophet Muhammad, to which Ishfaq said that he was a Christian and his faith ends at Christ,” Mahmood Masih said. “Upon hearing this, Irfan raised a clamor that Ishfaq had blasphemed against Muhammad. Soon a mob gathered at the spot, and someone called the police, who took Ishfaq into custody.”
Riaz Anjum, Masih’s attorney, said that Mohammad Ishfaq, the landlord of the building housing Ishfaq Masih’s repair shop, had filed a First Information Report (No. 797/17) under Section 295-C of the blasphemy law. Mohammad Ishfaq claimed that he and Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Naveed, Nadeem Gujjar and Mohammad Tahir had heard Ishfaq Masih say derogatory words against the Muslim prophet, Anjum told Morning Star News.
The attorney said the claim itself was contrary to facts because none of the men mentioned in the FIR except Mohammad Irfan were present at the scene when the alleged blasphemy took place.
“Irfan had gathered the other men, including the complainant Mohammad Ishfaq, and they then concocted the allegation against Ishfaq Masih and got him arrested,” Anjum said.
He said he was hopeful that his client would be released on bail because there was no mention of what exactly he had said, and no substantive reason was stated for his alleged outburst.
“The FIR is quite weak, as it does not contain any specific blasphemous words that my client may have allegedly said,” Anjum said. “It also shows that the police did not even bother to investigate the charge before registering a case against the poor man. This is the routine practice of the police in blasphemy cases, and it’s a shame that nothing is being done to stop it.”…
John A. Marre says
Muslims are taught to scorn and hate non-Muslims. For that, they can never be a part of a civilized society, and must be kept out and/or deported.
Godwin says
All of us should stop visiting Pakistani hell hole.
Godwin says
Nor should we give it any money for disaster relief.
Esperanza Barco Alonso says
Do not forget the oppressed Christian minority. In case of disaster, we should help them directly.
gravenimage says
Very few Westerners visit Pakistan.
somehistory says
So very wrong, evil, disgusting. They will reap what they are sowing. Soon.
Walter Sieruk says
The only real reason that Muslim nations, as Pakistan, have “blasphemy laws” enacted is because Islam, with its many falsehoods, is such a weak and fragile religion that it can stand up to or hold up to criticism, at all. No matter how very mild those criticisms might be.
pnr says
it is thought that when persons have grudges with other persons blasphemy law is ‘used’
WPM says
That’s right to get out of paying a bill due. To get back at someone you have a grudge with use “blasphemy laws” like calling someone a witch in the 1625 in New England to rally your people together to crush the “other” while you live in behind your crazied beliefs.
traci94 says
Everything is offensive to Muslims. You don’t even have to directly criticize Islam, you can say something as innocuous as I believe Jesus is the son of God or I believe Jesus died on the cross and bam! You’ve insulted the prophet.
gravenimage says
Pakistan: Muslim refuses to pay repair bill, has Christian repairman jailed for blasphemy
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Grimly, this should not surprise. Christians and other Infidels are regularly cheated and worse in Pakistan. And, of course, the police arrest the victim.
More:
Irfan told Ishfaq Masih that it was not right to demand money from a “Mirasi,” or genealogist and traditional singer, and an argument followed, Masih’s brother said.
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In other words, a Christian does not have the right to charge a Muslim for his services. Christians are supposed to be slaves.
More:
“During the argument, Irfan said that he obeys only one master, Prophet Muhammad, to which Ishfaq said that he was a Christian and his faith ends at Christ,” Mahmood Masih said. “Upon hearing this, Irfan raised a clamor that Ishfaq had blasphemed against Muhammad. Soon a mob gathered at the spot, and someone called the police, who took Ishfaq into custody.”
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In other words, Ishfaq Mashih is a “blasphemer” against Islam merely by dint of being Christian. This view is *very* common among Muslims.
More:
Riaz Anjum, Masih’s attorney, said that Mohammad Ishfaq, the landlord of the building housing Ishfaq Masih’s repair shop, had filed a First Information Report…
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The plot thickens. Is the man who cheated Ishfaq Masih also his landlord? This may have been just an attempt to get free services, and accuse him of “blasphemy” when he objected to being cheated.
But it also may have been more–Muslims often accuse Infidels of “blasphemy” when they want to seize their businesses. The business will probably be taken by the landlord.
And Riaz Anjum is a brave man for representing someone accused of “blasphemy”–lawyers have been threatened or even murdered for this.
moeped says
What??? Pakistani muslims don’t behave like this! They are the most honorable of all peoples! They’re not cheap either!! I’ve never seen a cheap and lying and dishonorable Pakistani person in my life! I’m sure 100% of readers agree.
Ralph says
Call your congressman. Tell them to consider putting Pakistan on the list of countries from which travelers should be restricted, like the other mentioned islamic paradises. They and their regimes do not deserve international respect.
DON PRANGE says
Times have changed so much in the last 9 years. The kids do not have feelings about others unless you change your thinking to their way. Pakistan is part of culture that I will never understand. Their laws against women must be recognized by the rest of the world. Any of this religion practiced is terrible.
When will the world wake up?????