Pakistan acquits Christian woman facing death for blasphemy ~

Imprisoned for almost eight years (for drinking water from a Muslim-only water jug!*) – the 47-year-old mother of three has been a living testimony to Pakistan’s increasingly harsh persecution of Christians.

In June 2009, Asia was accused by Muslim co-workers of making derogatory remarks against the Prophet Muhammad and the Qur’an. Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are extremely controversial, often misused to settle petty vendettas and persecute religious minority groups. Charges are difficult to fight because the law does not define blasphemy. In recent years, the country, which is 96 percent Muslim, has seen a surge of accusations of insulting Islam […]
 
In June 2010, she was convicted of blasphemy charges and sentenced to die. She has been waiting for eight years for an appeal hearing that was delayed repeatedly. Recently, Pakistan’s Supreme Court held a hearing and ultimately ordered her release, saying that the prosecution had categorically failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. After nine years of prayers from Christians around the globe, Asia was freed on Oct. 31, 2018.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court showed wisdom, and remarkable courage in reaching this decision ~

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court quoted Shakespeare’s “King Lear” in its ruling acquiting the Christian woman, saying Bibi appeared to have been “more sinned against than sinning,” CNN noted.
 
‘Even if there was some grain of truth in the allegations leveled in this case against the appellant still the glaring contradictions in the evidence of the prosecution highlighted above clearly show that the truth in this case had been mixed with a lot which was untrue,” the ruling reportedly added.
 
The prosecution had “categorically failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt,” the judges ultimately ruled, BBC reported.
 
BBC pointed out that the judges heavily referenced the Quran in the ruling, adding, “It ended with a quote from the Hadith, the collected sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, which calls for non-Muslims to be treated kindly.”

 
Amazing. And thanks be to God! This is awesome news for Asia Bibi and her family, as well as Christians around the world who have been praying for her release. But due to the growing radicalization of the majority-Muslim country, there’s now a very real fear of retribution against the Pakistani Christian community ~

In the weeks leading up to the ruling, Islamic extremists group called for the deaths of Asia and the presiding Supreme court justices. Throughout the case, Muslim extremist groups have threatened and carried out violence. In March 2011, a government official who supported Asia’s case and publicly criticized the blasphemy laws was assassinated by a member of one such group. Now in light of the court’s ruling, fear of persecution among all Pakistani Christians is extremely high.

 
The church is bracing themselves for attacks on their homes and churches. Certain offices and schools also have been closed. “Our staff members are concerned about their children,” said one local Christian, “especially the ones who attend a school with a Muslim majority. Pray that while they travel home, they are not recognized as Christians and won’t draw any attention.”

 
Pakistan is 5th on Open Doors’ list of countries most hostile to Christians ~

Pakistan is an Islamic Republic, and the country suffers at the hands of numerous radical Islamic groups. Please pray for the Pakistani government to pass laws that will protect Christians.
 
Pray for Pakistani converts from Muslim backgrounds who suffer the brunt of the persecution in Pakistan. Radical Islamist groups see them as apostates, and their family, friends and neighbors see their conversion as shameful to the community.
 
Pray for safety and protection for the Christian women and girls in Pakistan who must live under the threat of abduction, rape and forced marriage.

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Related:
Pakistan: Islamists Protest Acquittal of Christian Mother on Death Row for Blasphemy (Video)~ Because Islam is such a peaceful religion…

The landmark ruling has already set off violent protests by hardliners who support strong blasphemy laws. Demonstrations against the verdict are being held in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Multan. Clashes with police have been reported. The Red Zone in the capital Islamabad, where the Supreme Court is located, has been sealed off by police, and paramilitary forces have been deployed to keep protesters away from the court.