The Persecution of Asia Bibi

Something for your consideration, in case you haven’t seen it: The story of a Christian woman in rural Pakistan sentenced to death for being a Christian, who remains in prison where, according to a Pakistani Catholic priest, “she can be killed any time” . The latest news is that a mob may stage a suicide attack on the prison in order to kill her themselves.

According to a Pakistani report carried by Catholic Online:

“A Christian woman named Asia Bibi was sentenced to death by District and Session Courts after year long trial on accusation of blasphemy filed by Muslim villagers of Ittanwali, where she was residing from generations. While working in farms with other Muslim women, Asia Bibi was dragged in religious dialogues on June 19, 2009, when Muslim women termed her an “Infidel” and Christianity a “Religion of infidels” and pressed her to embrace Islam.

Asia Bibi who is married and have two children, defended Christianity with her little knowledge and told Muslim women that Christianity is only True religion on which Muslim women made a roar and accused her defiling Prophet Mohammad”.

“The Muslim men working in nearby fields also gathered and attacked Asia Bibi on which she fled to village in her home. The angry Muslims followed her and took her out of home and started beating her. They tortured her children also but meanwhile some one informed police.

The police took Asia Bibi to police Station and filed FIR against her under section 295-B and C of Pakistan Penal Code but showed it a protective custody to other Christians of Ittanwali village. Section 295 B and C PPC are subject to life in prison or death sentence but it is first judgment in history of Pakistan when a woman is sentenced to death.”

One group has set up an online petition , but personal letters to Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States are also useful — to the extent to which the government of Pakistan pays attention to American public opinion.

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