Posted on 01/13/2011 8:18:53 PM PST by marshmallow
PAKISTANI politicians have accused the Pope of interfering in state matters after he called for controversial blasphemy laws to be scrapped.
Benedict XVI urged the Islamic nation to repeal the legislation -- which carries the death penalty for insulting Islam -- a week after the shooting of the governor of Punjab, who had criticised the laws.
"I once more encourage the leaders of that country to take the necessary steps to abrogate that law," the Pope said.
"The tragic murder of the governor of Punjab shows the urgent need to make progress in this direction."
He added that the legislation had been used as a pretext for violence against non-Muslims.
The laws have come under scrutiny after the sentencing to death of Aasia Bibi, a Christian, for insulting Islam, in a case that has divided the country further.
Islamic party leaders condemned the Pope's comments.
"Pakistan is an Islamic ideological state and the Pope cannot tell us to change our laws, which are in conformity to our belief," said Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, a senior leader of Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam, one of the country's largest Islamic groups supporting the blasphemy laws.
Farid Paracha, the leader of Jamaat-i-Islami, the most powerful Islamic party in the nation, said: "The Pope's statement is an insult to Muslims across the world."
Critics say the laws, enacted under military rule in the 1980s, discriminate against minority groups.
Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri has admitted shooting Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who had campaigned to reform the laws and sought a presidential pardon for Ms Bibi.
Hundreds gathered at the court and showered petals on the bodyguard when he attended last week, and more than 50,000 people from religious groups rallied in Karachi on Sunday in support of Qadri, calling him a hero and demanding that any effort to reform..........
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.com.au ...
Go Pope Go!!!!!
good for him , a man with balls, hey GOP how about getting some.
Some people beg to be insulted.
Ping!
Remember when you used a three-syllable word and the schoolyard bully said, “wuddidjew call me?”
Islam......what a worthless fantasy.
Islam sucks. Just look at its founder: terrorist genocidal pedophile. Look at the results for its adherents: Death, disease, poverty.
Will somebody please mention to the MP’s that simply being Christian offends Muslims?!?!?!?
Sometimes the truth hurts.
Pope Threatens to call in 10 Luftwaffe Eurofighter squadrons
More likely that the muslim leaders are an insult to the Pope.
“Pope insults Mooselimbs”?
Hang on a minute I have to go out in the yard to face Mecca and take a piss.
Pockeestan is actually #1 on the list of nations the world can do better without. the 9/11 terrorists trained there and the place is the hotbed centre of terror activities.
I insult muslims too, every day.
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