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Pakistani law does not define blasphemy but stipulates that the penalty is death Pakistan’s Supreme Court yesterday temporarily suspended the death sentence of a Christian woman accused of blasphemy, her lawyer said, in a case that hit global headlines after the murder of two politicians who tried to intervene on her behalf. Asia Bibi, a farm worker and mother of four, became the first woman to be sentenced to death under Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy law in 2010.

Pope Francis may get letters this year from kings and presidents and grand muftis, but it is highly unlikely that he will receive a letter nearly as important as the one he got in December from an impoverished and imprisoned woman in Pakistan. This pontiff has famously made it a hallmark of his pontificate to show especial care for the downtrodden and outcast, and so he may yet answer Asia Bibi and speak out on her behalf, but there are good reasons to bet against that happening. It all started for Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Catholic wife and mother, on...

Pope Francis has declared that "authentic Islam and the proper reading of the Koran are opposed to every form of violence," but the religious and civil authorities in Pakistan, the second most populous Islamic state, seem to disagree. Asia Bibi, a Catholic woman imprisoned and awaiting execution in Pakistan for "blasphemy," has just written to the Holy Father in an attempt to garner support. Jihad Watch reports (hat tip Atlas Shrugs): Asia Bibi is in prison awaiting execution on false accusations of blasphemy. Only God can free her because Christians in the West don't dare to speak out on her...

Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, has been sentenced to death under Pakistan's notorious blasphemy law for insulting Islam. She is now in prison. The law is often used to settle grudges, persecute minorities and fan rage of the Islamic devout. The same thing is coming here. The recent cancellation of my event by a Houston hotel, and the subsequent cancellation of an anti-Sharia conference in Nashville represent the first stage of the application of Islamic blasphemy laws here in America. Where full-on Sharia is enforced, "blasphemers" get the death penalty. Here in America, your character is assassinated. As part of...

“Our Christ sacrificed His lifeon the cross for our sins.... Our Christ is alive.” Asia Bibi, a wife and mother, used these words to defend her faith against mocking co-workers who tried to make her convert to Islam. She was later convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death. In Pakistan, more than 150,000 Christians have signed a petition demanding justice for persecution victims, including Asia Bibi. Now you can join with The Voice of the Martyrs and our Pakistani brothers and sisters in a call for mercy. We hope to gather 1 million signatures on behalf of our sister Asia,...

Maulana Yousuf Qureshi issued the call in Peshawar, the capital of northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, at a rally against moves to pardon the woman. Asia Bibi, a mother of five, was sentenced on November 8 to death by hanging, under controversial blasphemy laws that human rights activists say encourage Islamist extremism. The government attempted to pardon Bibi after an international outcry over the case, but a Pakistani court on Monday prevented it from granting her a swift pardon. "We demand that the government should hang her to death under the law. If it does not do so, we will offer a...

e-mail this to a friend printable version » 12/04/2010 11:47PAKISTANPeshawar Imam: "A reward to kill Asia Bibi"by Jibran KhanIn his sermon, Maulana Yousuf Qureshi of the Mohabat Khan mosque, said that if the appeals court judge innocent Asia Bibi will be the mujahideen to kill her. The leader has also warned the government on any changes to the law on blasphemy. Islamabad (AsiaNews) - On the Friday prayer imam of the largest mosque in Peshawar offered a reward of 4,500 euro, for anyone who kills Asia Bibi. In his sermon, Maulana Yousuf Qureshi warned the government against any move...

Before you read the article below, here is some more info about Asia Bibi, She was first sentenced to death by stoning. Its is alleged that the charges against here are made up. And she has already been declared innocent from one Pakistani official and some Pakistani officials have called for a repeal of the blasphemy laws that are being used to justify killing Asia Bibi for alleged blasphemy. I got this email address (publicmail@president.gov.pk) to the president of Pakistan monday, from a blog-post I cannot now find, and sent a simple message saying “Please let Asia Bibi Live! WILL...

e-mail this to a friend printable version » 11/25/2010 15:25PAKISTANNo news about Asia Bibi’s fate as her release might take longerby Jibran KhanHer petition for clemency has not yet been filed. Some believe she should appeal first to the Lahore High Court, then the Supreme Court. Cardinal Tauran arrives in Pakistan today. Lahore (AsiaNews) – Pakistan’s Home Department has not yet received a petition for clemency from Asia Bibi or her family, Jamal Yousaf, the additional secretary home department, told AsiaNews. Without it, President Asif Ali Zardari cannot pardon her. Legal issues may delay the pardon process beyond what...

e-mail this to a friend printable version » 11/15/2010 16:18PAKISTANYour signature to save Asia Bibi and Pakistan by Bernardo CervelleraAn online petition (to be sent to AsiaNews, or directly to the President of Pakistan) for the revocation of the death sentence for a Christian woman sentenced to hang for blasphemy. But we are also asking for the cancellation or overhaul of the blasphemy law, which is destroying harmony and development in Pakistan. Rome (AsiaNews) – At our reader’s request, AsiaNews has decided to launch an international petition to be sent to President Asif Zardari to save the life of...