On This Day, We All Witnessed a Miracle...and the End of the 2024...
I'm Not Doing 'Tolerance' Anymore
Watch CNN's Scott Jennings Explain What a Trump Republican Is. The Panel Didn't...
ReSIsT FaScIsM: Dem Governor Told Hordes of State Government Workers They're Being Laid...
Hey, DOJ, How About Growing Up and Doing Your Damn Jobs?
Now They Care? Democrats Suddenly Get Loud About Epstein Files After Four Years...
God Saved President Trump for a Reason One Year Ago
The Deep State Wins Again
A Quick Bible Study Vol. 276: Moses in the New Testament Gospels
Meet the New Grok, Same As the Old Grok
Will John Brennan Finally Be Indicted?
Diplomacy or Disaster? Is Secretary Rubio Dismantling or Rebuilding America’s State Depart...
God Did Not Play Dice With Donald Trump's Life
Trump Breaks Silence on Alleged Bondi–Bongino Clash
Trump Unleashes 30 Percent Tariffs on Mexico, EU: Hits Back at Cartels, Trade...
OPINION

Pakistani pardoned for alleged blasphemy

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.
WASHINGTON (BP)--A Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy has been pardoned by Pakistan's president, according to a Nov. 22 report by International Christian Concern, a human rights organization based in Washington.
Advertisement

Asia Noreen (also named as Asia Bibi by ICC and various media) was sentenced Nov. 8 after a court in Pakistan's Punjab province found her guilty of blasphemous statements against Islam's prophet Muhammad. Under Pakistan's blasphemy law, it is a crime punishable by death to blaspheme the Islamic prophet.

ICC stated that Noreen's release "came after intense international pressure by politicians and church leaders as well as coverage by several media outlets."

ICC stated that Noreen "has now been taken to an undisclosed location for her safety. In the past, Christians have been killed by vigilantes after being accused of blasphemy. On July 19, gunmen killed pastor Rashid Emmanuel and his brother, Sajid Emmanuel, while police were transporting them from the court in Faisalabad to jail."

ICC reported that Muslim lawyers "and other fundamentalist Muslims" are preparing to demonstrate against Noreen's release.

Advertisement

Jonathan Racho, ICC regional manager for southern Asia, commended Pakistan's president, Asif Ali Zardari, "for taking the right action."

"It's high time for Pakistan to repeal the blasphemy laws that have caused so much persecution against Christians and other religious minorities," Racho said.

Compiled by Baptist Press editor Art Toalston. For reports about the blasphemy charge against Asia Noreen, see Baptist Press postings of the following stories by Compass Direct News: http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=34095 and http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=34109.

Copyright (c) 2010 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press www.BPNews.net

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement