Christian mother-of-two Asia Bibi has been sentenced to death for blasphemy – the first woman ever to receive this sentence for blasphemy in Pakistan.
Release has just learnt that a sessions court judge gave Asia the maximum sentence yesterday at the end of a trial lasting more than 16 months. Asia, a farm labourer in her late-30s from Ittanwali, Punjab, was also fined more than £700 – the equivalent of two-and-a-half years' salary for the average worker.
Release partners at Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan (SLMP), who have been supporting Asia and her family throughout their ordeal, say that they and the family are shocked by this outcome.
No one sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan has ever been executed – but Asia could now spend years in appalling conditions on death row. If she appeals to the High Court, it may take years before her case is heard.
Police first filed a case against Asia in June 2009 after local Muslims accused her of making derogatory comments against Islam's prophet, Mohammed. She had reportedly been discussing matters of faith with fellow labourers in the fields when Asia and her daughters were attacked by local villagers and Muslim clerics. She had reportedly been under pressure from her fellow workers to convert to Islam.
A spokesman for SLMP described Asia as having a strong faith – but said that this decision would be a crushing blow to her and her family. 'She was longing to go back home to her children, but her dreams of release have vanished now,' he said. 'She desperately needs peace in her heart, the peace that comes from God.' The SLMP team plan to visit Asia in prison as soon as possible.
Release is concerned that Asia's conviction could set a dangerous precedent. Martha Bibi is currently on trial for blasphemy in Lahore. She was charged in 2007, after a dispute with builders who allegedly refused to return equipment belonging to her.
I cannot help but wonder if the 'western' media will give as much coverage to this situation, as they have been giving to the Iranian woman, senenced to death for adultery, and alleged complicity in the death of her husband!
Let those of us who believe in the power of prayer, seek God's perfect peace, that passes all human understanding, over Asia Bibi and her family. Ask Him to intervene to secure her earliest release. Ask Him to grant wisdom and strength to SLMP workers supporting this family.
Pray, too, for the immediate acquittal of Martha Bibi in Lahore.
Pray, too, for the immediate acquittal of Martha Bibi in Lahore.
Some may also wish to sign the petition calling for justice for Christians in Pakistan at www.releaseinternational.org/
If you live within the U.K., you may even wish to write to the Pakistan High Commissioner in London, expressing polite concern about Asia's conviction. Write to: His Excellency Wajid Shamsul Hasan, High Commission for Pakistan, 35-36 Lowndes Square, London SW1X 9JN. Also, write to your local MP at: www.writetothem.com
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