Pakistan: Muslim Leaders And Followers Warn Zardari Not To Pardon Christian Accused Of Blasphemy, Threaten Nationwide Protests And Demonstrations

From Jihad Watch:

Pakistan: Misunderstanders of Islam warn Zardari not to pardon Christian woman accused of blasphemy, threaten officials who have called for repeal of blasphemy law


Islamic Tolerance Alert from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan: "Protesters oppose pardon for Pakistani Christian," from AP, November 24:



LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) -- Around 250 hard-line Muslims staged a demonstration in the central Pakistani city of Lahore on Wednesday, warning the president not to pardon a Christian woman sentenced to death for insulting Islam.

They also denounced any attempt to change Pakistan's blasphemy law, which critics say is often misused to persecute Christians like Asia Bibi and other minorities. Her case has prompted outrage from human rights groups and a personal appeal from Pope Benedict XVI for her release.



But hard-line Islamic groups in Pakistan have pushed back and some have even threatened officials in the past who suggested reforming or repealing the blasphemy law. These groups have significant power since politicians from the major parties rely on them for votes.



"We are ready to sacrifice our life for the Prophet Muhammad," chanted protesters in Lahore -- many of whom were students from Islamic seminaries in the city.



The rally was organized by the Movement for Protection of the Prophet's Honor, a group of hard-line Sunni Muslims that was formed in 2001 to oppose changes in the blasphemy law....



Posted by Robert on November 24, 2010 6:03 PM
 
 
And this, related, also from Jihad Watch:
 
Two prominent Pakistani Muslim leaders threaten nationwide protests if Christian woman facing death for blasphemy is pardoned


If Zardari gets it into his head to be merciful to this persecuted woman, other heads will roll. "Pakistan president urged not to pardon Christian woman," by Reza Sayah for CNN, November 24:



Islambad [sic!], Pakistan (CNN) -- Two prominent Pakistani Muslim leaders threatened Wednesday to call for nationwide protests if the president pardons a Christian woman sentenced to death for insulting the Muslim prophet Mohammed.

"If the president pardons Asia Bibi, we will raise our voices across the country until he is forced to take his decision back," nationally known mufti Muneer Ur Rehman said.



Hafiz Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer, a leading cleric in Lahore, said pardoning the woman would be "criminal negligence" and would cause inter-religious tension.



Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer told CNN Tuesday that President Asif Ali Zardari would pardon Bibi if the High Court did not grant her request for mercy.



Bibi, who has been jailed for nearly 15 months, was convicted in a Pakistani court earlier this month of breaking the country's controversial blasphemy law by insulting Islam's Prophet Mohammed, a crime punishable with death or life imprisonment, according to Pakistan's penal code. She was sentenced to death. [...]



Prosecutors say Bibi, a 45-year-old field worker, insulted the Prophet Mohammed after she got into a heated argument with Muslim co-workers who refused to drink from a bucket of water she had touched because she is not Muslim.



In a brief news conference at the prison where she's being held, Bibi said last weekend that the allegations against her are lies fabricated by a group of women who don't like her.



"We had some differences and this was their way of taking revenge," she said....



Posted by Robert on November 24, 2010 5:52 PM