Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rawalpindi (Agenzia Fides) - Tensions, protests and violent demonstrations are being carried out throughout the country on behalf of Islamic groups after the death sentence verdict against Mumtaz Qadri, Governor Salman Taseer’s murderer (see Fides 01/10/2011).Qadri had fought to defend Asia Bibi, a Christian woman unjustly sentenced to death for blasphemy, and to amend the articles of the Criminal Code that make up the so-called "blasphemy law". The protests, notice Fides sources, alarm the Christians and in particular Asia Bibi.
Yesterday radical and religious groups took to the streets in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi shouting slogans against the government, and the judge who sentenced Qadri. Qadri is considered an "Islamic hero", "true warrior of Islam." The "Alliance to defend the Prophet" (Tahaffuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat), consists of an extremist Islamic group network, declared the verdict "politically motivated" and demanded the immediate cancellation of the ruling. The Muslim leader Tehreek Sarwat Ijaz Qadri, condemning the ruling, said: "The court did not turn a deaf ear to the Koran and Sunnah. We will appeal against the decision at the High Court". The network considers Qadri "A man full of light, because he killed he who supported the repeal of the blasphemy law. A true Muslim like him could not bear to hear anything against our beloved Prophet Muhammad. The blasphemy Christian Asia Bibi will have the same fate".
Meanwhile, the judge who issued the ruling, Pervez Syed Ali Shah, is in danger of life and is escorted by the police. Sources of Fides remember that several years ago a Judge in Punjab, who had declared that two Young Christians, accused of blasphemy, were innocent was later killed by a fanatic.
Fr. Francesco Saverio, a priest of the diocese of Lahore, said to Fides: "Even if Taseer had done something against the law, he should have been trialed and not barbarously killed. Even according to the Islamic Law he had the right to a trial, with prosecution and defense". The Anglican Bishop Mgr. Alexander John Malik said to Fides: "I am against death penalty: no one has the right to kill another man. But sometimes it is necessary to take bold decisions in order to ensure the rule of law and affirm that no one is above the law". Haroon Barkat Masih, President of the "Mashi Foundation" an organisation which is dealing with Asia Bibi’s case, explains to Fides: "Our Constitution gives us the freedom to express our opinions. If I say that the law on blasphemy is immoral and should be repealed , does it perhaps mean that someone can kill me with impunity?" (PA) (Agenzia Fides 03/10/2011)
