Monday, March 17, 2014

Pakistan's Christians under attack: Asia Bibi-Woman on death row

I consider it a matter of urgency to inform readers about the plight of Asia Bibi, a mother of five and a Pakistani Christian. In 2009, she was tried and subsequently found guilty of the crime of blasphemy, the punishment for which is death by hanging. For the last four years, this woman has been held in solitary confinement without access to fresh water, light, heat or a toilet. She lives a meagre existence in Sheikhupura prison, Lahore in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. She is the first woman in this century to be found guilty of this crime and there is a reward of Fatwa, not only on her head, but on those of her family, who have been forced to flee from their village. There were only two people who tried to help Asia Bibi throughout her trial. They were the Muslim governor of the Punjab and Pakistan’s Christian Minister for Minorities. Both of whom have been assassinated. I am trying to bring to light the plight of this woman and her troubles have been highlighted by the book Blasphemy written by Anne Isabelle Tollet which was published in 2011. The royalties from this book have been donated to Asia Bibi’s family. Pope Benedict and Hillary Clinton have spoken up for her but her story was only heard by the world for one day and then silence. I would like to urge readers of Times of Malta to buy this book to help her family and to bring this story back into the media. I have written to many people, on her behalf, and to her in prison. In the name of freedom, Godliness and sanity, please help her and spread her story.

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