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Christians welcome Aasia case judgement
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Christian community rejoiced on Wednesday at the acquittal of Aasia Bibi, who spent years on death row for blasphemy, saying their prayers had been answered after years of begging for justice.
Christians make up around two per cent of the country’s 210 million population.
Wednesday’s acquittal of the illiterate mother represented a rare victory for the community — with Christians in Islamabad hailing the Supreme Court’s decision.
“Justice has been done,” said Reverend Javed Masih, who heads a Presbyterian church in a Christian slum in the capital.
“We are happy that the law is still ruling in this country and that’s why Aasia Bibi has been set free,” added another Christian resident Shafaqat Masih.
“We are extremely happy that God has responded to our prayers. The church of Pakistan was praying for years for the release of our sister,” Reverend Masih said, adding that a special worship service was being held to celebrate Bibi’s release.
Aasia was convicted and sentenced to death in 2010 on blasphemy charges.
“She was innocent and she was being discriminated [against],” said the pastor.
Human rights activist Tahira Abdullah called for “state protection” of the acquitted woman along with her family and attorney.
Pastor Masih feared unrest could be triggered by the court’s decision.
But he said his community would “pray for peace in this country”.
Shahbaz Ashiq, another resident in the neighbourhood, said he was “very proud of our Supreme Court and the decision”.
“Had she not been acquitted, we would have thought that there is no justice in this country,” added Shafaqat Masih.
“Thank God that the court has acquitted her.”
Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2018
Comments (23) Closed
Time for Jinnah's Pakistan!
Good decision so far
Pakistan's are happy with the SC judgement.
Justice is served. Almost, though. The false accusers should be jailed next!
Love, love and love to my Pak Christians family.
Majority of your Muslim brothers and sisters stand with you.
Long live our Christian community of Pakistan and all the communities of Pakistan.
We thank the honorable Justice.
Good news
Salute to brave judges of Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Our Christian and other non-Muslim brothers and sisters are very much equal citizens of this Pakistan, created by the Quaid. The due rights of every citizen deserve equal protection. No one should be able to impinge on these rights or try to hold the state hostage by their treasonous and inhuman words and actions. What have the mullahs contributed to the country except strife and violence? Why should we put up with this anymore?
I thank you Mr. Chief Justice and the other honorable members of the bench.
So thankful to the honorable judges. You are courageous people.
Misuse of any law must be punishable.
Heart warming to see my Pakistani brothers celebrate (calling them Christians, muslims Hindus is secondary and everyone’s private matter). We are all Pakistanis with equal rights. Long live SC, Pakistan zindabad! Proud to be a Pakistani today!
Entire world, every news channel were broadcasting the wise decision. Pakistan government needs to make bold decisions.
Blasphemy law cannot be used for personal gains.
We all regardless of religious beliefs are one in Pakistan. Only a few ignorant people create this issues for their personal gains.
You are brave people honorable Judges of Pakistan.
It is New Pakistan. Thank you for releasing the poor lady.
This is a good judgment and the honorable judges are courageous people.
We are so thankful to the government of Pakistan.
The people of Pakistan are so nice to the minorities and this judgment is the picture of that.
Thank you very much to the judiciary of Pakistan for releasing an innocent woman.
Thank you very much to the judiciary of Pakistan.