The courts have convicted Asia Bibi, a poor illiterate Christian woman to death for blasphemy. The courts did ask if the law allows options such as life imprisonment. The answer was in the negative. The fault lies with the law, not the courts.

The religious extremists present at both hearings celebrated the verdict and distributed sweets. I ask those celebrating, was their attitude in keeping with the teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

A Jewish woman in Makkah used to throw garbage daily on the Holy Prophet (pbuh). One day when she failed to show up, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) inquired about her and on being told she was sick, went to her home to inquire about her welfare. The woman embraced Islam.

The blasphemy law has taken many lives. Why are Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari, Imran Khan, Tahir ul Qadri silent on this issue? Why are federal and provincial legislatures not waking up? Are they afraid of the power of religious extremists? Many NGOs have repeatedly raised this issue, but received no worthwhile support from civil society. Why?

M.Z. Saeed

Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2014