Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – Ali Jinnah, the father of the Pakistani Constitution "would have joined the campaign to save Asia Bibi and repeal the blasphemy law." If the government fails to protect religious minorities, "they become accomplices of their martyrdom." This is what Fides has been told by prominent Muslim leaders of the Jinnah Institute in Islamabad, an independent institute that works to build the rule of law and democracy in Pakistan.
There are voices being raised in Pakistani civil society for the cause of Asia Bibi and the abolition of the controversial blasphemy law. They are the voices of Muslim intellectuals, opinion leaders, and organizations that "give wings to the hopes of Christians," said a local source of Fides. The efforts of moderate Muslims is essential in creating a vast movement of public opinion, which may result in the abolition of the law in Parliament. The repeal, in fact, up until now has been a "taboo" due to the protest of Islamic fundamentalist lobby groups who have opposed any attempts for its review. Both General Pervez Musharraf and assassinated leader Benazhir Bhutto have tried, but have had to give up in the face of opposition from religious leaders like the Conference of the Jamiat Ulema of Pakistan (JUP), which represents more than 30 religious parties. "We are pleased at the Pope's appeal and the pressures of the international community. However, the decisive step will be the support and the conviction of public opinion in Pakistan," said a Fides source from the local Church.
Sherry Rehman, a Muslim intellectual, who was elected to Parliament in the ranks of the Pakistan Peoples Party and serves as member of the National Commission on the Status of Women, is Dean of the prestigious Jinnah Institute, which is inspired by the work of Ali Jinnah.
Rehman tells Fides: "It's clear that Asia Bibi is another victim of the prejudice that pervades our institutions. If all the state institutions, including the courts and the judiciary system, are unable to protect minorities from abuse, this is a serious issue which makes them accomplices of their martyrdom. For over twenty years, the blasphemy law has been manipulated and used as an instrument of domination over weaker communities. The time has come to remove it."
Ali Dayan Hasan, a Muslim researcher and member of the Institute, told Fides: "Asia Bibi's case should serve as a 'wake up call' to Pakistani society in the protection of human rights and as an appeal to the judicial system, which must get rid of incompetence and bigotry. It should also serve as incentive for the government to find the political will to repeal the blasphemy law. " (PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/11/2010)
