ASIA/PAKISTAN-Mother's Day in solitude for Asia Bibi, between pain and hope

Lahore (Fides Service) - The pain of a mother who cannot embrace her children, prayer and trust in God, with the hope of salvation and freedom: with these feelings Asia Bibi - the Pakistani Christian woman sentenced to death unjustly for blasphemy - is about to get ready to live "Mother's Day", which is celebrated tomorrow, May 8, worldwide. As reported to Fides by the "Masihi Foundation, an organization that deals with legal aid to women and the protection of her family, Asia has recently received the visit of her youngest daughter (Eshum, 10 years), who brought her a bouquet of flowers, the love and affection of all the brothers. It was a moving moment, and Asia experienced the meeting in tears. The woman, these days, feels very lonely and longs to meet her family. Another situation at heart: one of Asia`s sons, Imran Masih, is engaged and wants to get married, but would like the presence of his mother at the wedding.
Asia`s family, informs the "Masihi Foundation”, continues their protected life from prying eyes, trusting in the work of the woman`s lawyers. Asia, in the meanwhile, has received in recent weeks, medicine to cure her chicken pox, and after the Lenten fast, she started eating again. Her psychological conditions oscillate between despair and the pain of an innocent life as a prisoner, and prayer that always leads her to trust in the providence of God. The initiative of the Special Day of prayer for her (see Fides 20/4/2011 ) has heartened and encouraged her, knowing that many people in the world are praying for her salvation.
Meanwhile, in the context of the general situation in Pakistan, public attention is focused on the political implications of "post-Bin Laden" and the case of Asia Bibi seems to have disappeared from the chronicles and the debates. This, sources of Fides observes, allow lawyers more leeway, legally, without suffering too much pressure from radical groups. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 05/07/2011)