Source: Christian Today

By Jonah Hicap; 28 August 2015

Fifteen Christians have been arrested, detained and slapped with blasphemy charges by Pakistani police in Gujarat province for publishing a flier that described a deceased pastor as one “who was given the title of an apostle.”

According to World Watch Monitor, which reports on Christians facing persecution for their faith, the word “apostle” is “rasool” in the Urdu Bible. While the title “prophet” is usually translated into Urdu by the Arabic-root “nabi,” “rasool” can also have the same meaning.

The claim of “apostleship” or “prophet-hood” is interpreted as a direct insult to Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, as Muslims believe he is Allah’s last and final apostle and prophet. Anything that counters the claim is considered blasphemy, which under Pakistani law, is punishable by death.

Last month, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif approved a legislation prohibiting the English translation of Islamic terms including sacred Arabic names and words like “allah,” “masjid,” “sala’at” or “rasool,” which mean “God,” “mosque,” “prayer” and “prophet,” respectively, the Catholic news agency Fides reported.

The flier was an invitation to Christians to participate in a memorial ceremony on Aug. 16 for the late Pastor Fazal Masih. It had photos of 15 office-bearers of the “Biblical Church of God,” a Protestant group working in Gujarat.

“The flier’s language looks like it’s been copied from the Internet. It’s language that may be more acceptable in countries where Christianity has more freedom. It suggests that the late pastor practiced the gifts of the Holy Spirit and had a prophetic gift. However this is a concept that does not translate easily in an Islamic context,” said a Pakistani commentator.

Read further

Additional Reading

Freedom of Speech: A Core Islamic Value!