UN Official: Blasphemy Laws Must Be Repealed
Source: Voice of America GENEVA—The special U.N. investigator on freedom of religion or belief is calling for the universal repeal of blasphemy laws, saying they restrict freedom of expression and […]
Pakistan: Wrong turns of the right wing
UMER ALI Full of contradictions The hanging of Mumtaz Qadri united all religio-political parties last week as together they protested against it. Blocking roads, closing down markets forcibly, thrashing journalists and attacking media houses for not covering their protests – all was done to send a message that come what […]
The blasphemy law and terrorism
Source: Daily Times By Saad Hafiz Asking for the repeal of the blasphemy laws is not about wishing to deny people the right to feel offended or to defend their beliefs; these rights should be available for the religious and the non-believer alike. And this is what it finally comes […]
Georgia proposes ‘blasphemy bill’ to outlaw religious insults
Source: The Guardian Georgia is planning a “blasphemy bill” that will make religious irreverence punishable by law, prompting concerns about freedom of expression in the devoutly Orthodox Christian society. Critics […]
Imam arrested after ‘blasphemer’ teen cuts off hand
Source: Al Jazeera Pakistani police have arrested the imam of a mosque for inciting violence after a 15-year-old boy, who was told by the religious leader that he was a […]
Police arrest cleric for ‘inciting’ boy to cut off his hand
IMRAN GABOL — PUBLISHED 18 MINUTES AGO LAHORE: Local police on Saturday arrested the imam of a mosque on terror charges in relation to the incident involving a 15-year-old boy who had cut off his own hand believing he had committed blasphemy. On Friday night a first information report (FIR No. […]
The blasphemy law, Islam and the state
Source: Daily Times By Yasser Latif Hamdani The blasphemy law, as enacted in Pakistan in 1986, militates first and foremost against the Islamic principles of justice and here is why: if it is conceived as an Islamic law, is it subject to hadd? Five years ago today, Salmaan Taseer, the […]
Pakistan: Ahmadi bookstore owner and manager arrested under blasphemy law
Ahmadi bookstore owner and manager arrested under blasphemy law Pakistani authorities have arrested two Ahmadi Muslim men for alleged Blasphemy. Bookstore owner Abul Shukoor and manager Mazhar Ahmad were arrested Wednesday, Dec. 2 from Ahmadiyya Book Depot in Rabwah. Both men were taken to an unknown location after their arrest. […]
Blasphemy allegations: Mob torches an Ahmadi’s factory in Jehlum
Blasphemy allegations: Mob torches factory in Jhelum Source: Tribune Express LAHORE: An angry mob set ablaze a factory owned by members of the Ahmadiyya community in Jhelum on Friday.According to […]
Islamic Clerics Fight to Keep Pakistan's Blasphemy Laws
Source: CP World Islamic Clerics Fight to Keep Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws That Persecute Christians: ‘Those Who Insult Muhammad Deserve to Be Killed’ As Pakistani lawmakers consider legislation to reform the nation’s corrupt blasphemy laws, Islamic clerics are bashing the government for even considering such an option, and are calling for […]
Islamic Clerics Fight to Keep Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws
Source: CP World Islamic Clerics Fight to Keep Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws That Persecute Christians: ‘Those Who Insult Muhammad Deserve to Be Killed’ As Pakistani lawmakers consider legislation to reform the nation’s corrupt blasphemy laws, Islamic clerics are bashing the government for even considering such an option, and are calling for […]
Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law Receives Harsh Criticism As Stories Of Abuse Surface
Religious News Service | by Naveed Ahmad Posted: 02/19/2014 2:32 pm EST Updated: 02/19/2014 2:59 pm EST ISLAMABAD (RNS) Mohammad Asghar, a 69-year-old paranoid schizophrenic, faces a death sentence in Pakistan for claiming to be the Prophet Muhammad in letters written to officials and police in 2010. The retired British national of Pakistani descent is […]
Protestant Christian Pastor, Laymen Charged With Blasphemy
Source: CP Asia By Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter October 17, 2013|1:55 pm A Protestant Christian pastor and two laymen have been accused and charged with blasphemy in Lahore, Pakistan, allegedly for writing derogatory remarks about Islam. “The complaint was filed by the Muslim Abid Mehmood accusing the three of having written […]
Pakistan Blasphemy Laws Reform Will Give Death Sentence To False Accusers
Religion News Service | By Richard S. Ehrlich Posted: 09/25/2013 10:23 am EDT (RNS) Pakistan’s constitutionally mandated Council of Islamic Ideology told the government anyone who wrongly accuses a person […]
Woman booked for declaring herself Prophet in Pakistan
Source: business-standard.com Pakistani police have arrested a woman under the controversial blasphemy laws for declaring herself a ‘Prophet’. According to police, Salma Fatima, wife of Tanvir, who lived in the vicinity […]
Islam prohibits sinful speech, excessive laughter
Friday 7 June 2013 ARABNEWS ISLAM prohibits sinful speech that intends to cause harm to other human beings. It also prohibits excessive laughter or extreme humor. People in general do not think twice about what they are saying; they forget that every word they utter is being recorded and will […]
People pour in to witness
Source: The Daily Star. DHAKA: A number of copies of the holy Quran were burnt when the stalls and pushcarts of hawkers were set ablaze during the violence at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram mosque Sunday afternoon. Hundreds of people gathered near the south gate of Baitul Mukarram […]
Bangladesh Clashes: Police, Islamic Hardliners Battle Over Blasphemy Law (VIDEO)
Source: Huffington Post /AP By FARID HOSSAIN DHAKA, Bangladesh — Police banned all rallies in Bangladesh’s capital for the rest of the day Monday after at least 20 people died in clashes between police and large numbers of Islamic hardliners demanding that the government enact an anti-blasphemy law, officials said. […]
Celebrating Christmas in Pakistan
Rimsha Masih’s family spent Christmas Day as they have spent the last four months: in hiding, afraid for their lives. In August, the young girl, who is aged between 10 and 14 and suffers from learning difficulties, was arrested and charged with blasphemy after a local cleric falsely accused her of […]
Pakistan minister announces $100,000 bounty on anti-Islam film maker
PESHAWAR: A Pakistani federal minister has announced a bounty of $100,000 on the maker of the American film “Innocence of Muslims” disrespecting the Holy Prophet (PBUH), DawnNews reported. Speaking here […]