Update on Asia Bibi

The Commission for International Religious Freedom wants Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to declare Pakistan a “country of particular concern.”

Key quote from the article:

"As human-rights concern with serious security implications, the need for greater respect for religious freedom and related rights should be an integral issue in the U.S. bilateral relationship with Pakistan," USCIRF Chairman Leonard Leo and its commissioner Felice Gaer said in an op-ed in The Hill. "We have identified this as a problem, and the U.S. should be devising and demanding solutions. While it is complicated and awkward to do so in the case of an ally, the abuses and threats posed by a growing religious extremism threaten both countries," they wrote.

The USCIRF also brought up the case of Asia Bibi and the two Pakistani political leaders who were killed while defending her:

Both [federal minister for minorities Shahbah] Bhatti and [governor of Punjab province Salmaan] Taseer had angered extremists by demanding a review of the controversial blasphemy law in light of the case of Asia Bibi – the first woman to be sentenced to death under the blasphemy law in Pakistan. Bibi, a Christian mother of two and stepmother to three others, was accused of blasphemy against Islam’s prophet. Although she has denied speaking ill of the Muslim prophet, she was beaten and has been imprisoned since June 2009. Bibi is still in prison and waiting for a court hearing date for her appeal.

At a time when the secular media is promoting intolerance and hatred of Christians in the USA, it is important for Christians to remember that the persecution of their brothers and sisters in places such as Pakistan may one day come here. Jesus warned us, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." (John 15:18). The fact that Christians in America are not being imprisoned, tortured and murdered for their faith is no guarantee that it will not someday happen here. For a long time the secular media has turned a blind eye towards the fate of Christians like Asia Bibi, and there is little indication that they will suddenly change their ways.

For those who do not know who she is, here is the story about Asia Bibi's unjust imprisonment and death sentence for "blasphemy" against the Prophet Muhammad.

Please continue to pray for Asia Bibi and her family.