On October 13 in Islamabad, Asia Bibi’s hearing appeal against her death sentence was cancelled when Justice Muhammad Iqbal Hameed‐ur-Rehman, one of the three Supreme Court Justices recused himself, and refused take part in the hearing. Bibi’s lawyer, Saif‐ul-Mulook, said it could take weeks or months for the hearing to be rescheduled.
Justice Hameed‐ur-Rehman is believed to have been intimidated by the murder of former prominent Pakistani leader, Governer Salman Taseer. Taseer supported Bibi’s case, and openly acknowledged that it was a misuse of the blasphemy law, calling for its amendment. He was killed by his own security guard, Mumtaz Qadri. Qadri’s action was highly praised by Muslim extremist groups.
Justice Hameed-ur‐Rehman also saw the fate Federal Minority Minister Shahbaz Bhatti met when he extended his full support to Bibi and spoke for her release. Bhatti was assassinated in his car by gunmen. Clearly Justice Hameed‐ur‐Rehman fears to be involved in this high profile case.
Bibi, a mother of five, was accused of committing blasphemy over drinking from the same metal cup as her Muslim co-workers; thereby contaminating it. She stood up for her faith and and was sentenced to death for “offending the prophet”. She has been suffering in prison, separated from her family, for eight years.
Ghulam Mustafa, the prosecuting lawyer and leader of a group self-named Movement for the Finality of the Prophethood, said “When they execute her it will stop other people from committing blasphemy”.
Another group, the Shuhuada Foundation, connected to Islamabad’s Red Mosque, threatens that if Bibi is released an anti-government movement will begin.
Christian Freedom International urgently requests that you first and foremost please pray for Asia Bibi’s release and her safety.
Pray for the security of her lawyer, Saif‐ul-Mulook. He has been threatened by radical Muslims, and recently reported being chased by them.
Urge our government to push Pakistan to promptly reschedule Asia’s hearing.
Please stand alongside and pray for all Christians in Pakistan as they protest for Bibi’s release. Their lives will be quite literally at stake as the anger and attention of extremists will be directed towards the whole Christian community should Asia Bibi be released.
The United States government should strongly advocate, using all leverage including financial, to influence the government of Pakistan for the protection of all minorities—especially with regard to the terrible misuses of Pakistan’s blasphemy law.
Please, pray, sign the petition for Asia Bibi’s release, and raise awareness among your friends, families, and churches for Pakistani Christians.