Aasia bibi 'very frail', not been taken seriously: NGO
"Because of her solitary confinement, Aasia Bibi, 46, appears considerably older, has a pale complexion, she looks very frail, even unable to stand on her own," the Masihi Foundation was quoted by Catholic news agency Fides as saying.
"During the time spent with her, her eyes were not fixed at any one place at any time, she could not understand what was happening, she was completely confused and looked astonished," the group said after the visit on Monday.
Bibi, a mother of five who is being held in a prison in Sheikhupura in the Punjab region, however told her visitors that she has forgiven her accusers.
She was sentenced to death for blasphemy in November 2010 after drinking water from a well reserved for Muslims and allegedly making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Her appeal at the High Court in Lahore is ongoing.
"She said she has not been taken seriously by anyone, she was frightened and seemed very cold and nervous. She hardly made eye contact," Masihi said.
When asked about forgiveness, Bibi was quoted by the foundation as saying: "I have already forgiven those who blamed me of blasphemy."
Pope Benedict XVI and the international community have condemned her conviction and have asked for her to be pardoned.
COMMENTS (20)
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@Syed:
What about Afia? Isn't she the one who said she can help US with an agreement with Taliban, during her court proceedings? Doesn't it show she has relations with extremists? She shot herself in the foot.
@Syed:
Certainly most Pakistanis have been killed by Pakistanis; East Pakistan, Baluchistan, FTA just to name a few.
@Jadugar: History is written by victors
Pakistan Peoples Party is the symbol of sacrifice His main leadership is shaheed its big reward to this party.Suleman Taseer's Murder is the lesson to the all activist who are working for human and minorities rights His Murder is not murder of his family but the murder of Pakistan.The minorities in Pakistan fear after his sacrifices but they should continue his work against Discriminating Laws.
I Ask in The Name of Jesus that Aasia bibi is set free for she has not wronged anyone. Let God be her Judge. With every Blessing. Peter
I feel very sorry for her ...
Despite cases such as this Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) attempted to kill the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom by removing all funding last week. Unable to stop all funding he added an amendment to "term limit" Bush appointees who have warned of Islamic extremism and banned members from traveling to places like the prison where Asia Bibi is held. Durbin is not "just a Senator." He is the Whip, the number two man for the Democrat majority in the Senate and a good friend of President Barack Obama. The White House wants cases such as Asia Bibi's to go away for "diplomatic" reasons and the USCIRF kept bringing them to light. Shame on Dick Durbin and shame on the White House.
@Sohaib,
One dimension is proven (nudity) and yet there is no action. The other (blasphemy) is an allegation that is frequently thrown at minorities. You think minorities are stupid enough to bandy about blasphemous words when this country is unsafe even for devout Muslims?
Am I mixing an allegation with something pictorially proven?
@Mard-e-Haq: don't mix blasphemy with nudity. these are two completely different dimensions.
The message sent out by our mullahs is unmistakable. They cannot tolerate a Christian in Pakistani security uniform, and who had served her nation, but Veena Malik's shedding of clothes is quite alright (needing only TV debates). If there is something called moral awrah, every Pakistani would stand exposed. Where is that mob or protest demanding justice for Aasia Bibi? Will Imran Khan bring this up during the Dec 25th Karachi jalsa?
what about Dr. Aafia? there can be conflict of interest but conflict of interest at the cost of religion is not acceptable! @sam: @Jadugar: don't conclude on the basis of Article - read the history not that is written under influence - For example: you can put up stats for just last 100 years of terrorism and you will know who has a bigger share - is it Non-Muslims or Muslims?
Only God can rescue her, extremists have become too powerful, they wont allow to be free. We ought to be thankful to The Tribune, though late, plight of this poor lady has appeared here. God is merciful, why the religous finatics do not like to follow the Attributes of God Almighty.
Yes, I am wondering as well about Imran Khan's position over the Aasia Bibi case. Imran Khan has been surprisingly silent on this issue.
Did Aasia serve in one of Pakistan's security forces? The picture in this article shows her in uniform. Patriotism does not pay in Pakistan, whether for Muslim or Christian.
Muslims please don't hide behind Prophets when you have personal conflicts with other people and non Muslims please don't attack someone's religious figures for your personal enmities.
@Paki Generals
He first supported that Blasphemy law should be reformed. But when Salman Taseer was killed, he went mute. Later his party leaders attended rallies that called for release of Mumtaz Qadri.
@"Paki Generals": Read his book and listen to his speeches and you would know his views of religious tolerance. He has already mentioned few things:
Blasphemy law is understandable but has loopholes in it because of which it can be abused. We should strive to close those loopholes so that innocent citizens don't suffer for it.
There isn't a speech on any international forum where he has not mentioned Salman Taseer's murder tied to the same case as evidence of ideological polarization and growing extremism in our society which needs to be addressed.
Lastly, no true philanthropist would side with abuse of innocent people (whether majority or minority) and this goes for IK as well.
Imran Khan has got no comments except waiting for the courts.
and courts are too busy hunting down PPP to care for cases like Asia bibi.
Shame ..on our State , on our Laws and on our system ...The Judge NEVER thought before condemming her a death sentence that HOW CAN WELL BE RISTRICTED MUSLIMS ONLY!!!...Stupid ..really stupid..
what is the position of imran khan on her case?