World

Religious freedom: Pope urges Pakistan to scrap blasphemy laws

Condemning Salmaan Taseer’s killing, the Pope calls for release of Aasia Bibi.

Afp January 11, 2011

VATICAN CITY:

Pope Benedict XVI on Monday called on Pakistan to scrap the law against blasphemy as part of a strongly-worded defence of Christians living in Muslim majority countries.“I once more encourage the leaders of that country to take the necessary steps to abrogate that law,” the leader of the world’s more than one billion Catholics said in a traditional New Year’s address to ambassadors to the Vatican.

“The tragic murder of the governor of Punjab shows the urgent need to make progress in this direction,” he said, adding that the law against blasphemy was an example of “norms prejudicing the right to religious freedom”.

Controversy over the legislation flared both within Pakistan and internationally after a Christian woman, Aasia Bibi, was sentenced to death last year on blasphemy charges.

The Pope also called for Aasia Bibi to be released.

More than 50,000 people rallied in Karachi on Sunday against calls for a reform of the law, believed to be one of the factors behind the assassination of Salman Taseer.

In his address, the Pope condemned anti-Christian attacks in Egypt and Iraq, saying they showed “the urgent need for governments of the region to adopt... effective measures for the protection of religious minorities.”

A bomb attack against a Coptic Christian church in Alexandria on New Year’s Day killed 21 people. Forty-four worshippers and two priests were left dead after militants stormed a church in central Baghdad in October.

Addressing the political and religious leaders in Iraq, the pope said Christians should “be able to live in security, continuing to contribute to the society in which they are fully members”.

The pope also said the Roman Catholic Church should be able to operate freely through “suitable pastoral structures” in the Arabian Peninsula. The peninsula is dominated by ultra-conservative countries, including Saudi Arabia.

He quoted a statement from a recent Vatican meeting of bishops from the Middle East saying that Christians were “original and authentic citizens” of the region who were loyal to the countries in which they lived.

He said that religious freedom should not be only about freedom of worship but also about encouraging wider respect of human rights in the region and educating children “to respect their brothers and sisters in humanity”.

“Peace is built and preserved only when human beings can freely seek and serve God,” he said, adding that violation of religious freedoms around the world constituted a “grave attack on... dignity and freedom”.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2011.

COMMENTS (43)

Shariq Jamal | 13 years ago | Reply Dear Sir I understand all christian countries have blasphemy laws. I know for a fact that England has one to protect the fair name of Jesus PBUH. Therefore, on what grounds can the pope this an issue with a muslim country which on same grounds has a law for the protection of the name of our beloved Prophet of Islam? There are many muslim and non-muslim countries which prosecute blasphemy or religious hate. A list of countries and their approach to the issue is mentioned at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blasphemy_law For the European Union or a part of it it says the following_ In place of blasphemy or in addition to blasphemy in some European countries is the crime of "religious insult". A religious insult is forbidden in Andorra, Cyprus, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine. I am, therefore, of the opinion that the pope should mind his own business! Wassalaam

Tony Singh | 13 years ago | Reply Will have to post again with corrections @Rohail The blasphemy Law cannot be considered as Pakistan’s personal matter because people in rest of the world fear that if a person like Mr. Qadri is in Pakistan’s nuke establishment, he would not give a second thought in firing those Nuclear tipped missles around the world citing the reason Mr. Qadri cited on killing Mr. Salman Taseer. This is not a far fetched thought. We should not forget the lessons of WWII. If the world had not considered Nazism in Germany as their “internal matter” in initial stages, humanity would not have gone through the war. Think about that.

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Tony Singh | 13 years ago | Reply @Rohail The blasphemy Law cannot be considered as Pakistan's personal matter because people in rest of the world fear that if a person like Mr. Qadri is Pakistan's nuke establishment, he would not give a second thought in firing those Nuclear tipped missles around the world citing the reason Mr. Qadri cited on killing Mr. Salman Taseer. This is not a far fetched thought. We should not forget the lessons of WWII. If the world had not considered Nazism in Germany as their "internal matter" in initial stages, humanity would have gone through the bloody war. Think about that.

Anonymous | 13 years ago | Reply The Pope should mind his own business...doesn't he have enough problems on his own hands with his priests misusing their positions and the church going children? The Pope has been covering that up and doesn't seem to want to meddle in matters where he SHOULD BE...but he wants to distract attention towards Pakistan? The Pope should shut up and Christians in Pakistan should refrain from involving themselves in Islamic matters just as they would appreciate the Muslim majority not interfering in Christian matters.

Rohail | 13 years ago | Reply Every country has its own Laws Blasphemy law is our personal Matter and i Think this Pope is also a Exremist.....................after all its not his duty to tell people of pakistan that such law is wrong

faraz | 13 years ago | Reply Only 3 out of 57 muslim countries prescribe death penalty for blashphemy. Thanks God, most of the muslims in the world are liberal fascists.

Azman | 13 years ago | Reply Read in book that Rasul did not convert a single person under any threat. Rather people listened to his teachings and accepted islam. Many people insulted him and even hurt him. But not a single one was punished by him. Rather he protected them from wreth of angry muslims. And one of them was Hazrat Omar. Blasphamy law is a man made law not a devine law. Saw many photos that how people are celebrating this murder. And worshipping the murderer with garlands. Sorry Pakistan is on a fast track to be a country worst than Somalia.

Sajjad Ahamd | 13 years ago | Reply Matter is sub-judice in highly efficient and impartial Court. Also keep in mind ther case of indian national Kashmir Singh.

saurabh | 13 years ago | Reply thank God i live in India. but i really liked some of the very sensible comments made by some people. let sensibility prevail. tc

Noor Lodi | 13 years ago | Reply What is wrong so with Pope telling us to scrap this law that is consistently abused? We tell the world on a regular basis to look after the right of minority Muslims in their respective countries. India, Israel etc. Now Pope is speaking against the law that has so far been used to mainly target Christian minorities in Pakistan. So don't get all bent out of shape, have a little thick skin, stop acting like elementary school children and be a little less sensitive.

Raja Arsalan Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Most of the users on this website are trying to attack India. Why? Because they are trying to hide their own "guilt". The conservatives, which should always be described as rightwingers by the virtue of their "righteousness", around the world always tend to look outside to camouflage and further their "agenda" besides creating fear among the masses to rally them for the "always just causes". What we regularly see on The Express Tribune comments justify my remarks. Is shooting down the Shias serves any purpose for subjugating New Delhi? No "perhaps". But the LASHKARS are also condoned in the name of India. Does it make any sense? According to my knowledge it doesn't. As far as India is concerned, New Delhi has exposed their extremists through Samjhota Express bombing case. Have we done so? Anoop's comments from across the border are precise. Another example is of the Britain's NATIONAL PARTY, which will never ascend to the throne as demonstrated in the recent polls. The West has binned their extremists and it started to conquer the world after getting rid of their mullah. We are in no mood to reciprocate and will never be able to impose Waziristan model on the civilised world. INSHAALLAH

Anoop | 13 years ago | Reply @sidra, "i thik u av got extreme hatred 4 pakistanis in ur heart " --> No, not at all. I am concerned about the effects of an unstable Pakistan on India. I want Qadri and the likes to be marginalized in Pakistan so that we Indians can live in peace. And, nobody throws rose petals on Criminals in India. No TV show anchor has claimed any murderer has done the right thing. No Indian Government has passed legislation which will harm a community. "biggest terrorist coz hey have got 174 terror org" --> Its funny how Pakistanis tend to invent numbers on whim. OK, lets suppose for a moment that you are correct. How many Incidents did those 174 Terror Organizations commit in 2010? ZERO! How many such happened in Pakistan in 2010? One every week, easily. @abdullah, "these grouos r the same lyk RSS nd BJP in which ppl become happy over the killing of muslims .does not mean all indians would b d same...so chek out b4 u put a comment" --> There are extremist everywhere, even in the Oldest of Democracies. What is more important is that the State doesn't buy into threat of these extremists. Even though India is 80% Hindu, it has a Sikh Prime Minister. Can that EVER happen in Pakistan? The Islamist Parties will go nuts!

G.Din | 13 years ago | Reply @ali We, Indians, are an imperfect democracy, thank God for that. I say that because we are imperfect, we wage a constant effort to improve ourselves. Constant struggle makes Life interesting. It must be quite a boring life for you Pakistanis enjoying Islamic perfection. Whatever Daubic has said, has gone right over your head, sir!

Dajjal | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan should scrap the blasphemy law's death penalty provision without the need for people like the Pope requesting us to do so... and on the subject of laws, Pakistan should urge the Pope to make laws to protect young boys and to stop protecting the Pedophiles in the Holy Roman Catholic Church.

ali | 13 years ago | Reply @Daubic , man in india who is killing muslims? who has burn the trains? are they religious extremist?leave muslims what about divison of hindus cast in india? it still exists?

Daubic | 13 years ago | Reply Mr. Ali, one question to you. Suppose if a dog bite you when you are roaming in a street, what would you do? Bite the dog again and say you bite me and I bite you and that's it. No sane person would do that. There is a difference between man and beast. Man can judge situations and control emotions to make wise decisions and judgment, whereas a beast cannot do that. it would do a tit-for-tat. When you hit it, it would bite you as simple as that. Now coming to your conversation your request to Pope that whether he can raise his voice against Jews, don't you see you behave like a beast that when somebody(Jews) did something, you will also do the same thing and ask for excuse / exemption as somebody did that and you just repeated / want to repeat that. Your intention is No body would point fingers at you, independent whatever you do. Don't you think the blasphemy law is used for wrong purposes in Pakistan? Don't you think it's your duty to stand against it and help the human causes? When I say human its not just Muslims abut also all man independent of their religion.

Daubic | 13 years ago | Reply Mr. Ali, there is no point giving advice to you people. Being a Indian Muslim, I feel more safe and comfortable in India, which you call as Hindu Majority Nation. I can very well go to Mosque and pray and come back alive without being blasted. I can go to any place in India and stay wherever I want without paying minority tax to stay in my country. I can follow whatever religion I believe in without being targeted. I can follow whatever belief I have without being targeted under blasphemy laws. Above all, If I am capable enough I can also become the President or Prime Minister or Chief Minister or Collector or Inspector General or Cricket Captain or Brand Ambassador or Big business man in India independent of what my religious background is. Can you say me one example where in your country a fellow citizen from minority religion become PM or President or CM or IG or BA or Cricket Captain for your team. I would India is million times tolerant than Pakistan and we don't use religion for everything and make a mess out of our country.

ali | 13 years ago | Reply Mr pope you want to say that law should be made that if any chirstian abused should be punished ? then there comes the ist the jews /what do u want to say about the law imposed by western for jews. so many christians are still in jail and punished in europe who spoke against jews? what about that law? if you have courage then ask the govt's to release them .plz we dont want your double standard.

sidra | 13 years ago | Reply @anoop i thik u av got extreme hatred 4 pakistanis in ur heart ..qadri killed him and it was his act few groups supported his act same lyk those in india such as RSS AND BJP who very much support the killing of muslims .. i dnt think so ppl in pakistan consider all indians 2 b lyk RSS AND BJP this is the difference beteeween us and the inidans so b4 u put down a comment bring the facts to....... 1 person does not represent the whole nation and if that was the case indians woud b the biggest terrorist coz hey have got 174 terror org ..

abdullah | 13 years ago | Reply @anoop i can undersatand u have got extreme hatred in your heart 4 pakistanis...u almost all the time try ur best to put the whole blame on every1 qadri is 1 person in pakistan and this was his act and was considered gud by few groups ..these grouos r the same lyk RSS nd BJP in which ppl become happy over the killing of muslims .does not mean all indians would b d same...so chek out b4 u put a comment u never find ppl in pakistan saying all indians r terrorists likr RSS AND BJP ..this shows a gud differnce between us and u

Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Well my advice to POP, change ur vatican city and shift it to Bahawalpur, how about celeberating chistmas on 25th june? one last advice calling ur fore father Crusaders as Animals or barbarous? @ anoop: ur country is the one where RSS is a role model rather then POPE?

Amantullah | 13 years ago | Reply I agree with Pope. Our enemy is religious extremism, poverty, corruption et al apart from India, not the West.

G.Din | 13 years ago | Reply @I'sa "Muslims are tolerant, They accept Moses, Ibrahim and Jesus as Prophets and Messengers of God (Pbu all). Now ask the Pope (and Chrisitians) to accept Muhammed (Pbuh) as Messenger of God." Muslims accepted " Moses, Ibrahim and Jesus as Prophets and Messengers of God (Pbu all)." either because "Muslims are tolerant" even though presumably you were NOT convinced that they were "Prophets and Messengers of God ", or because Muslims were convinced that they indeed were so. What logic makes it incumbent upon others " to accept Muhammed (Pbuh) as Messenger of God."? If they don't do so, it must be because they don't " accept Muhammed (Pbuh) as Messenger of God.". Isn't that all too clear? Now, if Muslims wish, they may withdraw their acceptance of "Moses, Ibrahim and Jesus as Prophets and Messengers of God".

Raja Arsalan Khan | 13 years ago | Reply If you are not ready to mend your ways, others will advice. Not only the Pope but the whole world reserve the right to tell about the your wrongs.After all you are aiming to conquer the planet. Don't you? AND "Muslims are tolerant, They accept Moses, Ibrahim and Jesus as Prophets and Messengers of God (Pbu all). Now ask the Pope (and Chrisitians) to accept Muhammed (Pbuh) as Messenger of God." "Pope Benedict XVI mind your own business. There are enough people in Pakistan and they know what to do." The above comments make it clear that what are the pure people's desires and objectives.

Anoop | 13 years ago | Reply This is a country where Qadri is a role model and the Pope is a bad guy.

Mulla Toofhan | 13 years ago | Reply With all due respect to the Pope. If the Pope wishes to convey a message to Pakistan he should do it through proper channel and not on a public platform. On the other hand some Muslim of Pakistan should at least be polite as it is teaching of their religion. Bad language reflects badly on Muslims and I am sure Mullas of Pakistan would never approve poor language by Muslims and if English is not your first language then don't bother writing.

Fayaz | 13 years ago | Reply When westerns tried to burn Qur'an there were protests all over Pakistan. . . BUT When a pope tried to save Christian woman, we want him to mind his own business. When Mullahs of Different Fiqah burns each others translation of Qu'ran and Hadith books in Faisalabad, They forgive each other. . . BUT When a governor called blasphemy law 'black law' he was killed and when a woman did blasphemy 'not quite proven' they want her to be hanged till death. Why different laws and views for same thing of different kind in a same country?

Raza | 13 years ago | Reply The blasphemy laws are correct and there are already punishments prescribed by the shariah laws if somebody blames somebody else for spite... However the pope should have remained silent on the issue as this will give fuel to the already rampaging mullahs who hailed taseers murder...

abdullah | 13 years ago | Reply it would b gud if the pope would say somehing about the crime in the west ..even though if he was so worried he should have monitired the political situation in the country b4 passing any comment nothing changes of in a day this wil take time but the gov will have 2 b strong not lyk the present gov...though he has no right to say any country 2 change its law..TALIBANS ALSO DO THE SAME THING THEY ALSO WANT THEIR LAWS TO B IMPLEMENTED .....SAD THE POPE TOO IS VERY MUCH SIMILAR TO THEM....hope so he does not have gun other wise he will start doing wht bin ladin is dong

M M Malik | 13 years ago | Reply Its a shame that Jesus (as) requires no blasphemy laws to protect his status and the pinnacle of God's creation requires the laws; as per the mulla's interpretation.

Muhammad Saleem Usmani | 13 years ago | Reply Isn't he who said that Turkey should not be entered into EU since it was Muslim? Sounds like double talk. Besides, he should mind his own business. His church has raped and molested so many that world has lost count. He should put his house in order.

Noor Lodi | 13 years ago | Reply Blasphemy law is a complete mockery of Islam and humanity. It is completely illogical and here is why. If we are so concerned about the honor of the messenger of Allah, Mohammed (PBUH) then what about the honor of Allah (swt) who the greatest? As we say Allah-o-Akbar. So now lets go after all that commit shirk in any way by equating idols to Allah (swt), by worshiping Jesus (pbuh) as son of God. Isn't that the ultimate statement of dishonoring Allah, The Akbar? Doesn't Quran states again and again, do not equate anything or anyone with Allah, The Akbar? So why are we tolerating these mushriks. Oh BTW, that will make-up about half the world, if not more. Lets take out our nuke's and go on a killing rampage and blow these people off in the name of protecting the honor of Allah (swt) all in the name Islam and blasphemy............

Adnan | 13 years ago | Reply @Adeel, there sure are enough people in Pakistan and they know what to do - incite hatred and bloodshed. Ours is a model country.

Ben | 13 years ago | Reply It was in 2006 that the most irresponsible act of blasphemy was committed by a religious person like Pope Benedict XVI when he made certain uncalled for and objectionable remarks against the person of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH). Although he had to cut a sorry figure after condemnation of his remarks, he has now again thrown caution to the wind and tried to provoke the sentiments of Muslims by demanding to scrap the law. He has shown red rag to the bull and has done no service to hapless minorities of Pakistan. Will some one ask the Pope to exercise some holy restraint. read more at:link text

Muzaffar | 13 years ago | Reply The above comments reflect our respect for the Pope (religious leader of Christians). My dear fellow muslims lets lead by example, please respect others so that they respect our religious leaders. You can never make them respect by force but you can, by love and understanding.

ashok sai | 13 years ago | Reply Pope should tighten his security here after mullah's will after him !!!

I'sa | 13 years ago | Reply Muslims are tolerant, They accept Moses, Ibrahim and Jesus as Prophets and Messengers of God (Pbu all). Now ask the Pope (and Chrisitians) to accept Muhammed (Pbuh) as Messenger of God.

G.Din | 13 years ago | Reply @Mian Asim Javed "...The state should not be involved in deciding God-human relationships." When a Sunni kills a non-Sunni, say a Shia, an Ahmadi, a Qadhiani, an Hindu or a Sikh or a Christian, who is God and who is human in your God-human interaction? Since all those non-Sunnis consider themselves human, Sunnis must think they are God. Is that your understanding, Mian Sahib? I would not be surprised if it is so. Warped thinking!

Talha | 13 years ago | Reply I agree with the Pope, Mr Zardari repeal this Blasphemy Law.

kamal | 13 years ago | Reply @Mian Asim Javed "ather, the state should be concerned only with the violation of human rights within the jurisdiction of the human affairs and human relationships" and for you minorities does not have any human rights??

kamal | 13 years ago | Reply My dear friends if you do'nt want to change the law ,do'nt change it but have some respect for Pope.Atleast listen to him gracefully..

Adeel Awan | 13 years ago | Reply Pope Benedict XVI mind your own business. There are enough people in Pakistan and they know what to do.

Mian Asim Javed | 13 years ago | Reply First of all we don't need the Pope telling us what to do and what not to do. Secondly after doing some research I have realised that majority of the Sunni Islam followers are of the Hanafi School of fiqh and it is known to be the oldest , liberal and the most logical. "Among the Hudud crimes, those crimes against God, blasphemy is not listed by the Hanafis. Hanafis concluded that blasphemy could not be punished by the state. The state should not be involved in deciding God-human relationships. Rather, the state should be concerned only with the violation of human rights within the jurisdiction of the human affairs and human relationships." http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/intro/islam-hanafi.htm Enough Said !

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