JHANG: Following a blasphemy case being registered against Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Cultural Editor of Danish Newspaper Fleming Rose, another blasphemy case has been registered at the Kotwali police station in Jhang against websites and Florida Pastors Terry Jones and Wayne Sapp.
An FIR No.234/12 was registered on the order of the Jhang Session Judge Arshad Masood, acting on the application of Advocate Aamir Mehmood Shakir Noal. The fresh case charge social media websites Facebook, YouTube, search engine Google, along with Terry Jones of State of Florida Church, Pastor Wayne Sapp, Florida Church and President Pakistan Telecommunication Authority for using derogatory remarks with respect to the Holy Prophets (Peace be Upon Them).
The advocate had in his application termed the derogatory remarks as war among Muslims and non-Muslims and a kind of international terrorism.
The complainant contended in his petition that “he visited the bar room of the district bar association Jhang along with his colleagues. He visited websites YouTube, Facebook, Google and found that the Holy Quran had been burnt by Pastor Wayne Sapp on the order of Terry Jones in a Florida Church on March 20, 2011.”
“The burning was carried out by Pastor Wayne Sapp under the supervision of Terry Jones who last September drew sweeping condemnation over this plan to ignite a pile of Quran pages on the anniversary of 9/11” Noal contended.
The event was presented as a trial of book (Holy Quran) while the Quran was found guilty and then ‘executed’.
The jury deliberated for about eight minutes. The Holy Quran had been soaking for an hour in kerosene, before it was put on a tray in the centre of the Church and Pastor Sapp set it alight with a barbeque lighter.
“The book Holy Quran was burnt for around 10 minutes while some on lookers posed for photos,” Noal said.
He added that he saw the video of the incident along with his colleagues including Advocate Mehtab Ahmad and Advocate Niaz Ahmad Ranjha on above mentioned websites.
Noal claimed that by burning the Quran, the name of Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) including along with the names of other prophets such as Hazrat Ibrahim (Abraham) (PBUH), Hazrat Musa (Moses) (PBUH) and Hazrat Essa (Jesus) (PBUH) were defiled.
“They are guilty of offence of blasphemy under sections 295-A, 295-B and 295-C. The act of the accused falls within the territory of Pakistan. Due to such mischief, I along with all Muslims felt great anger and it also trespasses against the Muslim world. Try to create war among Muslims and non-Muslims. Moreover, it is a kind of international terrorism,” the advocate asserted.
The petitioner claimed that the accused can be persecuted through Cameron Munter, the Ambassador of US based in Islamabad.
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Sentencing Asia Bibi for blasphemy - a crime she did not commit - is also more sacrilegious. Pakistan has long lost its moral fibres...
@Super Pak Boss, numerous mosque\church are built in India every year. These types of facts are never highlighted by media As they don't draw much attention. Most of the Indians are secular & number of educated indians are improving every year.
Burning QURAN is a deploring act. I want to ask the learned lawyer if he knew all this before filing a petition that he has incited the people to stand up again and cry like champs, burn our own shops, vehicles and properties. Some 1 should trial him for instigating people into violence. We have uneducated and highly orthodox masses in the streets who are ready to burn every thing including their selves in the name of service to Islam. It is a cheap attempt to gain coverage and nothing else.
Of course it is an act of terrorism
Strong protests should be carried out country wide. The importance of issue should be raised on international platform. but please dont try to harm your own people or your country by carrying out protests, I dont know how but around 25 Afghanis were killed during processions. And let the world know that we love Prophet Muhammad Salallahu Alehe Wassalam by following His actions.
@Umer: The intelligent advocate watched the video in Pakistan and highly intelligent judge agrees with him that offence is taken place in Pakistan.So simple !!!
Hahahahahahaahah!
These learned advocates should also have a case registered against Taliban. Taliban sent suicide bombers have blown up mosques and this act resulted in number of qurans being burnt.
Some time I wonder why do we believe and expect that every one else must have the same regards for my religion as much as I have. Secondly I always wonder that if some one who does not believe in my religion and beliefs burns my religious book or eats cow or crow how does it effect me and why should I start jumping and burning in hatred or anger. As long as I have complete faith and belief in my religion and act truly to my God, Allah, Bhagwan HE will grant me the peace of mind and salvation of my soul. The Almighty will punish the sinners, who so ever they are, in his own justice. Why do we want to waste time and interfere in the ways of Almighty and try to do what makes to loose our own peace and time that we should spend in HIS prayers/ibadat. Please give it a thought
People give importance to the paper on which the book is printed rather than following the printed messages. What a pity. If all those Hafizes have memorized the Quran, killing any one of them is also Blasphemy, isnt it. How many such acts were committed in muslim lands and how many law suits were filed against them? Any answers.
Chanting the words 'death to America'... , burning the American flag, burning red poppies, destroying gravesites of fallen soldiers, is 'International Terrorism' in my eyes. These people choose to live in western society, yet they constantly condemn it, and show disrespect towards the culture and people. If you don't love the country you're in, if you don't respect the lifestyle and the law, LEAVE! Burning the koran was a mistake. How are people who don't believe in the religion meant to know the 'rules'.? An apology was made by many people. Get over it and move on with your lives..
@Mandeep: What do you mean "you people" last I checked there weren't 1.6 billion muslims crammed into a tank destroying buddhas. Why don't we talk about Indians demolishing mosques.
At the end of the day it is just a book. Do not give it more importance than a human life.
What
s the opinion of Imran Khan on Blasphemy/Hudud laws? Well know which side he stands.Just loonies trying for newscoverage.
Will these ' learned' petitioners also include mullah Omar and his entire band of merry men under the category of international terrorists for their role in bringing down the holy statues of Lord Buddha in Bamiyan? This amounts to serious blasphemy causing considerable anger and pain to th Buddhist community the world over.
Such people make it hard for any claim to be taken seriously. It might be disrespectful and offensive to some. It requires a stretch and a magical hammer to fit it anywhere else.
Registering blasphemy cases has become the cheapest way to gain quick publicity. There is an urgent need for such opportunists to grow up and join the rest of the civilization.
"...The act of the accused falls within the territory of Pakistan..." I fail to see how.
Yes its an act of terrorism to hurt peoples beliefs and to make fun of holy books
May Allah grant you power!
Do you treat others in the same way as you would like to be treated yourself?
Have you respect for other religions in the same way as you wish others respect your religion?
By destroying the holy Buddhas of Bamiyan you people have triggered a hatred for your religion.
How is that? The act did not take place in Pakistan.