4-8-2001
3:50pm
Outlined in it's constitution, The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, states that there shall be no type of blasphemy against any recognized religion, including Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Those found guilty are punished. However while the law states that it applies to all religions, in actuality it only protects Islam. Due to this many non-Muslims are being harassed due to this law. The intensity of this issue has become even more apparent within the new year. The first couple of months in 2011 two governmental officials were brutally murdered because they publicly opposed the law and ask for reform. Last year alone seventy two civilians were killed during an encounter with law enforcement and one hundred and sixty eight were killed while detained in jail. The society for human rights and prisoners' aid reported that this was a huge increase from 2009.
Those accused of blasphemy against Islam have and are still being sentenced to either life imprisonment or capital punishment. The most recent was a Christian woman who was sentenced to death due to supposed blasphemy. The law states that it protects all religions however no Muslims have been imprisoned, punished or given capital punishment. So therefore it can be said that the system is obviously corrupt and only protects Islam.
This really confuses me, this entire article. Honestly speaking, this world is so messed up. Week after week I read articles saying Christians are being prosecuted or Muslim are being harassed. It's really the same old, same old regardless of what part of the world you are talking about. It makes you wonder "are people ever going to, not necessarily see eye-to-eye, but at least respect one another to coexist somewhat peacefully?!" I think about how crazy it sounds to say can't we all just worry about ourselves instead of others. I sit in a class of 60 Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with people from all over with different backgrounds and we are able to chat peacefully and engage in intellectual conversation with respect for one another. So why can't the rest of the world?
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