ICC Note:

Yesterday, one of Pakistan’s most influential mosques, Islamabad’s Lal Masjid, warned against the possible release of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death under the country’s blasphemy laws. The case against Bibi has remained a lightening rod in Pakistan with many of the country’s fundamentalists demanding she be executed for her “crime” against Islam. The blasphemy case against Bibi is based on flimsy evidence and her lawyer, Saif-ul-Malook, is confident that if the case if heard on the merits, is client will be released. 

10/14/2016 Pakistan (The Express Tribune) – As the top court is set to hear Aasia Bibi’s appeal against her death penalty on Thursday, Islamabad’s Lal Masjid has warned against her ‘possible’ release. Bibi, a Christian woman, is on death row for committing blasphemy.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan will hear Aasia’s appeal against the execution on Thursday, her defense lawyer Saiful Mulook has been quoted as saying.

The top court in July 2015 had stayed Aasia’s execution, admitting her appeal for hearing.

The charge against Bibi dated back to June 2009, when she was laboring in a field and a row broke out with some Muslim women she was working with. Later, the women went to a local cleric and accused Bibi of blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Bibi in her petition has denied making any blasphemous remarks.

In 2010, a local judge Muhammad Naveed Iqbal awarded her a death penalty, which was subsequently upheld by the Lahore High Court.

The “Shuhada Foundation”, which was formed after the security forces raided the Lal Masjid in 2007, said its supporters would take to the streets and will not allow the government to function if Aasia was released.

“Lal Masjid will become a center for the anti-government movement if Aasia Masih is released,” the foundation said.

“We are seriously concerned at the efforts for the release of blasphemous Asia Masih and will consider those blasphemous who defend her, whoever they are and on whichever position they are working,” Hafiz Ehtesham Ahmad, spokesperson for the foundation said.

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