We, the undersigned, express our grave concern at the lack of religious tolerance for minorities in Pakistan, especially protesting the sentencing of ASIA BIBI on November 7th 2010 to death by hanging for expressing her faith.
We strongly urge the Government to create within Pakistan a genuine culture of respect for all its citizens by safeguarding their human and legal rights, and by actively protecting its minority populations and their religious freedom.
Background:
Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian, was sentenced to death on November 7 by a court in Punjab. She was arrested for blasphemy in June 2009, after an argument with some of her colleagues in which she defended her religion. The other women, who are agricultural workers like Asia and her two daughters, were pushing her to renounce Christianity and embrace Islam. Asia Bibi replied by talking about how Jesus died on the cross for the sins of mankind, and asked the other women what their Prophet had done for them. The women then beat her and her daughters and accused her of blasphemy. The police took her into custody, saving her from an angry mob. But after more than a year in prison she has now been sentenced to death by hanging.
This Petition: No contact information will be passed on from this site. The petition was started on November 14th, before the Vatican and Amnesty International had shown any interest in the Asia Bibi case. The THECLA Interfaith Initiative is a Texas-based group that focuses on developing peaceful relationships between the faiths through the sharing of spiritual practices, like contemplative prayer.
We would be extremely grateful if you would join us in making this small gesture to save a wronged life.
Thanks for your contribution!
"Save Asia Bibi" Artwork by Ivan D. Usury II
