Salmaan Taseer, the Governor of the Province of Punjab is assassinated by the man who was supposed to protect him and whilst the police call for justice many others see him as a hero and celebrate him (whilst others still, through fear of reprisal, stay silent). The Minister for minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti, dies in a hail of bullets - the response to an appeal against the blasphemy laws.
Qamar David, a Christian, dies in prison whilst being held on claims that he'd insulted the prophet Muhammad.
And today we have the news that a mentally impaired fourteen year old girl, Rimsha Masih, who has been in custody for two weeks now on charges of blasphemny appears to have been set up by Iman, Khalid Chishti! Witnesses have come forward to say that Chishti planted the remains of burnt pages of the Koran in her bag, persumably because she was from a Christian family.
Can I ask my Muslim friends and colleagues how Taseer, Bhatti, David, Rimsha Masih and the many others who have suffered death, or been abused, honours the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) or does anything to show Islam in a positive light? How can those who believe other than them or have the courage to stand and speak out for justice (and mercy) be so sorely treated?
In the same vein perhaps is the fact that this week three British people are appealing to the European courts over their apparent loss of the right to choose and act as their faith demands. Integrity, honesty and tolerance are at a premium everywhere it appears - how sad :-(
Pax
3 comments:
Vic, how can you link a post about the sickening and appalling treatment of Rimsha Masih, her family and her community, with a paragraph about the situation of British Christians appealing to the European court, with the words, "in the same vein"?
Don't you think this is a way over the top exaggeration of the imagined persecution of Christians in Britain, and at the same time, an insult to those who really are persecuted?
It's quite easy Rob - one is cut and dried and the other is perhaps tenuous in the extreme! Not only that but the two issues are opposite sides of the same coin in that the way that it's has been promoted by some is also quite inflammatory and you have read it just a little wrong (not the first time I notice having read you blog for some time :-) ).
Still - at least you have a supporter for your views which must make you right I guess (think you always are aren't you :-)
HTH
Speakin' of blasphemy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m6qC6FCiY0
Howzzzz 'bout that?
Post a Comment