Pakistan: Christian Woman Accused of Blasphemy Forced to Flee
May 09 2006
Postings >> Pakistan

A Christian woman has been accused of blasphemy and forced to flee her home in Kasur district.

Naseem Bibi, a cleaner and mother of four, has just been released on bail. Earlier, there was an international outcry when she was refused bail at a court hearing on April 7.

But her torment continues. Naseem is charged with desecrating a poster of Khana Kaba, the Muslim holy place in Saudi Arabia -- under Pakistan's notorious blasphemy laws, section 295. Her husband and young children have moved with her to Lahore, fearing extremist attacks.

The charges followed an incident in which Naseem challenged Muslims protesting against Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. When she saw them put a plaster-of-Paris cross on a rubbish heap, she went out to remonstrate. She was beaten and stripped. Soon afterwards, police arrived, thrashed her and charged her with blasphemy.

The Pakistan Christian Post quoted Naseem as saying: 'I love Jesus Christ. I could not control myself when I saw that Muslim protesters were desecrating the cross.' RI associate Sohail Johnson, who heads up RI's Prisoners of Faith ministry in Pakistan, is supporting the family.

• Pray for the safety of Naseem, her husband and their young family.
• Pray that Naseem's principled and passionate witness would impact her community.