Release International

A 25-year-old Christian woman from Punjab has been acquitted of blasphemy after spending five months in detention with her infant son.

Rubina Bibi was cleared after a judge in Gujranwala ruled that the authorities had pressured her into making a false confession, according to Compass Direct news agency.

Rubina was arrested on March 21 after residents of Alipur Chatta accused her of blaspheming against Islam's prophet Mohammed after Rubina became involved in a row with a Muslim grocer. Her son, Yashwa, who is now 18 months old, stayed with Rubina during her detention.

The trial was held under tight security, following the murders last month of Pastors Rashid and Sajid Emmanuel, shot dead outside a courtroom in Faisalabad where they too were on trial for 'blasphemy' (Prayer Alert, July 20, 2010). Rubina was represented by lawyers from a Release partner which has supported her and her family throughout their ordeal.

Rubina, her husband Anjad Masih and their three young children – Yashwa, Eliza and Elena – have been forced to relocate due to the continued risk of extremist attacks upon the family.

Meanwhile, two other Christian women from Punjab continue to endure an agonising wait amid repeated adjournments of their blasphemy trials (Prayer Alert, June 14, 2010). Martha Bibi, on trial in Lahore, had her case adjourned yet again this month when the complainant failed to attend court. And Asia Bibi, on trial in Nankana Sahib, also had her case adjourned this month because 'the judge was on leave'. Both women, charged under Section 295C of
Pakistan's penal code, were accused after disputes with work associates.

(Sources: ASSIST News Service, CLAAS UK, CLAAS Pakistan, Compass Direct, Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan)

• Thank God for the acquittal of Rubina Bibi. Ask God to protect her and her family.
• Pray that the trials of Asia Bibi and Martha Bibi will proceed quickly and lead swiftly to their acquittal. Ask God to protect these women and their families.

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