Pakistani Cleric Offers Reward for Killing Cartoonist
Feb 28 2006
Postings >> Pakistan

A Pakistani cleric has announced a reward of more than $1 million for killing any cartoonist who has drawn the Prophet Mohammed, amid protests which have claimed at least five lives so far.

Prayer leader Mohammed Yousaf Qureshi made the announcement to about 1,000 people outside the Mohabat Khan mosque in Peshawar city in the north-west of Pakistan. Two people died and scores were injured when rioters took to the streets of Peshawar on February 15. Similar protests have been seen across Pakistan, from Quetta in the south to Multan in the east.

Qureshi said that his mosque and religious school would give $25,000 and a car to anyone carrying out the fatwa -- and that a local jewellers' association would give another $1 million.

'This is a unanimous decision of all imams (prayer leaders) of Islam that whoever insults the prophet deserves to be killed,' Qureshi is quoted as saying.

Christians across Pakistan report that Muslims' anger at the decision by Western media to publish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed has frequently been directed at them. Protestors have damaged many Christian buildings across the country including a Christian Girls School run by the United Presbyterian Church in Kasur near Lahore and a mission hospital in Peshawar.

It is, however, feared that violence is being fuelled by militants with little interest in defending Islam.
Meanwhile, from Lahore, RI partner CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement) reports that Yousaf Masih, the man accused of the blasphemy which triggered riots in Sangla Hill, was formally cleared of all charges in court on February 23. Yousaf had always denied accusations that he had set fire to Islamic books.

The acquittal does not guarantee his safety. BosNewsLife reports that Yousaf's family, who are cattle traders, have been told they will be killed if they try to buy or sell livestock at the local market.

• Pray that the scale of recent unrest and violence in Pakistan will motivate more moderate Muslims to stand up for religious tolerance.
• Continue to pray for Yousaf Masih and his family.
• Pray that peace will be restored between Muslims and Christians in Sangla Hill.