Religious protest at blasphemy acquittal
PAKISTAN COURT CLEARS WOMAN
PAKISTAN’S top court has acquitted a Christian woman who was sentenced to death in 2010 on blasphemy charges, a landmark ruling that could ignite mass protests by hardline Islamists.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar announced the verdict to a packed courtroom and ordered Asia Bibi released. She had been held at an undisclosed location for security reasons and is expected to leave the country.
The charges against Ms Bibi date back to a hot day in 2009 when she went to get water for her and her fellow farm workers.
Two Muslim women refused to drink from a container used by a Christian, and a few days later, a mob accused her of blasphemy. She was convicted and sentenced to death.
The mere rumour of blasphemy can ignite mob violence and lynchings in Pakistan, and combating alleged blasphemy has become a central rallying cry for hardline Islamists.
Salman Taseer, the governor of Punjab province, was shot and killed by one of his guards in 2011 for defending Ms Bibi and criticising the misuse of blasphemy law.
Ahead of the verdict, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, a hardline cleric who has brought thousands of people into the streets for past rallies, called on his supporters to gather in all major cities to express their love for the prophet and to protest if Ms Bibi was released.