A court in Faisalabad, Pakistan, sentenced to life imprisonment Imran Masih, a young Christian, for having insulted and desecrated the Koran, according to the Minorities Concern newsletter.
On July 1, 2009 Masih, a shopkeeper by profession, was brutally tortured by a group of Muslims, then arrested by police on charges – allegedly fabricated- that he had burned pages of the Koran.
On January 11, 2010 the judge sentenced him to prison for life, which he will serve in the federal prison in Faisalabad where he is currently confined.
The court also imposed an additional penalty of 10 years' imprisonment and payment of 100 thousand rupees (just over 800 euros), under provisions of the law prohibiting blasphemy against Islam.
Peter Jacob, executive secretary of the National Commission on Justice and Peace, sponsored by the Catholic Church, while not openly criticizing the ruling, speaks of "not a good verdict " and "lack of freedom" of the judiciary.
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How many people are actually burning pages of the Koran who live in these Islamic countries? It strikes me as a pretty stupid thing to do in countries like Pakistan where desecration of the Koran is no laughing matter, and might get you killed. It seems to me like a sensational charge intentionally used to inspire hatred against another.
2 comments:
If freedom of religion is to mean anything it must include the right to blaspheme. That is why freedom has opposition. The effect of this lack of freedom on scientific progress is quite damaging. I think the proper response is to build a free society here and to patiently present our evidence that the Koran's author didn't make the universe.
You know that the Catholic Church would love to imprison non Catholics.
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