Moderate Pakistani Muslims support
the Pope in defense of religious freedom
and repeal of blasphemy law
by Jibran Khan
LAHORE, Pakistan, Jan. 13 (AsiaNews) - Respect for the words of Benedict XVI, appreciation for his call to repeal the blasphemy law - which they claim is used to "settle personal disputes" - and defence for the Christian minority as a victim of violence and abuse.
Some religious leaders and Islamic scholars in Pakistan - along with human rights activists and members of civil society - have distanced themselves from fundamentalist threats against the Pope, and expressed their appreciation of his campaign for "full religious freedom."
The central question, they explain to AsiaNews, revolves around the secular state and the functioning of the judicial system, which must enforce the law and stop the extremists.
Along with human rights activists and members of civil society, Mullah Mehfuz Ahmed, head of the Islamic Council in Islamabad, has also welcomed the words of Benedict XVI.
"It is time to take on firm positions and promote religious freedom," he said. "I support the Pope's words for the repeal of the blasphemy law, because it is only used to settle personal disputes”.
Mullah Mushararf Husain, an expert on Islamic law and the imam of the Jamia mosque in Rawalpindi, expressed "respect for the words of Benedict XVI" and appreciates "his efforts over the blasphemy law."
He also recalls that the assasinated governor of Punjab prvince, Salman Taseer, loved Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, but "His only sin” was to help a Christian woman, convicted of blasphemy."
The imam adds that "it is time for the major parties to join efforts to eradicate fundamentalist mentality," a necessary step to "save the country" from the brink.
Muhammad Asad Shafique, head of the department of Islamic studies at Quaid-e-Azam University, told AsiaNews that "the Pope's statement comes at a crucial moment" because the government "has prostrated itself to pressure from Islamic groups."
The scholar points out that the trial of Taseer's murderer is "a test case for the justice system" because first of all judges must determine "whether Salman Taseer has committed the crime of blasphemy." In his view, the decision on the case will affect "the interpretation of the law."
The Muslim scholar Ali Waqas Wasti recalls the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and comments: "If he were alive today, he would not survive very long," because he would be killed "by extremists on false charges of blasphemy."
He explains that fundamentalists consider the Pope’s words "offensive", but he would point out to them that "there are courts that must decide who to punish or release" and critics of the law "are not blasphemers".
Below: Demonstration held in Lahore today by the fundamentalist Jamaal-i-Islami party. The rally appears very well-organized,
with placards and banners in English, but with POPE mis-spelled as 'POP'!
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 13/01/2011 19:36]