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A Modern Day Martyr
CNN Report-Nov 2010
In Nov. of 2010 I wrote a hub about a Pakistanian woman who was sentenced to death because she allegedly violated the blasphemy laws. Her name is Asia Bibi. She is a Christian, a wife and a mother.
Allegedly while working with other women in the fields, a discussion was entered into. The women tried to persuade Asia to convert to Islam. Asia says that she told the women that Jesus sacrificed his life for man's sins and that he is now alive. The women on the other hand said that Asia Bibi said that the Prophet Mohammed had worms in his mouth when he died.
Only they and God know what was said. Nonetheless she was accused of blasphemy, and imprisoned. According to the August 3rd issue of AsiaNews.It , she has now been in solitary confinement for the 3 months and is very ill having contracted chicken pox.Her living conditions are said to be filthy.
Apparently this was an allegation against his On November 8, 2010 she was sentenced to death and fined $1,190 US dollars and given 7 days to file an appeal. The appeal was filed and has thus far prevented the sentence of death from being carried out. (For this I am personally grateful.)
Voice of the Martyrs has a petition circulating in an attempt to gather 1 million signatures.The total number of petitions thus far is 198,372
PETITIONS BY COUNTRY
- 150056 Pakistan
- 39914 United States
- 1577 Canada
- 817 Australia
- 780 United Kingdom
- 354 Germany
- 331 Nigeria
- 310 India
- 295 South Africa
- 262New Zealand
Integrity
The petition can be found at http://www.callformercy.com. Who knows if the petition will set Asia free. What we do know that some effort should be made to help this woman.
On Jan. 4, 2011 the Muslim Salmaan Taseer, governor of the province, where Asia lives, was an advocate of Asia Bibi. He was killed by one of his body guards in the name of Islam. Additionally, on March 2, 2011, Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian member of Pakistan’s cabinet was killed. He and another person who supported Asia's freedom and repeal of the blasphemy laws were also killed.
That is 3 deaths of prominent people by religious zealots.
Reading her story, I am reminded of the christian martyrs of the first century. Fed to lions, impaled on stakes, burned to death... but, as these things were happening, they would sing of the glory of the God they serve. The presence of God was so strong that for every christian in the arena of death, there would be 6 or 7 Roman citizens who would run in the arena understanding that they would face certain death. They would cry out to the God of the christians desiring to know Him and the power of his resurrection.
Asia is said to be fasting and praying for everyone. She prays for Pakistan.
I know that different cultures hold things sacred that others do not. I am from a nation that diligently guards the right of all in our nation to say what they want to say. I am, we are free and, we believe that others should be free also. So, I signed the petition and I am praying for the release of this woman of controversy.
I am limited in my ability to do anything physically in the nation of Pakistan or for the persecuted church around the world. So, I simply stand in agreement with her being released. and I signed the petition.
- PAKISTAN Asia Bibi gravely ill, fears for her life, after three months in solitary isolation - Asia
The Christian sentenced to death for blasphemy has been ill with chicken pox, probably because of the unhygienic conditions of the cell where she is kept. Christians concern for the growing violence against them. Bishop Rufin Anthony: - A Call for Mercy - The Voice of the Martyrs
- Asia Bibi: Sentenced to Death for Her Faith in Christ. Help Free Her Now.