ASIA BIBI: CHRISTIAN MARTYR IN MUSLIM PAKISTAN

In 2009, in the Pakistani Village of Ittan Wali, a 38-year-old Christian farmhand, Asia Noreen Bibi, was asked to bring water for her fellow workers, all Muslims.  Complying with this request, Asia carried drinking water to the field, only to find that the Muslims were reluctant to drink water that had been borne by  Christian hands. A heated exchange ensued, and Asia reputedly said, "Christ Jesus has died for my sins!  What has Prophet Mohammed done for you?"

After word of the confrontation was taken to a local  Muslim cleric, a mob attacked Asia and her family.  Subsequently, charges of "blasphemy" were levied at Asia, who was convicted and sentenced to death.  Since that time, she has been confined in a filthy and crime-ridden Pakistani prison, suffering  numerous privations, while her conviction is being appealed through  an arduous legal system.

For Americans, it is patently absurd that a young Christian woman could be sentenced to death for blasphemy in the 21st century.  Nevertheless, this is by no means an isolated situation in the Muslim world. As I write this, a young Iranian-American Christian pastor, Saeed Abedini, is still incarcerated in Iran's notorious hellhole, Evin Prison. His crime:  being a Christian pastor in Iran.

On numerous occasions, I have challenged American Muslims to speak out against these and other examples of religious persecution in Muslim countries.  My pleas, however, have fallen on deaf ears.  In considering the cause of their silence, I can only conclude that American Muslims are fearful of retribution from radical Islamists, or else are not voicing objections out of religious conviction.  In the meantime, they continue to enjoy the religious freedom on these shores which is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

During the last 12 years, Pakistan has been the recipient  of more than 19 billion dollars in American aid.  For the last fiscal year alone, American taxpayers poured more than 1.5 billion dollars into Pakistan.  Yes, my fellow Americans, these are OUR dollars that are being sent to a country that practices religious persecution on a large scale.  As those who are footing the bill, it is more than proper that we should express our displeasure with a country that offends our sense of right and wrong with its 15th century view of human rights.  Accordingly, please consider joining a mass movement to besiege the Embassy of Pakistan with letters and email protesting the treatment of Asia Noreen Bibi.  The appropriate contacts are:

Embassy of Pakistan
3517 International Ct.                     Or, email:  info@embassyofpakistanusa.org
Washington, D.C. 20008

Judging from past actions, Pakistan will no doubt be resistant to our efforts; however, right-thinking human beings must make sure that Asia Bibi is not forgotten.