Man sentenced to death for blasphemy

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Medieval times we're living in eh?

 

[divya]

islam is a true religion so nobody can propagate its religion except islam, btw i have been listening to stpry of white missionaries 'spreading' their religion through money and bribes to poor indians

Says who? Muslims
Hindus call their religons true
Christians call their true
Sikhs call their true

So whats your point.

 

[khanz]

old article but still valid

Blasphemy laws or laws prohibiting defamation of a religion are incompatible with Islamic thought and philosophy. The concept of Defamation of Religions denies a person their free will to choose -- one of God's greatest gifts to humanity -- and deprives individuals of their right to free speech and expression. It also creates a climate of intolerance that can breed discrimination and violence.

This was the message I delivered last week during a Human Rights First panel discussion in Geneva, where the United Nations Human Rights Council is expected to discuss a resolution seeking this week to criminalize "defamation of religions," as it has done several years for the past decade. However, this year's debate comes at a unique and particularly tumultuous time.

Earlier this month, Pakistan's Minister for Minority Affairs, Shabbaz Bhatti, was murdered for speaking out in favor of amending the nation's blasphemy laws. His assassination came less than two months after the murder of Governor Salmaan Taseer, who was assassinated by one of his own body guards. Taseer's killer tried to justify his act by citing Islamic law. Taseer was an outspoken defender of a Christian woman who sentenced to death in Pakistan after being accused of blasphemy. The assassin, now in custody and facing murder charges, has been called a "hero" by a vocal and influential minority of Pakistanis who echo his misguided reasoning and support brutal blasphemy laws.

Blasphemy laws were first introduced to Muslim countries during the days of colonialism and are now a major obstacle to Islamic reform. Often used to restrict freedom of expression and to settle personal scores, these laws have led to devastating consequences for religious minorities and others whose views differ from the majority. It has become all too common and acceptable to file an accusation of blasphemy, claims that can include insulting the Quran or Prophet Muhammad, and to condemn those who speak out against such abuses.



Those who support the "Defamation of Religions" resolution first introduced at the United Nations over a decade ago by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), argue that it serves to combat the rise of hatred and discrimination against Muslims in the world. They are wrong. In fact, this resolution does the opposite. Its implementation would illustrate Muslim suppression of Western standards of freedom of speech

The Quran mandates "there shall be no coercion in matters of faith" (2:256). This Quranic injunction is meant to protect freedom of religious belief and expression for all people; it is also meant to prohibit any government or group of people from intruding on the private lives of its people. Islam calls for the freedom, not for the suppression, of free speech and it condemns violations of fundamental human rights.



In fact, the Quran documents the criticism of Islam by poets and political leaders at the time of its revelation. Though the Prophet was accused of sorcery and mania, in each and every case, God did not order him to punish the blasphemers. Instead, His order to the Prophet was to respond to their hate speech with good speech and good work. In other words, Islam calls for freedom of speech and for competing freely in the marketplace of ideas. No one has the right to play the role of God on this earth.

In the Quran, there is no provision for the absolute protection of (any) religion nor any punishment mandated for those who defame religion. Just like current standards of international law, the Quran calls for the protection of individuals and their rights. It is this protection that should be at the heart of any resolution proposed to combat religious intolerance and discrimination.



People of all faiths need states and international bodies to protect them when they are discriminated against based on their religion. Unfortunately, they are not getting any such protection. For example, Europe has not faired well on guaranteeing freedom of religion for its Muslim citizens. A recent referendum voted on by Swiss citizens banned the construction of minarets on mosques, and government intrusion on religious practices in France has become pervasive.

By contrast, in the United States where secularism means neutrality of government on religious matters, Muslims are protected by the government, especially when discrimination occurs against women who decide to wear a headscarf. When Rep. Peter King held a hearing on "radicalization of American Muslims" attempting to stereotype all American Muslims, many elected government officials, opinion leaders and civil society organizations collectively called out his behavior and rhetoric as counter to American values and protections for all its citizens.



The proposed U.N. resolution on "Defamation of Religions" will certainly not prevent discrimination against Muslims, nor will it fight religious intolerance. Its passage would only further fuel anti-Muslim stereotyping and hatred.

We must earn our respect as Muslims by working for the prosperity of our societies. We must seek essential reforms that, along with our own honorable actions, will protect and exalt the name of Islam. The Quran provides a response to defamation in general: "Good and evil are not equal; so repel evil with something good and better so that the one with whom there is enmity will become a close friend."

Salam Al MarayatiPresident of the Muslim Public Affairs Council--DC

 

[skylab20]

Says who? Muslims
Hindus call their religons true
Christians call their true
Sikhs call their true

So whats your point.

only one religion can be true at a time not together, muslim majority in pakistan consider their religion to be true, i dont find your hinduism to be true, cow is not a god and so are the stone statues, hinduism is proved false religion from day one, christians are proved to have changed theor religion, jesus is not a god in christian bible

 

[divya]

only one religion can be true at a time not together, muslim majority in pakistan consider their religion to be true, i dont find your hinduism to be true, cow is not a god and so are the stone statues, hinduism is proved false religion from day one, christians are proved to have changed theor religion, jesus is not a god in christian bible

guess what
nowhere in hindusim cow is god nor are the stones.... its just ignorance of others and belief of others who know sh!t about hinduism....

 

[khanz]

islam is a true religion so nobody can propagate its religion except islam, btw i have been listening to stpry of white missionaries 'spreading' their religion through money and bribes to poor indians

They have their beliefs and we have ours stop forcing it down their throats and being an arrogant @ss the blasphemy law in itself is against islam nowhere in the quran does to say to kill people who criticize it ! you are really doing a good showing to others how "true" it is by supporting killing of people over mere words.
You are showing islam as a weak,petty and violent religion that can't stand up for itself and has no means to silence its critics other than death.

 

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only one religion can be true at a time not together, muslim majority in pakistan consider their religion to be true, i dont find your hinduism to be true, cow is not a god and so are the stone statues, hinduism is proved false religion from day one, christians are proved to have changed theor religion, jesus is not a god in christian bible

Educate yourself kid. You cry blasphemy when someone says something about Islam but fail to know the real reality of why those practices are preformed, or in other words the "real meaning"

I don't want to turn this into a religious debate. But you're kind of acting like a bigot.

 

[skylab20]

The blasphemy law in itself is against islam nowhere in the quran does to say to kill people who criticize it ! you are really doing a good showing to others how "true" it is by supporting killing of people over mere words.
You are showing islam as a weak,petty and violent religion that can't stand up for itself and has no means to silence its critics other than death.

killing the criminal is not a crime, spreading the crime is wrong, stop your BS right now, one can criticise islam, but nor abusing it, or saying tere maa ki

if someone criticise islam then i think its ok, because he is trying to understand the religion in some why, but abusing islam is not good, drawing the prophet muhammad cartoons is not good, writing the qurani verses on nude woma's body is not good, writing satanic verses is not good, burning quran is not good, every criticism should be within limits and should not incolude vulgarity of human language or behavious

if you do maa behn in this site, and without constructive criticism, you will get banned

even if its ram, kali or anything, one must not defame any religion in my opinion, religion is something very personal to a guy after his family

 

[divya]

killing the criminal is not a crime, spreading the crime is wrong, stop your BS right now, one can criticise islam, but nor abusing it, or saying tere maa ki

if someone criticise islam then i think its ok, because he is trying to understand the religion in some why, but abusing islam is not good, drawing the prophet muhammad cartoons is not good, writing the qurani verses on nude woma's body is not good, writing satanic verses is not good, burning quran is not good, every criticism should be within limits and should not incolude vulgarity of human language or behavious

if you do maa behn in this site, and without constructive criticism, you will get banned

even if its ram, kali or anything, one must not defame any religion in my opinion, religion is something very personal to a guy after his family

why just islam.... the law should be equivalent to all religons including atheism. Anyone criticizing for not believing in god should also be hanged

 

[twoplustwoisfour]

the law is equal, some muslim guy was arrested and sent to jail for burning bible on church corridor

You should know that the proper way of disposing off an old or unwanted Quran book is to burn it. I read that on these forums somewhere...

 

[divya]

the law is equal, some muslim guy was arrested and sent to jail for burning bible on church corridor

what about atheists?

and regarding blasphemy laws



§ 298-A prohibits the use of any derogatory remark or representation in respect of Muslim holy personages. § 298-B and § 298-C prohibit the Ahmadiyya from behaving as Muslims behave, calling themselves Muslims, proselytizing, or "in any manner whatsoever" outraging the religious feelings of Muslims. Violation of any part of § 298 makes the violator liable to imprisonment for up to three years and liable also to a fine.
Between 1986 and 2007, Pakistani authorities charged 647 people with blasphemy offences.[5] Fifty percent of these were non-Muslims, who represent only 3% of the national population.[5] No judicial execution for blasphemy has ever occurred in Pakistan,[6][7] but 20 of those charged were murdered.[5]

 

[skylab20]

You should know that the proper way of disposing off an old or unwanted Quran book is to burn it. I read that on these forums somewhere...

yes with intention of disposing it off, muslims do it, not non muslims

 

[twoplustwoisfour]

yes with intention of disposing it off, muslims do it, not non muslims

Just curious... what's the prescribed method for 'non-muslims' to dispose off old/unwanted Qurans?

PS: Don't say - Ask a muslim friend to burn it

 

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yes with intention of disposing it off, muslims do it, not non muslims

Why aren't non Muslims allowed to do it if they wanted to dispose it? It's "symbolically" better than throwing it in the trash

 

[divya]

Why aren't non Muslims allowed to do it if they wanted to dispose it? It's "symbolically" better than throwing it in the trash

its better for a non muslim to stay away in a 50m radius of Quran Sharif in places like pakistan....