Pakistan intends to alter blasphemy law

[Awesome]

Pakistan intends to alter blasphemy law - washingtonpost.com

By Zeeshan Haider
Reuters
Thursday, February 25, 2010; 2:11 AM
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The Pakistani government plans to change its blasphemy law to check its misuse by extremist groups, officials said on Thursday.

The law, which carries the death penalty for insulting Islam or its prophet, is a highly sensitive issue in Pakistan, which is more than 95 percent Muslim. Previous governments have failed to reform the law because of opposition from powerful hard-line Islamic groups.

Liberal and secular groups have called for the repeal of the blasphemy law altogether, which they say discriminates against religious minorities.

However, the U.S.-allied government of President Asif Ali Zardari, which is fighting an Islamist insurgency, says it plans to reform the law instead.

"We are holding consultative meetings with representatives of minorities and political parties, as well as with Muslim clerics," Minister for Religious Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti told Reuters.

"Some elements misuse the law to create violence and disharmony in society. To stop that misuse, we are proposing legislation."

He declined to say when the government planned to propose the changes.

Blasphemy convictions are common in Pakistan, although the death sentence has never been carried out. Most convictions are thrown out on appeal or because of lack of evidence.

However, angry mobs have killed many people, mostly members of religious minorities.

Last year, eight Christians were killed in central Punjab by a mob after blasphemy accusations, which officials said were spread by Islamist extremist groups linked to al Qaeda and the Taliban. Seven of the victims were burned to death.

NO PROTECTION

Religious minorities, mostly Christians, account for roughly four percent of Pakistan's 170 million people.

Christians have long complained about the law because it offers no protection if a Muslim accuses them of violations such as tearing a page of the Koran, and many accusations are leveled to settle personal scores. Just making an accusation is usually considered sufficient evidence to register a case.

Bhatti declined to elaborate on the proposed amendments but a government official said authorities were exploring "procedural changes" that might provide for registering a case only after an investigation and on the orders of a judge.

An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the government may also propose that a suspect be prosecuted only if it is established that he had "intentionally and willfully" committed blasphemy.

Islamic parties have opposed changes in the law because of suspicions that pro-Western, liberal groups seek to dilute Pakistan's Islamic identity.

Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, a prominent cleric, said they were ready to cooperate with authorities to stop extremist groups abusing the law.

"If they bring about change to stop its misuse with our consultation than it's okay," he said. "But if they did it unilaterally, then it will promote hatred and extremism."

The law was introduced by Pakistan's former military ruler General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s in an effort to bring Pakistani law more in line with Islamic principles.

Another military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, tried to reform these laws in 2000, months after he seized power in a coup, but backed down after widespread protests from hard-line Islamic groups.

(Editing by Chris Allbritton and Ron Popeski)

This is stupid. It has to be repealed. Personally I believe, one has the freedom to commit blasphemy, its not nice, its horrible, but if one wants to be an *** he should be allowed to do so.

One man's blasphemy would be another man's doctrine. There's no alteration that can be made to this.

 

[fhassan]

So, I should be allowed to insult you too?

Perhaps even those dear to you such as your mother?

I your heart skipped a beat when I mentioned your dear mother, then why are you ok with people intentionally insulting Rasool'Allah alihe salatu'wasalaam?

Why are you, on this very forum, allowed to edit or even delete posts? Is there not wisdom behind this that is also applicable to the real world?

Freedom of speech Yes, but not without responsibility.

 

[Hammy007]

musharraf legacy

 

[FreekiN]

I think ALL religions should be protected by this law. Everything else has to be allowed.

 

[Hyde]

actually i don't mind whatever law they make for minorities but for Qadiyanis..... they should keep strict laws for them forever

 

[graphican]

No one can change this law but it can certainly be made better by requiring concrete evidence before somebody is proven guilty. Minorities are not the only victim of its misuse but many Muslims have been killed because some Mullah kind kind person was able to convince crowd that his opponent has said bad words about Prophet SAWWand all that without any proof or evidence. Law itself is not bad but it has been misused and this aspect must be addressed.

 

[khanz]

This stupid law should be scrapped period

 

[Materialistic]

This stupid law should be scrapped period

we are always emotional and fall on face at any one of the two ends. Be Rational
The best solution is to amend it there should be a clause for the provision of concrete evidence for the action to be carried against the accused person and also there is a need of some sort of punishment if it goes the other way round.

And rest about freedom of expression, well it should be just kept to the extent of Freedom of Expression rather than Freedom of Abusing others.
Western media has put some nice garbage(freedom of expression) very well on Asian specially South_Asian countries which they donot follow themselves at all.

They dont even allow channels to broadcast which they think might bring or often bring the bitter realities of them.

 

[Kompromat]

In my Opinion the blasphemy Laws should be amended to an extent where the "Unfair" use of it must be Banned and dealt with.

Moreover blasphemy law is the key element for our Islamic Constitution & we wont change it !

* Remember the secularism is a "Mask" that west has put on its face & from Inside they are "quite Different".

Thanks.

 

[Kompromat]

This stupid law should be scrapped period

And what exactly makes this law stupid ?

"Qanoon e Tahafuz e Khatam e Nabauat and Namus e Risalat act ??"

I say again UNFAIR use must be Banned but the Law will remain till the eternity !

Minorities enjoy full freedom in Pakistan this is the reason they are living here either they would have left as Pakistani Jews went to Israel.

 

[Luftwaffe]

For those who are pro insult laws!
Islamic State Islamic Laws you like it fine don't like who cares you'll suffer..
need an example?
jazya>>Under Islamic law, jizya or jizyah a per capita tax levied on a section of an Islamic state's non-Muslim citizens..The Law has not been changed/altered or removed by any caliph or Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H)..in short who are we to change Islamic Laws when Allah has Ordered us to Implement it whether we like it or not..now that's not stupid!!

 

[fhassan]

^^ you expect non-Muslims to live tax free?

The Muslims ALSO had to pay a tax called the "zakah", and anti-Islamists never mention this on their anti-Islam sites. The zakah was was:

- HIGHER than the jizya
- Payable by BOTH male and female Muslims, whereas only male Non-Muslims were eligible for the Jizya.
- A large proportion of male Non-Muslims were totally exempt from the Jizya, such as elderly men (children - thats a given), monks, the disabled folk, those who couldn't afford it et cetera.
- IF the non-Muslim men agreed to fight alongside the Muslims in case of an invasion the entire Non-Muslim population was exempt from the Jizya under some Muslims rulers - in effect, they were living effectively tax free under Islamic rule.

A couple of points worth considering, but there are many more...

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Blasphemy laws, if they are kept, should be similar to public nuisance laws. You issue the person guilty a ticket or a verbal warning to not offend others, and leave it at that.

Beyond that it is used too often as a tool to oppress the minority.

Oh, and Qadianis should be allowed to call themselves Muslims or whatever and practice and preach freely. It is not the responsibility of humans to judge the spirituality and 'deen' of other humans. Allah will settle that in the hereafter.

 

[Awesome]

So, I should be allowed to insult you too?

Perhaps even those dear to you such as your mother?

I your heart skipped a beat when I mentioned your dear mother, then why are you ok with people intentionally insulting Rasool'Allah alihe salatu'wasalaam?

Why are you, on this very forum, allowed to edit or even delete posts? Is there not wisdom behind this that is also applicable to the real world?

Freedom of speech Yes, but not without responsibility.

We have no qualms about admitting that on this forum you do not have total freedom of speech, limitations exist in "Talking on topic, about Pakistan and non-theological discussion". America's 1st amendment rights do not apply here - this is a business entity, not your government.

Government is subservient to its people. It has to allow its people to say anything. Insults by definition are not supposed to be liked. But if I limit your right to insult me then I can claim anything as an insult that goes against my views, technically it is insulting even if you say whatever I believe is a lie. But not so much for the person who does not believe what I believe.

That is the spirit of Freedom of Speech.

 

[Awesome]

I think ALL religions should be protected by this law. Everything else has to be allowed.

Might as well paralyze Pakistan. This is a Utopian view, it has no practical implementation.