Blasphemy & Blasphemy Laws Archive

Blasphemy laws misused: Blasphemy laws in many countries are supposed to protect religion. But while the one religion may be protected, believers of other religions often have to suffer. A piece of paper can mean a lot. Without an identity card your
Shehrbano Taseer vows to continue her father’s mission: The daughter of murdered Punjab governor Salman Taseer says she is determined to continue his campaign for changes to Pakistan’s blasphemy law, RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal reports. Taseer was shot dead on January 4 by one of his security guards
Bullets of Intolerance – by Farhad Jarral: The apparent lull following the daylight slayings in recent months of two of Pakistan’s most prominent liberal politicians raises even more questions about a nation unwilling to confront the propagators of fear and destruction. They took less than 60
Why Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto loved us – by Ali Sher Mussali: Related posts: A brief history of PPP: mauj mela, madari, maqtal – by Hasan Mujtaba Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto slaps General Zia and Ziaists from his grave – Hasan Nisar What is the difference between ZAB, Benazir Bhutto and other
The outspoken Fauzia Wahab denounces religious extremism – by Alexandra Zavis, Los Angeles Times: Pakistani lawmaker briefly trades death threats at home for serenity in Southern California The outspoken Fauzia Wahab denounces religious extremism and reflects on her homeland’s future. It has been a harrowing few months for liberal Pakistani lawmaker Fauzia Wahab.
Has Ansar Abbasi committed blasphemy? – by Shiraz Paracha: Ansar Abbasi of daily Jang newspaper provided his readers incomplete and selective translation of verses from the Holy Qur’an. Just to prove his twisted logic this self-proclaimed soldier of Islam and a ‘good Muslim’, he used the Holy Qur’an to
Brother Raymond Damond and the Blasphemers of Islamic Diyat – by Molvi Iqbal Haider: Dear Pakistani brothers and sisters, Muslims and non-Muslims, mullahs and humans, Notwithstanding my name, I am not a religious Molvi. I am a half-mullah, half-proxy and remain available for the service of both (mullah and military) as and when
In memoriam of Shahbaz Bhatti – by TLW: Federal Minister for Minority Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti Born – 9th September 1968 Murdered – 2nd March 2011 I feel this needs to be written. Even if its been two weeks since Minister Shahbaz Bhatti was murdered, and I know everybody feels the
My Pakistan is a progressive Pakistan: Shehrbano Taseer: Shehrbano Taseer, speaking on the Express 24/7 show “Faceoff with Munizae Jehangir”, which aired on Friday, said that everyone is collectively to be blamed for the assassinations of Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer and Federal Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz
Pakistan: The land of the pure, for whom? – by Sybil Daniel: The “Land of the Pure” is once again being blackmailed by Zia’s vision. His creation, the Taliban and his laws that persecute minorities are at the forefront of all that is bad in Pakistan. The controversial laws are used
Are you there Mr President? – By Ayesha Siddiqa: Rehman Malik has yet again scattered his pearls of illogic by saying that the interior ministry was planning to impose restrictions on artists, journalists and students on scholarships travelling to India. They will now have to seek a no-objection
Blasphemy: Does the Holy Qur’an approve murder? – by Shiraz Paracha: For Muslims the Holy Qur’an is the first source of guidance. The Qur’an does not order death or murder for blasphemy. The  Qur’an says Muslims should only fight in self-defence and should kill those who wage war on Muslims. Verse number 33
“The blaming the victim brigade” and Shahbaz Bhatti’s murder: Related posts: Three musketeers and the “PPP abandoned Salmaan Taseer” narrative An open letter to President Zardari — by Shahid Saeed “Civil” Society must stop blaming the PPP: A rebuttal to Naveen Naqvi and the ‘Twitter Opportunists Club’ Here
Shahbaz Bhatti: Another death, another day – by Nadeem F. Paracha: Related articles: Shahbaz Bhatti assassinated: Thank you, deep state! LUBP Archive on Shahbaz Bhatti The Federal Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti was killed today in an attack on his vehicle in Islamabad. Two gunmen fired on Bhatti’s vehicle
Shahbaz Bhatti assassinated: Thank you, Deep State!: Related: LUBP Archive on Shahbaz Bhatti Federal Minister for minority affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti has been killed in the I-8/3 area of Islamabad by two unidentified gunmen who shot at him and fled the scene on a car. After Benazir
Economic Revival is Survival – By Imran Qadir Butt: In the world of business and investment perception plays a vital role in the feasibility of an investment or a business initiative. It is so important a phenomenon that it can transform any given event or change in business
Blasphemy case against Sherry Rehman: Will Chief Justice provide justice to her? – by Barrister Waseem Ijaz: Sherry Rehman, the rebel princess of urban civil society and anti-PPP media, has been ordered to be inducted for blasphemy charges by ‘indipendent judiciary’ of Pakistan. Additional Sessions Judge Meher Nasir Hussain in Multan has ordered police to register
The cries of religious minorities of Pakistan are crossing the border – by Nasir Saeed: The issue of the blasphemy law is still making headlines in the national and international media and it seems that it is no more simply a local issue but has crossed over our borders and into the consciousness of
Where Ansar Abbasi and Mosharraf Zaidi converge: “PPP killed Sherry Rehman’s bill”: Related articles: Three musketeers and the “PPP abandoned Salmaan Taseer” narrative A plan well executed Charter of irresponsible journalism in Pakistan in 2011 It is always entertaining to witness the little asset talk of the FCS eleven on Twitter
Kinnaird’s FM 97.6 inaugurated, a very positive development: Democracy and free media are co-related; democracy is impossible without a free and responsible media while the concept of a free media is impossible without democracy. Democracy and free media reinforce each other. Huge credit goes to Pakistan Peoples
Javed Chaudhry, will you please think? – by Abbas Ather:
Rally to restore sanity and conscience: Cross-posted from A Song of the Wilderness On Sunday, January 30, 2011, a cross-section of the Pakistani youth gathered at Liberty Chowk, the place where a couple of years ago, a dastardly terrorist attack against the Sri Lankan cricket
Day of prayer for the release of Asia Bibi: Tomorrow is an international day of prayer for the release of a Pakistani woman sentenced to death for blaspheming Islam’s prophet, Muhammad. Dominant Muslim nations such as Pakistan (“Land of the pure”) have instituted blasphemy laws which punish, often
To fake sympathizers of the PPP, thanks but no thanks – by Shahid Khan Khakwani: “We are sympathizers of the PPP. The party has compromised with the establishment and abandoned its workers. It abandoned shaheed Salman Taseer. Where are ‘korray khanay walay’ today?” Have you heard what urban middle class activists of Fake Civil
Blaming the victim – by Sana Jokhio: It has come to our attention that a certain section of (fake) civil society (FCS) is using the martyrdom of Governor Taseer to malign the remaining PPP leadership. At a recent candle light vigil in Islamabad, where PPP supporters were
Some gems from Declan Walsh’s article promoting Sherry Rehman: Related articles: Foreign journalists in Pakistan: Embedded in the narratives of military establishment and urban elite In response to Declan Walsh’s article on Karachi’s deadly divide – by Shaista Aazar I could not agree more when I read this
Fatwa of Shaykh-ul-Islam Mufti Muhammad Idris Usmani about Mufti Naeem and Javed Ahmad Ghamidi: Note: This post highlights the fact that Islam is far from monolithic and while there are those who are issuing Fatwas based on a sectarian and hideous interpretation of Islam, there are more tolerant and inclusive interpretations of Islam.
Fake Civil Society must stop blaming the PPP: A rebuttal to Naveen Naqvi and Sana Saleem: Related posts: The blaming the victim brigade and Shahbaz Bhatti’s murder Three musketeers and the “PPP abandoned Salmaan Taseer” narrative An open letter to President Zardari — by Shahid Saeed We, at LUBP, have been exposing the shenanigans of
PM Gilani takes the middle road – by D. Asghar: Our PM Sahib reiterated at the Cleric Conference that no changes would be brought to the infamous Blasphemy Law. In the same breath, like a true politician, he stated that “no one would be allowed to misuse it either.”
Taseer’s murder and Islamic fundamentalism in Pakistan: A rebuttal to Prof Shahid Alam – by Badruddin Gowani: I read Professor M. Shahid Alam’s recent article “Pakistan: A political murder or war” (Counterpunch Weekend Edition January 14, 2011) His allegations of the United States role in Pakistan and the corrupt Pakistani establishment that have screwed up the
Who is behind restoring the MMA in the guise of the blasphemy law movement? – by Irfan Siddiqi: Related articles: A plan well executed Salman Taseer: Another victim of the deep state, its ideological and political faces The LUBP was the first blog which identified and confronted the efforts by you-know-who to reunite moderate mullahs including Barelvis,
The republic of silence — by Saroop Ijaz: An LUBP reader has recommended to cross-post this article. According to the reader, “Saroop isn’t a PPP basher. He is a supporter. His uncle stood against Pervaiz Elahi. These are dissenting voices within the party [which the party should
The PPP, the mullahs and the blasphemy law – by Abbas Ather: Source: Daily Express, 18 Jan 2011
Blasphemy allegations: Another Christian family on the run: LAHORE: Two Christian women were beaten and publically humiliated by an angry mob over apparently frivolous blasphemy allegations and they and their family are now in hiding for fear of being killed, The Express Tribune has learnt. “None of
Promoting “Spell Check” to gain worldwide acceptance: After our inability to promote moderation and liberal thinking in our country, we are forced to deviate from the topic and offer our sincere apologies to people who have been bugged by us for the last few years. Instead,
295-c, A Black Law – by Abbas Ather: Related article: ‘Everyone Declare Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law as Black Law’ Campaign
A “righteous” confusion – by Imran Khan: What differentiates the smiling face of Mumtaz Qadri from that of an apprehended criminal is a lack of guilt. Mr. Qadri is beaming with pride because according to his religious beliefs he has not done anything wrong.  But this
Salmaan Taseer: the content soul —Dr Mohammad Taqi: Source: Daily Times, January 13, 2011 To let these hordes be the judge, jury and the executioner would be the exact opposite of what Salmaan Taseer stood for. They have succeeded in killing Salmaan Taseer but must not be
Life term awarded to an extremist Deobandi Mullah for blasphemy against the Prophet (pbuh): توھین رسالت : دیوبندی مولوی کو میلاد کا پوسٹر پھاڑنے پر عمر قید توھین رسالت کیس میں دیوبندی امام مسجد کو محفل میلاد کا پوسٹر پھاڑنے پر عمر قید سنی گئی ،۔وکیل کے مطابق مدعی کا تعلق بریلوی جبکہ
My father’s murder must not silence the voices of reason in Pakistan -by Shehrbano Taseer: There is a real danger that extremists could triumph if good people do not continue to speak out I can’t help but roll my eyes when I’m informed I must keep a guard with me at all times now.