Asia Bibi Acquitted in Blasphemy Case

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has finally decided the long awaited case of blasphemy and has acquitted a Christian woman Asia Bibi today.

"Keeping in mind the evidence produced by the prosecution against the alleged blasphemy committed by the appellant, the prosecution has categorically failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt," concluded the chief justice.

A three bench panel further added that: "Tolerance is the basic principle of Islam and that Islam condemns injustice and oppression.

Asia Bibi was convicted for blasphemy under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code for allegedly defaming Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The offense carries the mandatory death penalty under Pakistani law.

"I can't believe what I am hearing, will I go out now? Will they let me out, really?" Bibi told AFP by phone from prison after the ruling. "I just don't know what to say, I am very happy, I can't believe it."

Commenting on the judgment Asia Bibi's lawyer Saiful Mulook told AFP: "The verdict has shown that the poor, the minorities and the lowest segments of society can get justice in this country despite its shortcomings. This is the biggest and happiest day of my life.

Asia Bibi's husband also hailed the verdict. "I am very happy. My children are very happy. We are grateful to God. We are grateful to the judges for giving us justice. We knew that she is innocent," said Ashiq Masih..

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Half of French oppose Charlie Hebdo caricatures

The Charlie Hebdo caricatures of Prophet Muhammad has drawn an almost 50-50 reaction fromt he French people it self. A recent poll  shows that almost half in France believe cartoons of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed should not be published. 

It may be added that this clear division opinion appears after the recent attack by gunmen at the offices of Charlie Hebdo that killed 12 people in apparent revenge for publishing cartoons of Mohammed - an incident that has led to a fierce defence of France’s freedom of speech laws by politicians, media and millions of French citizens.

The poll found that 42 percent of French people oppose the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed, which are considered blasphemous and highly offensive by many Muslims.

Half of those questioned also said they believed there should be "limitations on free speech online and on social networks".

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Alleged anti-Muslim filmmaker arrested

The alleged filmmaker behind the video that sparked protests across Muslim countries was arrested and detained without bond on Thursday, as a US judge said she feared he would try to flee.

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, the alleged director/producer of Innocence of Muslims, appeared in court in Los Angeles after being arrested for breaching the terms of his probation for a 2010 banking fraud conviction.



Prosecutor Robert Dugdale said the 55-year-old had allegedly made eight breaches, including making false statements to probation officers and using at least three different names.

Read more: News24

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Pakistan urges US to rethink about concept of free speech

The vising Pakistan foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar has urged the US to  rethink about its concept of free speech. Th statement comes in the wake of anti-America protests in many parts of the world over an anti-Islam film, including Pakistan.

“It is not good enough to say it’s free speech, it should be allowed. I think if this does provoke action against American citizens or Americans anywhere else in the world, then maybe we do need to rethink how much freedom is OK,” Khar told the CNN in an interview.

Khar was responding to questions on violent anti-US protests in cities across Pakistan against the film made in the US.

Though the Obama Administration has termed the video as “disgusting” and said that the US has nothing to do with this video, it refused to ban such a movie arguing that freedom of speech is enshrined in its constitution.

Read more: Business Line

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Police fire rubber bullets to regain control of besieged U.S. embassy in Pakistan

Protesting against the blasphemous anti Islam fil made by an American, Thousands of protesters descended on the U.S. embassy in Pakistan today over an anti-Islam video causing police to fire live rounds and tear gas into the crowds, injuring 50 people. 

An estimated 5,000 demonstrators carrying the flags of hardline Islamist groups pelted police with stones as security forces tried to prevent them from reaching the embassy compound in Islamabad. 

The military were forced to intervene due to the size of the crowd, many of them students, and helicopters hovered overheard. Several policemen were injured in the clashes.

Read more:Daily Mail

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