The Burden of Blasphemy: Bishop John Joseph’s Martyrdom and the Endless Persecution of Pakistani Christians (Part 6)

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Rally Rejects US Pressure to Repeal Draconian Blasphemy Law:

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) staged a protest demonstration against the US pressure for repeal of the blasphemy law. The demonstration was led by JUI leader Maulana Qari Nawaz, former MPA Maulana Abdul Quddoos, Maulana Abdus Salam and Maulana Ata-ur-Rehman. The protesters were holding banners and placards against the US and raising slogans.

During their address, they said the blasphemy law was totally an Islamic law. They deplored the US pressure and said the US government had no right to raise any objection against this law.

They said that under this law, equal punishment was suggested for those who dared to insult Jesus Christ. Death sentence already existed in European law for those who insulted Jesus, and none raised any objection against this law, but now the same Europe was expressing its concern over the blasphemy law. They said the Muslims of this country would not allow anyone to repeal this law at any cost.

Bishop’s Suicide Termed a Conspiracy:

Frontier Post, May 11, 1998:

The executive committee of the Punjab Bar Council has expressed concern over the Sahiwal incident and the circumstances under which Bishop John Joseph committed suicide.

The executive committee, in its meeting held, termed it a deep conspiracy against the nation and demanded of the government to take necessary steps that such like incidents may not happen in the future.

They also demanded of the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court, Justice Rashid Aziz Khan, to ensure the security and safety of the judicial officers, especially Abdul Ghaffar, District and Sessions Judge Sahiwal.

TJP Supports Draconian Blasphemy Law:

Chief of Tehrik-i-Jafria Pakistan (TJP) Allama Sajid Ali Naqvi criticised the USA and said that the blasphemy law in Pakistan was in accordance with the beliefs and ideology of the Muslims.

Talking to newsmen at Multan airport, he said the same laws were in practice in several European countries to check abusive language against Hazrat Esa (prophet Jesus). He also asked the Christian community in Pakistan not to become a tool of fascist forces.

Christians asked to stay peaceful:

Khateeb Badshahi Mosque, Dr. Syed Muhammad Abdul Qadir Azad on Sunday appealed to the Christian community to remain peaceful over the tragic death of Faisalabad Bishop John Joseph, who committed suicide.

In a statement, he said minorities were highly revered and respected in Pakistan. “The Christians enjoyed equal rights in this country where a Christian, Justice A.R. Cornelius, was the main architect of the first Constitution of Pakistan,” he added.

He said interference by a superpower in the affairs of Pakistan was undue as every country had the right to protect its religion and beliefs.

He said people in Pakistan strictly adhered to their beliefs and deeply respected all the prophets, including Jesus Christ and Moses.

He said as a believer, it was the duty of every Muslim to uphold and protect the dignity and honor of the prophets, adding that the blasphemy law was a vital safeguard in this regard.

Referring to the suicide of Dr. John Joseph, he said this act was strictly prohibited in every religion, including Christianity.

He said courts were completely free in Pakistan, and the bishop should have waited for decisions of superior courts.

Azad further appealed to the superpowers not to exploit the current situation in Pakistan and to remain impartial, as their undue interference would compel the Muslims to reconsider their priorities.

Ulema ask Muslim states to reject ‘un-Islamic Human Rights Charter’:

The leaders of various religious and political parties (of Karachi), in an emergency meeting, passed a resolution demanding of the government as well as all Muslim countries to reject the so-called “Charter of Human Rights.”

Holding a meeting at the office of Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam (S), they asked the governments of all Muslim states to reject this un-Islamic Charter of Human Rights, as some anti-religion elements were committing blasphemy on the pretext of enjoying freedom of expression under the charter.

The provisions of the country’s blasphemy law were actually meant to protect the respect of all the prophets, they said, adding that the first convict under this law by a Punjab sessions court was in fact a Muslim.

They further said that Muslims have respect for Moses, Jesus, and all other prophets.

They further said that not only Pakistan, but other countries such as Britain and other Western countries had also enacted blasphemy laws, adding that no country can be allowed to interfere in the laws of another country.

They demanded that a Supreme Court-level tribunal must be formed to inquire into the incident of Bishop Dr. John Joseph and examine the possibility that the bishop might have been murdered under a conspiracy.

The Ulema appealed to the Christian community to show patience in this regard, adding that Islam had granted many rights to the minorities.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam, Sawad-e-Azam, Ahl-e-Sunnat Youth Force Pakistan, Jamiat-e-Ishaat Al-Tauheed, and other religious bodies.

Meanwhile, Jamiat-e-Bradaran-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat Pakistan held a meeting with some 35 religious and social institutions in this regard.

In a statement, it said that the USA was playing with the feelings of the Muslims and warned it to refrain from doing so. It further stated that by rejecting the demand of Americans to abolish the blasphemy law, the Pakistan government had won the hearts of the entire Muslim ummah.