US Ahmadi Muslims' perspective: Tragedy in Pakistan

Photo: Supporters of the Pakistan People's party chant slogans in Multan, Pakistan to condemn the killing of Salman Taseer, governor of Punjab.

(AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Dallas News | Letter to the Editor
By Saima Sheikh |  Allen | January 5, 2011

Re: "Governor slain by own bodyguard -- Leader defied extremists on harsh blasphemy laws," Wednesday news story.

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. Taseer was killed on Tuesday by his bodyguard commando reportedly enraged by his opposition to laws decreeing death for insulting Islam.

Salman Taseer, governor of Punjab, Pakistan, was murdered by his bodyguard. His bodyguard said that he killed the governor who opposed the blasphemy law and supported the release of the Christian woman, Asia Bibi, from jail.

The Associated Press reported that Taseer "vented his opposition -- even using Twitter -- to Pakistan's blasphemy laws that effectively order death for anyone convicted of insulting Islam."


A study by the National Commission for Justice and Peace reports that 964 people have been charged under this ordinance, including 340 Ahmadi Muslims, 119 Christians, 14 Hindus and 10 of other religions.

As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, I condemn this act of brutality. It is a sad day for any democratic government when a sitting governor gets murdered in broad daylight because of his views.

The government of Pakistan needs to take a serious look at the blasphemy law and repeal it.

Saima Sheikh, Allen


Read original post here: Tragedy in Pakistan