Working to promote freedom of conscience for every person, no matter who they are or where they live.

The Death Sentence for Asia Bibi has been upheld! What Can I Do?

The Death sentence for Asia Bibi has been upheld. What Can I Do?  When I got the news I was in Munich. Believers there organized a special day for religious freedom and I was their guest. I asked them a question: What can we do for Asia Bibi and for all victims of religious intolerance? We prayed for her and for them. Was it enough? Would a demonstration be a good answer? Many demonstrations were organized and things have not changed. Asia Bibi is still sentenced to death for blasphemy. I told her story and will do again in Bucharest were I am now. I have three speeches to give and I will mention her name. Would it be enough? Probably not but too much publicity can put her life in danger. I have learned that.  A Governor and a Minister of the government of Pakistan who defended her and opposed the law on blasphemy were assassinated. 

Asia Bibi is still sentenced to death what can I do? Should I contact the diplomats from Pakistan? Why not! A polite letter explaining your support for her may be better than doing nothing. Should we organize a world campaign of signatures supported by large demonstrations around the world? But don’t forget that too much publicity may put her life at risk. I am in Bucharest, what can I do? I can pray! I can ask believers to pray for her again and again until she is released. I also can tell her story to as many people as possible. 

The story of a Christian mother working in a farm and accused of having drunk water in the same bowl than another woman worker. Asia Bibi’s religion made the water unclean. A dispute began and words were exchanged about religion. What kind of words? Not bad words according to Asia, but words that were enough for this wife and mother to be arrested and sentenced to death. It happened in June of 2009. Imagine your life in such an environment. Imagine your life in any number of countries where there is no religious freedom for all. 

What can I do? Pray and tell the story of a mother sentenced to death because she may have said something that was misinterpreted as blasphemy. In Pakistan hundreds of people, Muslims and non-Muslims are accused of blasphemy and are in prison. Why does it happen? It happens because there is no religious freedom there, period! 

Don’t forget Asia Bibi. Don’t forget the victims of religious intolerance.

--John Graz, Secretary General, International Religious Liberty Association