Voice of the Martyrs USA is asking that you quickly send e-mails to the President of Pakistan protesting the death penalty handed down for Asia Bibi (photo at right) last Monday. Be courteous (always a practical plus for an effective letter) but clear in your note, asking him to pardon Asia and grant her protection from further persecution because of her faith.The e-mail address is publicmail@president.gov.pk.
Here is the story on Asia taken from VOm's Prisoner Alert section:
Asia Bibi, a 37-year-old Pakistani woman from the village of Ittanwali, was arrested by police on Friday, June 19, and faces possible blasphemy charges. Asia is the wife of 50-year-old Ashiq Masih, and their family is one of only three Christian families in a village of more than 1,500 families.
Many of the local women work on the farm of Muslim landowner Muhammad Idrees, including Asia. During their work many of the Muslim women have pressured Asia to renounce Christianity and accept Islam. In June, the pressure became especially strong.
On Friday, June 19, there was an intense discussion among the women about their faith, with the Muslim women telling Asia about Islam. Asia responded by telling them about her faith in Christ. Asia told the Muslim women Christ had died on the cross for our sins, then asked them what Mohammed had done for them, according to VOM sources. She told them Jesus is alive, but Mohammed is dead. “Our Christ is the true prophet of God,” she reportedly told them, “and yours is not true.”
Upon hearing this response the Muslim women became angry and began to beat Asia Bibi. Then some men came and took her and locked her in a room. They announced from mosque loudspeakers that she would be punished by having her face blackened and being paraded through the village on a donkey. Local Christians informed the police, who took Asia into custody before the Muslims could carry out their plan. She is currently being held at the police station in Nankana city. Christians there urged the police not to file blasphemy charges, but police claimed that they must go forward due to pressure from local Muslim leaders.
Here is a copy of the e-mail I'm going to send:
Dear President Asif Ali Zardari,
We here in the United States hear much about how Islam is a religion of peace and compassion. However, brutal examples of religious persecution against people of other faiths belies that claim. The violent attack upon Asia Bibi is a case in point, made more scandalous still by her cruel imprisonment and now the utterly unjust death sentence which she was given by the Pakistani court. Please denounce this tragic case of religious persecution and immediately grant Asia Bibi a pardon. Please do the right thing.
Denny Hartford
Director, Vital Signs Ministries
Teaching Pastor, Faith Bible Church
Omaha, Nebraska USA
