Moderator Says Prayers With Asia Bibi

Wednesday May 8 2019

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has said she continues to pray for the safety of the Christian woman Asia Bibi, who has finally left Pakistan.

Asia Bibi is believed to be in Canada, where members of her family have already been granted asylum. She had been in a secret location for months after her blasphemy conviction was overturned in October, sparking violent protests.  Prior to that she was on death row for several years after she was accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad during an argument with a neighbour.

The BBC has reported that Pakistani officials have confirmed she is no longer in the country, and that her lawyer had said she had arrived in Canada.

The Rt Rev Susan Brown said on social media: “I am glad that Asia Bibi is finally on her way to Canada but I continue to pray for her safety. This young women has lost so many years of her life through malicious allegations simply because she is a Christian. Let's hope that people of all faiths and none, in every part of the world, might learn to be more gracious towards each other."

The Church of Scotland has repeatedly spoken out in support of Asia Bibi during her time in prison, and against Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws. Among the projects it supports in Pakistan is CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement) which campaigns against the blasphemy law, offers legal support to people accused under the law, and supports victims of religious discrimination.

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