Rimsha Masih is an 11 year old Christian Pakistani girl with down syndrome. She is currently detained because she was accused of burning pages of the Qu'ran, which in Pakistan is blasphemy and is punishable by death. Today a Muslim cleric is being charged with framing her for the crime with allegations that he ripped pages out of the Qu'ran, burned them, and placed them in a bag of Rimsha's. Now, the cleric is being charged with blasphemy. There is pressure for Rimsha to be released to the custody of her family, although they have fled the area due to fear of being persecuted.Even though Rimsha may be released, there will still be a fear that Muslims in the region may seek "justice" of their own and hurt Rimsha.
Tensions between Christians and Muslims continue to worsen in the region.
This story is very sad in that a child with down syndrome was even sent to jail in the first place.
What do you think about blasphemy laws in Pakistan?
Photo courtesy of loonwatch.com
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