Pakistan disabled girl arrested for blasphemy

[Boiler 45,519]

Pakistan disabled girl arrested for blasphemy http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19311098

Pakistani police have arrested a mentally disabled 11-year-old girl after a mob accused her of desecrating pages of the Koran.

The mob demanded the Christian girl's arrest and threatened to burn down Christian homes outside the capital Islamabad, local media say.

Officials said the girl could not properly answer police questions.

Her parents have been taken into protective custody following threats and other Christian families have fled.

It is thought that the girl has Down's syndrome.

Paul Bhatti, Pakistan's minister for National Harmony, told the BBC that the girl was known to have a mental disorder and that it seemed "unlikely she purposefully desecrated the Koran".

"From the reports I have seen, she was found carrying a waste bag which also had pages of the Koran," he said.

"This infuriated some local people and a large crowd gathered to demand action against her. The police were initially reluctant to arrest her, but they came under a lot of pressure from a very large crowd, who were threatening to burn down Christian homes."

He said more than 600 people have fled from the Christian neighbourhood.

Rights activists have urged Pakistan to reform its controversial blasphemy laws, under which a person can be jailed for life for desecrating the Koran.

Many of those accused of blasphemy have been killed by violent mobs, while politicians who advocate a change in legislation have also been targeted.

Last year, Shahbaz Bhatti, the minister for minority affairs, was killed after calling for the repeal of the blasphemy law.

His death came just two months after the murder of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, who also spoke out about the issue.

[Darnell 8,478]

I don't think the law should be repealed, at all.

as to the little girl - that's just sad..

[X Factor 1,112]

Wow these folks have no room for leniency given the circumstances.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Pakistan is such a warm, friendly, peaceful place.

[X Factor 1,112]

Looks like they want to execute the girl

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/08/20/christian-girl-with-down-syndrome-faces-death-penalty-for-allegedly-burning/

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

one post removed for baiting.

[X Factor 1,112]

Ahhhhhh..... mob justice

[justashooter 430]

Ahhhhhh..... mob justice

you mean removing posts that are intrinsically accurate and on target because they irritate certain highly vocal posters on this board?

[X Factor 1,112]

Update: Imam is arrested for framing accused disabled girl. Apparenlty he burned the pages of the Koran and stuffed it in the girl's bag

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120902/as-pakistan-christians/

[Boiler 45,519]

He has now been accused of blasphemy.

Sounds like something out of Monty Python!

[Darnell 8,478]

Good For Her ! Happy to see an Imam going down.

[X Factor 1,112]

Good For Her ! Happy to see an Imam going down.

What a nut job! He now gets a taste of his own medicine.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Happy to see an Imam going down.

Really ? What an interesting comment from you. It sheds a whole new light on your repeated advice to MENA members to "ask their imam" in regard to just about everything under the sun.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Pakistan disabled girl arrested for blasphemy http://www.bbc.co.uk...d-asia-19311098

Pakistani police have arrested a mentally disabled 11-year-old girl after a mob accused her of desecrating pages of the Koran.

The mob demanded the Christian girl's arrest and threatened to burn down Christian homes outside the capital Islamabad, local media say.

Officials said the girl could not properly answer police questions.

Her parents have been taken into protective custody following threats and other Christian families have fled.

It is thought that the girl has Down's syndrome.

Paul Bhatti, Pakistan's minister for National Harmony, told the BBC that the girl was known to have a mental disorder and that it seemed "unlikely she purposefully desecrated the Koran".

"From the reports I have seen, she was found carrying a waste bag which also had pages of the Koran," he said.

"This infuriated some local people and a large crowd gathered to demand action against her. The police were initially reluctant to arrest her, but they came under a lot of pressure from a very large crowd, who were threatening to burn down Christian homes."

He said more than 600 people have fled from the Christian neighbourhood.

Rights activists have urged Pakistan to reform its controversial blasphemy laws, under which a person can be jailed for life for desecrating the Koran.

Many of those accused of blasphemy have been killed by violent mobs, while politicians who advocate a change in legislation have also been targeted.

Last year, Shahbaz Bhatti, the minister for minority affairs, was killed after calling for the repeal of the blasphemy law.

His death came just two months after the murder of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, who also spoke out about the issue.

But our President keeps telling us that Islam is a religion of Peace and Love. I am confused.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

But our President keeps telling us that Islam is a religion of Peace and Love. I am confused.

You are definitely confused.