Merry Christmas, infidel pigs…

(Spero News)– It promises to be a difficult Christmas for the Christian community in Pakistan. An alliance among radical Islamic groups – which includes religious parties, Islamic movements, organizations allied with terrorist groups – has called a large mass national demonstration entitled Namos-e-risalat, that is, defending the honor of Muhammad on December 24, after Friday prayers at the mosque, to say “no” to the release of Asia Bibi and any changes to the blasphemy law.

The Muslim alliance has called on the “ummah” (Islamic community) in all the world, demanding universal support in the defence of the Prophet. Moreover, the radical leaders say: “Asia Bibi is a blasphemous woman and should be repudiated by Christians. Anyone who defends her, an ordinary citizen, politician or Minister, is guilty of blasphemy along with her.” Bibi is a Christian woman who was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death by a Muslim religious court for supposed blasphemy. Since then, fears for her safety in prison have arisen since a Muslim religious leader offered a bounty to anyone who manages to kill her. Protests by Christians and advocates of human rights have ensued, which have called for abolishing the blasphemy laws.

Local sources speaking to Fides referred to the fear that the initiative, obviously provocative, may degenerate into open violence and attacks against Christians. The Commission for Justice and Peace of the Bishops of Pakistan expressed to Fides “great concern at the increasing tension, at the possible outcomes of the protest and the situation in which religious minorities may be, especially Christians.”