A light on Islam's horizon?

[naomi24]

In the case of the young Christian girl charged with blasphemy and being held in a high security prison in Pakistan, a group of Muslim clerics and scholars have said:

//her case should be a test case for Pakistan, and no injustice should be done.

The law of the jungle is taking over now and anybody can be accused of anything," said Allama Tahir Ashrafi, chairman of the All Pakistan Ulema Council.

If she has been falsely accused, her accuser should be arrested and punished. //

Whilst they haven’t denounced the blasphemy laws, which I think is a great pity, they have recognised the apparent ease with which such charges are levelled and acted upon without proper investigation, and therefore, their comments can only be a step in the right direction.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19397884

[wildwood]

Perhaps some of the atrocities in the name of Islam are starting to embarrass the Muslims. The oil won't last forever.

[mike11111]

Can't see the point of this post, what exactly is your question or your point?

[birdie1971]

I would like to think so but I seriously doubt it.

[birdie1971]

Mike -

I think what Naomi is asking is whether or not Islam, in general, is becoming more tolerant.

[birdie1971]

↑ Correction to the above. I should have said, “... I think what Naomi is asking is whether or not Muslims, in general, are becoming more tolerant...”

Islam cannot change. Muslims however, can.

[naomi24]

Thanks Birdie. I didn't think it was that difficult. ;o)

For these scholars and clerics to recognise and acknowledge that //The law of the jungle is taking over now// has to be an improvement on the absence of criticism we've seen in the past. If only they would extend that to the blasphemy laws and recognise that, just as Muslims are entitled to their beliefs, other people are also entitled to think as they will, we might see some real progress.

[sandyRoe]

It is a sin for a Christian to bear false witness against a neighbour. It could be that Islam isn't strict enough with people who falsely claim that others have committed blasphemy.

[naomi24]

I’m not sure these people have borne false witness. Perhaps the girl did damage a copy of the Koran. So what? Her alleged age and condition aside, she’s Christian, and therefore the Koran means nothing to her. Whilst it might be acceptable to impose rules relating to the Koran on Muslims, it’s unacceptable to demand that others also abide by those rules. I wonder what Muslims do with their copies of the Koran when they become dog-eared, torn, and worn? Do they never throw them away and buy a nice new replacement?

[ludwig]

// If she has been falsely accused, her accuser should be arrested and punished //

It sounds like an admission that they know most of these cries of 'witchcraft' are just being used to settle personal vendettas or as a way of attacking christians, with no substance behind the accusation.

The worrying thing is that there's no criticism of the blasphemy law itself, only the false accusation. In other words they're saying 'It's wrong to tell lies, but if she really is a witch, then fair enough, go ahead with the punishment'.

I think we can only count it as a light on the horizon when their politicians can openly question the law itself without fear of being murdered for doing so.

[Duncer]

It al reminds me of the "She's a witch" sketch, quickly followed by cries to have her burned. Unfortunately it's not funny in this case. The girl has learning difficulties and probably didn't know what she was doing, so where is the compassion or understanding in this religion?

I would be against people gratuitously burning the Koran just to cause offence but, as Naomi points out, Islam must recognise that not everyone shares their beliefs and make allowances for this.

[beso]

The girl is female. The accusers are male. Nothing has changed since Eve's encounter with the snake.