There's a current fashion trend in #Pakistan that's facing violent reprisals. Many women are going out in public, with headscarves and dresses that have #Arabic or #Urdu alphabet letters imprinted on them, only to be confronted with accusations of #blasphemy. Back in December, Fizza Abbas, journalist, poet and writer, ventured out to a bookshop with … Continue reading Fizza Abbas’ Personal Run-in With Blasphemy
Pakistan
Survivors
Monday 14th September, 2020 Bhaji, I’m still waging against the insanity that your life changed permanently last week. In this culture she can be branded a whore for not bringing his cup of tea on time. Leered at for wanting financial independence - or just independence. Control. Abuse. Dismissed. The Pakistani female experience requires desensitised … Continue reading Survivors
Refuge Seeking in Relative Safety
There is a common misconception among Christians in particular that I've been mulling over these past weeks. As usual, my thoughts have been straying to Aasia Bibi, especially since there has been no outbreak of news since her family relocated to Canada. Whilst no news may be an indication that all is well with the … Continue reading Refuge Seeking in Relative Safety
The Final Appeal
Tomorrow. 9 years of imprisonment. 2009 was the year. Local women objecting to her drinking from the local village well. A dispute in which she boasted of her pride in her Saviour, somehow ended up in mobs descending upon her. Flogging her in front of her daughters. Police intervetion. Accusations of blasphemes against the prophet. … Continue reading The Final Appeal
Pakistan’s Asia Bibi: A Foregone Conclusion?
Asia Bibi has become an international symbol of Christian persecution. Five years later and she remains languishing in a prison cell. Her story in itself is not unique and instead echoes thousands of told and untold experiences: false accusations and unjust imprisonments. But for those accused of blasphemy, violence and murder often extends to family … Continue reading Pakistan’s Asia Bibi: A Foregone Conclusion?
Radical Within Reason 