Woman condemned to be hanged for blasphemy in Pakistan

I learned more today about the verdict of the District Court of Sheikhupura in the province of Punjab, Pakistan.  On Nov 8, Asia Bibi, a 45-year old farm worker, mother of five children, was sentenced to death after being convicted of defaming the Prophet Mohammed, a charge she denies, claiming instead that she is being persecuted by certain locals for her being a Christian.

According to reports, Asia Bibi had been working as a farmhand in fields with other women who were Muslim, when she was asked to fetch drinking water. Some of the Muslim women refused to drink the water as it had been brought by a Christian woman and was therefore "dirty and unclean."

I have to say that when I traveled in Pakistan I heard many stories of  persecution of religious minorities.  One couple I met had been in hiding for over two years due to threats on their lives.  Another man who was wearing a cross was beaten up on a bus and accused of blasphemy.  The accusation of blasphemy is very serious, as the Bibi case shows.  Activists in Pakistan are urging the repeal of the blasphemy statutes because they are abused by individuals who may have ulterior motives for bringing charges, making religious minorities particularly vulnerable.
  

A UN expert on human rights and other activists are mounting a campaign to save Bibi's life.  When I have details of what you can do to help, I will post them.

Third Graders Inspire

Today I visited a third grade class to read and discuss "My Sisters Made of Light."  Sixteen students sat on the colorful U.S. floor map while I rocked in a maple chair.  Their questions were great!--Is it hard to write a novel?  (very)  How long did it take? (I started in 2003 How old were you then?  "I was only two."  I was one)  They were impressed.  How did you get it published?  (hard work and luck!)  What inspired you?--That was the question I threw back at them--what does it mean to be inspired? I asked--and Jack, one of the most verbal boys said:  "It means something happens that makes you want to write it down."  Yes!  That's it!

And today those children inspired me to want to write it down--and so I begin this blog.

The news from Pakistan today is Hillary Clinton announcing that the U.S. has pledged two billion dollars in military aid to Pakistan and hailed its efforts to battle extremists, seeking to bolster an uneasy alliance with the frontline nation.