Pakistani Islamist Radicals Hail Acquittals Over Lynching

Islamic Insanity turn murderers into heroes

Associated Press

SHABQADAR : Political workers of two religious parties in Mardan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), have welcomed the release of 26 people acquitted in the Mashal Khan lynching case, terming them ‘heroes’.

Led by JUI-F provincial leader and former Member of National Assembly (MNA) Shujaul Mulk and JI leader Maulana Attaur Rehman, the workers gathered at Mardan Motorway on Wednesday to welcome the acquitted, who were released from Haripur jail.

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One of the released, namely Izaz Khan, also issued a threat as he addressed workers from atop a stage, showing no remorse as he vowed to strictly punish those who commit blasphemy in the future.

Workers of the two parties welcomed the acquitted with chants of Ghazi (warrior of Islam), showering them with flowers, and announcing a rally after Friday prayers in their honor.

The gathering was attended by local Khatm-e-Nabuwat workers, who chanted slogans in favour of those in jail, as well as those released, condemning the deceased Mashal Khan as a blasphemer.

On April 13, 2017, the country had witnessed the brutal lynching of journalism student Mashal Khan at Abdul Wali Khan University in broad daylight, after he was accused of blasphemy.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident afterwards.

The FIR – registered under section-302, 148, 149, 297, 427 of the Pakistan Penal Code along with section-7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act – said that the tragic event was preceded by a students’ protest in which the mob accused Mashal and his two friends – Abdullah and Zubair – of committing blasphemy.

An anti-terrorism court in Abbotabad on Wednesday awarded death sentence to one and 25-year-prison to five others in the Mashal Khan murder case, releasing 26 other suspects.

Religion of Peace Goes Berserk Again - 3rd Time in 30 Days; 10 y/o Killed

10 y/o killed as mob attacks Pakistan police station in attempted lynching of ‘blasphemous’ man

Pakistani protesters gather outside a police station during a demonstration against a Hindu man charged with blasphemy in the town of Hub in southwest restive Balochistan province on May 4, 2017 © Niaz Shahzed / AFP

A 10-year-old boy was fatally shot in Pakistan when an angry mob attacked a police station in an attempt to lynch a man charged with blasphemy. Five others were injured in the violence.

Prakash Kumar, a 34-year-old Hindu man, was arrested in the town of Hub, southwest Balochistan province, on Tuesday. He stands accused of sharing blasphemous content on the popular messaging service WhatsApp.

Once news of his arrest had spread across town through local newspapers, a mob of at least 500 people stormed the police station, demanding the authorities hand Kumar over so they could publicly lynch him.

When authorities refused to release Kumar, the mob – led by religious clerics and the head of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League political party – opened fire and began beating up officers, AFP reported, citing local police official Abdul Sattar.

Police official Jam Mohammad also confirmed the incident, saying "the siege went on for about three hours." A 10-year-old boy was shot in the clashes. He died at a nearby hospital, according to India Today. Five others were injured in the violence, Sattar said. Three of those were police officials, Huffington Post India reported.

The crowd was eventually dispersed by paramilitary troops. Police also used tear gas and aerial firing, according to Huffpost India.

Around 25 protesters were reportedly taken into custody following the incident.

Kumar has been sent to jail pending further investigation, with senior superintendent of police Lasbela Zia Mandokhel saying that the cell phone used to send the alleged content had been seized.

The incident marks the third major vigilante attack against people accused of blasphemy in Pakistan in less than 30 days.

Last month, a journalism student was beaten to death by a mob on his campus, after he was accused of having blasphemous views. He was beaten so brutally that his skull eventually caved in, according to video footage obtained by Reuters.

Less than one week later, a mob attacked a mentally ill man who claimed to be a prophet at his local mosque in northwest Chitral. He was rescued by police and survived the assault.

And don't forget 2015's hardly believable story of Farkhunda.

Blasphemy is an extremely serious accusation in Pakistan, which has a majority Muslim population. At least 65 people have been murdered over such allegations since 1990, according to figures cited in a Center for Research and Security Studies report.

In March, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif issued an order for the removal of blasphemous content, saying that anyone who posts such material should face "strict punishment under the law."

Meanwhile, those who stand up against blasphemy are often regarded as heroes.

Of course, in Islam, Allah is, apparently, incapable of standing up for himself. People have to protect Him. Or, people have to protect other people from hearing anything that might question his existence or his goodness. That is called propaganda, at best, and brain-washing, at worst. 

Let me share a little story. I once wrote an article for a small local newspaper and took it to the editor. He said there was one statement that troubled him and he would like me to verify that statement with a doctor. I did, it took a couple days. In the meantime the editor printed my article in full.

I was furious - he set me up for criticism. And sure enough, the next paper contained a scathing critique of my article which happened to be written by a friend of the editor. 

I wanted to lash back at the editor but I felt God wanted me to hold back - "vengeance is Mine" said the Lord. So, because my article checked out with the doctor, I used the opportunity to write another article in which I refrained from criticizing the editor. 

Less the 3 weeks later, someone bought up a whole chain of local newspapers including the one in question, and immediately fired the editor. 

God, the real God, is very capable of defending Himself. It is good that we Christians are ready to fight for Jesus Christ, but the bulk of that fighting should be done on our knees.

Allah, however, is in need of human protection. What does that tell you?

‘Convert to Islam or Face Murder Conviction’ – Pakistani Prosecutor Tells Christians

Does this mean that murder is not a crime if you are Muslim in Pakistan?

Members of the Christian community take part in a protest following the 2015 bombings of the churches in Lahore.

© Khuram Parvez / Reuters

At least 42 Christians accused of murder in Pakistan were reportedly told they’d be acquitted if they embraced Islam. The accused face the charges after the lynching of two men following twin suicide blasts at churches during Sunday mass.

Prosecutor Syed Anees Shah initially denied telling the accused he could guarantee their acquittal if they converted. However, he later admitted he did, when told by Pakistan’s Express Tribune that the accused had a video recording of what he said.

“He asks them if they embrace Islam, he can guarantee them their acquittal in this case,” rights activist Jospeh Franci, who is involved in the legal proceedings, told the Tribune. Franci claims all of the accused remained silent following the offer, except one who appeared to say he would rather be hanged than embrace Islam.

The trial of the accused is taking place in an anti-terrorism court in Youhanabad, Lahore following the lynching of two men on March 15, 2015. The men were suspected of being involved in the planning of two suicide blasts at churches in Youhanabad on the same day, which left at least 14 people dead.

Counsel for the accused, Naseeb Anjum Advocate, told the Tribune that the prosecution’s offer was not new, saying it was offered around six months ago.

“The government should get rid of such elements that bring [a] bad name to the state by such acts,” he said, claiming the prosecution was “blackmailing” the accused.

As if the state doesn't already have a 'bad name'.

Islam is the state religion of Pakistan, with Christians the second largest minority, accounting for about 1.6 percent of the population.

Youhanabad, Pakistan