David Cameron to raise blasphemy laws with Pakistan President

Wilson and Juliet outside 10 Downing Street after an Easter Celebration hosted by Prime Minister David Cameron

David Cameron today (Wednesday 9^th April) met with a number of influential Christians at 10 Downing Street, among them Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA).  According to Chowdhry, the Prime Minister said that he was deeply concerned about the persecution of Christians around the world, and also that he wanted Christians to engage in more evangelism in the UK. 

Chowdhry said that he raised the situation of Christians in Pakistan with the Prime Minister, and in particular Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, and Mr Cameron indicated he would be raising the issue of blasphemy laws with Pakistan’s President Mamnoon Hussein in an upcoming visit. 

After the event, Chowdhry said ‘Mr Cameron’s promised efforts on behalf of the victims of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws is welcome news.  However, against this we must not underestimate the deeply entrenched support for the blasphemy laws amongst the significant portion of the Pakistani population and elite that is, shall we say, rather retrograde.  We look forward to hearing what response Mr Cameron receives.’ 

Chowdhry also said that Mr Cameron had made gestures of support about one or two of the BPCA’s activities, but declined to give any more specifics.  However, he said ‘I would like to take the opportunity to point out again the plight of one victim of the blasphemy laws, Asia Bibi, a mother of five who is on death row for alleged ‘blasphemy’.  Her initial ‘crime’ was actually an act of kindness, in that she offered water to fellow agricultural labourers, but because, as a Christian, her touch had defiled the water for Muslims, they launched an aggressive verbal attack on her Christian faith and on Jesus, and when she defended her faith in Christ, she was accused of blasphemy.  Her appeal – after a number of disturbing delays – is due to be held on the 14^th April, and the only just sentence is to overturn this utterly unjust and barbaric verdict and release her.  International pressure is a must to counter the intimidation of extremists calling for her death.  To this end, our good friends Ooberfuse, have remixed and re-released their song calling for her freedom.  This can be found on the new website http://freeasiabibi.com/home along with a plea from Asia Bibi from her prison cell.  We have also relaunched our original 2010 petition calling for Asia’s release, which can be found here.  http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/justice4asia  We encourage anyone of goodwill and conscience, whatever their religion or faith, to sign the petition and spread the word for others to do so.  We would also encourage respectful letters and emails to the Pakistani government, including the Consulates and other diplomatic missions in this country at this crucial time for Asia.’

Read full speech here (click here)

Read Belfast Telegraph report;  (click here)

Independent report; (click here)

Daily Mail blog  (click here)