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Christian Girl, Possibly Mentally Handicapped, Arrested in Pakistan and Accused of ‘Blasphemy’

Pakistani Christian Girl Arrested for Blashpemy for Allegedly Burning Koran

fYoung Pakistani Muslims play with toy guns near the closed house (L) of Rimsha, a Christian girl who has been arrested on blasphemy charges, at a slum area of Islamabad on August 20, 2012. Pakistan's president on August 20 called on officials to explain the arrest on blasphemy charges of a Christian girl with Down's Syndrome who allegedly burnt pages inscribed with verses from the Koran. There is a growing debate about religious intolerance in Pakistan, where strict anti-blasphemy laws make defaming Islam or desecrating the Koran punishable by death. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

ISLAMABAD (TheBlaze/AP) — Pakistani authorities arrested a Christian girl and are investigating whether she violated the country’s strict blasphemy laws after furious neighbors surrounded her house and demanded police take action, a police officer said Monday. She reportedly burned pages from the Koran.

The arrest of the girl and outrage among the local community demonstrates the deep emotion that suspected blasphemy cases can evoke in this conservative Muslim country, where rising extremism often means religious minorities live in fear of persecution.

In Pakistan, anyone found guilty of insulting Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, or holy book, the Koran, can be sentenced to death, although they’re rarely if ever executed.

A Pakistani police officer, Zabi Ullah, said Monday that the girl was arrested Thursday after hundreds of neighbors, angry over reports she had allegedly burned religious papers, gathered outside her house in a poor outlying district of the capital, Islamabad.

He said the police took the girl to the police station, and that she’s been held for 14 days while authorities investigate.

“About 500-600 people had gathered outside her house in Islamabad, and they were very emotional, angry and they might have harmed her if we had not quickly reacted,” he said.

“Some Muslims from the area claim the girl had burned pages of the Koran, and we are investigating, and we have not reached any conclusion,” he said.

Another police official, Qasim Niazi, said when the girl was brought to the police station she had a shopping bag that contained various religious and Arabic-language papers that had been partly burned but no Koran.

Another police officer said the matter would likely be dropped once the investigation is completed and the atmosphere is defused, saying there was “nothing much to the case.” He did not want to be identified due to the sensitivity of the case.

There were varying reports on the girl’s age and whether she was mentally handicapped. Ullah said she was 16 while other officials have said she was either 12 or 11. Niazi said that when the girl was brought to the police station she was scared and unable to speak normally, but he did not know whether she was mentally handicapped.

Christians often live in fear that they will be accused of blasphemy, and many critics say the legislation is sometimes used to settle scores.

Pakistani Christian Girl Arrested for Blashpemy for Allegedly Burning Koran

People gathered outside the locked house of a Christian girl in suburbs of Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, Aug. 20, 2012. Pakistani authorities arrested a Christian girl and are investigating whether she violated the country's strict blasphemy laws after furious neighbors surrounded her house and demanded police take action, a police officer said Monday. The arrest of the girl and outrage among the local community demonstrates the deep emotion that suspected blasphemy cases can evoke in this conservative Muslim country, where rising extremism often means religious minorities live in fear of persecution. Credit: AP

Angry mobs have been known to sometimes take the law into their own hands and beat or kill people who are accused of violating the blasphemy laws. In July, thousands of people dragged a Pakistani man accused of desecrating the Quran from a police station in the central Pakistani city of Bahawalpur, beat him to death and then set his body on fire.

Attempts to revoke or alter the blasphemy laws have been met with violent opposition, however.

Last year, two prominent Pakistani political figures who spoke out against the laws were killed, in attacks that raised concerns about the rise of religious extremism in Pakistan.

Liberal politician Salman Taseer was shot and killed by one of his own guards in January 2011, and in March 2011, militants gunned down Shahbaz Bhatti, the only Christian minister in Pakistan’s Cabinet.

A spokesperson for Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Farhatullah Babar, said the president has taken “serious note” of reports of the girl’s arrest and has asked the Interior Ministry to look into the case.

Comments (80)

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  • Amarilloan
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 2:29pm

    The “religion of peace”!

    Report Post »  
    • RossPoldark
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 9:45pm

      Religion of psychotic swine!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Amarath01
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:58am

      It is the religion of peace, as long as you never make a mistake and after everyone has been converted. Otherwise, die, be raped, and cut.
      This is the accurate reading of its theology.

      Oh is blasphemy laws are controversial … like if your pro them well nothing happens, but if you opposed to them you get killed by your guards and family. Sounds pretty equally unpopular.

      Oh and a ton of christian have already left the area because you know its pretty equal and there is a lot of tolerance and peace.

      Report Post »  
  • scootervanneuter
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 2:11pm

    Don’t be too hard on these people as they are very religious, and merely doing the will of their father. Obviously they need a different father

    Report Post » scootervanneuter  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 3:10pm

      There is some truth to that.

      Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 7:54pm

      Walkabout – there is no truth to Scooter’s statement. Evil is evil and they are of their Father the Devil. They know they are following Satan and they love it.

      Report Post » db321  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 1:33pm

    The girl has a name. It was not given in this article write up, Therefore this sotry will n ot stay at the top of the headlines,

    The GIRL’S NAME is RIFTA MASIH.

    Report Post »  
    • LetUsReason
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 2:08pm

      @ Walkabout

      If this is true, then it is significant. The last name of Masih is an Arabic name, but not a Muslim name. One who is Christian is said in Arabic to be “Masihi”, or one who follows Christ. It comes from the word for Messiah.

      So in summary, this is not just a story of harsh laws in a harsh land, but truly one of discrimination against those who are not Muslim. Not a surprise, of course, but it adds much insight to the story.

      Report Post »  
  • christhefanatic
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 1:24pm

    Keep this in mind when war in the mid east begins and and people begin to cry over collateral damage.

    Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 3:22pm

      Judging from the comments, this is not news, because we expect this from Islamic countries & Islam

      Report Post »  
  • kat747
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 1:12pm

    Real nice, compasionate religion you muslims have over there……..you people should really be proud of your “cult”.

    Report Post »  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 1:06pm

    The muslims need to be put down……hard.

    Report Post »  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 1:04pm

    “In Pakistan, anyone found guilty of insulting Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, or holy book, the Koran, can be sentenced to death, although they’re rarely if ever executed.”

    That’s because mobs kill them before adjudication even occurs.

    Why are we still sending Pakistan our tax money?

    There are fewer and fewer moderate muslims worldwide. Perhaps it is time to admit that the West is at war w/islam.

    Report Post » Elena2010  
    • dustynbob
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:43am

      sadly this is true, but what is not stated is that a neighbor can start a riot and get you killed and they end up with all your possessions. it happens in all countries who allow persecution to continue and it is happening in the US now.

      Report Post »  
  • FatPolice
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 12:49pm

    “And I will put enmity

    between you and the woman,

    and between your offspring and hers…”; Genesis 3:15

    Report Post » FatPolice  
  • The_Cabrito_Goat
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 12:32pm

    What usually happens is acid gets thrown on “khaffirs” (unbelievers) if they wear crosses or symbols. I really hope they just leave the poor handicapped girl alone. Why anybody who isnt Muslim would go to Pakistan is beyond me.

    Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 1:35pm

      The girl’s name is RIFTA MASIH

      Report Post »  
    • shimauma
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 4:08pm

      she may have been born in Pakistan and her family is Christian, possibly too poor to move out, or maybe they feel a calling to tell the Pakistanis around them about the redemption from Christ. Jesus did say many of us would suffer persecution and even be killed for talking about Him. I pray He watches over this young girl and keeps her safe from harm…All in His will of course

      Report Post » shimauma  
  • John 3:16
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 11:56am

    Hey Mohammad is a piece of DOG DUNG as is Allah and the Koran is a piece of butt wipe. Come get me please!!!! I have way to much ammo and need to unload some.

    Report Post » John 3:16  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 12:57pm

      Wanko & other trolls compare Christianity to Islam. There is no comparison. I know among which religions I feel safer around.

      Report Post »  
  • Steve28
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 11:34am

    Can anyone deny that with the consolidation of power in the Mideast that a holy war will soon erupt that will be like WWIII?

    Report Post »  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 11:53am

      Yeah , but we r not mention in the Bilble cause we decommisioned r military & will be a UN World power as a Dictator State under Obama. Vote R & R in Nov.

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 11:54am

      Seems all the men have jobs just enforcing the evil pronouncements of the socalled holy book. What are they doing when they are not chasing someone down for a violation I wonder. Probably nothing and thats part of their problem, their to busy being zealots to actually live out their lives in peace.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • RANGER1965
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 12:10pm

      The “consolidator” better be one charismatic guy!

      Getting Muslims together to do anything makes herding cats look easy. He would have to be equal parts diplomat, Islamic scholar, and warrior. He would have to be filthy rich without appearing so. Supernaturally eloquent, while being forceful, and base.

      OR…

      An utterly brutal dictator with a nuclear sword.

      Report Post » RANGER1965  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 12:24pm

      As soon as we pull out of Afghanistan in 2014 & no longer need to truck in supplies we should cut off aid to Pakistan.

      Then if there are any normal people they can fight the Taliban & other Islamicists. They will have to.. Without U.S. aid the economy will be under stress. It needs to be under that stress so they admit what works & what doesn’t. Islam does not work. It persecutes minorities & sidelines the efforts of women. Wasting that much intellectual capital & manpower (woman power). Is untenable.

      Cut foreign aid. Cut the umbilical cord They will sink or swim. If they choose war to steal goods to temporarily balance the books, the world will hand their _ss to them.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 12:34pm

      vladtepesblog.com aggregates Muslim outrage from around the world. Yes a person might see WW3 on the horizon after rewarding the blog.

      Even the troll Wango could not dissemble enough to keep people from wanting to throw out suppine liberals form office

      Report Post »  
    • pdw
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 12:47pm

      It is much different here in America a picture of Jesus in urine is “art.“ to Burn a Bible or an American Flag is a ”Civil Right.” Just cannot offend anyone? After all this is a “Civil Matter” and we need to leave them to their own laws? After all they are a peaceful and loving people just trying obey their laws and keep peace and order?

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 12:59pm

      pdw
      Much different. The government pays leftist to make avant garde art desecrating Christianity.

      They are not doing it on their own dime. they need a subsidy to desecrate religion.

      Report Post »  
  • RANGER1965
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 11:34am

    Ahhhh… Mob Justice.

    10,000 screaming Muslims can’t be wrong.

    You wonder why Liberals have such a hard time convincing America that Islam is the religion of peace.

    Maybe one day I will be “enlightened” enough to understand their point.

    Report Post » RANGER1965  
  • The_Jerk
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 11:14am

    Pure Goebbels-like propaganda.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 11:11am

    And we keep supporting them, given that the Pakistani government over the weekend launched a SMSing propaganda attack into Indias northern territory that caused thousands of Christians to flee in fear of a massive Islamist uprising and attacks being underway.

    Now the Brotherhood is doing crusifictions in Egypt, and now a mentally disabled girl may be put to death in the most hideous of means if they choose to do so…

    When can we end this madness and the madness of Obama?

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • momrules
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 2:40pm

      Snow…………I don’t think this madness is going to end. I am one that believes that we are facing the end times. The loss reverence for God around the world, the rise and influence of Islam, the loss of our great America to apostasy, the absolute hatred that so many feel towards Jews and Israel etc, and the Bible itself leads me to this conclusion.

      The prophecies have been fulfilled with the exception of one. Time is so short now.

      Report Post »  
  • SREGN
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 11:07am

    Maybe instead of aid to Pakistan we should use the money to relocate Christians to the US and Obama-ites to Pakistan.

    Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 1:03pm

      We take the “brown” Christians. We give then the “white” Medea Benjamin of Code Stink & the rest of the ilk that think like her.

      Report Post »  
  • hi
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 11:02am

    This is an example of how the “eye for an eye” rule made sense. It limited the monsters from killing someone over burning a few pieces of paper.

    Report Post » hi  
  • woodyee
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 11:02am

    “…although they’re rarely if ever executed.” I think that’s a pile of meadow muffins. Who keeps tabs on murders committed by Muslim Radicals against Christians? Let alone in Muslim slums…YOU CAN’T!

    What we DO know is that Muslims murder non-believers in unbelievable numbers because they PRACTICE their murderous religion. This poor and undoubtedly poorly educated girl was SURROUNDED BY NEIGHBORS wanting her dead because of her religious belief. Dead, because she believes in the Prince of Peace? More religious murders are committed members of the Islamo-facist faith in the Middle East than folks of other religions in the world. And in the 20th Century alone, non-believers murdered more people – many their own – than religious folks killed since man began recording history. MAN murders; bad religion murders; non-Muslim religious folks rarely do.

    Report Post » woodyee  
  • sndrman
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 10:58am

    this is insane……few years back a uncle and nephew was accused of writing blasphemy,both were Christians,both illiterate,go figure………a cart vendor wanted a certain place to park his cart because it had high traffic in front of a Christian Dr.’s office,he accused the Dr of blasphemy,and she(the dr) had to fight in court,one to prove her innocence and 2nd to keep her pratice….this is what the religion peace is…this is what obama has backed,NASA is a muslim outreach,look at the middle east he set on fire…..egypt is now in the hands of extremist,syria is about to fall into the hands of extremists….. i guess that’s one way to keep the extremists from attacking AMERICA just put them in power,what theory is that?

    Report Post »  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 10:48am

    Gee, such rational people…

    Report Post » biohazard23  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 10:48am

    …and billions of U.S.tax payer dollars keep on rolling in.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • momrules
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 2:12pm

      And millions of Americans are still ignorant to the evil that is Islam and continue to support them.

      Report Post »  
  • Landon410
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 10:47am

    can we arrest and kill muslims if they talk about our the Christian God?
    That would help weed their numbers down pretty quick…..

    Report Post »  
    • IvanK
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 11:01am

      I wish the rest of the world were as tolerant as these folks! We should all endeavor to be more like the the people of “the religion of peace”.
      Just think, we could all go back to living in the stone age. What a wonderful world it would be indeed!

      Report Post » IvanK  
    • kat747
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 1:10pm

      We should be able to nurk them for screaming “Death to America”.
      One good reason why all financial aid to the Middle East’s Moslum countries should be STOPPED
      IMMEDIATELY.
      We should be screaming “Death to the Moslum Foreign Aid”.

      Report Post »  
  • Locked
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 10:46am

    Yet another example of why we should not be giving Pakistan one red cent of foreign aid. With “allies” like this, who needs enemies?

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 11:10am

      Amen. Gov. Perry had that much right. Start at zero and go from there.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 1:01pm

      We need the supply line thru Pakistan unless the forign aid is more than airlifting stuff thru Kirghiz. As soon as we only have advisors there & no combat troops I say cut them off.

      It will cause the state of Pakistan much much grief as there will not be a s much money to spread around.

      F___-em

      They need to grow up & get a real economy.

      Report Post »  
  • Eric_The_Red_State
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 10:46am

    Wake up sleeping America – this is not a dream – this is real. There are people who actually want to kill you and you cannot welcome them into your culture without dire reprocussions, Regardless of what the mainstream media would have you believe.

    These people cut off hands of thieves
    These people stone homosexuals
    These people think it’s just fine to kill women and children in their war for god
    These people fly airplanes into building and kill innocent people

    It is not RACIST to defend yourself against a group of people whose mission it is to change your religion to their religion and kill you if you resist.

    Report Post » Eric_The_Red_State  
  • Mandors
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 10:43am

    That one world government thing keeps looking better and better.

    Report Post » Mandors  
  • Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
    Posted on August 20, 2012 at 10:41am

    Relax everyone. This is our ally in the war on terror. We should cut them some slack because they are our friends.

    Report Post » Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 1:06pm

      I see a south Asian & my guard is up. If they are from India & are a Hindu, not sweat. Otherwise they are not be trusted. It is not about color as much as the leftards say it is. It is about actions & results. HeII yes I prejudge. It keeps sane people alive.

      Report Post »  
    • TEARS FOR AMERICA
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 1:22pm

      Like the Jews who were herded onto cattle cars and railroaded to the ovens, so Christians will go if Islam continues to ink its way into western societies.

      Report Post » TEARS FOR AMERICA  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 1:36pm

      The girl has a name, RIFTA MASIH.

      Report Post »  
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