This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/30/pakistan-blasphemy-case-muslims-law

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Pakistan blasphemy case: 'Muslims could take law into their own hands' Pakistan blasphemy case: 'Muslims could take law into their own hands'
(about 1 hour later)
A lawyer representing the man who accused a Pakistani Christian girl of blasphemy has said that if she is not convicted, Muslims could "take the law into their own hands".A lawyer representing the man who accused a Pakistani Christian girl of blasphemy has said that if she is not convicted, Muslims could "take the law into their own hands".
Rao Abdur Raheem cited the example of Mumtaz Qadri, the man who last year shot dead a politician who had called for reform of the much-abused blasphemy law.Rao Abdur Raheem cited the example of Mumtaz Qadri, the man who last year shot dead a politician who had called for reform of the much-abused blasphemy law.
The apparent hijacking of the case against Rimsha Masih by organised extremists, including lawyers, could be spell great danger for the girl, .further complicate a bitterly contentious The apparent hijacking of the case against Rimsha Masih by organised extremists, including lawyers, could further complicate a bitterly contentious case.
His The lawyer's comments are likely to further complicate a bitterly contentious case that has caused an international outcry and embarrassed the Pakistani government. It could intimidate the court and would put her life at further risk even if she is freed. The lawyer's comments are likely to further complicate a bitterly contentious case that has caused an international outcry and embarrassed the Pakistani government. It could intimidate the court and would put her life at further risk even if she is freed.
The girl, Rimsha Masih, from Mehrabadi, Islamabad, whose family says she is 11, was arrested this month and charged with desecrating the Qur'an after a neighbour, Malik Hammad, claimed that he saw her with burnt pages of the holy text in a bag she was carrying.The girl, Rimsha Masih, from Mehrabadi, Islamabad, whose family says she is 11, was arrested this month and charged with desecrating the Qur'an after a neighbour, Malik Hammad, claimed that he saw her with burnt pages of the holy text in a bag she was carrying.
Her family had hoped that she would be granted bail on Thursday after a medical report this week found that she was a minor – thus eligible for bail – and had learning difficulties. But those hopes were dashed when Raheem challenged the report and the hearing was postponed.Her family had hoped that she would be granted bail on Thursday after a medical report this week found that she was a minor – thus eligible for bail – and had learning difficulties. But those hopes were dashed when Raheem challenged the report and the hearing was postponed.
According to Raheem, the medical report on Masih was illegal, as it followed the orders of a civil servant and not the court, and went beyond its remit of determining her age. He accused the government of supporting her and manipulating court proceedings. Speaking outside the Islamabad court after the hearing, Raheem said: "There are many Mumtaz Qadris in this country … This [medical] report has been managed by the state, state agencies and the accused."According to Raheem, the medical report on Masih was illegal, as it followed the orders of a civil servant and not the court, and went beyond its remit of determining her age. He accused the government of supporting her and manipulating court proceedings. Speaking outside the Islamabad court after the hearing, Raheem said: "There are many Mumtaz Qadris in this country … This [medical] report has been managed by the state, state agencies and the accused."
Rimsha's family had hoped that she would be granted bail Thursday (today) after a crucial medical report lodged earlier this week with the court found that she was a juvenile and mentally underdeveloped. Her family says that she is 11 years old and suffering from learning difficulties. The case has caused an international outcry. Later, sitting in his office beneath a large poster of Qadri, Raheem told the Guardian: "If the court is not allowed to do its work, because the state is helping the accused, then the public has no other option except to take the law into their own hands."
She Masih, whose family says she is 11, was arrested earlier this month and charged with desecrating the Qur'an, after a manneighbour, Malik Hammad, claimed that he saw her with burnt pages of the holy text in a bag she was carrying. The case has caused an international outcry. Later, sitting in his office beneath a large poster of Qadri, Raheem told the Guardian: "If the court is not allowed to do its work, because the state is helping the accused, then the public has no other option except to take the law into their own hands." There is however a glimmer of hope. In this case, for the first time in the case hardline Islamic clerics have cautioned against presuming the guilt of Rimsha Masih. Last night one of Pakistan's most radical mullahs, Ahmed Ludhianvi, head of the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba, which is blamed for hundreds of sectarian killings, told the Guardian: "There should be a thorough investigation. If she [Masih] didn't do it, she should be freed. If she is mentally disturbed, scholars should consider what should be done. Islam does not allow anyone to be punished instantaneously."
However, There is however a glimmer of hope. In this case, for the first time in the case hardline Islamic clerics have cautioned against presuming the guilt of Rimsha Masih. Last night one of Pakistan's most radical mullahs, Ahmed Ludhianvi, head of the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba, which is blamed for hundreds of sectarian killings, told the Guardian: "There should be a thorough investigation. If she (Masih) didn't do it, she should be freed. If she is mentally disturbed, scholars should consider what should be done. Islam does not allow anyone to be punished instantaneously." Last year, many lawyers rallied around Qadri, who killed Punjab governor Salman Taseer, showering him with rose petals when he appeared in court.
Last year, many lawyers rallied around Qadri, who killed Punjab governor Salman Taseer, and showeredshowering him with rose petals when he appeared in court.
Raheem said he had taken on the case for free because he was convinced that Masih should be punished. "This girl is guilty. If the state overrides the court, then God will get a person to do the job," he said.Raheem said he had taken on the case for free because he was convinced that Masih should be punished. "This girl is guilty. If the state overrides the court, then God will get a person to do the job," he said.
However, it seems unclearIt remains unclear why the accuser suspected Masih and how he saw inside the bag that she was apparently carrying. It is also unclear whether any burnt pages were actually from the Qur'an. However, it seems unclear why the accuser suspected Masih and how he saw inside the bag that she was apparently carrying. It is also unclear whether any burnt pages were actually from the Qur'an.
Following Raheem's objections to the medical report, the court has asked the authorities for clarification and will hear the case again on Saturday, when bail for the girl could again be considered.Following Raheem's objections to the medical report, the court has asked the authorities for clarification and will hear the case again on Saturday, when bail for the girl could again be considered.
Blasphemy allegations are often made on the flimsiest of evidence but enraged mobs pressure the police into registering cases. In court, the alleged act of blasphemy cannot even be repeated, as that would be an act of blasphemy in itself, so verdicts are reached not hearing in the absence of the main piece of evidence. Blasphemy allegations are often made on the flimsiest of evidence but enraged mobs pressure the police into registering cases. In court, the alleged act of blasphemy cannot even be repeated, as that would be an act of blasphemy in itself, so verdicts are reached in the absence of the main piece of evidence.
Earlier this year, a mentally disturbed Muslim man in Bahawalpur, a city in the middle of the country, was accused of blasphemy and arrested. After a crowd of up to 2,000 stormed the police station and dragged him out, he was beaten and burned alive. In 2009, a mob attacked an area where Christians lived in Gojra, a town in Punjab province, burning at least eight people to death.Earlier this year, a mentally disturbed Muslim man in Bahawalpur, a city in the middle of the country, was accused of blasphemy and arrested. After a crowd of up to 2,000 stormed the police station and dragged him out, he was beaten and burned alive. In 2009, a mob attacked an area where Christians lived in Gojra, a town in Punjab province, burning at least eight people to death.
The fate of the Christians at Gojra hangs heavily over Masih's own community. They fled en masse after RimshaMasih was taken away by police from her home. Now, two weeks on, Two weeks later, many of the Christians have trickled back, but they remain terrified. The fate of the Christians at Gojra hangs heavily over Masih's own community. They fled en masse after Rimsha Masih was taken away by police from her home. Now, two weeks on, many of the Christians have trickled back, but they remain terrified.
One Christian, Arif Masih, returned to his house in Mehrabadi after nine days to find it looted. "People are so afraid, they cannot sleep at night," he said. "We just want to leave, we want to be given somewhere else to live," said Masih." One Christian, Arif Masih, returned to his house in Mehrabadi after nine days to find it looted. "People are so afraid, they cannot sleep at night," he said. "We just want to leave, we want to be given somewhere else to live," said Masih.
• This article was amended on 31 August 2012 to correct editing mistakes throughout.