Blasphemy

Wednesday, Apr 24, 2024 | Last Update : 03:46 AM IST

In a file photo, a Shariah Law official uses a rattan cane to whip one of two men convicted of gay sex in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, Indonesia, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. Two men in Indonesia's conservative Aceh province were caned 77 times each after neighbors reported them to the Shariah Police for having sex. (Photo: AP)

AA Edit | Indonesia takes a step backwards

A nation that used to pride itself in support of democratic traditions in the last 24 years might be slipping as it takes a theocratic turn

08 Dec 2022 12:15 AM

A member of a social media rights group displays pictures of actress Saba Qamar and singer Bilal Saeed's music video meant to depict a young bride’s joy that as shot in a mosque and went viral on the internet, at his office in Islamabad, Pakistan. The video infuriated religious radicals who inundated social media with claims that Qamar’s dancing sullied the historic Wazir Khan Mosque. The uproar was the latest example of how trolling has exploded online in Pakistan since a lockdown, imposed in March over coronavirus concerns, confined tens of millions to their homes. (AP)

'Blasphemy': Trolls flood social media in Pakistan amid virus lockdown

Activists and social media trackers say there has been a surge in online sectarian attacks, hate speech and cries of blasphemy

27 Aug 2020 12:25 PM

Pakistan's foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment. (Photo:AP)

Asia Bibi, cleared of blasphemy, leaves Pakistan

A Pakistani Christian woman who spent eight years on death row over false blasphemy charges, Asia Bibi, has left the country.

08 May 2019 3:15 PM

'We would be compelled to suspend all subsidies and trade preferences until the effective implementation of the Convention could be assured by the Government of Pakistan,' EU said. (Photo: ANI)

Concerned over minority persecution, EU threatens to suspend all subsidies to Pak

51 members of the European Parliament, in a letter to Imran Khan said oppression of religious minorities violated the UN's treaty on UDHR.

02 May 2019 11:57 AM

The recent decision by Pakistan's top court to overturn Bibi's death sentence and free her from jail is a welcome news (File Photo)

US Congress introduces resolution to grant asylum to Aasia Bibi

A US lawmaker has introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to grant asylum to Pakistani woman Aasia Bibi.

01 Feb 2019 10:17 AM

Bibi was set to be released immediately according to the court, although there was no word if any security arrangements were being made for her protection. (Photo: Facebook)

Pakistan court overturns christian woman's death sentence in Blasphemy case

'Appeal is allowed. She has been acquitted. Judgement of high court as well as trial court is reversed,' said Pak's Chief Justice in ruling.

31 Oct 2018 1:06 PM

Gender diversity art show closed over protests in Brazil

Conservative organization that led the charge on social media denied it was trying to censor art.

12 Sep 2017 2:10 PM

Soon after arresting the suspect the police shifted him to an undisclosed location. (Photo: Representational/ File)

Police arrest Christian man for alleged blasphemy case in Pakistan

The accused was moved to another place after rumours that religious groups intend to attack police station

15 Jul 2017 3:49 PM

The killing of Pakistani student, Mashal Khan, led to a national outcry after a video of the incident went viral. (Photo: AFP/File)

No evidence related to blasphemy found in Pak student's mob lynching case: police

Mashal Khan, 23, was stripped, beaten, shot before being thrown from the 2nd floor of his hostel at the Abdul Wali Khan University in April.

05 Jun 2017 8:08 PM

The report said some faculty members investigating the killing pressured students to support the blasphemy allegations because of Khan's past criticism of the university. (Photo: Facebook)

Lynched Pakistani student’s death organised by his rivals: police

A report by investigators says 23-year-old Mashal Khan, who was killed in April, was targeted by students who saw him as a political rival.

05 Jun 2017 12:06 PM

Police took the man to the local police station for his protection. (File Photo)

Pakistan: Mob attacks man in mosque for alleged blasphemy

The mob, meanwhile, tried to break into the police station to attack the man.

21 Apr 2017 8:50 PM

The police said that the women had hidden pistols under their burqa. (Photo: Representational)

Pakistan: 3 women kill man booked for blasphemy case 13 years ago

The women reportedly had raised slogans in jubilation after killing Abbas saying, ‘We have eliminated a blasphemer’.

21 Apr 2017 9:30 AM

A police officer said that the arrests had been made on the basis of CCTV footage and video clips. (Photo: Videograb)

Pakistan police arrest 22 in 'blasphemy' mob killing

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed to prosecute the perpetrators as protests broke out in several cities.

17 Apr 2017 3:13 PM

Nawaz Sharif added that he had been left "deeply saddened" over the student's murder by an "insensitive mob". (Photo: AP)

Sharif deeply saddened over Mardan lynching, orders action against guilty

Mashal was killed, while Abdullah was injured for allegedly 'publishing blasphemous content online'.

15 Apr 2017 8:18 PM

Policeman inspect Mashal Khan's hostel room. (Photo: AFP)

Blasphemy killing: Dorm debate led to death of Pakistani student, say witnesses

The death in the northwestern city of Mardan is the latest violence linked to accusations of blasphemy in Pakistan.

15 Apr 2017 8:25 AM

Nawaz Sharif had also warned against destruction of the places of worship of other religions, describing them as 'a crime in Islam'. (Photo: AP)

Cleric demands public apology from Pak PM Sharif for anti-Islam Holi speech

On March 14, Sharif had said that forced conversion and discrimination against minorities were not allowed in Islam.

22 Mar 2017 8:06 PM

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said those who misuse the blasphemy law for their personal interests should be held accountable. (Photo: AFP)

Pak: Pull down blasphemous content from social media, says Nawaz Sharif

He also ordered to take necessary actions in accordance with the judicial guidelines issued by the court.

14 Mar 2017 3:11 PM

Ahmad Waqass Goraya was among five activists who vanished in Pakistan in early January. (Photo: Twitter)

‘Not against Islam’, abducted Pak blogger breaks silence

Goraya, who like the other activists criticised religious extremism and the military establishment.

09 Feb 2017 4:00 PM

A simple accusation of blasphemy in Pakistan can be tantamount to a death sentence. (Photo: Representational Image)

Pakistan: Blasphemy law exalts killer; threatens missing bloggers

The clerics have accused the missing writers of blasphemy after a social media campaign linked them to allegations of blasphemy.

25 Jan 2017 1:16 PM

Activist Shaan Taseer (left). (Photo: Twitter | Shaan Taseer)

Christmas message leads to death threats, police case in Pakistan

The hardliners have called for protests if police do not charge activist Shaan Taseer with blasphemy against Islam, punishable by death.

03 Jan 2017 9:22 AM

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Columns

Sanjeev Ahluwalia

blasphemy