Blasphemy by Asia Bibi

Blasphemy

by Asia Bibi

Punjab, Pakistan, June 2009. The temperature is 45 Degrees and Asia has been out picking fruit for several hours. It's exhausting, sweaty work, but Asia and her husband have five children to feed. At midday she goes to the nearest well, picks up a cup and takes a long drink of cool water. She refills the cup, drinks some more and then offers it to another woman.

Suddenly one of her fellow workers cries out that the water belongs to the Muslim women and that with her actions, Asia - who is Christian - has contaminated it. An argument ignites and in an instant, with one word, Asia's fate is sealed. 'Blasphemy!' someone shouts. In Pakistan this is a charge punishable by death.

First attacked by a mob, Asia was soon after thrown into prison and then sentenced to be hanged. Since then she has been kept in a windowless cell. Her family have had to flee their village, under threat from vengeful extremists. In the wave of accusation that followed, only two public figures came to Asia's defence: the Muslim governor of the Punjab and Pakistan's Christian Minister for Minorities. Both have since been brutally murdered.

Here, in equal measures shocking and inspiring, Asia Bibi, who has become a symbol for everyone concerned with ending the violence committed in the name of religion, bravely speaks to us from her prison cell.

Reviewed by Hillary on

5 of 5 stars

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My Review: This book shows the human side of Pakistan blasphemy law. WE have all heard about it but with this book it shows just what harm it can do not only to Christians but also to other religions. Bibi herself can't read and write but the french journalist that wrote this book did an excellent job in telling her story. THis is a short book I read it in a couple of hours, but it packs a punch. It tells of the situation that led to her jailing and how she was treated.

One thing I have often wondered is how christians in other countries find the courage and strength to stand up for their religion. THis book shows me how Asia Bibi and other Christians do this.

This book is highly recommended. Plus if you buy the book all the royalties go to Bibi and her family.This review was originally posted on Adventures in Never Never Land

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  • Started reading
  • 29 March, 2013: Finished reading
  • 29 March, 2013: Reviewed