Blasphemy Law in Pakistan and Its Effects
  Bishop John Joseph is QUI YUAN of South Asia

Chinese people are proud of QUI YUAN, who lived in 200 B.C. The manner of his life and death has made him such an important person in the Chinese folk history that he is celebrated every year by a Dragon Boat festival and a holiday. In fact, he is the symbol of the Chinese spirit of protest for all times.

Qui Yuan was an advisor to the emperor and is known to be a clear-headed person in a very confused country at a difficult time. Qui Yuan knowing his people provided some advice to the emperor so as to make things better for the people. The emperor ignored his advice. To stress the importance of his advise, Qui Yuan drowned himself in a river. His protest drew the attention of the people.

He is celebrated in many ways in post revolutionary China too. At Wuhan in Hubei province, one of the largest gardens has his statute at the entrance.

Bishop John Joseph of Pakistan is not an Ancient hero hut a Modern one. He too was a very clear-headed person living in a confused country. His country’s blindness came from religious fundamentalism where under blasphemy law persons were condemned to death. After protesting against this for a long time, the Bishop realized the depth of the problem, when mobs encouraged by fanatical clerics killed one of his people in front of the court. A short time later, the Bishop after promising that he will sacrifice his life to stop this from happening, shot himself to death in front of the same court. His death shocked whole world and Pakistan in particular.

Bishop John Joseph thus represents the great spirit of protest not only for the people of Pakistan but also for South Asia in general. This needs to be celebrated and the cause for which he gave his life needs to be pursued with courage and dedication.

     
   
Backgound information Blasphemy Law in Pakistan - Text of the Laws
  Blasphemy Law in Pakistan and Its Effects [Part 1]
  Blasphemy Law in Pakistan and Its Effects [Part 2]
   
Articles Blasphemy Cases Against Christians
  Alarming Voices of Extremism
  Discriminatory Laws Against Minorities - Blasphemy Laws and Others
   
Bishop John Joseph Eminent Catholic Bishop Sacrifices His Life to Protest Against Deadly Blasphemy Law in Pakistan
Who protestested with his Bishop John Joseph's Protest Against Victimisation of Minorities
life Against Blasphemy A Comment on the Bishop’s Act of Sacrifice
Laws Reactions to Pakistani Bishop's Death
   
NGO Resolutions A Resolution on Pakistan: Repeal Blasphemy Laws
   
Blasphemy Law Related News Churches complain as Paskistan government Backtrrack on Blasphemy Law [31 May 2000] [Presbynews]
  Pakistan Drops Moves to Change Blasphemy Law [26 May 2000] [CNSNews]
  Pakistan's Blasphemy Law U-Turn [17 May 2000] [BBC]
  Pakistani Court Sentences Chrisians for Blasphemy [5 April 2001] [EP]
  Pakistani Mulism faces death for Blasphemy [9 September 1998] [BBC]
Related Urgent Appeals PAKISTAN: Death Sentence for Alleged Blasphemy
Action to save Dr. Shaikh from facing the death penalty for alleged blasphemy in Pakistan International Humanist and Ethical Union

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Last update: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 02:24:15