Rimsha, "lamb to the slaughter, saved by the grace of God"

ASIA/PAKISTAN - 

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - "The blasphemy case, of which the Catholic girl Rimsha Masih is accused, was manipulated by the imam of the mosque, Khalid Jadoon, who was arrested. This inhuman act of accusation has now been explained. I am sure that justice will be done and Rimsha will be released, by the grace of God. Rimsha was involved as a little lamb to be slaughtered and will be proven that she is a completely innocent victim": is what Fr. James Channan OP, Director of the "Peace Center" in Lahore says to Fides Agency, illustrating the latest developments in the sensational case of Rimsha Masih. The police arrested the imam Jadoon Khalid on charges of fabricating evidence to accuse Rimsha Masih of committing blasphemy. The arrest was based on the testimony of a Muslim eyewitness, Hafiz Zubair, who boldly accused the imam.
" Rimsha's case - explains Fr. James - is really a test of how the Christian minority is falsely accused by the controversial blasphemy law. I hope that justice is done for all the innocent victims, and I hope that those who formulate false accusations are punished. "
Yesterday, Sunday, September 2, Fr. James Channan OP, Fr. Pascal Paulus OP, Provincial of the Dominican Order in Pakistan, Fr. Francis Nadeem OFM Cap, celebrated a Mass in St. Joseph Church in Lahore with the intention of praying for Rimsha's release. The thousand faithful present also observed a day of fasting. Fr. Pascal Paulus said to the faithful: "In these circumstances we must be firm in faith, pray for hatred to disappear and build love and brotherhood in our country." Fr. Francis Nadeem, president of the "National Council for Interreligious Dialogue," reiterated, "trust in the Almighty God, who comforts the Christians during persecution and suffering." After the celebration, many Muslims expressed solidarity and support to the Christian community. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 03/09/2012)

ASIA/PAKISTAN - The Bishops: "With the truth concerning Rimsha's case, the whole of Pakistan gains"

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - "To establish the truth concerning Rimsha Masi's case, and the false accusations, is a gain, not only for the Christian community, but for the whole of Pakistan: it is a boon for democracy, for justice, for the respect of the law and the rights of all citizens. False accusations of blasphemy, in fact, have affected religious minorities but also hundreds of Muslim citizens": This is what Fr. Emmanuel Yousaf, Director of the Commission "Justice and Peace" of the Episcopal Conference of Pakistan says to Fides Agency, expressing, on behalf of the entire Catholic episcopate, "satisfaction and hope that the truth and the good will win in the sad story concerning the young Rimsha."
Fr. Yousaf was present this morning, September 3, at the hearing in the Court of Islamabad that is dealing with the case and informs Fides that the Court has been adjourned to Friday, September 7. "We believe - he explained - that on Friday Rimsha will be free. Her release will be a victory of truth, but will also be a victory for the whole nation. Rimsha's case will become an exemplary case: for a long time, in fact, Bishops and religious minorities, human rights defenders, have reported abuses of the blasphemy law. Now this distortion is before the eyes of all."
The Director of the Commission "Justice and Peace" notes that "there have not been Islamic radicals demonstrations against Rimsha or in defense of the Imam arrested. Indeed, important Islamic leaders such as Tahir Ashrafi, of the 'All Pakistan Ulema Council', defended Rimsha and denounced the abuses of the blasphemy law, publicly condemning the Imam and asking to be punished." The Mufti Naeem of the Mosque "Jamea Bin Nooria" in Karachi has even expressed willingness to "accept Rimsha and to take care of her and her family," as a gesture of interfaith solidarity.
As reported to Fides, to give a national, legal and cultural prominence to Rimsha's story and to make it a warning to all, the Catholic lawyer Kahalil Tahir Sindhu has asked the 17 judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan to emit a verdict "suo moto"(on one's own initiative) by reiterating the key points of the case. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 03/09/2012)