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Pakistani man accused of insulting Islam killed in court

danieldemol

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
‘A young Pakistani man has walked into a courtroom in the north-western city of Peshawar and shot and killed a fellow Muslim who was on trial for blasphemy, a police officer has said.

It was not immediately clear how the assailant, identified as Khalid Khan, managed to get into the court amid tight security. The attacker was subsequently arrested.

The man on trial, Tahir Shamim Ahmad, had claimed he was Islam's prophet and was arrested two years ago on blasphemy charges, according to Azmat Khan, the police officer.

Mr Ahmad died before he could be transported to hospital.’


Read more here: Man on trial for blasphemy shot dead in court in Pakistan
 

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
From the article:

Blasphemy is an extremely controversial issue in Pakistan, where people convicted of the crime can be sentenced to life in prison or the death penalty.

But crowds and individuals in Pakistan often take the law into their own hands.

While authorities have yet to carry out a death sentence for blasphemy, even the mere accusation can cause riots.

Riots? Really? Over "blasphemy"? I guess I just can't understand this level of fanaticism.

Doesn't anyone ever fight back against this? Don't the blasphemers have any champions for their side?
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
From the article:



Riots? Really? Over "blasphemy"? I guess I just can't understand this level of fanaticism.

Doesn't anyone ever fight back against this? Don't the blasphemers have any champions for their side?
I don't understand why blasphemy should be accepted at all, but of course I do not defend life in prison or death penalty for it.
 

Piculet

Active Member
Don't the blasphemers have any champions for their side
This blasphemer might have had a psychiatrist on his side, and the killer may not have known that. Anyway, awareness of mental health issues is poor around the middle East and probably some parts of Asia and Africa as well. If he was insane, I do believe he would not be held responsible according to Islamic law.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
It is not much different from the US stipulation regarding treason.
Not so.
Treason requires more than just expressing political opposition.
Example....
In Pakistan, if @columbus said Muhammad is not the prophet, he'd be likely be killed.
In Ameristan, if he said Trump is not the President, he'd be only laughed at.
 
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Piculet

Active Member
I'm not sure what you mean by public and in any case, I don't know. Daily mail has great articles to share confusion all around about anything that could potentially encourage islamophobes. That article says though that

  • The couple didn't do it
  • They were framed by another Christian
  • The accusation is about sending texts to a local imam which insult the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.
  • No one has been hanged for blasphemy so far
  • The couple is illiterate/can't write
And then there's that Pakistan isn't ruled by Sharia, but that's another topic.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
I'm not sure what you mean by public and in any case, I don't know. Daily mail has great articles to share confusion all around about anything that could potentially encourage islamophobes. That article says though that

  • The couple didn't do it
  • They were framed by another Christian
  • The accusation is about sending texts to a local imam which insult the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.
  • No one has been hanged for blasphemy so far
  • The couple is illiterate/can't write
And then there's that Pakistan isn't ruled by Sharia, but that's another topic.
All those facts aside, a Pakistani court sentenced them
to death for blasphemy. I stand by my claim in post #9.
 

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
This blasphemer might have had a psychiatrist on his side, and the killer may not have known that. Anyway, awareness of mental health issues is poor around the middle East and probably some parts of Asia and Africa as well. If he was insane, I do believe he would not be held responsible according to Islamic law.

Still, the article mentioned riots over blasphemy. I'm just wondering what can lead people to such an extreme degree of anger and hatred over someone who is mentally ill and probably harmless.

We've had riots here in America, but generally over gross injustices committed by government. If some crazy homeless guy says some outrageous and offensive things, most people would just ignore it. Maybe one or two might get angry, but not enough to riot.
 

Windwalker

Veteran Member
Premium Member
The man on trial, Tahir Shamim Ahmad, had claimed he was Islam's prophet and was arrested two years ago on blasphemy charges, according to Azmat Khan, the police officer.
Oh dear God. Are they this ignorant of mental illness? How many Jesus Christs do we have as members here on RF? We see another 2nd coming of the Lord every 5 or 6 months around here. Why shouldn't we expect some people in other religions imagining they are the prophet of that religion too? Why call it blasphemy, instead of mental illness? Why not try to help that person instead?

So sad. So, 500 years ago. :(
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Don't the blasphemers have any champions for their side?
In Pakistan! Perhaps a few women from elite families whom the rioters cannot touch, but totally ineffective, more for sounding good and progressive. All others will either join the rioters or keep mum.
We blasphemers reserve the right to express our viewswithout sanction by the state, vigilantes, or clerics.
In countries where it is possible and safe to do it. In other places, people get killed or imprisoned. Hong Kong, Charlie Hebdo.
 

Piculet

Active Member
All those facts aside, a Pakistani court sentenced them
to death for blasphemy. I stand by my claim in post #9.
OK, but the situation you describe there is nothing like what is in the article. And what is in us law is indeed so similar to the Islamic ruling regarding both apostasy and blasphemy.
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
18 U.S. Code § 2381 - Treason
 
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