The persecution of Pakistani Christian villager Asia Bibi has also been making global headlines. Her death sentence passed on 8th November at Sheikhupura District Court near Lahore, Punjab, for supposedly critcising Islam?s Prophet raised the profile of the issue; the subsequent demonstrations against her and the 4th January assassination of her high-profile supporter Punjab governor Salman Taseer transformed it into a national flashpoint and a dramatic indicator of the advance of medieval Islamic fundamentalism into the mainstream heart and psyche of Pakistan society.
It seems Asia is a committed believer. Reports tell of her faith in Jesus that is strengthening her through her ordeal, and I?m interested that it was her rejected offer of a cup of water to her Muslim fellow villagers that started the original incident. Offering someone a drink in the face of their hostility, like turning the other cheek, is true New Testament behaviour (Romans 12:20).
The sight of hate-fuelled Imams and Muslim mobs baying for Asia?s blood on the streets of Lahore and elsewhere while she sits alone in her prison cell with her Jesus reminds me of the best-known psalm: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want? Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for You are with me. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies? Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. (Psalm 23: 1,4,5,6)
The mobs can chant all they want; they simply demonstrate their tortured and intolerant Islamic spirit. Asia on the other hand shows quiet Christian resolution in the face of injustice and persecution.
Alan Craig Asia Bibi is My Sister
