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Muslim accusers offer freedom to Rubina Bibi in exchange for her conversion to Islam
The family of a Christian mother-of-three imprisoned over blasphemy charges says it is considering an out of court settlement with her accusers.
Rubina Bibi, 26, is being held in prison with her youngest child who is just two years old, while her husband and two other children have gone into hiding.
She was accused of blasphemy by her Muslim neighbour, Samina, and Samina’s relative, an imam, following a dispute over a food product she had bought from Samina. Rubina had tried to return it to her because she believed it to be faulty but Samina told her that because she was a Christian and had “touched” the product it could therefore not be returned. The disagreement turned into a row and led to the blasphemy charges being made against Rubina.
The accusers brought their case before a court judge in June. The hearing drew a very large crowd, including hundreds of members of Sunni Tehrik, a political Islamic organisation. In light of the recent killings of Christians by Islamic extremists, CLAAS Pakistan director Joseph Francis spoke with the court to make sure enough security officers were on hand to prevent any harm being done to Rubina.
At the hearing, Rubina’s uncle told CLAAS lawyer Tahir Bashir that the family was doing its best to reach an agreement with the accusers and that they had met some local politicians and religious leaders. The court judge agreed to give time to both parties to reach an out of court settlement. He admitted to having some reservations about Rubina being imprisoned with a two-year-old child while the case continues but did not move to have her released.
On the day of the hearing, Mr Francis met with the counsel for the plaintiff, Mr Chatta. Mr Chatta said the plaintiff would agree to settle if Rubina embraced Islam and professed that Muhammad was the last Prophet of God and that she believed in the Holy Prophet. Mr Francis rejected the terms, making it clear that Rubina would not convert to Islam. He told Mr Chatta that Rubina had said she respects the Prophet Muhammad and that she was sorry if she had insulted the Prophet or hurt the sentiments of Muslims.
Despite being unable to reach an agreement so far, Rubina’s family remain keen to settle out of court.
In addition to free legal assistance, CLAAS is offering comfort and practical support to Rubina and her child while they remain in prison. This has included regular visits and bringing them a number of essentials items, including new clothes, toiletries and food.
Rubina is greatly distressed by her imprisonment and the charges laid against her and we would like to ask that you remember her in your prayers as we continue to seek a positive and just outcome.
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