TOBA TEK SINGH, Pakistan — Five Christians charged with blasphemy against Islam during April 2007 religious holidays were released Jan. 19 after reconciliation meetings between Christian and Islamic leaders — the first verdict to have resulted from such efforts in Pakistan.
A Punjab court released Salamat Masih, 42; his son Rashid, 16; and their relatives Ishfaq, Saba and Dao Masih following their acquittal. Their acquittal and release came through out-of-court meetings between Muslim leaders and a Christian nongovernmental organization.
“This is a wonderful sign that has made history,” said Shahzad Kamran, a case worker for Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan, which negotiated with the Muslim leaders. “This case can set a precedent for future blasphemy cases against Christians.”
As a result of the meetings the Islamic clergymen agreed to issue a religious edict declaring the accused men innocent of blasphemy. The Muslim witnesses in the case withdrew their testimony Jan. 13, and District Judge Sheik Salahudin acquitted the five men in a Toba Tek Singh court.
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