QUETTA, Pakistan — A 9-year-old Christian boy accused of burning a copy of the Quran, Islam’s holy book, was arrested Oct. 21 and reportedly tortured for four days along with his mother, according to the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA), a London-based charity.
BPCA and other human rights advocates called for the release of the mother and son, and, according to the Pakistani Christian Post, lawmakers and the leadership of a Sunni Muslim political party were instrumental in helping to secure their release.
“This is the first blasphemy charge in my recollection that has been dropped,” BPCA Chairman Wilson Chowdhry said in a statement to The Christian Post.
If more Muslim politicians were willing to support Christians in this way, more lives could be saved, Chowdhry said. “That said, the fervent support shown by Muslim politicians during this incident could be an indication of a seed change in the way that the Muslim community views the application of blasphemy laws.” (TAB)
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