Asia Bibi is a Pakistani wife and mother of five. She and her family were the only Christians in their village. Her fellow workers repeatedly urged her to convert to Islam.
In June 2009, she was harvesting berries with a group of other farmhands. She was asked to fetch water from a nearby well and stopped to drink with an old metal cup she found near the well. A Muslim neighbor angrily told her it was forbidden for a Christian to drink from a utensil used by Muslims. The woman condemned her faith and ridiculed her Lord.
Asia responded: “I believe in my religion and in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for the sins of mankind. What did your Prophet Mohammed ever do to save mankind? And why should it be me that converts instead of you?”
Five days later, she and her family were beaten by a mob, then she was arrested for blasphemy. In November 2010, she was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. She was put in solitary confinement while her husband appealed her conviction. Her family was threatened with death and forced to flee their village. A Pakistani governor who supported her was assassinated; a government official who worked for her release was shot to death.
Asia was released from Pakistan’s death row on Oct. 31st, after the nation’s Supreme Court reversed her 2010 conviction of blasphemy. Religious liberty advocates globally expressed jubilation. However, protesters immediately took to the streets and the leaders of one Islamic group called for the judges to be killed. Roads, schools, and phone services were shut down in most parts of Pakistan as protests continued across the country.
Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice said, “It’s a complete victory. She’s been in jail for almost nine years. But she now will be returned to her family.”
Bibi’s husband, Ashiq Masih, expressed his joy at his wife’s exoneration and release. “We are very happy. This is wonderful news. We thank God very much that he’s heard our prayers – and the prayers of so many people who have longed for Asia Bibi’s release over all these years of suffering and anguish.”