Source: ICNA.ORG
(NEW YORK, NY, Nov. 6, 2014) – The Islamic Circle of North America is clear to state its absolute condemnation of the vicious religiously motivated murder of Shahzad and five-month pregnant Shama Masih by violent mobs in a town close to Lahore, Pakistan.
A co-worker at the kiln where the couple worked as bonded laborers accused Shama of defiling the Quran when he saw her dispose of burnt paper from an amulet. Urged on by the loudspeakers at the local mosque to avenge the blasphemy, a mob descended on Shahzad and Shama.
According to Pakistan Todays news report, the agitators beat them and tortured them, before pouring petrol on them and burning them in the kiln.
The prime minister of Pakistan has issued a statement stating that the incident is unacceptable. ICNA demands that the government bring the criminals to justice without delay. Minorities in a Muslim country must be given protection. If any crime is committed against them, they must be granted justice and due process of law. It is intolerable for individuals to take law into their own hands and unleash violence against their fellow human.
The Quran states unequivocally, “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.” [4:135]
