News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

saif-ul-malook-asia-bibi-lawyer-thumb_article_image.jpg
Photo by Carl Russ-Mohl @muphovi
World News

Asia Bibi's lawyer says he has no regrets

by Cara Bentley

In 2009, Asia Bibi was arrested and accused of criticising the Prophet Muhammad in an argument about her drinking from the same cup as some Muslim women near a well. 

She was arrested five days later for blasphemy against Islam and, in 2010, she was sentenced to death by hanging.

After nearly a decade of petitions, visits by the family to the Pope and the UK and growing international interest, she was freed in October.

At the risk of threats from hardline Islamists, lawyer Saif ul-Malook took up Asia Bibi's case after she lost in the first court

Asia's case had become high-profile with far-right Muslim groups, such as the TLP party in Pakistan, determined to see her sentence fulfilled, either by the law or by mob-killing.

Before she was acquitted, two politicians were killed for speaking out in her defence - Shahbaz Bhatti and Salman Taseer. 

When the Supreme Court decided she would not face the death sentence, there were riots in Pakistan.

Saif ul-Malook fled the country, saying earlier this month that he has been inundated with threats.

He took shelter in the French Embassy in Pakistan for three nights before the army took him to their airport where he eventually went to the Netherlands.

At the Secular Conference event on Sunday, called Sharia, Segregation and Secularism, he delivered the keynote speech, speaking about how he had worked on the case for four years.

He said he had never seen a situation "where a group of people come with such a demand that they will kill the highest constitutional court judges if the verdict does not come to their wishes".

He described her situation: "You can imagine what was her status. She had never gone to school... She cannot write her name."

He told the audience that his background may have shaped his concern for her cause: "As a small young boy, I used to go to church to all the functions, they would come to our functions.

"I have many Christian friends in Pakistan... Everywhere in the world, there should be some people who must stand when then the nation needs, must stand when no one is standing.

"I'm proud of defending...Asia Bibi. I have no regret."

One woman wrote on twitter: "Unsurprisingly, Saif ul-Malook, who represented #AsiaBibi, received a standing ovation, and the loudest cheers and applause I've heard in a while, after he delivered his speech."

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate