A Christian in Punjab, Pakistan was sentenced to life in prison on April 26 for blasphemy for allegedly damaging an Islamic signboard five years ago. Ranjha Masih has been held without bail since he was arrested on May 8, 1998 following the funeral procession for Bishop John Joseph who committed suicide in protest against the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. During the procession, violence erupted and an Islamic signboard was knocked over. Ranjha was blamed and was beaten by mobs and later arrested and charged under Pakistan's blasphemy law, Section 295-C.
Islamic militants had been demanding the death penalty but Ranjha denied any involvement and, according to observers, there was insufficient evidence to prove that he was involved. Despite this, on Saturday, Faisalabad Additional District and Sessions Court judge Mohammed Shahid Rafique fined Ranjha 50,000 rupees (over $1200 CDN) and sentenced him to life in prison. Ranjha will be appealing the conviction.
Pray that this conviction will be overturned and that it will be used to help dismantle this draconian law, which has been used repeatedly against Christians.
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