In the wake of Christian mother Asia Bibi’s acquittal on charges of blasphemy, horrific footage has emerged of young Pakistani children being taught by their parents how to hang so-called blasphemers. The most sickening element? They can be seen conducting the mock-execution on a children’s doll.
Pakistani children being taught by their families how to hang Asia Bibi and whoever “insults” prophet Mohammad?? pic.twitter.com/5592NYy6M2
— Imam of Peace (@Imamofpeace) November 5, 2018
The horrific footage shows just how deep the indoctrination of religious hatred runs in certain areas of the Middle Eastern nation, especially following Bibi’s landmark Supreme Court acquittal. Despite the relief of such an unexpected ruling, in a recent deal done with extremist clerics, the Pakistani government agreed to prohibit Bibi from leaving the country — a decision that many have said is equal to signing her “death warrant” all over again.
Bibi has remained in a “safe house” guarded by Pakistani army personnel and the country’s intelligence services. However, it has been reported that her security situation is so dire that her food has to be checked for poison as fears over her safety continue to mount. The woman’s lawyer, Saiful Malook, has already fled the country and taken up refuge in the Netherlands, though he recently stated that he had actually been forced to leave against his own wishes.
“I pressed them that I would not leave the country unless I get Asia out of the prison,” Malook said during a new conference, according to CNN.
According to Sky News, Malook added that, “[the UN] and the European nation ambassadors in Islamabad, they kept me for three days and then put me on a plane against my wishes.”
“I pressed them that I would not leave the country unless I get Asia out of the prison… I am not happy to be here without her but, but everybody said that you are the prime target at the moment and the whole world is taking care of Asia Bibi. They were of the view that I was the prime target to be killed, and that my life was in imminent danger,” he said.
Mulook noted that Italy had offered asylum to him, his family, Asia Bibi and her extended family, but that the UN had rejected this on the basis that its officials would be the ones to make arrangements.
Asia’s husband, Ashiq Masih, has pleaded with both United States and the United Kingdom to grant his family asylum.
Pakistan is still a hotbed for Islamic extremism and vast swathes of the population continue to show support for brutal judicial measures for anyone who insults or allegedly insults the prophet Muhammad. At the weekend, thousands of people gathered in the streets to bid farewell to the “Father of the Taliban,” cleric Maulana Sami ul-Haq, who was found dead on Friday.
As the violence continues to spiral out of control, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has been in China attempting to secure billions of dollars in financial aid as his country teeters on the brink of financial ruin. Last month, oil-rich Saudi Arabia offered to provide Pakistan with a $6bn bailout package, but officials have since said that this is not enough, as Pakistan continues to seek immediate help from the IMF.