Rimsha Masih is free... By Farooq
21 November, 2012
In welcome news, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has dismissed the blasphemy case against Rimsha Masih, the 14-year-old Christian girl accused of committing an offence that can carry the death sentence in Pakistan. This is a wonderful step forward for all those people who have been campaigning for this little girl who, reportedly, also suffers from mental impairment. However, the hard reality is that no matter what the IHC has declared, there will be plenty more deluded individuals gunning for the young girl as even allegations of blasphemy in this country are enough to sign one's death warrant. It is of the utmost importance that Rimsha Masih not be forgotten by the government. She must be provided with security and shifted to a location where she and her family are unknown. It is the sorry fate of nations as ignorant as ours that citizens are held hostage to their own narrow interpretations of religion and life. Rimsha's case is far from over — it is the duty of the authorities to make sure her life is not dismissed as being insignificant now that she may not be front page news any more. We cannot have another blasphemy 'victim'. FAROOQ KHAN
Lahore
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