blasphemy laws
Quran burning in Sweden prompts debate on the fine line between freedom of expression and incitement of hatred
By Armin Langer — August 29, 2023
(The Conversation) — Several countries across Europe are introducing new legislation to curb hate speech against religions, even as they get rid of older blasphemy laws.
Pakistan hands out cash to Christians who lost homes in rioting over alleged desecration of Quran
By Munir Ahmed and Asim Tanveer — August 22, 2023
MULTAN, Pakistan (AP) — The government of caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said each household was getting 2 million rupees ($6,800) in compensation on Monday.
A woman interrupts a Quran-burning protest in Sweden by spraying activist with a fire extinguisher
By Associated Press — August 21, 2023
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Momika, a refugee from Iraq, has desecrated the Quran in a series of anti-Islam protests that have caused anger in many Muslim countries.
Sweden raises its terror threat level to high for fear of attacks following recent Quran burnings
By Karl Ritter and Jan M. Olsen — August 18, 2023
STOCKHOLM (AP) — The Swedish Security Service, known as SÄPO, lifted the “terror threat level” one notch to “high,” the fourth of five levels, for the first time since 2016.
Sweden calls for vigilance abroad after Quran desecrations and protests
By Associated Press — August 16, 2023
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Henrik Landerholm, Sweden’s National Security Adviser, said there are signs of “a heightened threat" to the country and to Swedish interests abroad, adding the security situation has worsened.
Security risks in Sweden rise due to Quran desecrations and protests, security agency says
By Associated Press — July 27, 2023
STOCKHOLM (AP) — The country's current reputation risks fueling threats against Sweden “from individuals within the violent Islamist milieu,” the agency said.
Meet the LGBTQ activist who challenged his Caribbean country’s anti-sodomy law and won
By Luis Andres Henao — June 12, 2023
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua (AP) — Such laws used to be common in former European colonies across the Caribbean but have been challenged in recent years.
Christians in Pakistan are struggling to survive barbaric persecution
By David Curry — June 9, 2023
(Global Christian Relief) — Pakistani Christians and other religious minorities face abductions, indentured servitude and state-sanctioned execution.
Rushdie’s right to blasphemy, not free speech, was attacked at Chautauqua
By Samir Kalra — September 2, 2022
(RNS) — Failure to confront religious blasphemy laws will only lead to more violence like the Rushdie attack.
Nigeria’s blasphemy laws are the religious freedom crisis no one is talking about
By Frederick A. Davie and Tony Perkins — February 5, 2021
(RNS) — The United States needs to incentivize the Nigerian government to uphold religious freedoms enshrined in the West African country's constitution.
Asia Bibi, a Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy, leaves Pakistan
By Kathy Gannon — May 8, 2019
(RNS) — Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was acquited of blasphemy, has left Pakistan. She had been in protective custody since the country's high court had released her from death row. She has rejoined family in Canada.
Asia Bibi, in hiding after blasphemy acquittal, is banned from leaving Pakistan
By Bob Smietana — November 30, 2018
LAHORE, Pakistan (RNS) — Exoneration in a blasphemy case in Pakistan rarely means one can start afresh. Instead, those acquitted face persecution from religious groups that refuse to recognize the jurisdiction of the courts.
Defending free speech is also the best way to defend Muhammad
By Ayman S. Ibrahim — November 6, 2018
(RNS) — A European court says the right to free speech does not include criticizing the Prophet Muhammad. But placing a halo on Islam, claiming it is untouchable, will only suggest that Islam is an implausible faith.
Canadian broadcaster offers to sponsor Christian woman spared death in Pakistan
By John Longhurst — November 6, 2018
TORONTO (RNS) — Asia Bibi has been living in a safe house in Pakistan since being acquitted of blasphemy, unable to leave for fear of her life from Islamist mobs.
Asia Bibi acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan, freed from death row
By Bob Smietana — October 31, 2018
LAHORE, Pakistan (RNS) — Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian mother who faced the death penalty for allegedly blaspheming against the Prophet Muhammad, was acquitted after spending years on death row.
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