Memorial to Christian politician Shahbaz Bhatti

Press Release from Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali – 17 March 2011

Speaking at a memorial to Shahbaz Bhatti at the Pakistan High Commission in London, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali called for a review of the blasphemy law and interfaith dialogue in Pakistan.

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali was invited to read from the Bible and say Christian prayers at the memorial of Shahbaz Bhatti at the Pakistan High Commission in London on March 16. Government minister Mr Bhatti, a Christian, was assassinated after calling for reform of Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law, and for speaking out in the defence of Christian woman Asia Bibi, who has been sentenced to death for blasphemy.

At the memorial in London, the High Commissioner of Pakistan, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, commended the vision of Pakistan’s founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, of a non-discriminatory Pakistan. 

Prior to reading the Bible and leading Christian prayers, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali said it was not just a review of the implementation of the blasphemy law that was required, but of the law itself.

Bishop Michael described it as a man-made law that had only been implemented in recent years.  He said that its misuse revealed clearly that change is needed. Whilst in a country like Pakistan there may be a need for a law to prevent incitement to religious hatred that leads to violence or discrimination, the punishment for such a law must be commensurate with the seriousness of the crime.

Shahbaz Bhatti’s murder underlines the need for greater dialogue between people of different faiths about how to live in justice and harmony in Pakistan, he added.

Bishop Michael said it would be good if the centre for such dialogue that Mr Bhatti had been planning could be named in his memory.

Bishop Michael went on to read Psalm 23 and said prayers.

ENDS

For further information, please contact Bishop Michael’s Press Secretary Andrew Boyd on 07919 311 993