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Five Christians in Pakistan accused of "blasphemy" released after reconciliation meeting

By the editorial team

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Five Christians in Pakistan accused of "blasphemy" against Islam during the April 2007 holidays were released in late January 2009 after reconciliation meetings between a Christian NGO and Muslim leaders, the first ever conviction in Pakistan following such efforts.

A court in Punjab released Salamat Masih, 42, her son Rashid, 16, and their relatives, Ishfaq, Saba and Dao Masih, after their acquittal. "It's a wonderful sign that has made history," said Shahzad Kamran, a caseworker from Sharing Life Ministries Pakistan, who negotiated with the Muslim leaders.

As a result of the meetings, the Islamic clerics agreed to issue a fatwa (religious statement) declaring the accused men innocent of blasphemy. The Muslim witnesses in the case withdrew their testimonies and a district judge acquitted the five men at the Toba Tek Singh court.