Pakistan (MNN) — Rimsha Masih, the 14-year-old mentally disabled girl from Pakistani, is free.
A Pakistani court dismissed Rimsha's case. Her case has drawn international condemnation and concern about the rights of religious minorities in the Muslim country.
In August, Rimsha was charged with burning pages of the Koran, but she was granted bail in September after a cleric was detained on suspicion of planting evidence to stir up resentment against Christians. The cleric is now on trial for fabricating evidence.
Tahir Naveed, Rimsha's lawyer, said the Islamabad High Court's decision to throw out the case was based on the fact that no one had seen her burning the pages of the Koran, Reuters reported.
Muslims consider the Koran the literal word of God and treat each book with deep reverence. Desecration is considered one of the worst forms of blasphemy.
In theory, Rimsha could have faced execution under Pakistan's blasphemy law, despite her young age and reported mental problems.
The blasphemy law has widespread support among Pakistanis. Over the past two years, two senior government officials who have suggested reform of the law were shot dead.
There have been almost 250 blasphemy cases since 1987, according to the Center of Research and Security Studies think-tank.
Convictions are common, but the death sentence has never been carried out. Most convictions are thrown out on appeal, but mobs often take the law into their own hands.
The think-tank said 52 people have been killed after being accused of blasphemy since 1990.
Pray for those continuing to face persecution. Praise the Lord that Rimsha Masih is once again a free girl!
