More than 35,000 people have signed VOM’s “A Call for Mercy”
petition since the campaign was launched in July 2011. With a goal to gather 1
million signatures, VOM hopes to help secure the release of Asia Bibi, a
Christian wife and mother who was sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan.
After her arrest, more than 150,000 Pakistani Christians signed a separate petition
demanding justice for persecution victims, specifically Asia Bibi.
Upon completion of VOM’s signature campaign, a VOM team will
deliver the petition along with the signatures to the Pakistani embassy in
Washington, D.C. The team will be joined by the winner of VOM’s “A Call for
Mercy” video contest. The creator of the winning video will receive round-trip
airfare and a two-night hotel stay in Washington, D.C. For details of the video
contest, visit www.persecution.com/callformercy.
Asia Bibi was arrested by police on June 19, 2009, and
charged with blasphemy after she engaged in a religious discussion with
co-workers. Asia Bibi reportedly told co-workers, “Our Christ sacrificed his
life on the cross for our sins. Our Christ is alive.” For these statements, she
was beaten and locked in a room. Local Christians informed the police, who then
took Asia into protective custody. Christians urged police not to file
blasphemy charges, but pressure from local Muslim leaders forced police to ignore
their request. Bibi was convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death. She
immediately appealed the sentence and is awaiting the high court’s decision.
Go to www.callformercy.com
to add your signature to the VOM petition. After signing, pray that the petition
will persuade the government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to release
Bibi and allow her to return to her family.
Sources:
www.callformercy.com, www.persecution.com/callformercy
Posted: July 28, 2011
Updated: August 16, 2011