Pakistan: Jublilation as Christian nurses acquitted of blasphemy

Mariam Lal and Newosh Arooj (faces partially concealed for their safety) Image ©ACN

Two Christian nurses in Pakistan have been acquitted of blasphemy in a landmark court ruling which brings an end to an ordeal dating back more than four and a half years.

Mariam Lal and Newosh Arooj's legal defence was conducted by the National (Catholic) Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), which is supported by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

In April 2021, Mariam, then 52, and 19-year-old Newosh were accused by a senior doctor at the Civil Hospital in Faisalabad of "defiling" a sticker containing an Islamic inscription pasted on a cupboard.

As news of the allegations spread, the two nurses narrowly escaped being lynched by an angry mob and were then charged with blasphemy under section 295-B of Pakistan's Penal Code, which proscribes life imprisonment for damaging the text of the Qur'an.

Both nurses were arrested and detained for five months by the Pakistani authorities.

Amid threats on their lives, Mariam and Newosh were allowed to not appear before the court in public to ensure their safety.

Throughout the trial, the two women and their legal team endured threats from extremists, and the two nurses were unable to work.

The case was finally settled in November when the district judge acquitted them both of blasphemy, stating that the complainant had failed to substantiate the charge.

The deadline to appeal the court's decision has now passed and, noting ACN's longstanding interest in the case, NCJP (Faisalabad) gave the charity permission to announce news of the acquittal.

An ACN delegation met the two nurses in secret during a visit to Pakistan in spring 2023.

The outcome of the case marks a significant departure from the standard practice of referring blasphemy cases to the higher courts for judgment due to the pressure the judiciary come under from extremist agitators in Pakistan.

NCJP (Faisalabad) director Father Khalid Rashid Ali, told ACN: "This case represents a new and important development because the trial court itself dismissed the charges based on evidence.

"In Pakistan, trial courts in blasphemy cases are often reluctant to acquit due to social pressure and security risks and therefore defer decisions to higher courts.

"The independent and courageous decision of a district court in this case marks a positive and rare departure in judicial practice."

Fr Rashid Asi explained the immense burden this case has brought for the two women, saying their families are "relieved and grateful for the acquittal" but still feel under pressure.

He added: "Our struggle now continues for the secure future, rehabilitation and dignified reintegration of the nurses, because justice does not end with acquittal - it is fulfilled only when life can be rebuilt with dignity."

Fr Rashid Asi singled out for praise Bishop Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad, who championed the nurses' cause and advocates Sanaullah Baig and Shahid Anwar who, he said "faced serious threats from extremist individuals opposed to the defence of the accused".

Fr Rashid Asi thanked ACN for their assistance saying: "I am deeply grateful to Aid to the Church in Need for treating this case not merely as a legal matter, but as an issue of human dignity, conscience, and faith.

"Their prayers, financial assistance, and international solidarity strengthened not only the two nurses but also reminded us that the Church and the global community do not remain silent in times of suffering."

ACN (UK) head of press and public affairs John Pontifex, who met the two nurses in secret in 2023, said: "When Fr Khalid told me the news that the court had ruled in favour of Newosh and Mariam, I was overjoyed.

"When I met them three years ago, I assured them that the prayers and support of so many would always be there, and they assured me that they would never lose hope.

"It is proof that God's love will always prevail - that he never abandons those who put their trust in him."

LINK

Aid to the Church in Need: https://acnuk.org