Blasphemy Complaint Against Pakistani Politician Khawaja Asif For Saying 'All Religions Are Equal'

[danieldemol]

‘A leader of Pakistan's ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has sought to file a case of blasphemy against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif claiming that his recent remarks over religion had hurt the sentiments of Muslims, a Pakistani news portal said.

Asif had recently, in the National Assembly, said that all religions including Islam were equal and none was superior to the other.

Citing this speech, the complainant advocate Qamar Riaz filed a complaint against the Member of National Assembly (MNA) Asif, at Zafarwal police station in Narowal district of Punjab province.

"His words are against the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah, and are tantamount to blasphemy against Islam," he alleged in his complaint.

"This is a grave crime according to the Shariah, in which he (Asif) has declared Muslims and infidels (Qafirs) equal," the complainant from Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan Niazi's party added.’

Read more here: Blasphemy Complaint Against Pakistani Politician Khawaja Asif For Saying 'All Religions Are Equal'

 

[Glaurung]

Such statements more akin to heresy rather than blasphemy.

 

[VoidoftheSun]

"His words are against the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah, and are tantamount to blasphemy against Islam," he alleged in his complaint.

From an exegetical POV, as a Muslim I'd like to know why exactly, because nothing is as superficial as that.

 

[Quintessence]

I'm not that familiar with the context of politics in that part of the world, so I don't know how common this is, whether the complaint will be assessed as having merit, or really much about the cultural norms there just in general. Obviously, something like this wouldn't happen in the United States but I guess it's a much different culture over here?