Overview

The roots of Pakistan's blasphemy laws can be traced back to the British colonial rule in India, but their harsher clauses were added to the Pakistan Penal Code during a wave of intense Islamization in the 1980s. Everyone in Pakistan is threatened by the misuse of these laws, even Muslims; however a disproportionate number of victims targeted by these laws have come from two minority groups, the Ahmadis and Christians. Dr Qaiser Julius focuses on how these two groups have been affected by Pakistan's blasphemy laws, their different reactions to these laws, and more specifically, why they are responding differently despite living under the same circumstances. In this well-structured and understandable study, Julius provides a valuable tool for Christians to understand what it means to be a minority in a hostile culture. This thorough analysis presents a way forward for the Christian church in Pakistan, providing hope amidst the discrimination and persecution.

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9781783683017

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Reviews

Other studies have described the predicament of Pakistan's Christian community. This book breaks new ground with its broad-ranging analysis and especially by comparing the experience of Christians with other religious minorities in Pakistan. It is a remarkable contribution by one of Pakistan's finest Christian theologians. Rev Tim Green, PhD General Secretary, Increase Association Senior Consultant on church-based training, World Evangelical Alliance This study of the effects of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan on two different communities, Christian and Ahmedi, is highly relevant and timely. The subject is not just extremely charged politically, but it has become an international issue. Qaiser Julius's scholarly and thorough treatment of this sensitive issue lays out the matter in an engaging and thorough manner, while at the same time offering a way forward for the Christian community of Pakistan. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand these laws, particularly as there has been so much misinformation about them. James A. Tebbe, PhD Rector, Forman Christian College, Lahore, Pakistan This study by Dr Qaiser Julius represents an important contribution to research into the religious minority experience living under Islamic rule in Pakistan. The author's primary interest is in Pakistan's Christian community. However, his research is helpfully complemented by a consideration of the Pakistani Ahmadi community, who are effectively outcasts from Islam. Dr Julius considers the history of both communities and their difficult experience of Pakistan's blasphemy laws. He also closely examines the differing responses of Christians and Ahmadis to blasphemy charges. His research is rigorous and his articulation of contemporary events is perceptive and original. The study concludes with a set of powerful reflections on Christian responses to the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. The author thus provides a sense of hope to Pakistan's embattled Christian community. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in Pakistan and the march of blasphemy laws across the Muslim world. Peter G. Riddell, PhD Vice Principal (Academic), Melbourne School of Theology Professorial Research Associate, Department of History, SOAS, University of London

Other studies have described the predicament of Pakistan's Christian community. This book breaks new ground with its broad-ranging analysis and especially by comparing the experience of Christians with other religious minorities in Pakistan. It is a remarkable contribution by one of Pakistan's finest Christian theologians. Rev Tim Green, PhD General Secretary, Increase Association Senior Consultant on church-based training, World Evangelical Alliance This study of the effects of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan on two different communities, Christian and Ahmedi, is highly relevant and timely. The subject is not just extremely charged politically, but it has become an international issue. Qaiser Julius's scholarly and thorough treatment of this sensitive issue lays out the matter in an engaging and thorough manner, while at the same time offering a way forward for the Christian community of Pakistan. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand these laws, particularly as there has been so much misinformation about them. James A. Tebbe, PhD Rector, Forman Christian College, Lahore, Pakistan This study by Dr Qaiser Julius represents an important contribution to research into the religious minority experience living under Islamic rule in Pakistan. The author's primary interest is in Pakistan's Christian community. However, his research is helpfully complemented by a consideration of the Pakistani Ahmadi community, who are effectively outcasts from Islam. Dr Julius considers the history of both communities and their difficult experience of Pakistan's blasphemy laws. He also closely examines the differing responses of Christians and Ahmadis to blasphemy charges. His research is rigorous and his articulation of contemporary events is perceptive and original. The study concludes with a set of powerful reflections on Christian responses to the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. The author thus provides a sense of hope to Pakistan's embattled Christian community. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in Pakistan and the march of blasphemy laws across the Muslim world. Peter G. Riddell, PhD Vice Principal (Academic), Melbourne School of Theology Professorial Research Associate, Department of History, SOAS, University of London

Other studies have described the predicament of Pakistan's Christian community. This book breaks new ground with its broad-ranging analysis and especially by comparing the experience of Christians with other religious minorities in Pakistan. It is a remarkable contribution by one of Pakistan's finest Christian theologians.Rev Tim Green, PhDGeneral Secretary, Increase AssociationSenior Consultant on church-based training, World Evangelical Alliance This study of the effects of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan on two different communities, Christian and Ahmedi, is highly relevant and timely. The subject is not just extremely charged politically, but it has become an internationalissue. Qaiser Julius's scholarly and thorough treatment of this sensitive issue lays out the matter in an engaging and thorough manner, while at the same time offering a way forward for the Christian community of Pakistan. It isa must-read for anyone who wants to understand these laws, particularly as there has been so much misinformation about them.James A. Tebbe, PhDRector, Forman Christian College, Lahore, Pakistan This study by Dr Qaiser Julius represents an important contribution to research into the religious minority experience living under Islamic rule in Pakistan. The author's primary interest is in Pakistan's Christian community. However, his research is helpfully complemented by a consideration of the Pakistani Ahmadi community, who are effectively outcasts from Islam.Dr Julius considers the history of both communities and their difficult experience of Pakistan's blasphemy laws. He also closely examines the differing responses of Christians and Ahmadis to blasphemy charges. His research is rigorous and his articulation of contemporary events is perceptive and original.The study concludes with a set of powerful reflections on Christian responses to the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. The author thus provides a sense of hope to Pakistan's embattled Christian community. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in Pakistan and the march of blasphemy laws across the Muslim world.Peter G. Riddell, PhDVice Principal (Academic), Melbourne School of TheologyProfessorial Research Associate, Department of History, SOAS, University of London

Author Information

QAISER JULIUS earned his PhD from Melbourne School of Theology, Melbourne, Australia. He is the director of Open Theological Seminary, Lahore, Pakistan, and the Pakistan country coordinator for Langham Preaching.

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