New Delhi (CNSNews.com) - Christian groups have decried a Pakistan court ruling that upholds the death sentence against a Christian accused of blaspheming Islam, calling on Christians around the world to take up the matter with Pakistan's diplomatic missions.
Ayub Masih, a member of the small indigenous Christian community in Pakistan, was charged with religious sacrilege in 1996 for reportedly blaspheming the Prophet Mohammed.
He was accused of encouraging others to read The Satanic Verses, a controversial book written by Salman Rushdie, an Indian-born writer, who for years was the subject of an Iranian fatwa (edict) calling for his death.
Masih's conviction and sentence in 1998 caused outrage among the Christian community. Catholic Bishop John Joseph committed suicide outside the courthouse in protest.
Masih appealed for pardon, with help from international human rights groups, but the Lahore High Court has now upheld his sentence, leaving the condemned man with one final recourse - the Pakistan Supreme Court. He has until August 24 to file a last appeal.
As the court upheld the verdict, observers said militants in the courtroom shouted that if Masih was freed, they would kill him and his lawyers.
Pakistan's blasphemy laws criminalize "words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations, or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, [which] defile the sacred name of the Holy Prophet."
Muslim clerics in Pakistan and India were unwilling to comment on the issue and refused to be drawn into any kind of debate on the sentence.
The Washington-based group, International Christian Concern, has urged Christians everywhere to take up Masih's case with the Pakistan authorities.
"This case could set a dangerous precedent for the punishment of 'blasphemers' in Pakistan," and ICC spokesperson said in reply to emailed queries.
"Remaining silent about the possible execution of Mr. Masih will encourage the Pakistani government to continue its gross human rights abuses by imprisoning and executing those accused of blasphemy.
"The Supreme Court of Pakistan must be pressured to accept Ayub Masih's appeal. Furthermore, Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which are often abused, need to be repealed," the spokesperson said.
Another organization, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), termed the death sentence a "shame over the country".
"Blasphemy laws in Pakistan continue to be severely abused and innocent Christians such as Ayub bear the consequences of such abuses," said CSW chief executive, Mervyn Thomas.
CSW said the Masih case had been "a catalogue of injustices, plagued by inequality, lack of due process and inadequate legal protection."
An estimated two million of Pakistan's 140 million people are Christians.