THE case about Rimsha’s alleged burning of the pages of the Holy Quran while highlighting the controversial application of the blasphemy law also brings to mind another angle when it comes to defending the sanctity of the noblest of all books.

A correct and rational application of the blasphemy law is indeed what any sane Pakistani would want to see in action. However, those at the receiving end should not just be Christians or other minority groups when it is proved in a court of law that they are indeed perpetrators of such crimes.

But they should also be those Muslims who, on a daily basis, intentionally disregard any respect for the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Newspapers publish Quranic verses along with their translation in Urdu and other languages as well as sayings of the Prophet.

Furthermore, politicians’ comments and speeches containing references to the above are also published regularly.

These newspaper pages, which bear the same significance when it comes to upholding the dignity and sanctity of the pages from the Quran or a saying of the Prophet, are then used as wrappings for everything from food items to glassware. More often than not, they are found lying at open sewers and rubbish dumps.

If, on the one hand, the nation can get so emotionally charged about a mentally challenged Christian girl allegedly burning pages from the holy book, they ought to first take notice of the blatant disregard of the Quran’s sanctity that is found in abundance all around us on a daily basis.

DR SHAAZ MAHBOOB London

Opinion

Editorial

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