In 2010, #AasiaBibi, a poor Christian woman in Pakistan, was sentenced to death for blasphemy against Islam. When the governor of the province, Salman Taseer, voiced opposition to the verdict, he was assassinated by his own bodyguard, Mumtaz Qadri. /1 
Mumtaz Qadri was outraged that the governor would stand with a woman who had allegedly insulted Islam and its prophet Muhammad. He believed that not only should #AasiaBibi be executed, but Salman Taseer too. So he shot the governor dead—and immediately became a hero. /2
Mumtaz Qadri was executed in 2016. Here are some pictures from his funeral. Look at the crowds full of his admirers. These people think of Qadri as a hero for assassinating the governor who opposed #AasiaBibi’s death sentence for blasphemy. Look at these crowds. /3
Today, there are shrines that people in Pakistan can visit to pay their respects to Mumtaz Qadri, now seen as a saint-like figure for defending the honor of the Prophet by shooting blasphemy “sympathizer” Salman Taseer 26 times. #AasiaBibi /4
Today, fortunately, justice and common sense have prevailed. In a long overdue landmark decision, Pakistan’s Supreme Court has overturned the verdict and #AasiaBibi has been freed. Protesters are already gearing up to demonstrate and the government has upped security. /5
This lunacy around blasphemy has to be fought at every step. In Pakistan, a country riddled with poverty, disease, & corruption, it’s astounding that this is such a priority for millions of people that they are willing to kill and die for it. Normalize blasphemy. #AasiaBibi /end
