By Anthony Bond
A Christian woman has spoken of how she was given a death sentence in Pakistan because she drank water from a well with a cup used by Muslim women.
Mother-of-five Asia Bibi, 46, has spent the last four years languishing in a prison cell after being condemned to hang following a conviction for blasphemy.
She denied the charge of defiling the name of the prophet Mohammed during an argument with Muslim co-workers but was convicted following a trial.
With 97 per cent of Pakistan Muslim, hostility towards Christians is rife and the government refuses to release her because of angry protests by extremists.
Two government officials who have spoken out on her behalf have been murdered – including Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti.
Now, as reported by theNew York Post, Mrs Bibi – a farm worker from rural Punjab – has released a memoir called ‘Blasphemy’.
She describes how she has no idea how long she has left to live. Talking about how she ended up in her position, she says: ‘I drank water from a well belonging to Muslim women, using “their” cup, in the burning heat of the midday sun.