Released, but not Free. The Story of "Jerry" & His Imprisonment

"Jerry's" story is a tragic one, but it is one that is all too familiar in the nation of Pakistan.  "Jerry" was once a professor at a private college with a wife and three children, "Jerry's" entire life was destroyed when another professor claimed he said something wrong about Muhammad.  This professor heard a conversation between "Jerry" who is a Christian, another Christian, and a Shia Muslim.  During the conversation, "Jerry" stated "No Blind Man can Lead the Way."  The professor who overheard assumed that they three of them were talking about Muhammad, the founder of Islam.  He immediately went to the police and accused them of blasphemy.  The tragic truth was, none of them were talking about Muhammad, or even bringing up their respective faiths.  

Nevertheless, the authorities did not care.  "Jerry" and his two colleagues were arrested for blasphemy.   He not only lost his job, but he spent over three years in prison.  When I interviewed his family, he was still in prison and his three children didn't know if they would ever see their father again.  They consider at a miracle that he was released.  Despite his release, "Jerry" is still not free.  The Pakistani government now has him black-listed, which means he will have great difficulty finding work and it's very likely he will be monitored for the rest of his life.  On top of this, radicals are still looking for him as they want to take the law into their own hands and kill him.  As a result, "Jerry" must often stay indoors and can seldom venture outside.  

Despite these hardships, the family is determined to succeed.  "Jerry" and his wife want to return to teaching jobs again and his children are going to school.  Unfortunately, with the parents unable to adequately provide for the family, paying the tuition fees is becoming exceedingly difficult.  Even if they succeed in completing their studies, they will still face state-sanctioned discrimination due to their faith.  "Jerry's" daughter is currently studying to become a nurse, but was denied a job as a nursing assistant due to her faith.  The hiring manager demanded a $500 bribe in order to a obtain the job, a fee that she could not hope to pay.  "Jerry's" daughter explained that this is common and that Muslims are often hired over Christians even if the Christians are better qualified.  

Sadly, "Jerry" is not an isolated case.  Many Christians have lost their jobs, their freedom, and even their lives due to Pakistan's Blasphemy Laws.  Even Muslims have fallen victim.  As the nation of Pakistan is predominantly Sunni, minority Muslim sects such as Shia & Ahmadiyya sects have also faced persecution under these laws, along with secular Sunnis.  The only real way of ending this persecution under blasphemy is for the International Community to put pressure on the nation of Pakistan to abolish these laws permanently.