An enraged mob in Pakistan accused a woman of blasphemy after she wore a dress adorned with Arabic calligraphy, mistaking it for Quranic verses.
The incident occurred in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province.
According to BBC, the woman was rescued by police who escorted her to safety amidst the gathering crowd of hundreds. She later issued a public apology.
The dress, featuring the Arabic word “Halwa,” meaning sweet, sparked the misunderstanding.
Blasphemy carries severe penalties in Pakistan, including death, with some individuals facing lynching even before their cases reach trial.
Assistant Superintendent Syeda Shehrbano recounted the scene, stating that around 300 people had gathered outside a restaurant upon police arrival.
Videos of the scene circulated on social media, with one showing a woman, visibly scared, sitting in the far corner of the restaurant, shielding her face with her hand.
In another, she is surrounded by officers, who had formed the only barrier between her and a growing crowd who were shouting for her to remove the shirt. In some videos, people can be heard chanting that those who blaspheme must be beheaded.
Footage shared on social media shows Ms Shehrbano standing at the restaurant’s entrance, trying to restore order to an increasingly charged crowd.
Supporters of the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party were reportedly among the crowd.
“Nobody actually knew what was written on the shirt,” Ms. Shehrbano said. “The major feat was to try to get that woman out of the area in order to ensure that she is safe.
“We told them we would take the woman with us, her actions are going to be taken into account and we’re going to hold her responsible for whatever crime committed as per the law of the land.”
The woman was taken to a police station, where religious scholars confirmed that the Arabic calligraphy on her dress did not contain Quranic verses. The police then secured a video statement from the scholars, affirming her innocence.
The woman made a public apology stating;
“I didn’t have any such intention, it happened by mistake. Still I apologise for all that happened, and I’ll make sure it never happens again,” she said, adding that she is a devout Muslim and would never commit blasphemy.
Authorities disclosed that she had left Lahore after the ordeal.
The incident sparked debate on social media, with former prime ministerial advisor Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi suggesting that the men in the crowd should apologize.
Ms. Shehrbano, praised for her bravery, highlighted the growing frequency of similar incidents, expressing relief that the situation did not escalate further.
Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, dating back to British colonial rule and expanded in the 1980s, remain contentious and have led to violent episodes in recent years.
| Sahara Reporters
