Pakistani 'disco mullah' faces prosecution for blasphemy
Pop singer turned Islamic preacher apologised immediately but legal proceedings will go ahead
Police in Pakistan are investigating a former pop singer turned Islamic preacher, after he made some remarks allegedly insulting the youngest wife of the Prophet Muhammad.
The remarks appeared in a short video which went viral on the internet.
In the video, Junaid Jamshed, who quit music to become a member of the conservative Tableeghi Jamaat organisation in 2001, said the Prophet’s youngest wife Ayesha demanded attention and also once faked illness, the BBC reported.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The blasphemy case was filed by another conservative group Sunni Tehrik.
The ‘Disco Mullah’, as the former pop star is known in some parts of Pakistan, immediately released another video apologising and asking for forgiveness.
"I confess to my mistake. I did not do it intentionally," he said. "With a clean heart I ask that Allah forgive me and I beg and beseech all Muslims to forgive me. This was not on purpose", he added.
The spokesman for the conservative group who filed the case against Junaid told the BBC that the former musician’s apology won’t affect the legal process, which will go ahead in spite of Jamshed’s apology.
Blasphemy allegations can lead to a death sentence in Muslim majority Pakistan but, according to Al-Jazeera, no one in Pakistan has yet been executed for the crime.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Is a travel credit card worth it? How to decide and pick the right one.
The Explainer Upsides include travel-related benefits and welcome bonuses
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
How IRAs work and what advantages they offer
The Explainer An IRA is a retirement savings account with tax benefits
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: November 28, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Russia vows retaliation for Ukrainian missile strikes
Speed Read Ukraine's forces have been using U.S.-supplied, long-range ATCMS missiles to hit Russia
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published