Sir, - I wish to bring to your readers' attention the shocking treatment of Dr Mohammed Younis Shaikh by the government of Pakistan.
Dr Shaikh was convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death on August 18th. He was accused of saying that neither the Prophet Mohammed nor his parents could have been Muslims before the revelation of Islam to Mohammed.
One of the prosecution witnesses was discredited in court when it was shown that he wasn't present in class when Dr Shaikh allegedly blasphemed.
Dr Shaikh faces the prospect of being incarcerated in a small cell with just enough space to stand. Although nobody has yet been hanged for blasphemy under the law in question, this may change.
He was given a week to appeal the sentence, when the usual time is 30 days. A court official has said the appeal by Dr Shaikh's sister has been admitted, which may spare him, but it is important that his case be brought to international attention.
I urge readers to contact representatives of the governments of Ireland and Pakistan concerning this case to ensure Dr Shaikh receives justice. - Yours, etc.,
Derek Bell, Derrynane Gardens, Sandymount, Dublin 4.