Asia Bibi is from the Punjab in Pakistan. A Christian wife and mother of five children, she had to work hard to keep the family fed. On a sweltering hot day she was picking fruit. When she got very thirsty, she went to a well to have a drink of water.

Suddenly all hell was let loose. Some Muslim co-workers were accusing her of “contaminating” the water, as only they should drink from that well. Someone shouted “blasphemy” – a dreaded word which means death in Pakistan. You can accuse anyone of “blasphemy” if you want to get rid of that person.

Asia was attacked by a mob, and then thrown into prison and sentenced to death by hanging. A completely innocent and good woman sentenced to death for nothing. Her family had to flee their village under threats from extremists. And the children can no longer go to school because of death threats.

Two brave public figures had tried to help Asia: the Muslim government of the Punjab and Pakistan’s Christian Minister of Minorities. Both have been brutally murdered. The Pakistani government knows that Asia Bibi is innocent, but does not act for fear of reprisals. As far as is known, Asia is still alive, awaiting her execution in a filthy cellin prison.

A small ray of hope lies in broadcasting this iniquity to the whole world. A book titled Blasphemy by the French journalist Anne-Isabelle Tollet says it all. Much of the book contains heart-breaking words by Asia herself. Profits from the sale of this book go to help her persecuted family. Order this book – it can help.

The book was first published in the UK (English version) in 2012 by Virago Press and reprinted a couple of times. The ISBN number 978-1-84408-888-1.