It is with great consternation and unbelief that I am informed today of Dr.Yunis Shaikh's conviction for blasphemy by a Pakistani court.

In my opinion, the charges brought against this respected colleague,  lecturer in physiology, and even more so his conviction are contrary to Islamic principles as well as to universal human rights. Being the director of the Ghent Centre for Islam in Europe (C.I.E.), with  many good contacts with Muslim colleagues, friends and associations, in Belgium as well as in Europe and the rest of the world, I am bound to express to you my deep worries, for the sake of Dr. Shaikh as well as for the good relationship and peaceful coexistence between Muslim and non-Muslim communities in my own country and in the rest of the world. Facing growing racism and anti-islamism in European countries, our Centre is doing its outmost in order to make clear to a Western public that Islam and Islamic civilization are a very valuable asset in  the life of modern man. Against existing fears and prejudices, we stress that Islam cherishes human values such as tolerance, pluralism and freedom of  thought. Dr Shaikhs unjust conviction, based on questionable juridical procedures, will, alas, only strengthen existing prejudices and will jeopardize existing cooperation and coexistence between Muslim and non-Muslim communities.  From a religious point of view as well, I believe, the conviction should be
condemned.

The Holy Qur'an as well as the Sayings of the Prophet make it clear that in  matters of theological interpretation no man can or should claim infallible knowledge that would permit to condemn or persecute his fellow man. This kind of claim should be considered to be blasphemous and idolatry (of oneself). Mr. President, in the name our Centre and its many hundred members, friends and collaborators, Muslims and non-Muslims all over the world, for the sake of Dr.Yunis Shaikh but even more so for the sake of your country and its international standing among the civilized nations of this world, I implore you to do all you can in order that the conviction of our Colleague will be annulled as quickly as possible. I shall contact my colleagues, our government and authorities as well as the public opinion in order that they 'd support this urgent demand.

Sincerely yours,
Prof.Dr.Herman De Ley

PS The protest and call for the liberation of Dr.Shaikh can be found on the
website of our centre, URL: http://allserv.rug.ac.be/~hdeley/CIE/shaikh1.htm