META CEO Zuckerberg Faced ‘Death In Pakistan’; Christians Not Surprised (Worthy News Focus)
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD (Worthy News) – Pakistani Christians say they are not surprised that social media platform Facebook-parent Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that he was “almost sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan.”
At the Joe Rogan podcast show, Zuckerberg raised concerns about his company’s ongoing legal challenges in Pakistan, which stem from a lawsuit over alleged “blasphemous” content on Facebook.
The lawsuit accuses Facebook of hosting content that “violates” Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws, which impose severe penalties for acts considered offensive to religious beliefs in the Islamic nation.
Zuckerberg discussed the situation, emphasizing Meta’s commitment to balancing free expression with respect for local regulations and cultural values.
“There are laws in different countries that we disagree with. For example, there was a point at which someone was trying to get me sentenced to death in Pakistan because someone on Facebook had a picture where they had a drawing of Prophet Mohammed, and someone said, ‘That’s blasphemy in our culture.’ They sued me and opened this criminal proceeding,” he stated
“I don’t know exactly where it went because I’m just not planning to go to Pakistan, so I was not that worried about it,” Zuckerberg added.
However, in an interview with Worthy News, Sardar Mushtaq Gill, the founder of the Christian advocacy group LEAD Ministries Pakistan, suggested Zuckerberg had been lucky.
FLEEING HOME
Gill, a devoted Christian, had to flee his home due to death threats linked to his faith and outspoken views on protecting the rights of the Christian minority.
He recalled being targeted by a “fake Facebook profile” named “Martha Bibi,” which shared blasphemous content falsely attributed to him.
The profile posted offensive material that sparked outrage among religious extremists, leading to accusations of blasphemy against Gill.
“The extremist group demanded severe punishment for the alleged offense,” calling him “to be persecuted under Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws,” he recalled.
“The situation escalated when the fake profile was used to further inflame tensions, with various extremist factions calling for violence.” Gill said his life “was put at risk,” and he was forced “to go into hiding for a period before fleeing Pakistan” due to the danger posed by these false accusations. “It was a terrifying time. I had never imagined that I would be falsely accused of something so grave,” Gill said, recalling his experience of being “vilified by extremists” for content he had no part in creating.
He said both Zuckerberg and his own experiences shed light “on the complex and often dangerous nature of blasphemy laws in some countries, where accusations can lead to severe consequences, including violence or even death.”
The accusations against Zuckerberg in Pakistan and Gill’s ordeal highlight the growing dangers of social media platforms being used for malicious purposes, particularly when it comes to religious sensitivities,” according to LEAD Ministries Pakistan.
INCREASING CHALLENGES
“These incidents raise pressing questions about the responsibility of social media companies in moderating content and protecting users from fake profiles that can be exploited to incite violence or spread misinformation,” the group added.
Zuckerberg acknowledged the increasing challenges tech giants face in moderating content across diverse legal systems and cultures.
“Social media platforms like Facebook are often caught between local laws and international norms, and this creates a difficult situation for content moderation,” Zuckerberg said during his interview.
Gill told Worthy News that “the experience was a stark reminder of the vulnerability faced by individuals, especially human rights activists and religious minorities, in a society where accusations of blasphemy can lead to grave consequences.”
Despite “the trauma and danger” he faced, Gill said he “continues” his advocacy work with LEAD Ministries Pakistan, “advocating for justice and the protection of religious minorities in Pakistan.”
Yet, “Moving forward, it remains to be seen how global tech companies and governments will address these issues to protect individuals from wrongful accusations and ensure that social media remains a safe space for all,” Gill told Worthy News.
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