Should Pakistan be banned from world sport?

#1024 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 18 Jan 2015.

A Pakistani court has ordered the hanging death of Christian mother of five Asia Bibi for allegedly making derogatory comments about the prophet Mohammed – an allegation she denies.

We saw how effective sports boycotts were against the repressive South African government. The question now being asked is: should Pakistan be banned from world sport because of its harsh treatment of non-Muslims?

Australian Christian Lobby managing director Lyle Shelton pointed out on Monday that Islam as a belief system should face scrutiny for tacit endorsement of violence, and raised the sports boycott question. He said:

No one liked it when South Africa was banned from cricket and rugby because of apartheid … But targeting sport worked and paved the way for Nelson Mandela and South Africa’s reintegration. The Pakistani government should explain why it should not be banned from world sport while it is killing people such as Asia Bibi for blasphemy.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.