| Muhammad Ali Mirza | |
| Native Name: | محمد علی مرزا |
| Native Name Lang: | ur |
| Nationality: | Pakistani |
| Known For: | Convicted for blasphemy |
In April 2023, Pakistani YouTuber Muhammad Ali Mirza was accused of blasphemy by a Pakistani court. He was accused of mocking the Islamic prophet Muhammad by calling him a (young male servant), and downplaying the legal status of Ahmadis (Qadiyanis) as non-Muslims.
Muhammad Ali Mirza is a Pakistani YouTuber known for several controversies. He has been the target of assassination attempts for his controversial statements.[1] Mirza was previously arrested on 4 May 2020 for spreading hate speech towards religious scholars.[2] He was later released on 6 May 2020.[3] [4] [5]
The charges made against Mirza were of mocking the Islamic prophet Muhammad by calling him a (young male servant).[6] Pir Afzal Qadri, a Barelvi scholar offered a reward of 500,000 rupees for the assassination of Mirza, stating that he deserves to be killed for the statement.[7] Mirza responded by claiming that he said the "Jews called the prophet a ". Other accusations made were him insulting the and the . He reportedly made blasphemous remarks against Hazrat Aisha by declaring her a transgressor. He also supposedly downplayed the legal status of Qadiyanis as non-Muslims.[8] [9] Mirza also supposedly disrespected the Qur'an by purportedly comparing it to French abuses.[10] On 5 April 2023, a First Information Report was officially filed against Mirza under Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO) on the complaint of Humair Ali Qadri, the general secretary of International Ahle Sunnat.[11] [12]
Section 295-C of the Pakistani Penal Code states: “Whoever defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by words, whether spoken or written, or by visible representation, or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.”[13] As such, Mirza could face severe punishment under the blasphemy laws.
Netizens were divided over their approach to the case. Pakistani journalist Imran Riaz Khan said the case against Mirza was registered for his criticism of the establishment.[14]