The Edhi Foundation, a charity group reported that more than 1000 infants were abandoned or killed in Pakistan last year. The group counted the number of incidents that happened only in the cities and it is unknown how many infants were abandoned in the rural areas. In December alone, they found 40 dead babies left in garbage dumps and sewers.
Although Islam discourages infanticide, the birth of children outside of marriage is unacceptable and adultery is punishable by death. The fear of death compels a mother to abandon her baby. Abdul Sattar Edhi, the founder of the charity said, “People leave these children mostly because they think they are illegitimate, but they are as innocent and loveable as all human beings.”
The charity has posted a sign outside its office, “Do not murder, lay them here” and left cradles to receive unwanted babies.
In another incident, a baby was left outside of a mosque and the Imam of the mosque ordered to stone the baby to death.
Although Islam discourages infanticide, the birth of children outside of marriage is unacceptable and adultery is punishable by death. The fear of death compels a mother to abandon her baby. Abdul Sattar Edhi, the founder of the charity said, “People leave these children mostly because they think they are illegitimate, but they are as innocent and loveable as all human beings.”
The charity has posted a sign outside its office, “Do not murder, lay them here” and left cradles to receive unwanted babies.
In another incident, a baby was left outside of a mosque and the Imam of the mosque ordered to stone the baby to death.
