Posted on 03/18/2006 9:55:00 AM PST by Dark Skies
An Afghan man who recently admitted he converted to Christianity faces the death penalty under the country's strict Islamic legal system. The trial is a critical test of Afghanistan's new constitution and democratic government.
The case is attracting widespread attention in Afghanistan, where local media are closely monitoring the landmark proceedings.
Abdul Rahman, 40, was arrested last month, accused of converting to Christianity.
Under Afghanistan's new constitution, minority religious rights are protected but Muslims are still subject to strict Islamic laws.
And so, officially, Muslim-born Rahman is charged with rejecting Islam and not for practicing Christianity.
Appearing in court earlier this week Rahman insisted he should not be considered an infidel, but admitted he is a Christian.
He says he still believes in the almighty Allah, but cannot say for sure who God really is. "I am," he says, "a Christian and I believe in Jesus Christ."
Rahman reportedly converted more than 16 years ago after spending time working in Germany.
Officials say his family, who remain observant Muslims, turned him over to the authorities.
On Thursday the prosecution told the court Rahman has rejected numerous offers to embrace Islam.
Prosecuting attorney Abdul Wasi told the judge that the punishment should fit the crime.
He says Rahman is a traitor to Islam and is like a cancer inside Afghanistan. Under Islamic law and under the Afghan constitution, he says, the defendant should be executed.
The court has ordered a delay in the proceedings to give Rahman time to hire an attorney.
Under Afghan law, once a verdict is given, the case can be appealed twice to higher courts.
This is the first case in which the defendant has admitted to converting and is refusing to back down, even while facing the death penalty.
If convicted, the case could ultimately force President Hamid Karzai's direct intervention.
The president would have to sign the papers authorizing Rahman's execution, a move that could jeopardize Mr. Karzai's standing with human rights groups and Western governments.
So far, President Karzai has not commented on the case.
But political analysts here in Kabul say he will be under significant pressure from the country's hard-line religious groups to make an example of Rahman.
I'm glad to see that nation building works so well, especially if the majority of people in a nation believe in a religion of peace.
You hear of a person being executed in Saudi Arabia for blasphemy. Thats alot of times a code word for being a Christian or converting to Christianity.
Such "allies" I can do without.
Who are we to pass judgement on those who would kill you for your choice of religion.
This will be interesting to watch. I'm betting he'll not be punished.
His family, though, will not be getting any Christmas presents from him, I'd bet.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
That's hardly new. My former inlaws were former Muslims who had converted to Christianity and lived in Peshawar (long before the Afghan refugee influx). My former mother-in-law compounded the offense by being a woman who would debate religion - and got shot at a couple of times for it.
Good to know we went there to do .... hmmm... hhhmm... yeahh!
Actually, it's an obvious statement for someone of another religion... any other religion. Most people just refuse to see it for what it is.
Allah must feel as sincerely adored as a bride at a shotgun wedding.
Maybe Bush should be IMPEACHED for supporting this!
Yeahh IMPEACHED!
The whole world in gone MOHA-MAD!
Guess you would have preferred we just left the Taliban and Osama in charge.
The president would have to sign the papers authorizing Rahman's execution, a move that could jeopardize Mr. Karzai's standing with human rights groups and Western governments.
And be a slap in the face to "those what brought him.."
So far, President Karzai has not commented on the case.
Why not?
But political analysts here in Kabul say he will be under significant pressure from the country's hard-line religious groups to make an example of Rahman.
And WHOSE army is keeping this man in power? Do the religious groups conduct bombings of Al Qaeda strongholds? Should our army come home?
"Why shouldn't I?" he said.
I said, "Well, there's so much to live for!"
He said, "Like what?"
I said, "Well...are you religious or atheist?"
He said, "Religious."
I said, "Me too! Are you christian or buddhist?"
He said, "Christian."
I said, "Me too! Are you catholic or protestant?"
He said, "Protestant."
I said, "Me too! Are you episcopalian or baptist?"
He said, "Baptist!"
I said,"Wow! Me too! Are you baptist church of god or baptist church of the lord?"
He said, "Baptist church of god!"
I said, "Me too! Are you original baptist church of god, or are you reformed baptist church of god?"
He said,"Reformed Baptist church of god!"
I said, "Me too! Are you reformed baptist church of god, reformation of 1879, or reformed baptist church of god, reformation of 1915?"
He said, "Reformed baptist church of god, reformation of 1915!"
I said, "Die, heretic scum", and pushed him off.
-- Emo Phillips
" his family, who remain observant Muslims, turned him over to the authorities."
Nice! really nice!
being as tolerant as muslims are, one has to wonder how muslims ever came to be known as intolerant. the muslims have created their bed though, and we should allow the muslims to have their goat and eat it too. the muslims should stay off the young boys though, don't you think?
You cannot be serious.
Islam is a terrorist organization.
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