Supreme court judge Mawlavizada on March 19 holds a Bible that belongs to Abdul Rahman, who converted from Islam to Christianity. (REUTERS)
Posted on 03/19/2006 9:44:45 AM PST by cgk
This story deserves much more attention than it's getting. Via VOA News (hat tip: Doug at Below the Beltway):
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.
Here, via the Middle East Times, is the "evidence" against Rahman that may lead to his execution:
Supreme court judge Mawlavizada on March 19 holds a Bible that belongs to Abdul Rahman, who converted from Islam to Christianity. (REUTERS)
What do Afghan President Hamid Karzai and President Bush have to say about the monstrous possibility that Rahman may be executed for professing faith in Jesus Christ and possessing a Bible?
So far, nothing.
Rahman is being prosecuted under Afghan legal procedures.
While you MAY be right, that's probably cold comfort to this gentleman. I'm sure Afgan prison cells don't have much in the way of amenities.
Absolutely. (Just trying to keep it real).
It ain't the center of the civilized world.
Or, conversely, perhaps you've 'gone off half-cocked' on her...
Heh. Sure ain't...
P.S. Karzai most likely will not put the rope around his neck."
Maybe he'll realize he has dishonered islam and commit suicide in his cell.
"Rahman is being prosecuted under Afghan legal procedures."
So in afghan, legal procedures are executed ignoring afghan law?
Unlikely. She raked Laura Bush over the coals last year in a Puritanesque huff over some innocent remarks made at the Correspondents Dinner; even some ardent conservatives winced at Malkin's priggishness.
So in afghan, legal procedures are executed ignoring afghan law?
Happens everywhere including here.
Yep. At the same time she posted at her website hate mail that she received and she didn't bleep the F-words.
Irony often goes right over her head.
He is in my prayers. Sad, very sad.
"Happens everywhere including here.
can you site a specific example of prosecutors arresting and prosecuting a man or women outside the confines of our law?
Ah, now you're saying she's 'Puritanesque' and 'priggish'.
You started off by calling her a bigot.
Genuine freedom will not come to any of these Muslim countries until they allow religious freedom. As they are never going to do that as long as they believe in Sharia and the Koran, they will always be miserable, violent hell holes nobody who is not a Muslim and in their right mind would want to live in under their laws.
The best we can hope for is these countries become less murderous hell holes. In the long run that is unlikely until the Gospel is freely preached and accepted there.
Only widespread conversion to Christianity can deliver these wretched people from their political, cultural, theological and legal bondage and reverse the tyranny of their vile regions.
*(inscription on the Liberty Bell)
Down through American history, wise men have always attributed our blessings and protection to the providence of the Lord.
Those who shun Him do so at their own peril.
Take away Light, and what's that leave?
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