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.
did you type all that or just cut and paste?
Is this a quiz?
i a mjust trying to figure out how seriously you take yourself...is it a delusion or something more serious?
HooRah!
You think I'm selusional because I believe islam is a huge threat to the world?
delusional
WOW, I thought we brought Democracy to Afghanistan.
no because you take yourself too seriously
If Abdul Rahman is found not guilty or his case is dismissed, he's allowed to still live in his home in Afghanistan,unmolested,
be a Christian and isn't "accidently" hit by a truck,
I'll stop posting about islam.
Prayers can't hurt either.
if islam is incompatible with democracy, then the west is doomed
if islam is incompatible with democracy, then the west is doomed"
And you tell me I take my self to seriously.
Have you any knowledge of Islam or are you simply delusional?
Care to share any insights about Muslim democracy in action? Any examples of Islamic republics where infidels have the same religious freedom as Muslims? Even when Muslims move to democratic countries, they seem to prefer Islamic law over democracy.
That's your characterization, not mine.
I believe these sub-humans have the potential to evolve as social creatures, but not as long as they are dispersed amongst the civilized world. My suggestion may cause their survivors to have a change of heart when their population dwindles to near-extinction by their own hand.
Infidels have the same rights as muslims in Turkey..also if islam in incompatible with democracy, it is we who are doomed...read my post above
"Michelle Malkin is quickly turning into a shrill conservative, who like Ann COulter, will just marginalize herself....the fact that Abdullah Abdullah was unaware of the case, should tell us something."
Perhaps you just don't like the message?
Both draw PACKED houses when they speak.
Maybe you are confused?
georgia2006
Since Mar 12, 2006
Perhaps DU would suit you better?
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