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.
Malkin was wrong on the DP World deal, and her followup defenses were factually very thin, in fact almost nonexistent (certainly no journalistic balance).
I don't begrudge her for being against it in the beginning, because I also was alarmed for about 24 hours.
That is, until I examined the facts which Malkin apparently had no time to do (quoting the equally fact-averse Frank Gaffney is not in itself "a fact").
""You don't like "uppity" conservative women who fearlessly speak their minds, I take it?""
My problem with Malkin is here seemingly inexhaustable ability to be outraged..he blog last week featured the litle 7 year old racist kid who read a poem at school...who cares????
Malkin should give more than the prosecuting attorney's opinion on what the Afghanistan Constitution says.
What quotes does she supply from the Afghanistan Constitution?
So far, nothing.
Yes. I think it will change when it becomes their heart's desire. I look for an Islamic women's movement to lead the way.
I can't speak for the poster you addressed your remarks to but is it possible to criticize how Malkin reports a story without the sexist card being thrown out?
Bump
Persona Non Grata
Peggy Noonan
Ronald Reagan
Bruce Bartlett
William F. Buckley
Editorial staff of National Review
Phyllis Schlafly
Duncan Hunter
Mike Pence
Steve Forbes
Kudos to her.
i dont think the 7 year old was a muslim.
Bush's fault.
I bet if the guy had converted from Muslim to Hindu Michelle Malkin would not be nearly as shrill.
Of course, how silly of me.
lol!
If you can't, Doug from upland probably can.
This country doesn't even have the stomach to handle a war with 2,500 casualties. What makes you think we have the strength or the will to do what is actually necessary?
It's not that I disagree with your solution. I just have no faith in the American people to fight for their own survival.
Wasn't there a "barbeque their goats" in there somewhere?
i am not sure about the authenticity of the news. is this in the taliban controlled area or the area controlled by the afghan government. the latter needs all the help it can get to prevent the talibs from gaining ground.
From a previous Malkin article "I pledge allegiance to my black people":She recites her verses not only in English, but also in fluent Swahili and Arabic (she attended the Islamic Darul Arkam School in Mount Vernon).....precious little Autum -- groomed by her single father, Batin Ashante, a Nation of Islam poet/activist -
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