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Karzai 'Gives Pledge' To Save Christian Convert From Execution
The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 3-25-2006 | Isambard Wilkinson

Posted on 03/24/2006 6:38:35 PM PST by blam

Karzai 'gives pledge' to save Christian convert from execution

By Isambard Wilkinson in Islamabad
(Filed: 25/03/2006)

President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan is reported to have given assurances that an Afghan convert to Christianity will not face the death sentence for apostasy.

Mr Karzai is under growing pressure from his western allies to resolve the case of Abdul Rahman.

Abdul Rahman converted to Christianity

Mr Rahman was arrested last week for converting to Christianity from Islam 16 years ago and could face the death penalty if he refuses to become a Muslim again.

The case prompted expressions of concern from President George W Bush and his secretary for state, Condoleezza Rice, as well as Britain, Germany, the United Nations and the EU.

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, said that Mr Karzai had assured her that Mr Rahman would not be sentenced to death.

The Canadian government, which has also been in touch with Mr Karzai, said he had promised that Mr Rahman would not be executed. A presidential spokesman in Kabul declined to comment.

The case is a difficult one for Mr Karzai, who has to be seen by his allies as a moderniser but who cannot too hastily brush off the views of Afghanistan's many conservatives.

Mr Rahman told a preliminary court hearing last week that he had converted while helping Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

Diplomats in Kabul said the government was searching for a way to drop the case. On Wednesday the authorities said he would undergo psychological examinations to see whether he was fit to stand trial.

A judicial official said that Mr Rahman's family informed on him after a dispute involving the custody of his two daughters.

Most religious and political figures in the country said the government should ensure that Islamic law was enforced.

"He should be executed," said Sadullah Abu Aman, a cleric and a member of parliament from the northern Badakhshan province.

"The West should not interfere," he said.

"It would be better to get no aid or military help from the West for 100 years than accept this affront."


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: abdulrahman; christian; convert; execution; gives; karzai; pledge; save
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1 posted on 03/24/2006 6:38:42 PM PST by blam
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To: blam

Abdul Rahman is a Christian in the truest sense of the word. Facing his death among the animals for his faith.


2 posted on 03/24/2006 6:43:35 PM PST by cripplecreek (Never a minigun handy when you need one.)
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To: blam
Why do I keep getting images from Little (unusable adjective) Sambo and the Tiger?

The Muslims are going to go around and around until they melt into a pool of pig poop.

3 posted on 03/24/2006 6:45:49 PM PST by stboz
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To: blam
It would be better to get no aid or military help from the West for 100 years than accept this affront

Works for me.

4 posted on 03/24/2006 6:46:47 PM PST by neodad (USS Vincennes (CG-49) Freedom's Fortress)
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To: blam

"Take away the stone of shame and give him the stone of triumph."


5 posted on 03/24/2006 6:46:59 PM PST by keithtoo (It's STILL not safe to vote Democrat)
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To: cripplecreek

I'm glad to hear we're o the right side of this case. Prayers for this poor guy.


6 posted on 03/24/2006 6:47:15 PM PST by keats5
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To: cripplecreek

I'm glad to hear we're o the right side of this case. Prayers for this poor guy.


7 posted on 03/24/2006 6:47:32 PM PST by keats5
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To: blam
Simple execution? Jesus, these Muslims are getting soft.

What ever happened to mashing a heretic into a fine pulp?

8 posted on 03/24/2006 6:47:40 PM PST by zarf (It's time for a college football playoff system.)
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To: blam
On Wednesday the authorities said he would undergo psychological examinations to see whether he was fit to stand trial.

Not guilty by reason of insanity? He must have been insane because he became a Christian? I wonder what the Muslims would say if the situation were reversed?

9 posted on 03/24/2006 6:48:18 PM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: cripplecreek
"It would be better to get no aid or military help from the West for 100 years than accept this affront."

Impossible to overcome Mad Moe's teachings. Death of the vermin may be the only safe option.

10 posted on 03/24/2006 6:48:29 PM PST by ncountylee (Dead terrorists smell like victory)
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To: blam

Every cleric that calls for his head should have his head placed on a pike!!


11 posted on 03/24/2006 6:50:53 PM PST by Luigi Vasellini (60% of Saudis, 58%of Iraqis, 55%of Kuwaitis,50% of Jordanians married 1st or 2nd cousins. LOL!!!)
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To: blam

I listened to Bill O'Reilly on his radio show today...and I was actually embarrassed for him..

He was going on and on about the bravery of this guy...NOT because he became a Christian, and refuses to change his mind..(which is true)...

But, O'Reilly said...it was because he came forward to proclaim his Christianity...

I would think that someone like O'Reilly, who tells the world how he is the "best"...would do some homework before doing a commentary on this..

The man was tattled on by his family over a custody dispute...just like Americans do...when Moms and Dads get divorced...

I am not saying this because Mr. Rahman isn't brave or committed...but because O'Reilly is an idiot.


12 posted on 03/24/2006 6:52:47 PM PST by Txsleuth (Bush-Bot;WaterBucket Brigader;and fan of defconw;Cboldt is my mentor!)
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To: Cicero

I can't believe this fellow is even sitting in jail, although at this point he probably needs protection from the rabble.


13 posted on 03/24/2006 6:53:14 PM PST by Cecily
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To: blam

Karzai has spine.


14 posted on 03/24/2006 6:53:28 PM PST by Tribune7
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To: All
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, said that Mr Karzai had assured her that Mr Rahman would not be sentenced to death.

Well if he isn't going to be executed I guess everything is ok then. (/sarcasm)

15 posted on 03/24/2006 6:54:24 PM PST by pepperhead (Kennedy's float, Mary Jo's don't!)
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To: Txsleuth
"But, O'Reilly said...it was because he came forward to proclaim his Christianity... "

I like O'Reilly, but if this is his view of the situation, imagine how clueless the rest of the media must be - not withstanding the 'willfully' clueless, of course.

16 posted on 03/24/2006 6:57:38 PM PST by the anti-liberal (Hey, Al Qaeda: Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent)
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To: Txsleuth

Makes a person wonder how many other Christians or would-be Christians are being done away with outside of the cameras or else renouncing their Christianity to save their necks.

There is a very long way to go with these people. Makes a person wonder sometimes.....


17 posted on 03/24/2006 6:57:39 PM PST by prairiebreeze (Hey DUmmies!: Pbbbbbllllttttt!!)
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To: blam

I read on another thread that he'd be declared insane so Karzai could save face. And then possibly deported.

??


18 posted on 03/24/2006 6:58:43 PM PST by prairiebreeze (Hey DUmmies!: Pbbbbbllllttttt!!)
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To: Cicero
This arguement may seal the fate of Islam as we know it!

Imagine millions converting under a 'mass delusional fit' to Christianity only to be persecuted by secular humanist in the west!!

19 posted on 03/24/2006 6:59:14 PM PST by bubman
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To: blam
The case is a difficult one for Mr Karzai, who has to be seen by his allies as a moderniser but who cannot too hastily brush off the views of Afghanistan's many conservatives.

Notice how they characterize the Islamofascists who want to kill Abdul Rahman as "conservatives."
20 posted on 03/24/2006 6:59:43 PM PST by rightwingintelligentsia (You know a liberal has lost the argument when he calls you a Nazi.)
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