Death to Converts!!!

The latest underreported story of the week goes to an Afghan Christian who is facing the death penalty because he converted from Islam. Let's pause here to reaffirm that Islam is a religion of peace and a noble religion that has only been perveted by an extremist few. Apostasy or conversion has been punishable by death in Islam since its inception, but only a minority of Westerners realize this. So it begs the question, are there 1.3 billion Muslims in the world by their own choice?

We brought "democracy" to Afghanistan but still allow Sharia? Did we just replace the Taliban with the Talabin? The Administration has been the target of critics who yell "Americans are imperialists", so the administration goes into CYA mode and does everything possible to make sure that they impose no real ideals and institute no real reforms.

AN AFGHAN man is being prosecuted for converting from Islam to Christianity and could face the death penalty if found guilty.

The trial, thought to be the first of its kind in Afghanistan, highlights a struggle between religious conservatives and reformists over what role Islam will take in the country four years after the fall of the Islamic fundamentalist Taleban regime.

Abdul Rahman, 41, was arrested last month after his family accused him of becoming a Christian, the judge, Ansarullah Mawlavezada, said in Kabul yesterday.

During a hearing last Thursday, Mr Rahman is said to have confessed that he converted from Islam to Christianity 16 years ago while working as a medical aid worker for an international Christian group helping Afghan refugees in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.

"We are not against any particular religion in the world. But in Afghanistan, this sort of thing is against the law," the judge said. "It is an attack on Islam."

Mr Mawlavezada said he would rule on the case within two months.

The prosecutor, Abdul Wasi, said he had offered to drop the charges if Mr Rahman converted back to Islam, but he refused.

He went on: "He would have been forgiven if he changed back. But he said he was a Christian and would always remain one. We are Muslims and becoming a Christian is against our laws. He must get the death penalty."

Afghanistan's constitution is based on Shariah law, which states that any Muslim who rejects Islam should be sentenced to death, according to Ahmad Fahim Hakim, the deputy chairman of the state-sponsored Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission.

After being an aid worker for four years in Pakistan, Mr Rahman moved to Germany for nine years, his father, Abdul Manan, said outside his home in Kabul.

He returned to Afghanistan in 2002 and tried to gain custody of his two daughters, now aged 13 and 14, who had been living with their grandparents. A custody battle ensued and the matter was taken to the police.

During questioning, it emerged that Rahman was a Christian and was carrying a Bible. He was immediately arrested and charged, his father said.... Scotsman

UPDATE: from the Afghan Times 3/22

Abdul was taken into custody and a court case has followed.
He was questioned, "Do you confess that you have apostacized from Islam?"
He responded, "No, I am not an apostate, I believe in God."
Question: "Do you believe in the Koran?"
Response: "I believe in the Injil (New Testament) and love Jesus Christ."