March 22, 2006

Abdul Rahman Update


As international pressure increases on Afghanistan the case of Abdul Rahman has become a front page example the cult like “threat of death” to those who leave Islam. Today Jawa Report co-blogger Richard at Hyscience has a good post and urges the we keep up the pressure.

Richard at Hyscience : Please note action items in extended post! There are many times that the blogosphere steps forward and takes a community stand on an important issue. Saving the life of Abdur Rahman calls for such a stand, and it appears that the blogosphere is beginning to step up to the plate to do exactly that.
The now increasing international pressure has caused Afghanistan to search for a face saving way to release Abdul. If you ask me calling the man crazy does not save much face.
AP via Yahoo News : But prosecutor Sarinwal Zamari said questions have been raised about his mental fitness.

"We think he could be mad. He is not a normal person. He doesn't talk like a normal person," he told The Associated Press.

Moayuddin Baluch, a religious adviser to President Hamid Karzai, said Rahman would undergo a psychological examination.

"Doctors must examine him," he said. "If he is mentally unfit, definitely Islam has no claim to punish him. He must be forgiven. The case must be dropped."
A Western diplomat in Kabul and a human rights advocate — both of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter — said the government was desperately searching for a way to drop the case because of the reaction it has caused.

While that may result in his release it’s a piss poor way of doing business. I call on Afghanistan to release Mr. Rahman immediately and stop all this “He’s a nut” nonsense. Mr. Rahman was born a Muslim and raised as such. If, when he comes of age, he cannot convert that is not much “Freedom of Religion” now is it?

Past Jawa Report coverage here and here and here too.

Posted by: Howie at 10:20 AM | Comments (16) | Add Comment
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1 So, the face-saving way out for the Afghan government here is to assert that "if you become a Christian, you must be crazy." Oooookay!

Posted by: WM at March 22, 2006 11:00 AM (3aCNQ)

2 Democracy has been rendered unpalatable by our misleader who hi-jacked the election process and demonstrated to the world what a fragile system democracy is that it can be bought by a green, tyrannical wannabe. His approach to spreading Democracy around the world is like trying to get a dog to come to you by beating it! He shirks from dealing with Afghanistan over this poor christian hostage citing Afghanistan's sovereignity! We need sensible leadership that will work hard day and night trying to figure a way out of this mess even if it means missing a photo-op, golf game, 5-week war-time vacations, playing guitar with the old folks during hurricanes, or autistic basketball. http://votetoimpeach.org The world is my oyster! Round 'em up and rope 'em off!

Posted by: Thesaurus at March 22, 2006 11:10 AM (Y2ILH)

3 I have a question. My understanding is that Afghan law allows freedom of religion, but not freedom of converstion (?!), so basically you're stuck in whatever religion you happen to be born into. This man faces a possible death sentence for converting from Isam to Christianity, but what if a Christian converts to Islam? This in fact happened with an American currently in an Afghan jail (I forget his name, he was a journalist accussed of freelance torture), but I don't see anyone trying to bring HIM to court.

Posted by: WM at March 22, 2006 11:21 AM (3aCNQ)

4 Just another example of these fanatics thinking the stupidity of the west will accept a lame and faulty excuse as this. Odd that they didn't think he was too crazy to charge him and then request the death penalty UNTIL they found that the eyes of the world were upon them. Even if they do indeed release Mr. Rahman we should not let up because they'll try it again.

Posted by: Oyster at March 22, 2006 11:29 AM (g9UJq)

5 It always seems to bring us back to the same sticking point -- that majority Islamic nations are not ready, nor willing to accept Western style democracy. Despite having moderate leadership, the Afghani citizens still expect, and insist that Islamic Jurisprudence prevails over democracy. They still want to beat their wives with a stick, and have them wear the burka, and expect them to be sub-servant. Islam has no prevailing body to guide the majority of the religion, and instead has thousands of faceted religious leaders, most of which are radicalized "Firebrand" clerics, who only preside over a small percentage of Muslims. Without a single religious authority [unfortunately like the Taliban] to interpret, and lead the masses they all fall back to the last authority's rule [the Taliban] and will not change until another Islamic authority emerges to guide [/force] them to.

Posted by: davec at March 22, 2006 12:40 PM (CcXvt)

6 To permit ANY departures from Islam is to pop the balloon. Like the fall of the Berlin wall, or the failure of a dam, what seems minor is in fact a breach. The foundation has been undermined: all may be swept away.

Posted by: blert at March 22, 2006 01:06 PM (NAB9Z)

7 Dave, many of the adults are a lost cause. But the kids in Iraq, in particular, will grow into it and will likely reject the hateful ways of some of the elder's Imams. Even in Iraq this is going to take a couple generations.

Posted by: Oyster at March 22, 2006 01:38 PM (g9UJq)

8 Oyster: perhaps the U.S should export some of our University professors to Iraqi, they seem experts in indoctrinating young adults in theories, and points-of-view that attack the way they have been raised and educated by their parents!

Posted by: davec at March 22, 2006 01:49 PM (CcXvt)

9 Right after we send in all the menopausal women to wipe out the insurgency. Give us 2 - 3 days ... tops. We don't take prisoners.

Posted by: Oyster at March 22, 2006 02:24 PM (g9UJq)

10 HA HA Islam. next we'll deal with China's oppression of Christians as well.

Posted by: billy faeth at March 22, 2006 02:33 PM (Lc35u)

11 "Doctors must examine him," he said. "If he is mentally unfit, definitely Islam has no claim to punish him. He must be forgiven. The case must be dropped." Wow. So you need to be fully aware that you deserve death if you decide to quit Islam? Those people ARE crazy. - Max

Posted by: Max at March 22, 2006 02:33 PM (Ol+Ma)

12 Our President is establishing democracy not freedom. This is a minor setback. With less than 15,000 tropps in Country we have no clout. These attacks on our Commander-in-Chief during a time of War only enable the enemy. Let the moonbats attack our President..my support in undiminished.

Posted by: DrewE at March 22, 2006 05:08 PM (n3umu)

13 Dream on DrewE! A leader who seeks soley his own council is a dangerous man! Object lesson in progress!

Posted by: Thesaurus at March 22, 2006 06:49 PM (Y2ILH)

14 You keep posting that Thesaurus. How do you explan Mr. Bush talking to Mr. Rumsfield, or Mr. Cheny, or Ms. Rice? Are they all the same person? From what you write they have to be. Do you have any other lines? Perhaps, do not look into the sun, or you will grow hair on your palms if you keep doing that. How about if you play with fire, you might get burned.

Posted by: Leatherneck at March 22, 2006 07:42 PM (D2g/j)

15 HeÒs impressed by how many people are keen to attend public talks and debates at the moment.

Posted by: avandia at May 25, 2006 03:40 AM (pSFja)

16 You can read the first part of how I met NE here.

Posted by: TYSABRI at May 25, 2006 03:57 PM (OujqI)

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