 Abdul Rahman He converted to the Christian faith 16 years ago, but only recently was brought to trial. The punishment for converting to Christianity in Afghanistan is death.
The trial, which was to start within days in Afghanistan's Supreme Court, had attracted international controversy. Several countries with soldiers in Afghanistan – including Canada, the United States, Italy, Germany and Australia – had voiced concern amid calls for troops to be pulled unless the man was freed. Some observers believe that Abdul Rahman is marked for death anyway. Islam does not embrace a concept of freedom of conscience or concepts of religious tolerance, so vengeance against him is expected. Rahman converted to Christianity 16 years ago while working as a medical aid worker for an international Christian group helping Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Afghanistan has been under intense political pressure from Western nations to dismiss the case. When the Taliban were ousted 4 years ago, they Afghanistan adopted a Constitution which guarantees religious rights, but it is being ignored in the Islamic country. The fundamentalist Taliban may be gone, but much of the country is still conservative. Although the constitution protects human rights and freedom of religion, it also says Islamic law is the law of the land. The Afghan court apparently considered dismissing the case on the basis that Rahman was mentally incompetent. But through the ordeal, Rahman has held his head high and maintained a strong Christian testimony. He said, "I know I am in the right. I have no regrets. I respect Afghan law as I respect Islam. But I chose to become a Christian, for myself, for my soul. It is not an offense," according to a report published in La Repubblica. |
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