Sayed Pervez Kambaksh – sentenced to death for debating women’s rights
Much has been sacrificed by the armed forces of America, the United Kingdom and others to give the people of Afghanistan a better future than the one the Taliban offered. However, six years on after the Taliban were over thrown it seems that hopes of freedom of expression, and the right to debate religion without threat or intimidation has not been won out right.
Sayed Pervez Kambaksh has been sentenced by a religious court to death for downloading and circulating a tract that criticised interpreting that the Koran supported the suppression of women. He did this at his university where he is studying journalism. Despite the widespread international condemnation the Afghan Senate has rejected non Islamic views on the matter – and expressed that the secular supreme court should not intervene in the matter though constitutionally he has the right of appeal.
Aminuddin Muzafari, the first secretary of the houses of parliament, said: “People should realise that as we are representatives of an Islamic country therefore we can never tolerate insults to reverences of Islamic religion.”
I want us to support fellow secularists who risk so much to question as free thinkers the way we live our lives. It is draconian that anyone should fear for their lives from the State for expressing an opinion or even wanting a debate. Other journalists have been warned not to show solidarity for Sayed Pervez Kambaksh.
I supported the invasion of Afghanistan, much for our own self interest but also to remove a diabolical regime that threatened international security and human rights. In the case of Iraq I could not support the invasion on the false premise we were given, but on the other hand could support the over throw of the Baath Party and Saddam Hussein – I just wanted public support for those reasons, not a misrepresentation of the threat he posed.
Now after six years my concern is that we have not far advanced the rule of law that protects the liberty of people from their governments. Of course the Afghan people have a right to their own constitution and the law that they wish to be governed by.
But they do not have the right to expect our troops to die to defend such a constitution, or protect such a government that would allow this punishment on it’s citizens for blasphemy. Either we help build a democratic regime through investment and the blood of our fellow citizens – if that help is not appreciated or the ruling government that holds sway does not appreciate these values we hold dear, then we have no moral obligation towards them.
They have become the enemies of reason, showing an intolerance that Al Qaeda wrought on an international stage. May the international community send a clear signal that in this case human rights matter – and the Afghan government can expect no favours should it allow this student’s execution.
How you can save Pervez
Sayed Pervez Kambaksh’s imminent execution is an affront to civilised values. It is not, however, a foregone conclusion. If enough international pressure is brought to bear on President Karzai’s government, his sentence may yet be overturned. Add your weight to the campaign by urging the Foreign Office to demand that his life be spared. Sign our e-petition at www.independent.co.uk/petition
All quotes from “The Independent” article can be found here.
I am sorry for your country, you, and Mr. Kambaksh. It needs to be said over and over again; Islam is not a rational religion as it is now practiced. The people that are in control of it have no regard for anyone who disagrees, and the fact that the Koran says to kill non- believers or those who honestly question, shows just how irrational the religion has become. I hope that at some point in the future Islam fades away, because it is antithetical to humans, and has no right to exist because of that fact. Any system of beliefs that takes away basic human rights, as does Islam, needs to be discarded as evil.
thewordofme
February 1, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Interesting. There’s clear evidence in the Old Testament that blasphemy is punishable by death, LEVITICUS 24:16 STATES THAT THOSE WHO SPEAK BLASPHEMY “SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH”.
However, there is no clear evidence in the Koran that blasphemy is punishable by death and never was the punishment of death inflicted upon those who committed blasphemy during Prophet Muhammad’s rule, although many people did commit blasphemy during his life to try to insult Islam and him.
The following Qur’anic verses appear to suggest that there is no worldly punishment for blasphemy, controverting the notion that blasphemy is punishable by death:
“ When ye hear the signs of Allah held in defiance and ridicule, ye are not to sit with them unless they turn to a different theme. [Qur'an 4:140] ”
“ And when they hear vain talk, they turn away therefrom and say: “to us our deeds and to you yours; peace be to you. [Qur'an 28: 55] ”
“ Hold to forgiveness, command what is right; but turn away from the ignorant. [Qur'an 7:199] ”
“ Have patience with what they say, and leaves them with noble (dignity). [Qur'an 73:10] ”
“ And the servants of Allah . . . are those who walked on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say ‘Peace’ [Qur'an 25:63] ”
“ Allah is with those who restrain themselves. [Qur'an 16: 128] ”
“ . . . But they uttered blasphemy . . . if they repent, it will be best for them, but if they turn back, Allah will punish them.” [Qur'an 9:47]
amro
February 3, 2008 at 12:24 pm
True we can cherry pick. But for me the key thing is not to constrain our thinking based on what we perceive in a book – let alone stop the free inquiry into how things are and how things ought to be.
That someone should be punished or chastised for this, let alone put to death, is a grievous harm and a crime against humanity. I hope that he can be saved and that the religious courts can be constrained – if not one day rescinded in their immoral authority over thought and discussion.
The Family of Imran:
[3.176] And let not those grieve you who fall into unbelief hastily; surely they can do no harm to Allah at all; Allah intends that He should not give them any portion in the hereafter, and they shall have a grievous chastisement.
[3.177] Surely those who have bought unbelief at the price of faith shall do no harm at all to Allah, and they shall have a painful chastisement.
The Cow:
[2.228] And the divorced women should keep themselves in waiting for three courses; and it is not lawful for them that they should conceal what Allah has created in their wombs, if they believe in Allah and the last day; and their husbands have a better right to take them back in the meanwhile if they wish for reconciliation; and they have rights similar to those against them in a just manner, and the men are a degree above them, and Allah is Mighty, Wise.
The Women:
[4.34] Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.
homoeconomicusnet
February 3, 2008 at 2:06 pm