Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
We hope that the government and peoples of Afghanistan will adhere to these guiding principles.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court of Afghanistan dismissed the case against Abdur Rahman, an Afghani man who fifteen years earlier, had converted from Islam to Christianity.
ZENIT reports that the Vatican, the United States, Germany and Australia had formally appealed for the life of the convert. (1)
Afghan Supreme Court spokesman Wakil Omari told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the court had decided not to pursue its case against Abdur Rahman, after hearing testimony that he was mentally disturbed.(2)
Sadly, religious tolerance and freedom of conscience appear to have been forgotten. (3)
Similarly, the Algerian parliament has decided that Algerian Muslims may not have even the opportunity to convert to Christianity. (4)
Hopefully, “Muslim” politicians and judges may soon remember the Islamic principles of tolerance. (5)
Paul V. Rafferty
Footnotes:
1. ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome http://www.zenit.org
2. Afghan Court Drops Case Against "Mad" Convert
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-03/26/article08.shtml
3. Afghanistan: Case of Abdul Rahman underlines urgent need for judicial reform http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA110082006
4. Algeria bans Muslims from learning about Christianity
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/060321/2006032108.html
5. Should an Apostate Be Put to Death?
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1141277529583&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar
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“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
We hope that the government and peoples of Afghanistan will adhere to these guiding principles.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court of Afghanistan dismissed the case against Abdur Rahman, an Afghani man who fifteen years earlier, had converted from Islam to Christianity.
ZENIT reports that the Vatican, the United States, Germany and Australia had formally appealed for the life of the convert. (1)
Afghan Supreme Court spokesman Wakil Omari told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the court had decided not to pursue its case against Abdur Rahman, after hearing testimony that he was mentally disturbed.(2)
Sadly, religious tolerance and freedom of conscience appear to have been forgotten. (3)
Similarly, the Algerian parliament has decided that Algerian Muslims may not have even the opportunity to convert to Christianity. (4)
Hopefully, “Muslim” politicians and judges may soon remember the Islamic principles of tolerance. (5)
Paul V. Rafferty
Footnotes:
1. ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome http://www.zenit.org
2. Afghan Court Drops Case Against "Mad" Convert
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-03/26/article08.shtml
3. Afghanistan: Case of Abdul Rahman underlines urgent need for judicial reform http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA110082006
4. Algeria bans Muslims from learning about Christianity
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/060321/2006032108.html
5. Should an Apostate Be Put to Death?
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1141277529583&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar
Related Articles
Conf. Addresses Muslim-Christian Violence in Nigeria
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-03/26/article04.shtml
Don't Mix Christianity With US-led Wars: Vatican
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-03/26/article06.shtml