Rally for a Christian

If you haven't heard about Abdul Rahman yet, you can read more here.

In short, Mr. Rahman is an Afghani who has converted to Christianity. He is going to be tried and possibly executed, because doing so is against Muslim law. Now, the prosecutor is saying Mr. Rahman is "may be mentally unfit to stand trial."

Further:

Abdul Rahman, 41, has been charged with rejecting Islam, a crime under this country's Islamic laws. His trial started last week and he confessed to becoming a Christian 16 years ago. If convicted, he could be executed.

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."

He converted 16 years ago? Of course, the Liberals would agree with these people, that Christians are not "normal people" and don't "talk like" normal people.

There is to be a rally in support of Mr. Rahman.

Via Michelle Malkin:

Please join us if you can (and if you can't, why not organize an event/prayer service/etc. in your own neighborhood?):

Friday March 24
Noon to 1pm
Outside the Afghan Embassy
2341 Wyoming Ave NW.
Washington DC

Michelle has a bunch more information and links.

Also, lots more at Freedom's Zone.

Here is what the President finally had to say this morning:

"We expect them to honor the universal principle of freedom," Bush said. "I'm troubled when I hear, deeply troubled when I hear, the fact that a person who converted away from Islam may be held to account. That's not the universal application of the values that I talked about. I look forward to working with the government of that country to make sure that people are protected in their capacity to worship."

What happened to the stirring words about freedom we usually hear from him? This is rather weak. Michelle Malkin has this link and The Political Pitbull has video here.

The Editors of National Review call it An Affront to Civilization.

From the Embassy of Afghanistan: PRESS RELEASE: RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES ABOUT MR. ABDUL RAHMAN:

03/22/2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Embassy of Afghanistan greatly appreciates public concern about Mr. Abdul Rahman. We have received a significant number of inquiries about Mr. Rahman’s case, which initially involved a civil lawsuit in child custody filed by his family.

Please note that the Government of Afghanistan is fully aware of and pursuing the best ways to resolve Mr. Rahman’s case judicially. It is too early to draw any conclusion about the punishment, and we appreciate public understanding of the sensitivity of religious issues.

Afghanistan’s judicial system is currently evaluating questions raised about the mental fitness of Mr. Rahman, the results of which may end the proceedings. Hence we kindly request that the judicial process be given time to resolve Mr. Rahman’s case.

The Constitution of Afghanistan provides protection for freedom of religion. The Government of Afghanistan will ensure that the constitutional rights of its citizens, international principles, and the due judicial process are respected and implemented.

Spin, spin, spin. Come on, this is more than a slap on the wrist Abdul Rahman is facing---for becoming a Christian! Here in the US, we don't try people for changing religions---that's called Freedom of Religion.

You can contact the Embassy of Afghanistan here:

Embassy of Afghanistan

2341 Wyoming Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: 202.483.6410
Fax: 202.483.6488

Email: [mailto:Info@embassyofafghanistan.org]