Afghanistan Establishes Death Penalty for Missionaries

KABUL, Afghanistan, JAN. 8, 2001 (ZENIT.org).- From now on, anyone who converts to Christianity, preaches the gospel, or proselytizes in Afghanistan can be condemned to death. The decision was decreed by Nohammad Omar, leader of the Taliban movement, which over the past 4 years has imposed the shariah in virtually the entire Afghan territory. The shariah is Islamic law applied to civil society. The news was confirmed today by Vatican Radio.

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In addition, the measure provides for other punishments; for example, the proprietors of bookstores selling offensive books or sources for the propagation of “false beliefs,” will be punished by 5 years of imprisonment. The harsh measures of the Taliban leader are justified by stating that they defend the country from alleged attempts of unidentified “enemies” of Islam, both within and without, who seek to “corrupt Muslims by offering them economic incentives if they convert to Christianity or Judaism.”

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