KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 30, 2008

Afghan Reporter To Die For Insulting Islam

Court Delivers Death Sentence Over Article Critical Of Islam Distributed To Class

  • This undated photo provided by his family shows 23-year-old Afghan journalist Sayed Parwez Kaambakhsh. Kaambakhsh was sentenced to death Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008, by a three-judge panel in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif. Photo

    This undated photo provided by his family shows 23-year-old Afghan journalist Sayed Parwez Kaambakhsh. Kaambakhsh was sentenced to death Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008, by a three-judge panel in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif.  (AP Photo)

  • Fast Facts Afghanistan

    Learn about the people, economy and history.

  • Interactive The Fundamentals Of Islam

    Learn about the Muslim religion and find out where the largest Muslim populations live in the U.S. and around the world.

(AP)  Afghanistan's upper house of parliament lauded the death sentence handed down against a local journalist who was found guilty of insulting Islam, an official said Wednesday.

In a statement signed by Sibghatullah Mojaddedi, the chamber's chairman, the Senate also condemned what it called "international interference" to have the sentence annulled, spokesman Aminuddin Muzafari said.

The journalist, 23-year-old Sayed Parwez Kaambakhsh, was sentenced to death last week by a three-judge panel in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif for distributing a report he printed off the Internet to journalism students at Balkh University.

The article asked why men can have four wives but women can't have multiple husbands.

The court in Mazar-i-Sharif found that the article humiliated Islam. Members of a clerical council also pushed for Kaambakhsh to be punished.

"That issue was not in the (Senate's) agenda, but when lawmakers gathered on Tuesday they insisted on talking about that case," Muzafari said.

Following a debate, lawmakers decided to issue the statement supporting the court's decision, he said.

Kaambakhsh has appealed his conviction and the case will now go to an appeals court. President Hamid Karzai will have the final say in the matter.

International human rights groups have condemned the sentence and called on Afghan authorities to quash it.

© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Video and Galleries from World

Add a Comment See all 382 Comments
by mcvet January 30, 2008 11:48 AM PST
When do we learn? Religion, regardless to the brand, is just plain evil! Men use it to control people and it doesn''t matter if it''s afganistan or Alabama it''s all worthless to civilized man.
Reply to this comment
by truthword08 January 30, 2008 11:57 AM PST
More from that good ole "religion of PEACE".
Reply to this comment
by au_fait January 30, 2008 11:59 AM PST
MCV, you are are misguided if you feel that all religions have no redeeming value. It is sad that radicals in the various religions have turned people away from them. I am not devout, but I do still have a belief that something is there, even if my science/engineering background contradicts this. I do understnad is it sad to see how man uses it for personal gain or to control others, but the common morals that are found in the various religions are necessary.
Reply to this comment
by jinxkity January 30, 2008 12:06 PM PST
It amazes me that Islam has such little confidence in their own religion that they must kill anyone who ''insults'' it! Can''t it stand on it''s own?!?
Reply to this comment
by easeup-2009 January 30, 2008 12:10 PM PST
MCVet

Do you hate everything & everybody? You are a bitter little tool.
Reply to this comment
by graydee January 30, 2008 12:25 PM PST
It is very unfortunate that a young man should lose his life over something so petty.

Religion is one of the worst things ever invented by man.
Reply to this comment
by runningralph January 30, 2008 12:29 PM PST
Without religion there is no reason to obey the laws of men. Abiding by the law would be just a matter of fear. Religion is concerned with morals, decency and sin. The laws of men are not concerned with these. There is a proper place for both in civilization.
Reply to this comment
by singingrick January 30, 2008 12:33 PM PST


MCVet


You should stop bashing ***. Jesus loves them too.


Reply to this comment
by Syndicate January 30, 2008 12:38 PM PST
Insulting Islam? Come on. You guys worship a false profit who preaches violance and takes his orders from satan. Islam needs no help. No one could harm Islam more than an islam has hurt itself. First by denying freedom of speech and religion to your people you artificaly protect a religion that is not worth it. A truly great religion can survive freedom of speech and thought. Islam is a joke. Isalm is for the backwards people of the world.
Reply to this comment
by amazedd January 30, 2008 12:38 PM PST
Rational thought, logic, is an insult to Islam.
Reply to this comment
by infidel_us January 30, 2008 12:46 PM PST
Ah, the peaceful, benevolent cult of islam rears it''s pacifist head again. It''s a good thing islam is a ''peaceful'' cult....otherwise, I might start to worry a little.

And we''re backing the guy in Afgagastan, right???
Reply to this comment
by excoachken January 30, 2008 12:47 PM PST
This is what will be happening in America if we have more Evangelicals in Congress.
Reply to this comment
by clestes-2009 January 30, 2008 12:48 PM PST
Ah yes, Afganistan is really democratic material. The wave of democracy is going to wash threw the middle east beginning in Iraq.

What a line was fed to us!! Anyone who knows anything about the middle east knew that democracy and the middle east don''t mix.
Reply to this comment
by ne_patriot7 January 30, 2008 1:01 PM PST
Islam is a barbaric religion for a barbaric people.. they are barely one step removed from neanderthals..

Unfortunately, christianity is not much better, in the u.s. at least.. where the biggest proponents of christianity are also the biggest hypocrits.

Reply to this comment
by prinzowhales January 30, 2008 1:11 PM PST
Remember! You Bush-backing pieces of filth are the ones who celebrated the overthrow of the secular regime backed by Moscow...your tax dollars supported the Taliban...your tax dollars supported the overthrow of the Taliban...and now your tax dollars are supporting the Regime that is paying the salaries of these judges and the covert assets who are helping get that opium into the waiting veins and lungs of pouty-faced Euro-trash and those who graze in the gutters of the American urbus.
Reply to this comment
by zoltaric January 30, 2008 1:16 PM PST
Why are we still there? This is a perfect reason for us to leave. The situation with the people of this sick cult will never change. get out now. Bomb an Islamic holy site anytime there is an attack on the U.S.A. Start with Mecca.
Reply to this comment
by singingrick January 30, 2008 1:18 PM PST


I think that any one who insults Christianity should be beheaded too.


Reply to this comment
by notblue January 30, 2008 1:21 PM PST
It is the acme of obsurdity to believe that all religions are the same, and any others compare to the savage barbarism of Islam. This article is another clear example of extreme Muslim intollerance!
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 30, 2008 1:23 PM PST
" instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers" QURAN 8:12....cheers!
Reply to this comment
by singingrick January 30, 2008 1:23 PM PST


I wrote my Congressman and asked him to pass a law banning all insults to Christianity by penalty of prison or beheading.


Reply to this comment
by graydee January 30, 2008 1:24 PM PST
Religion has caused more wars, more deaths and more hatred, abuse, lies and torture than any other one thing in the history of man. I beleive that we would be much better off without it and I certainly do not beleive that we need it to be decent human beings. Religion is not God and there are many of us out here that do not have a belief in any religion but are not going out and murdering, stealing or hating. Again religion is the worst thing ever invented by man.
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 30, 2008 1:27 PM PST
we rational people don''t believe in your fear, terrorist are a minor inconvenience Posted by FloydZepp....huh? liberalism is a mental disorder....
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 30, 2008 1:31 PM PST
THE TRUTH ABOUT MUHAMMAD: FOUNDER OF THE WORLD''S MOST INTOLERANT RELIGION....
Reply to this comment
by missingamerica January 30, 2008 1:35 PM PST
Again religion is the worst thing ever invented by man.

Posted by graydee at 01:24 PM : Jan 30, 2008

I dunno...I think it ties with money.
Reply to this comment
by taddles-2009 January 30, 2008 1:36 PM PST
A critic of Islam must be killed?!? Women must be covered and uneducated because they are a threat to Islamic men? Children should only be taught the Koran? Sounds like the problem is simple cowardice among the male muslims.
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 30, 2008 1:37 PM PST
why is this so hard to grasp? doesn''t anyone think for themselves anymore? skip an episode of "American Idol" just once, put on some latex gloves,and take a browse through a QURAN, and then believe what your own eyes tell you.....cheers!
Reply to this comment
by speakinup January 30, 2008 1:42 PM PST
"don''t cha think? Posted by Spectrum108

I can answer that for you Spec. Nah, ********** doesn''t think.
Reply to this comment
by missingamerica January 30, 2008 1:43 PM PST
The only real problem with radical Islam is that they have something we want: Oil.

If we quit wanting oil, then we could treat them just like they act - as dangerous wild animals.

Fence ''em in, and shoot ''em if they try to get out.

And, other than that, leave them alone to kill each other as they will.

The fact is those among us who are greedy expose us to them, like ****** in the days of yore spread syphilis in their pursuit of money.
Reply to this comment
by singingrick January 30, 2008 1:46 PM PST



Any one who doesn''t support Bush is a traitor to this country and to God. God has chosen Bush to bring on the end of the world and the rapture. He''s almost got Armageddon started. It''s just a matter of time. You will see. It will be glorious. Praise God!


Reply to this comment
by robstrck January 30, 2008 1:46 PM PST
Posted by singingrick

Aren''t you the clever little coward. Stealing someone else''s screen name (with an added g). Trying to stir some sh*t up? What an ignorant,little moron you are.
Reply to this comment
by robstrck January 30, 2008 1:47 PM PST
Are you snickering and giggling in your dark little room?
Reply to this comment
by nolalou January 30, 2008 1:48 PM PST
Posted by Spectrum108 "What do you propose? Or do you think we''''re on the right path the way it is? Its a little too late for religious tolerance, don''''t cha think?"

While this question wasn''t intended for me, I''ll answer it anyway. I propose we stop depending on oil from unstable governments. I propose we stop invading countries based on exaggerations and lies! An no, it is not too late for religious tolerance, in fact, if anything we need more of it, but at the same time we should reserve the right to oppose anyone who would carry out a death sentence in a case like this one.
Reply to this comment
by singingrick January 30, 2008 1:49 PM PST


Posted by robstrck


I just say what I believe. Last time I checked this country still had freedom of speech. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and I believe that Bush is his chosen leader of the world. You will see.


Reply to this comment
by January 30, 2008 1:50 PM PST
This is what we are fighting for?

Execute the court, as terrorist!
Reply to this comment
by bradosol January 30, 2008 1:50 PM PST
The problem isn''t Islam.

You can''t "insult" a religion, merely offend the people who follow it.

Unhappily, a large number of Muslims seem to be very easily offended and a minority of Christians, too.

There isn''t much to do about it, except constantly repeat that it isn''t grown-up for anyone to think they have a right to live their lives without being offended, i.e. other people daring to criticise their opinions!

Surely only children can honestly believe the world should conform to their view of it? Young kids have temper tantrums when that doesn''t happen. We expect them to learn otherwise.

The sensible response to religious fanatics is to tell them to grow up!
Reply to this comment
by ptruth2 January 30, 2008 1:51 PM PST
After years of American financial, military and political support, how did we ever allow these knuckle heads the opportunity to continue in their inhuman and intollerant ways??
Reply to this comment
by singingrick January 30, 2008 1:53 PM PST


If we had a court of Gods laws and not mans laws in this country, we could begin bringing real punishment like this to those that insult Christianity.
Reply to this comment
by speakinup January 30, 2008 1:53 PM PST
"I think Bush should start rounding up flag burners, homosexuals, and athiests and either put them in prison or remove their heads in a public execution. This would please the lord. Posted by singingrick






How very interesting - we have what is undoubtedly a far left person being an imposter. Once again proving the lengths to which they will go to ''win'' an argument.

Spin, misrepresent, take out of context, and lie; it''s all they know how to do.
Reply to this comment
by robstrck January 30, 2008 1:55 PM PST

I just say what I believe. Last time I checked this country still had freedom of speech. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and I believe that Bush is his chosen leader of the world. You will see.



Posted by singingrick

Than why take someone else''s screen name? Can''t use your own name to back your "free speech"?
Reply to this comment
by singingrick January 30, 2008 1:55 PM PST


Posted by speakinup


I don''t care what you think. I don''t come here to win a popularity contest. I only care what the Bible says and I want to share the love of Jesus.



Reply to this comment
by singingrick January 30, 2008 1:57 PM PST



If we had a court of Gods laws and not mans laws in this country, we could begin bringing real punishment like this to those that insult Christianity, burn the flag, and insult our President.


Reply to this comment
by joyous88 January 30, 2008 1:59 PM PST
he might be lucky , if he was here he would be tortured instead of getting a quick death,

but still ,torture or death, when an idiotic religionist is in control we are all slaves
Reply to this comment
by singingrick January 30, 2008 1:59 PM PST


You athiests can try to insult me all you want. I don''t answer to you. I answer to All-MIGHTY GOD. As long as this is a free Christian nation, I will continue to proclaim God''s true will.



Reply to this comment
by wolf563 January 30, 2008 1:59 PM PST
who the hell would want 4 wives nagging the *** out of you evey second of every day of the year . Thats why they keep thier women as cattle . In the eyes of the middle eastern men a woman is just a piece of meat and not worth the sand they walk on .
Reply to this comment
by rowdytexan2 January 30, 2008 2:00 PM PST
Posted by singingrick at 01:53 PM : Jan 30, 2008

Do you realize what you just said?

"If we had a court of Gods laws and not mans laws in this country, we could begin bringing real punishment like this to those that insult Christianity."

You just said exactly what these terrorists said.

So freedom of speech should only be available to Christians?
Reply to this comment
by rushman71 January 30, 2008 2:00 PM PST
Man, I can''t wait for the coming of our Lord. At that time, everyone, including Muhammad, shall bow down before Him. Then you all shall know that He is the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords!!!
Reply to this comment
by missingamerica January 30, 2008 2:00 PM PST
I think Bush should start rounding up flag burners, homosexuals, and athiests and either put them in prison or remove their heads in a public execution. This would please the lord. Posted by singingrick

How very interesting - we have what is undoubtedly a far left person being an imposter. Once again proving the lengths to which they will go to ''win'' an argument.

Spin, misrepresent, take out of context, and lie; it''s all they know how to do.

Posted by speakinup at 01:53 PM : Jan 30, 2008

Except for one teensy-weensy little thing: The flighty-righty posters on CBS have said all of those things, but individually instead of consolidating them.

Consolidating them makes them sound slightly more ridiculous than when the flighty-righties say them individually.
Reply to this comment
by joyous88 January 30, 2008 2:01 PM PST
christians are the same type of animals that muslums are, there is no difference
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 30, 2008 2:01 PM PST
BUT COWARDS who turn away from ME, and unbelievers, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the immoral, and those who practice witchcraft, and idol worshipers,and all liars, their doom is in the lake of fire that burns with fire and sulfur this is the second death... 21:8.....
Reply to this comment
by missingamerica January 30, 2008 2:02 PM PST
And no, I didn''t create a new screen name to mock the flighty-righties.

I, unfortunately, wasn''t bright enough to think of it first.
Reply to this comment
See all 382 Comments
  • MOST POPULAR
  • Viewed
  • Commented
Latest News
Featured Blogs