American Islamic Congress Demands the Immediate Pardon and Release of Afghan Journalist Sayed Parvez Kambakhsh, Deplores Stoning Death of 'Adulterous' Somali Woman

The American Islamic Congress (AIC) today reiterated its call on the Afghan government to drop all charges against journalist Sayed Parvez Kambakhsh.

Notwithstanding the relief felt in that Kambakhsh's original death sentence, delivered last October, was overturned, AIC finds it unacceptable that this 24-year-old man now faces 20 years of imprisonment for "blasphemy". "No one should be punished for merely distributing materials, as Kambakhsh did with a document on women's rights in Islam. It cannot be possible that every time there is controversy surrounding an issue of faith in the Muslim world, Muslim governments resort to sending their citizens to jail," said Jana El-Horr, AIC's Government and Political Affairs Director.

As Americans and as Muslims, AIC works vigorously for freedom of expression in the Muslim world and sees it as a cornerstone that must not be underestimated or overlooked for the sake of "preserving" traditions. President Karzai, stuck between his own conservatism and modernizing the system of government in his country, must do what is morally right--intervene and secure the release and exoneration of Kambakhsh. "Imprisoning this young man is completely unacceptable and constitutes a step in the wrong direction for the future of democracy in Afghanistan. Mr. Kambakhsh should be pardoned and released at once," said El-Horr.

AIC is also outraged today at the execution of Asha Dhuhulow by Somali Islamists in power in the south of the country. According to an Islamic Sharia law court, 23-year-old Dhuhulow was guilty of adultery and consequently sentenced to death by stoning. In front of hundreds of townspeople, she was buried in the ground up to her neck while stones were pelted at her. This was the first of this type of public killing since the Islamists took power two years ago. It was determined that Dhuhulow had been raped and had not voluntarily taken part. She was violated and then condemned to death.

AIC is deeply saddened by this outrageous act and believes it plays into a broader phenomenon of misuse of the law. "The murder of Ms. Dhuhulow--by stoning, no less--is unconscionable," said Nasser Weddady, AIC's Civil Rights Outreach Director. "Anyone claiming to invoke religion for such a practice must be condemned by all people of conscience. We call upon the international community to act now to protect women in Somalia from such atrocities--and not to excuse the stoning death sentence as any kind of legitimate cultural practice."

The American Islamic Congress is a civil-rights organization promoting tolerance and the exchange of ideas among Muslims and between other peoples. With the motto "Passionate about Moderation," the organization leads initiatives around the world and has offices in Washington, Boston, Egypt, and Iraq. For more information see http://www.aicongress.org.