A clash of civilizations
Here's a reminder of the mind-set of the Taliban in Afghanistan and what the people face if this country's military mission is not successful.
Every country has its own unique approach to investigating crime and devising the proper punishment for lawbreakers. But for sheer horror and affront to decency, consider what happened in a Taliban-ruled area in the district of Dashte Archi in Kunduz province in Afghanistan.
A young couple who went only by their first names – Khayyam and Siddiqa – eloped in defiance of Siddiqa's parents' wishes that she marry another man. The newlyweds feared for their safety, but foolishly succumbed to promises that all would be forgiven if they returned home.
All was not forgiven. For their violations of Islamic law, each was sentenced to death by stoning on Aug. 15, 2010. In a classic example of the clash of cultures between the modern and stone ages, their execution was recorded on a cell phone. The video only recently has been released for public consumption.
A news report described what the video showed.
"The video shows the male crowd using not only many large stones, but some so large it is hard to lift them, and often throwing the stones with great force. Siddiqa, dressed in a full blue burqa, was put in a pit to be stoned, but even after a sustained barrage from the crowd pressing close to her, she was still alive and tried to crawl out," the report states.
There was some discussion apparently among the mullahs present about sparing her life. But that conversation was short-circuited by a Taliban soldier's decision to finish her off with three shots to the head.
The video shows Khayyan being brought before the crowd for stoning. The news report states "he appears defiant," but "the attack on him is even more ferocious. His body, lying face down, jerks as the rocks meet their target. He is heard to be crying, but is soon silent."
How's that for due process of law?
And how's that for framing the future possibilities of life in Afghanistan. This sort of thing was routine during the Taliban's reign. They adhere to a particularly malignant religious line and embrace it without apology.
A Taliban spokesman defended the propriety of the double execution.
"Anyone who knows about Islam knows that stoning is in the Koran and that it is Islamic law. There are people who call it inhuman – but in doing so they insult the Prophet. They want to bring foreign thinking to this country."
Afghan authorities are reportedly investigating what happened in Kunduz province. But they're treading lightly. The Taliban are in control there, waiting and hoping for the opportunity to expand their governance style over all of Afghanistan – and perhaps elsewhere.
As the recommendation for stoning of adulterers is also mentioned in the Christian Bible, I would assume that the News-Gazette is not considering this a clash of Christian and Muslim civilizations.
Aside from that, I'm also not certain what the point is. Cruelty happens all over the world. Do we invade every country with civil rights abuses??
Recently a 9 year old Hispanic girl was killed, along with her father, in her own home in Arizona by a white, anti-immigrant vigilante group. They were both shot execution style. Does the NG blow editorial space decrying this horror? Does this mean there is a clash of civilizations going on in this country, between sanity and hatred?? She was legally here, as were her parents. Their last name was the same as the town they lived in (and it wasn't Smithville, who who was likely there first?).
In America, we have plenty of folks who have been denied due process as well. I would like to see the NG write an editorial with an inflammatory headline to address that.
Mr. Hartke,
First, there is no country in the world that I know of that uses a Biblical recommendation for stoning as a basis for public law. Nor does this article suggest that the United States should invade ANY country on the basis of its method of execution. Finally, there is a marked difference between the execution in Afghanistan and the murder in Arizona. In Arizona, this was a crime - a murder perpetrated as you said by a vigilante group. In Afghanistan, this is the law and governmental policy (if you can consider the Taliban to be a government). In that case, this couple was sentenced to be pummeled to death with stones for getting married outside of the wishes of the young woman's family. There is an enormous difference between state-sanctioned cruelty and crimes committed by private citizens. I would like to see you write a balanced comment on a News-Gazette story.
Has the Gazette Editorialist forgotten that the Taliban were once our allies? Did not the USA give weapons, training, money to the Taliban fighting the Soviet occupation?.
The Soviets failed, and so has the USA.
The Soviets had their puppet communist government.
The USA has Hamid Karzaii, who also receives money and aid from Iran.
So I ask the NG: What is the point of your Editorial?
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