Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kabul ( Agenzia Fides) - A member of the Afghan Parliament suggested that those who convert from Islam to Christianity are to be executed, according to the sharia (Islamic law), in order to stop the rapid growth of Christianity among Afghan citizens, within the country and abroad. As reported to Fides by local sources, the shock-appeal of the Muslim Parliamentary Nazir Ahmad Hanafi came after a report published by the Afghan press that noted the increase of Christians in Afghanistan. Hanafi told the assembly: "The Afghan people continue to convert to Christianity in India. This is an affront to the Islamic law and, according to the Quran, they have to be executed". Previously, another member of the Afghan Parliament had reported that in India, where there are thousands of Afghan refugees, a Christian community was founded called "Church of the Afghans", where all the citizens of Kabul are invited.
As Fides learns, in the ensuing discussion at the meeting, another Member of Parliament , Abdul Latif Pedram, said that "conversions to Christianity are the result of the presence of the United States in Afghanistan". In conclusion, Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, President of Parliament, condemning all the activities of "Christian proselytism" in Afghanistan, has ordered the National Committee for safety to "follow the matter seriously".
Islamic leaders of Afghanistan consider the growth of Christianity as a threat to the country and warned the government about the influence of Christianity. In recent months, the "Islamic Council of Afghanistan" notified with concern to President Karzai the growing presence of foreign workers in Afghanistan of Christian religion. According to local sources , even some members of the Afghan Parliament have secretly converted to Christianity , despite the risks involved. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 09/09/2013)
