Good-bye frying pan
Well at least Sayed Pervez Kambaksh is free and safely out of Afghanistan. It’s too bad the women of Afghanistan have to stay behind, but it’s good that Kambaksh is out, all the same.
Mr Kambaksh was moved from his cell in Kabul’s main prison a fortnight ago and kept at a secure location for a few days before being flown out of the country. Prior to his departure, he spoke of how his relief was mixed with deep regret at knowing he was unlikely to see his family or country again…Hardline Islamists, including a number of political figures close to the government of President Karzai, have repeatedly called for Mr Kambaksh’s execution and were fiercely critical when an appeal court reduced the original death sentence to 20 years’ imprisonment.
It’s too bad anyone in Afghanistan who doesn’t want to live among bloodthirsty mindless ratbags like that has to stay behind…but still, I’m glad Kambaksh has gotten away from them.
It’s also too bad there isn’t a quick and easy way to rid people of their bloodthirsty ratbaggy qualities. I’m sure there are reasons one might want to be able to stay in Afghanistan as well…
I’m glad he’s out of prison, but I fear some Islamist psychopath might try to assassinate him in the future. And you’re right. While this is good for Kambaksh, and at least demonstrates some susceptibility to diplomacy on the part of Afghan leaders, it does nothing to help the plight of Afghan women. They still have to live under laws which say it’s okay for their husbands to rape and starve them.
Religions are hideous things. They claim truth without foundation, power without mercy, and the right to speak without criticism.
Islam must be one of the ugliest of religions. It is founded on the words of a “prophet” whose acts were as horrible and inhuman as his words. He actively sought the death of his critics, and singled out for special cruelty those who questioned his leadership or the divine origin of his words. The mullahs in Afghanistan and Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and Egypt and Nigeria – need I go on? – have learned their lessons well. Some of them are still baying for the blood of a man who wanted to make things just a little better. And he is worthy of death! What are the rest of us worth then, in the estimation of these holy men of Islam?
That’s terrific news about Sayed Pervez Kambaksh’s freedom.
Sadly, an Irish aid worker, Sharon Commins and Ugandan aid worker, Hilda Kawuk were both kidnapped in July, 09, by an armed gang in Sudan’s Darfur region.