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March 29, 2006

Abdul Rahman Has Arrived in Italy

Topics: Abdul Rahman

Abdul Rahman, who faced the death penalty in Afghanistan for converting from Islam to Christianity, is now safe in Italy, and according to Italy's Premier Silvio Berlusconi, is in the care of the country's Interior Ministry. The premier says he thinks Rahman arrived in Italy overnight, but wouldn't give any more details.

Italy granted Rahman asylum after his jailing inspired an appeal from Pope Benedict to Afghanistan's president, and efforts by the United Nations to find a country to take him.

This news follows attempts by members of the Afghan parliament to prevent him from leaving the country, and Muslim cleric's calls to kill him:

Afghani Muslim clerics and their followers have called for the death of Rahman, even if his case was dismissed. The clerics have told their followers to find and execute Rahman for his conversion to another religion.

Parliamentary Speaker Yunus Qanooni stated: "His leaving Afghanistan must be prohibited!"

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There's a message here: More proselytizing, please - The saga of Abdul Rahman is a good reminder to all of us to cherish both the freedom to choose our own religion and to proselytize one another freely.

Posted by Richard at March 29, 2006 2:07 PM

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• Abdul Rahman Has Arrived in Italy - Mar 29, 2006