Woman Beheaded in Afghanistan for Shopping ‘Without Husband’

A 30-year-old woman has been beheaded in a remote Afghan village for visiting a local market alone, without her husband, local media report citing officials. The people behind the beheading may have links to the Taliban.

The incident took place in a village of Latti, Sar-e Pol Province, in northern Afghanistan on Monday evening, TOLO news reported, citing the provincial governor’s spokesman Zabiullah Amani. 

According to Amani, the woman was beheaded because she went to the market to do some shopping alone. The victim’s spouse is currently in Iran and the couple has no children, he added.

The incident was also confirmed by Sar-e-Pul women's affairs head Nasima Arezo.

“The woman was beheaded with a bayonet attached to an AK-47 after an argument with the Taliban in her remote village, which is part of the provincial capital,” Arezo said, as cited in the media. 

Amani said that the armed men who killed the woman were allegedly linked to Taliban. The village of Latti is currently under the group’s control. The Taliban denied any involvement in the beheading.

No one has been arrested in relation to the incident so far.

And rest assured, no one will be arrested! 'Linked to the Taliban' but the Taliban deny it! Strange! Who are these militia operating in a Taliban-controlled area who are not Taliban? Is there another group that is worse than the Taliban? What is a woman supposed to do when she has no children and her husband is in another country? Where is it in the Quran or Haddith where you cannot go shopping by yourself? Are these people Salafists? Wahhabists?

Sar-e Pol has been under the Taliban control since 1998. The province is considered to be unsafe, with highway bandits, thieves, corrupt militiamen and police often threatening travelers.

Women rights activists in Afghanistan are facing growing levels of violence and harassment as authorities turn a blind eye to the issue, a report by Amnesty International from 2015 said.

In March 2015, a mob of men beat a 27-year-old woman named Farkhunda to death, threw her body off a roof, ran over it with a car, set it on fire and, finally, threw it into the Kabul River. The woman had been falsely accused of burning the Koran. Her death led to massive protests across the country, 26 arrests and renewed calls for authorities to ensure that women are protected from violence.

Actually, Farkhunda was beaten, dragged behind a car, thrown into a dry river bed, stoned, then set on fire. Her astonishing death was a result of a crowd going absolutely berserk, which, it seems, Muslims do far more often than any other demographic. 

Information is very limited here, but this appears to be a more deliberate act rather than that of a crazed crowd of lunatics. 

In a 2011 Thomson Reuters Foundation poll, Afghanistan was named the most dangerous place in the world for women. 

Sar e pol district, Afghanistan

Pakistani Man Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy on Facebook

65 people in Pakistan have been killed since 1990 because of alleged blasphemy, 

many of whom never made it to trial but were murdered by crazed crowds of

hysterical Muslims.

These are not terrorists; they are not radicalized;

they are ordinary Muslims!

People hold signs as they chant slogans to condemn the killing of Mashal Khan, student of Abdul Wali Khan University after he was accused of blasphemy, during a protest in Karachi, Pakistan, April 22, 2017 © Akhtar Soomro / Reuters

A Shiite Muslim has been sentenced to death for sharing blasphemous content about Sunni religious leaders and the Prophet Mohammed’s wives on Facebook in Pakistan – the country’s first conviction on charges stemming from social media.

Judge Shabbir Ahmad Awan announced the verdict on Saturday in Bahawalpur in the eastern Punjab Province, finding Taimoor Raza guilty of insulting the Prophet Mohammed. Under the country’s strict blasphemy laws, anyone accused of insulting Islam and its key religious figures risks being sentenced to death.

Government prosecutor Shafiq Qureshi said local counterterrorism forces arrested Raza last year after receiving a complaint that he was showing people at a bus terminal offensive material on his cell phone, AP reported. The prosecutor said that Raza had previously posted other blasphemous material on Facebook.

His defense lawyer, Rana Fida Hussain, said Raza happened to engage in a Facebook argument about Islam with someone who turned out to be a counterterrorism department official, AFP reported.

Hussain said he would appeal the conviction.

The rivalry between Shia (estimated at 5-20 percent) and Sunni (estimated at 75-95 percent) Muslims in Pakistan dates back to the 7th century, when they had a disagreement over who should be the heir to the Prophet Mohammed.

Last month, a 10-year-old boy was fatally shot in Pakistan when an angry mob attacked a police station in an attempt to lynch a man charged with blasphemy. Prakash Kumar, a 34-year-old Hindu man, was arrested in the town of Hub, southwest Balochistan Province, accused of sharing blasphemous content on WhatsApp.

In April, a journalism student was beaten to death by a mob on his campus, after he was accused of having blasphemous views. Mashal Khan was stripped naked and beaten by an angry mob of around 10 students shouting “Allahu Akbar,” according to Reuters. He was beaten so brutally that his skull eventually caved in, according to video footage obtained by the media outlet. 

In March, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif issued an order for the removal of blasphemous content, saying that anyone who posts it should face “strict punishment under the law.”

“[Blasphemy] is not only a problem for Pakistan. This is an issue about the honor of every Muslim,” Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said in March.

Read Afghan's astonishing, Islamic response to a charge of burning the Quran (which was a complete lie): Farkhunda, the Martyr, the Rest of the Story

“If we do not get a response from social media, I do not care about anyone, there is nothing greater than our faith. If social media and especially international social media stays on this route, then we will have to take strong action regarding social media,” he added.

At least 65 people have been killed over blasphemy allegations since 1990, according to figures cited in a Center for Research and Security Studies report.

Religion of Peace Goes Berserk Again - 3rd Time in 30 Days; 10 y/o Killed

10 y/o killed as mob attacks Pakistan police station in attempted lynching of ‘blasphemous’ man

Pakistani protesters gather outside a police station during a demonstration against a Hindu man charged with blasphemy in the town of Hub in southwest restive Balochistan province on May 4, 2017 © Niaz Shahzed / AFP

A 10-year-old boy was fatally shot in Pakistan when an angry mob attacked a police station in an attempt to lynch a man charged with blasphemy. Five others were injured in the violence.

Prakash Kumar, a 34-year-old Hindu man, was arrested in the town of Hub, southwest Balochistan province, on Tuesday. He stands accused of sharing blasphemous content on the popular messaging service WhatsApp.

Once news of his arrest had spread across town through local newspapers, a mob of at least 500 people stormed the police station, demanding the authorities hand Kumar over so they could publicly lynch him.

When authorities refused to release Kumar, the mob – led by religious clerics and the head of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League political party – opened fire and began beating up officers, AFP reported, citing local police official Abdul Sattar.

Police official Jam Mohammad also confirmed the incident, saying "the siege went on for about three hours." A 10-year-old boy was shot in the clashes. He died at a nearby hospital, according to India Today. Five others were injured in the violence, Sattar said. Three of those were police officials, Huffington Post India reported.

The crowd was eventually dispersed by paramilitary troops. Police also used tear gas and aerial firing, according to Huffpost India.

Around 25 protesters were reportedly taken into custody following the incident.

Kumar has been sent to jail pending further investigation, with senior superintendent of police Lasbela Zia Mandokhel saying that the cell phone used to send the alleged content had been seized.

The incident marks the third major vigilante attack against people accused of blasphemy in Pakistan in less than 30 days.

Last month, a journalism student was beaten to death by a mob on his campus, after he was accused of having blasphemous views. He was beaten so brutally that his skull eventually caved in, according to video footage obtained by Reuters.

Less than one week later, a mob attacked a mentally ill man who claimed to be a prophet at his local mosque in northwest Chitral. He was rescued by police and survived the assault.

And don't forget 2015's hardly believable story of Farkhunda.

Blasphemy is an extremely serious accusation in Pakistan, which has a majority Muslim population. At least 65 people have been murdered over such allegations since 1990, according to figures cited in a Center for Research and Security Studies report.

In March, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif issued an order for the removal of blasphemous content, saying that anyone who posts such material should face "strict punishment under the law."

Meanwhile, those who stand up against blasphemy are often regarded as heroes.

Of course, in Islam, Allah is, apparently, incapable of standing up for himself. People have to protect Him. Or, people have to protect other people from hearing anything that might question his existence or his goodness. That is called propaganda, at best, and brain-washing, at worst. 

Let me share a little story. I once wrote an article for a small local newspaper and took it to the editor. He said there was one statement that troubled him and he would like me to verify that statement with a doctor. I did, it took a couple days. In the meantime the editor printed my article in full.

I was furious - he set me up for criticism. And sure enough, the next paper contained a scathing critique of my article which happened to be written by a friend of the editor. 

I wanted to lash back at the editor but I felt God wanted me to hold back - "vengeance is Mine" said the Lord. So, because my article checked out with the doctor, I used the opportunity to write another article in which I refrained from criticizing the editor. 

Less the 3 weeks later, someone bought up a whole chain of local newspapers including the one in question, and immediately fired the editor. 

God, the real God, is very capable of defending Himself. It is good that we Christians are ready to fight for Jesus Christ, but the bulk of that fighting should be done on our knees.

Allah, however, is in need of human protection. What does that tell you?

‘Skull Caved In’: Pakistani Journalism Student Beaten to Death for ‘Blasphemy’

No, Malala, Islam is not a religion of peace!

Screenshot of the beating © Dawn.com's video channel / YouTube

A Pakistani student has been beaten to death by a mob at his university campus, after he was accused of having blasphemous views. At least 10 people have been arrested, according to local authorities.

Mashal Khan was stripped naked and beaten by an angry mob of around 10 students shouting “Allahu Akbar” on Thursday, according to Reuters. He was beaten so brutally that his skull eventually caved in, according to video footage obtained by the media outlet.

"He was beaten with sticks, bricks and hands," senior police official Niaz Saeed told AFP, adding that hundreds of people – considerably more than the number arrested – were involved in the attack.

Sources from the university told local media that Khan was also stripped and shot, however this has not been confirmed by officials.

A video of the incident, which took place at a college campus in the northern city of Mardan, was also published online by local media outlet Dawn. However, its authenticity cannot be verified by RT.

Reuters reported that Khan was beaten after writing social media posts which were deemed blasphemous.

However, a source told AFP that the incident occurred not because of social media posts, but because Khan had gotten into a debate about religious views on Thursday. The argument reportedly became so heated that teachers had to lock Khan in a room for his safety.

"But the enraged students grew to a mob and they attacked the room," the source said.

Local police chief Mohammad Alam Shinwari said that the students wanted to burn Khan's body after killing him, according to Reuters. However, AFP cited university sources as saying he was instead thrown from the second floor of his student residency.

Shinwari said that 10 students have been arrested following the attack, although police told AFP that 11 students had been detained. Mardan District Police Officer Dr. Mian Saeed said that at least 45 people have been arrested, according to Dawn.

Saeed confirmed that authorities are investigating the details, but that they "cannot saying anything" about the motive at this time.

Blasphemy is an extremely serious accusation in Muslim-majority Pakistan, and at least 65 people have been murdered over such allegations since 1990. Insulting the Prophet Muhammad is punished as a capital crime, and hundreds are currently on death row for allegedly doing so. 

Just last month, the country's prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, issued an order for the removal of blasphemous content online, saying that anyone who posts such content should face "strict punishment under the law."

Meanwhile, Pakistani online activists believe blasphemy crackdowns on social media are attempts by the country's military to limit dissent on human rights violations.

Five online activists disappeared in January and were publicly accused of blasphemy while they were missing. Four of them have since reappeared, with at least one saying he was abducted and interrogated by Pakistan's intelligence agencies.

The country's government denied any part in the activists' disappearances.

Khan's death comes amid international calls to release Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who was sentenced to death in 2010 for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad after an argument with a group of Muslim women. 

Those who stand up against alleged blasphemy are often hailed as heroes in Pakistan. In 2011, a bodyguard assassinated Punjab provincial governor Salman Taseer after the politician called for blasphemy law reforms. The killer, who was put to death last year, has been dubbed a martyr to Islam by religious hard-liners, and a shrine has been erected at his grave.

This story is very much reminiscent of the brutal torture and murder of Farkhunda, a student of Islam who called out an Imam for selling charms. The Imam yelled out that she, Farkhunda, had burned a Quran and immediately a crowd formed and went hysterical. Farkhunda, who was a far better Muslim than the Imam or any of her torturers, was beaten, dragged through town behind a car, thrown into a revine, stoned, and set on fire. 

This is Islam. These are ordinary Muslims just as the students of Marden University are. This is not religion, it is madness! Europeans and Americans don't realize how incredibly violent these people can instantly become at the thought of someone blaspheming their pathetic religion. 

Yesterday, Canada bestowed Malala with honourary Canadian Citizenship; and honour I completely agree with. Malala is a hero and deserves every accolade she receives. But in a speech she condemned terrorists as not being part of her religion - a religion of which 1.5 billion people live in peace. The optimistic young woman is, unfortunately, misguided here.

Wikipedia claims there were 1.6 billion Muslims in 2010, which means there are probably close to 1.7 billion today. How many are living in peace? 

Well, if Pakistan was living in peace Malala could go home, but she hasn't returned to her native country for years because she knows she will be shot again if she does. Remember Benazir Bhutto? Pakistan has 182 million Muslims.

How many other Muslims live in peace?

India has more Muslims than Pakistan and a history of extreme violence between them and Hindus.

Nigeria has about 85 million Muslims and there is constant war and terrorism in the north against Christians.

Iran has about 80 million Muslims who are generally peaceful but who's leadership is involved in terrorism in Syria and Lebanon, and who are fighting proxy wars against Saudi Arabia in Syria and Yemen.

Turkey has about 80 million Muslims and there are frequent terrorist attacks, attempted coups, wars with Kurds, and others on their borders.

Iraq has about 33 million Muslims who have not known peace in 15 years and only knew peace before that (except for the Kurds) because of a despot that had people living in fear.

Shall we talk about Afghanistan, Egypt, Yemen, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen, China, etc., etc? Is there any peace in any of those countries?

This little sample adds up to more than 800 million Muslims, close to half of all Muslims. Add to that the number of Muslims in Europe and elsewhere who are not peaceful - hundreds of Pakistani Muslims involved in raping and sex trafficking children in Britain, no-go zones throughout Europe where terrorists are protected and riots can break out instantly. Where are the peaceful Muslims? It's a myth! There is no peace in Islam!

disturbing video 0:45

What is a Moderate Muslim?

In a previous piece on (San Bernardino shooter) Farook's partner in madness, I wrote:
"There is a dire need to explore the relationship between 'devout' and 'radicalized' Muslims. Was she devout because she was already radicalized; was she radicalized because she was devout? Is there any relationship at all?"

But the need to understand Islam goes far beyond that. We need to understand what a 'moderate' Muslim really is. Were they moderate Muslims in Pakistan when they went hysterical at the thought of someone burning the Quran, so they beat her half to death, dragged her behind a car through the streets, threw her into a dry riverbed, stoned her, then burnt her to ashes? Do these people represent most of Pakistan? Do they represent most of Islam?

A tree was planted in Farkhunda's ashes

Do those who danced in the streets in several countries around the world when they heard about 911, represent a large segment of Islam? Those Afghans who beat their daughters to a horrible death, or throw acid in their faces because they looked at a boy, or those who torture their teenage daughter-in-law because she won't prostitute herself for them, are they moderate Muslims?

What about those millions who mutilate their daughters with female genital mutilation so that they won't ever enjoy sex? Or those who sell their little girls to old men to become physical and sexual slaves, sometimes before puberty; are they moderates?

Are those who are working to establish Sharia in western countries, are they moderates?

How many Muslims, if given an opportunity to push a button that would instantly vapourize every Jew on earth, would do it? My guess is - the vast majority would, even the moderates. 

Are these people who are going to fit into western civilization? At the very least, they will eventually turn political will against Israel as they already seem to be doing in some European countries. Are you OK with that?

Shouldn't we have some idea what these people believe. Shouldn't we know if we are inviting a whole community of men who believe that little girls are objects to do with what they want - as Mohammed said? 

Are we still talking about a tiny minority of lunatics? Or are we talking about Islam?

Has the American Dream a better ambassador than Syed Farook?

The father of suspected San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook arrived from Pakistan in 1973, determined to make a better life for himself and his family. He earned a degree in engineering, worked hard, and raised his children; one of them, Syed Raheel Farook. Farook Sr. joined the Navy and, for his dedicated service, was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. All the evidence we have right now, then, suggests that Farook, Sr. is the embodiment of the genus decent people everywhere so desperately seek, the moderate Muslim. In a recent interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa, Farook played the part well, declaring himself in complete despair and disbelief over his son’s alleged massacre.

How, then, did Farook soothe his son when junior ranted about Israel?

“I told him he had to stay calm and be patient,” Farook, Sr. told his interviewer, “because in two years Israel will not exist any more. Geopolitics is changing: Russia, China and America don’t want Jews there any more. They are going to bring the Jews back to Ukraine. What is the point of fighting? We have already done it and we lost. Israel is not to be fought with weapons, but with politics. But he did not listen to me, he was obsessed.”

It’s hardly appealing to judge a bereaved father—even the father of an alleged homicidal maniac—in his time of grief, but Farook’s comments are telling. They reveal a fundamental flaw in the convenient dichotomy we’ve set up for ourselves, insisting that Muslims came in two shades—good and moderate, bad and murderous—and that it was our duty as enlightened and gentle folk to sort the two out lest some drooling bigot jump to the wrong conclusion.

To better understand this predicament, contemplate the following scenario: imagine hearing someone described as a moderate Christian conservative, except that he looks forward to all the homosexuals being rounded up in the near future and shipped off to Monaco. Or imagine a so-called moderate white guy saying that while white Americans have tried and failed to keep blacks down by means of violence, there’s nothing to worry about because sooner or later the blacks will all be stacked into boats and shipped back to Africa. If you heard this, you would likely be appalled, and then declare that while you can think of quite a few adjectives to describe the person in question, “moderate” is certainly not one of them.

And yet, when it comes to moderate Muslims, we view Jew-hating as understandable, even acceptable. In Bedfordshire, England, for example, the local police launched a social media campaign to promote tolerance and diversity, featuring an officer standing side by side in solidarity with Qadeer Baskh, the chairman of the local Luton Islamic Centre. Jews, that institution’s website makes clear, are the “brethren of swine and pigs,” who “strive their utmost to corrupt the beliefs, morals, and manners of Muslims” and must therefore be vanquished. You can hear similar opinions from celebrated moderates in Amman, Cairo, Brooklyn, and elsewhere.

These vile statements, usually, are explained away by mumbling something about the occupation or Gaza or the lasting effect of a strange religious conflict over some faraway land none of us well-heeled westerners have any business trying to understand. That’s a travesty. A tiny religious minority group with its own independent national existence, Jews are the Middle East’s essential others. A failure to think of them in any other way but yearning for their destruction, and you could neither call yourself a moderate nor hope to ever strike roots in a democratic society that still believes in the bounties of peace, pluralism, and liberty.

It’s time, then, for a new litmus test. It’s this: No moderate Muslim should ever reject the state of Israel’s right to exist. Criticism, even of the vociferous kind, is fair and welcome; fantasies about huddled Jewish masses banished to the Ukraine aren’t. If you fail to pass this simple test, it’s only a matter of time before you or someone you love picks up a gun and goes gunning for the Jews, the Jews-for-Jesus, the Christians, and all the others who do not share your hateful worldview.

Liel Leibovitz is a senior writer for Tablet Magazine.

The Extreme Volatility of Muslims Poses Great Danger to West

Wikipedia

On 15 September 2012, a protest against an anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims was held in Sydney, New South Wales. While the protest started peacefully, violent confrontations between police and protesters began when protesters reached the United States Consulate General. In resulting clashes, six police officers and 19 protesters were injured. The violence was condemned by Australian political leaders, including Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Police arrested nine protesters in connection with the violence.

Innocence of Muslims was a 14 minute trailer for a film that was probably never made. It was produced by an Egyptian Coptic Christian living near L.A. The clip sparked riots all over the world that left more than 50 dead, and fatwas issued for the deaths of those who participated in the film. It was later revealed that the actors were dubbed with the anti-Islamic lines after the trailer was otherwise complete.

The point I'm trying to make is that the video had nothing to do with Australia, and, these were ordinary Muslims who were instantly raised to violence at the thought of someone saying something unbecoming of Mohammed. As I have been warning for some time, Muslims are very volatile and easily excited, and putting large numbers of them in western countries is a recipe for disaster. It's just a matter of time.

The protest started at about midday when approximately 100 people gathered at the Sydney Town Hall before marching along George Street to Martin Place where the US Consulate is located. Conflict between the protesters and the police started when the former tried to enter the US Consulate. The police used capsicum spray to push the protesters back from the consulate. According to one protester this aggravated the crowd, as many had brought their children.

The crowd then moved to Hyde Park, where around 300 people had gathered. Further clashes erupted as police used capsicum spray on protesters who at times threw bottles at police. Protesters chanted "Down, down USA" and carried Islamist flags and signs saying, "Behead all those who insult the prophet", "Our dead are in paradise, your dead are in hell", "Shariah will dominate the world", and "Obama Obama, we love Osama" and threw bottles and objects retrieved from construction sites at police officers. The police responded by spraying capsicum spray into the crowd. Six police officers were injured of which two were hospitalized.

As the crowd started to leave Hyde Park near St James, Public Order and Riot Squad officers equipped with batons and riot shields had already been stationed at the park exit. Protestors continued to throw stones, sticks and bottles at the police. Riot and mounted police pursued protesters down William Street towards Kings Cross. The already splintered crowd then broke up further, running through the back streets of Darlinghurst with police chasing after them.

Police blocked several CBD streets, including the intersection of Martin Place and Castlereagh Street, parts of George Street and Market Street while protestors attempted to move through the city.

Arrests and investigation

Nine men were arrested. Police continued to investigate the event using photographs published by news networks to identify people who attended the protest, stating that not all those caught on camera were guilty of offences, but might be able to help identify those who had acted violently. The Counter Terrorism Squad reported that they had identified a number of men known to have criminal convictions, although not necessarily linked to terrorist groups. Mohammed Issai Issaka was convicted for riot and assaulting police, and after losing an appeal, was jailed in April 2014. Others received suspended sentences for affray and resisting arrest, fines or good behaviour bonds for offenses ranging from assault, damaging property, to offensive language.

Media coverage

The Australian reported that several of the protestors were carrying the black flags of an organisation described as al-Qa'ida sympathisers (ISIS?). An unnamed Muslim leader was quoted in the paper as saying that the protest had been hijacked by a group known as "Sixth Pillar", the name being a reference to the "Five Pillars of Islam" with jihad being claimed by some to be the "sixth pillar of Islam". The group may be linked to the controversial Sydney Sheik Feiz Mohammed.

Reactions

Julia Gillard

The Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, condemned the violence saying, "Violent protest is never acceptable - not today, not ever." The Premier of New South Wales, Barry O'Farrell, condemned the violence and promised to hold the perpetrators accountable, and that he was "delighted there has been such a strong statement by Islamic leaders and scholars". The Federal Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, also condemned the use of violence and called on the perpetrators to be prosecuted.

Leaders of 25 Muslim organisations met on the Monday night and said that the protests over the film were "unacceptable and un-Islamic", and that they did not support even peaceful protest. The Board of Imams Victoria met on 17 September to discuss strategies to prevent riots in Melbourne. The President of the Australian National Imams Council emphasised the importance of correct education of the younger generation. The plan of the Board of Imams Victoria was that the same message of peace should be preached across Australia on Friday 21 September with parents being urged to stay at home with their children after Friday prayers. Sheik Azeim urged all young Muslims in Australia to remember that they are Australians first, and that facilities such as schools, hospitals and the social security organisation Centrelink did not question whether they were Muslim.

Farkhunda

There are many stories one can relate about the volatility of Muslims because of a percieved insult to Mohammed, or the rumour of someone burning the Quran. Muslim mobs completely lose control and are capable of the most horrific behaviour. Read the story of Farkhunda, the completely innocent young woman who was beaten, stoned, dragged by a car and burnt to ashes because someone said she had burnt a Quran, which was not true. The mob went hysterical! It's that easy! 

Farkhunda's ashes

The world cannot run in absolute silence with regard to Mohammed or Islam. The truth must be told! The Quran says that Allah fights against Jesus Christ (Quran 9:30)! There is only one who fights against Jesus and that is Satan, and Mohammed is his messenger.

Farkhunda's Revenge

A Martyr and genuine heroine

My hero for the month of March

Farkhunda. Had she been Christian she would have been beautiful,
her mouth would have shown a smile and there would be life in her eyes

Four Afghan men have been sentenced to death over the mob killing of a woman in Kabul in March.

The 28-year-old woman called Farkhunda was beaten to death after being accused of burning a copy of the Koran, although witnesses say she did not.

Farkhunda's ashes

It took just four days for the verdicts to be reached. Eight men were sentenced to 16 years in prison and 18 others found not guilty.

A decision in the case of 19 policemen accused of failing in their duty to prevent the attack is expected on Sunday.

Farkhunda's brother told the BBC that the family were not satisfied with the verdict and that all of the main defendants should be put to death.

The incident led to widespread protests against the treatment of women
Farkhunda was speaking for a more orthodox Islam

Farkhunda had argued with an amulet seller about his practice of peddling charms to women at the well-known Shah-Du-Shamshaira shrine, which is within walking distance of the presidential palace and Kabul's main bazaar.

The amulet seller is one of those sentenced to death on Wednesday.

In the course of the argument Farkhunda was accused of burning the Koran and a crowd overheard and attacked her.

In confession statements read in court, some of the accused admitted they had been drawn in by the claims. An official investigator has said there is no evidence she burned the Koran.

The beginning of the trial of Farkhunda's murderers was televised

Analysis: Waheed Massoud, Editor, Afghan service, Kabul

Defendants attend their trial at the Primary Court in Kabul, Afghanistan

The beginning of the trial was broadcast live on Afghan television

There have been mixed reactions among the Afghan public following the court's decision.

Some have welcomed it and say Farkhunda's family have finally been given justice.

However, the Afghan judicial system is widely seen as corrupt and many others have criticised the court's proceedings.

Kangaroo courts are common across the country, especially in areas where the government does not have full control and where tribal elders and local strongmen act as a self-appointed judiciary.

Even in the cities where people can resort to the courts, cases can face long delays and corruption is chronic. The police force is more focused on fighting an insurgency than upholding the rule of law.

The trial today may provide some justice for Farkhunda but it does not reflect the reality of efforts to counter crime and violence across Afghanistan.

Another Farkhunda inspired protest

Violence against women, and violence in general, are common in a country that has been at war for over three decades.

But even against that backdrop, the attack on Farkhunda on 19 March shocked many Afghans, taking place as it did in the heart of the capital and under the eyes of the police.

Farkhunda was beaten to death before her body was driven over by a car, dragged through the streets and then set on fire.

As I have mentioned before, the sudden, dramatic onset of group insanity over a mere accusation of the burning of the Quran is peculiar to Islam. It is also an indication of how Muslims can be instantly 'radicalized' by a simple lie. 

Western countries who gladly accept Muslim immigrants by the thousands are accepting a powder keg with a very short fuse in their midst. One that will quickly and easily explode to bring an end to western life as we know it. It's not a question of if, but when.

Some of the attackers recorded the brutal killing on their cell phones and footage was later uploaded to social media sites, including some that appeared to show a policeman taking part in the attack and pushing Farkhunda onto a roof.

Correspondents say that had it not been for the videos and the nature of the incident, it would have gone unnoticed like hundreds of similar cases, especially in rural areas, many of which never make it to court at all.

The case is not the first where the justice system has rapidly handed down death sentences for a high-profile crime - in October five men were hanged for a gang rape in Paghman district.

In that case, as in the current trial, there were concerns from rights activists over the speed and fairness of the convictions. The televised trial took two hours!