Thursday, September 09, 2010

Iran Stoning Stopped, for now

By Douglas V. Gibbs

The stoning of women in Islam is a well known fact, but we look the other way for some reason. Then, recently, a video of a young girl being stoned to death emerged, and for those that watched it, the sickening horror of Islam's attitude toward women was exposed once again. (Warning, video is graphic)



Then news of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, and her death sentence, became an international outcry.

The whole deal is over a photograph, and Islam's opinion she is spreading indecency and corruption due to a relationship she had with two men after her husband's death. The charge of adultery is the one that brought on the death sentence by stoning.

The image that brought on lashes to be added to her death sentence was one without a hijab.

Later, it was realized it was not her in the picture, but the Muslim religious authorities did not budge.

International condemnation has befallen Iran for the harsh punishment, and even the Catholic leadership at the Vatican has demanded Tehran to halt the action.

Under the constant pressure, Iran's foreign ministry has decided that the stoning death sentence given to the woman should now be put on hold.

Foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast maintains the woman is guilty of murder and adultery, but says the sentence to death by stoning has been reviewed and put on hold.

I believe her fate will still be death, but time will tell if by stoning. Iran's willingness to carry out the punishment will bring a firestorm of criticism, but will it be enough to encourage those yearning for freedom inside Iran to rise up again as they did just after the elections?

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

An Iranian woman set to be stoned to death for adultery is facing 99 lashes for a photograph allegedly of her without a headscarf, her son has said. - Yahoo News U.K. and Ireland

Iran stoning sentence on hold, says Iranian foreign ministry - New York Post

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