News Archive Afghanistan   Afghan Trial Opens for Foreign Christians KABUL, Afghanistan, SEPT. 4, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The trial of eight Western humanitarian volunteers, accused of propagating Christianity in Afghanistan, began today. Mawlawi Noor Mohammed Saqib, the chief justice of the ruling Taliban regime, announced, "The trial began today, and we do not know how long it will last." The foreign volunteers -- four Germans, two Americans and two Australians -- as well as their Afghan colleagues of Shelter Now International, a nongovernmental organization, were arrested in early August. The religion police said that the accused were found in possession of thousand of documents on Christianity in local languages. Under current law, any Afghan who gives up his religion or tries to convert a fellow countryman can be condemned to death. For a similar offense, foreigners face a prison term and deportation. ZE01090407 SEVERE MEASURES TO APPLY THE LAW OF ISLAM ORDERED AFGHANISTAN: The Taliban islamists just ordered several severe measures, to apply the law of Islam according to the Koran. 1) All religious, Islamic, Buddhist, Christian and other statues are to be destroyed. 2) Women, under death penalty, must appear in public completely covered, including the face, letting only a small opening for the eyes. 3) All person converting to Christianity is killed. Is this Islam ? - (ru; cmp. CE Feb.20)