Ahlam Akram
Stoning to death is the world’s oldest form of brutal execution, it is
a cruel insane punishment that was derived from Hammurabi’s laws in
Iraq thousands of years before the three Abrahamic religions.
Later, It was adopted by Judaism .. up until Jesus famous anti stoning
statement "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone’’.
But it was re- enforced again during the first years of Islam . and
practiced today in some fundamentalist Muslim States.
Although there is no trace for this crime in any verses in the Quran ..
yet there are several talks about Omer Ben Al Qattab confirming that it
was mentioned in some verses of the Quran, and that the prophet
practiced it and all his companions followed his action.. meaning that
the entire community participates in this horrible act which dissolve
the barrier of humanity in the community and the individual. And allows
for a culture of violence in the society.
The procedure is extremely barbaric and bloody, and plant the seeds for
a culture of continuous humiliation and demonization of women.
I urge all women to stand against it and urge the UN to ban any member
state that allows it from gaining its membership. As well as depriving
it from international community aid.
For a universal culture of peace we need to confirm unversality of
human rights in particular women's rights.
Ahlam Akram
Researcher – writer on human rights issues related to women and
democracy