The Afghan Martyrs — Page 72
related these events maintain that they were present in that large gathering and their narrative is not hearsay. The martyr had taken an unwavering decision and in response to each overture he rejected the plea and asserted that he was willing to lay down his life. " (Tazkira-tush-Shahadatain 56/57) Again Huzoor writes: "We again revert to the event. When the martyr had once again rej ected the overture and had refused to renounce the truth the disappointed Ameer held in his hand a large sheet of paper on which the divines had entered their edict i. e. it was permissible to stone an infidel to death. The Ameer hung this edict around the neck of the Sahibzada. Then the Ameer ordered that a hole be punched in the nose of the martyr and with a string threaded through it he should be dragged to the site of execution i. e. where he was to be stoned to death. Eventually his nose was punched and through it a string was pulled which naturally caused him great distress. (Tazkira-tush-Shahadatain Page 58) Stoning to Death Stoning to death is mentioned in the Bible. In accordance with the Jewish Law the Jews stoned to death those found guilty of certain crimes. This punishment mayor may not be current in any part of the world today but a hundred years ago this punishment was in popular practice in Afghanistan. Mrs Kate Dally who lived in Afghanistan for nine years writes: It seems unimaginable that in this day and age anyone would be killed by stoning in accordance with the old eastern custom. During my stay in Kabul however, on two occasions, due to religious differences this punishment was awarded. The modus operandi was that whoever was condemned in this manner was 72