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Islamic radicals refuse to pardon Taslima

The main Muslim radical organisation in Bangladesh spearheading protests against feminist writer Taslima Nasreen said today a death sentence against her would not be withdrawn despite appeals from her dying mother.

"The fatwa (Islamic decree) condemning Nasreen to death remains in place despite forgiveness sought by her mother," said Mufti Fazlul Huq Amini, secretary-general of the Islamic United Alliance.

Clerics also claimed that a $5,000 reward for anyone who could kill her remains valid.

The forgiveness sought by the ailing mother of the 36-year-old writer accused by Muslim clerics of blaspheming Islam was not enough to withdraw the fatwa, Amini said.

"Taslima Nasreen's sin against Islam is unpardonable because she tried to denigrate Muslims and their holiest book, the Koran," Amini said, sitting on a prayer mat surrounded by slogan-chanting clerics in the sprawling quarters of his own Islamic school in the old Lalbagh district of the capital Dhaka.

Amini, a prominent cleric in Bangladesh, said the alliance's top decision-making body, the Majlis-e-Shura, could consider reducing Nasreen's punishment if she emerged from hiding and faced charges brought by the State.

Nasreen's lawyers said she would give herself up if she could get adequate protection against the extremists.

UNI

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