A Covenant of Justice: The State’s Response to the Martyrdom of Farkhunda

Keypoints:

• Quranic Principle: Killing one innocent soul equals killing all humanity.
• Farkhunda’s Martyrdom: Her murder was un-Islamic, un-Afghan, and a crime against all.
• Condolences & Truth: Her innocence was proven; false accusations rejected.
• Justice Process: Prosecutors assigned; courts will rule independently and decisively.
• Rule of Law: No citizen may replace courts or take justice into their own hands.
• Police Accountability: Negligence is unacceptable; reforms are mandated.
• Social Conscience: People united nationwide to demand justice.
• Women’s Protection: The state is committed to safeguarding women’s dignity and rights.

Dear compatriots, respected sisters and brothers, Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah. I wish to begin my remarks today with the translation of a verse from the Great Quran. In Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 32, God Almighty says: "Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land—it is as if he had slain mankind entirely."

Based on this word of the Creator, the murder of Farkhunda is the murder of all the people of Afghanistan and the murder of all human beings on earth. Therefore, first and foremost, I express my condolences on the martyrdom of Farkhunda—which occurred in a most painful manner—to her mother and father, the other members of her family, and the entire nation of Afghanistan.

At the same time, I thank the Fact-Finding Commission for proving the innocence and purity of the martyred Farkhunda and for requesting serious action from the government. Likewise, I thank Hazrat Sahib Mujaddedi and other scholars and clergy who, with their understanding of Islamic commands and values, stood by the side of the people of Afghanistan in this matter.

This painful and horrific incident was in explicit contradiction with the spirit and values of Islam. The harassment, torture, and subsequent martyrdom of a girl is an utterly un-Islamic and un-Afghan act. It compels us to take serious steps toward ensuring justice without any hesitation and to undertake short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures to prevent such incidents.

The Attorney General’s Office of Afghanistan has assigned 12 capable and experienced prosecutors to investigate this case, and within a week, this file will be sent to the court. The three levels of the Afghan judiciary will decide with full independence to ensure justice, and the Government of Afghanistan will not only respect this decision but will act upon it. We are confident that the courts will decide based on the laws of the country.

We ask all scholars and clergy to explain the results of the Fact-Finding Commission to the people during Friday prayer sermons and to provide information about the character of the martyred Farkhunda, who was a steadfast Muslim well-versed in Islamic rulings. The accusation that she supposedly disrespected the Holy Quran was completely false and baseless.

There was no division or duality among our people in condemning this issue; rather, everyone rose with one voice against this horror. It should not be forgotten that the scholars and clergy of the country are an inseparable part of civil society, and we express our gratitude for all their activities carried out to strengthen the rule of law.

Afghanistan possesses a system and a state; its citizens cannot turn themselves into judges and take the work of the courts into their own hands. The holy religion of Islam is a religion of mercy and dignity, and we will not allow heinous acts to be committed against humanity or against Islamic values. The continuity of society and the stability of the system require the decisive implementation of the law, and we will not show even a hint of negligence in this regard.

Based on the investigations conducted, some police officers also showed negligence in this incident. Therefore, the Ministry of Interior was instructed not only to investigate this problem but to have a cohesive plan to prevent such deficiencies in the future. Negligence and indifference by the police in performing their sacred duty are unacceptable to us.

This shocking incident clarified two issues: That a number of people can be incited by ignorant and opportunistic individuals to trample the law, and that the police can fail in their sacred duty. This is a result of the damages of the last few decades and requires multi-phased action.

That the social conscience in this country is exceptionally strong. People spontaneously stood up against this horror and held funeral ceremonies for Farkhunda both inside and outside the country. The people demanded justice with total resolve, and we appreciate this social conscience. This powerful social conscience makes us more hopeful for the future of the country.

I ask you, the great people of Afghanistan, to stand against corruption, lawlessness, and injustice with such a conscience. Your standing against current shortcomings strengthens the state and helps us implement reforms so that we may have a country governed by law, peace, and stability. We ask the media to provide the necessary grounds to reflect and strengthen this social conscience.

We have this message for the women of Afghanistan: the state will be the protector and guardian of your honor and dignity. Creating a safe and secure environment for Afghan women and girls is one of our primary and essential duties.

We stand by the promise that we will reduce the distance between the Palace (Arg) and the Mosque. The Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs has been instructed to maintain regular contact with the clergy and scholars to create coordination in informing the people of the true values of Islam. Furthermore, the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs has been directed to hold prayer ceremonies (Fateha) across the country this Sunday in honor of Farkhunda’s martyrdom.

Just as the preservation of human life is one of the five core objectives of Islamic Sharia, the state and the nation of Afghanistan have a shared duty to strive together toward this lofty goal.

Long live Afghanistan!