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Joo Rip Gwa Rhhee
Joined: 25 May 2003
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 Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 7:30 am Post subject: Just Not a Good Idea |
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Concern as South Korean Christians gather in Kabul 14 minutes ago
More than 1,000 South Korean Christians are in Afghanistan for a "peace rally" in the capital, officials said, raising concern in a strictly Islamic country where proselytising is banned.
The South Koreans arrived ahead of the event this weekend on tourist visas despite their government's recommendation against their visit, embassy and Western officials said.
The South Korean embassy in Kabul has suggested the roughly 200 South Koreans who currently live in Afghanistan, most of them in the capital, take their holidays abroad until the event is over, an embassy official told AFP.
"Most of them have followed our recommendation -- I've been getting reports that the majority have already left," the official said on condition of anonymity.
"We are very concerned about our own nationals' security. We have given so many warnings to the organisers but they have made their own decision."
In Seoul, Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon also expressed his "deep concern".
"We again request that the organisers should cancel the event and that the travellers should give second thoughts to their trip," he told reporters.
Seoul was considering plans for a mass evacuation of the South Koreans if necessary, a foreign ministry official added.
Religion is a sensitive matter in devout Afghanistan and such a rally could be seen as a provocation.
There were weeks of hot-tempered debate around March about whether an Afghan who converted to Christianity should be put to death in accordance with Islamic Sharia law.
Weeks earlier violent demonstrations flared over European newspapers' publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad, with most of the protestors threatening European troops and groups in the country.
"The South Koreans are here -- more than 1,000. They got tourist visas," the embassy official said, declining to comment on the nature of their planned event which has been billed as a cultural and sporting occasion.
A Western diplomat, also speaking on condition of anonymity, added: "There are apparently about 1,450 South Koreans already in the country. It looks as though they will be joined by another 3-400 with other nationalities, mainly the US."
The Afghan foreign ministry confirmed it had given tourist visas to several hundred South Koreans who had said they wanted to come to war-torn Afghanistan to spread peace.
"There was no mention of religious preaching," said foreign ministry advisor Daud Muradian.
"They have clearly said that they want to come to Afghanistan for the expansion of the peace culture via visiting schools, education centres and interaction with Afghans."
Muradian said the foreign ministry had also explained Afghanistan's "sensitive situation" and that they "need to understand that and if for whatever reason they do not observe and care for sensitivities, we will face them."
The Kabul event is being organised by the Institute of Asian Culture and Development, a South Korea-based Christian humanitarian group that has operated in Afghanistan for about four years.
It is referred to as "Rejoice! Afghanistan" on its website.
South Korean Christians are noted for aggressive evangelism, notably in communist China and Islamic nations.
The United Nations said it was also concerned.
"With the current situation in Afghanistan it is not particularly helpful to have people in Afghanistan who may incite public disorder," spokesman Aleem Siddique said.
The group had already held small events that passed off peacefully in the central town of Bamiyan and the western city of Herat. Authorities in Herat said they believed they were students.
Copyright � 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AFP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of Agence France Presse.
Copyright � 2006 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
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cwemory
Joined: 14 Jan 2006
Location: Gunpo, Korea
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dulouz
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
Location: Uranus
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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| More power to them. I hope it turns into a big stinking mess. I have a severe manner of rage when I think about the the USA's history in the area and Islam's relationship with the West. You want a tolerance, you are gonna have it stuffed up your behind so bend over. The amount of courage displayed here is Kamakazee level. Go ahead, turn over the rocks and make the squigglies see the light of day. Aim high Korea! The good fight is the only one worth fighting. DAE-HAN-MIN-GUK!!! |
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jinglejangle
Joined: 19 Feb 2005
Location: Far far far away.
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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Perhaps, but the title of this one is the really golden thing. |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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Yikes ... no ... this is disturbing.
Seriously asking for trouble. |
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dulouz
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
Location: Uranus
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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| No they aren't. I know these people, you know these people. They are harmless. I'm sure you have been bothered and have dealth with it effectively. I know what you are saying, but exactly why is it such a bad idea? Its really not them and I think you ought to say that. |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:17 pm Post subject: |
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| dulouz wrote: |
| No they aren't. I know these people, you know these people. They are harmless. I'm sure you have been bothered and have dealth with it effectively. I know what you are saying, but exactly why is it such a bad idea? Its really not them and I think you ought to say that. |
Remember what happened to those Koreans last year who were trying to covert Muslims in Iraq? 
It's very rude & disrespectful.
How pretentious! |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 8:24 am Post subject: |
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Media is reporting they've now been thrown out of the country.
Check this BBC article out ...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5243448.stm
Any bets the MOONIE org. or Sun Myung Moon is behind it all? |
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On the other hand
Joined: 19 Apr 2003
Location: I walk along the avenue
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 8:49 am Post subject: |
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It's very rude & disrespectful.
How pretentious! |
Yeah, they should go over and force ESL down their throats instead. That's showin' respect for the culture, eh? |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:02 am Post subject: |
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| On the other hand wrote: |
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It's very rude & disrespectful.
How pretentious! |
Yeah, they should go over and force ESL down their throats instead.
That's showin' respect for the culture, eh? |
Your point being? |
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sundubuman
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
Location: seoul
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:05 am Post subject: |
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| igotthisguitar wrote: |
| dulouz wrote: |
| No they aren't. I know these people, you know these people. They are harmless. I'm sure you have been bothered and have dealth with it effectively. I know what you are saying, but exactly why is it such a bad idea? Its really not them and I think you ought to say that. |
Remember what happened to those Koreans last year who were trying to covert Muslims in Iraq?
It's very rude & disrespectful.
How pretentious! |
as opposed to forcing people to be Muslim...as happens in the religion's homeland of Saudi Arabia....where no other religion is allowed, and leaving Islam carries a death sentence.
any comment on that IGTG? |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:13 am Post subject: |
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| sundubuman wrote: |
as opposed to forcing people to be Muslim...as happens in the religion's homeland of Saudi Arabia....where no other religion is allowed, and leaving Islam carries a death sentence.
any comment on that IGTG? |
Or forcing anyone to be anything against their will. Organized religions of any stripe tend toward corruption, control, deception & fanaticism.
This includes secular ideologies as well.
My point is, given the current climate over in the Middle East, nobody should be surprised if these Korean Pollyannas were to be targeted with violent intent.
Duh. |
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On the other hand
Joined: 19 Apr 2003
Location: I walk along the avenue
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:23 am Post subject: |
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On the other hand wrote:
Quote:
It's very rude & disrespectful.
How pretentious!
Yeah, they should go over and force ESL down their throats instead.
That's showin' respect for the culture, eh?
Your point being?
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What's the difference, in terms of politeness and respect, between going to a country to teach a foreign language and going to a country to preach the gospel? |
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igotthisguitar
Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:39 am Post subject: |
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| On the other hand wrote: |
| What's the difference, in terms of politeness and respect, between going to a country to teach a foreign language and going to a country to preach the gospel? |
The difference is English instructors are desired & in demand.
Most Afghan Muslims clearly want to keep their nation closed to foreign corruption & perversion.
Their impression likely is that, in recent years especially, outsiders have already done enough to
"help save" the Afghan people. |
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On the other hand
Joined: 19 Apr 2003
Location: I walk along the avenue
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| Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:50 am Post subject: |
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Most Afghan Muslims clearly want to keep their nation closed to foreign corruption & perversion.
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You might know more about this than I do. Are Muslims in Afghanistan being forced to listen to the missionaries? |
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