A pocket-sized translation of the Quran has landed six men in prison in Afghanistan and left two of them begging for their lives because they are accused of revising or modifying the Quran. According to critics, these circumstances illustrate the influence of strict clerics in Afghanistan, which is a barrier to the establishment of a lawful society.

The translation in question appeared along with other gifts left for the cleric at a Kabul mosque after prayers. The book was a translation of the Quran in an Afghan language. The men at the mosque believed the book would be helpful for those Afghans who did not know Arabic.

Many clerics rejected the book because it did not include the original Arabic verses along with the Afghan translation. Thus, they were fearful a mistranslation could warp God's words. As a result, many began to think the book was trying to replace the Quran, not translate it.

The men involved were arrested and immediately sent to prison. Two of the men may be executed for their perceived misdeed.

09 February 2009