Farkhunda Malikzada accused of burning Quran

The Killing of Farkhunda

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Farkhunda Malikzada,commonly referred to as Farkhunda, was a 27-year-old woman who was publicly lynched by a mob in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, on 19 March 2015. A large crowd formed in the streets around her claiming that she had burned the Quran, and for that, her accusers announced that she must be sent to Hell right away.

Farkhunda was beaten and killed after allegedly arguing with a charm seller who falsely accused her of burning the Quran. Later police investigations revealed that she had not done so. Her murder led to 49 arrests;three men received twenty-year prison sentences, another eight men received 16-year sentences, a minor who was actually 20 years old but changed his age on birth certificate after the incident, received a ten-year sentence, and eleven police officers received one-year prison terms for failing to protect her.Her murder and the subsequent protests served to draw attention to women’s rights in Afghanistan. A memorial to her has been built in Kabul with support of the Solidarity Party of Afghanistan.

Background

Like many in Afghanistan, Farkhunda was an observant Muslim who wore a veil (hijab). At the time of the attack, she had just finished a degree in religious studies and was preparing to take a teaching post.Her name means “auspicious” and “jubilation”…