Muslim MP Ashraf Choudhary will not condemn the traditional Koran punishment of stoning to death some homosexuals and people who have extra-marital affairs.

But the Labour MP - who has struggled with his "role" as the sole parliamentary representative of the local Muslim community - is not advocating the practice here.
Mr Choudhary once again found himself between a rock and a hard place on questions of Islam when he appeared on TV3's 60 Minutes programme last night.

It was examining warnings about extreme fundamentalism within New Zealand's Islamic community.

Mr Choudhary was asked: "Are you saying the Koran is wrong to recommend that gays in certain circumstances be stoned to death?"

He replied: " No, no. Certainly what the Koran says is correct.

"In those societies, not here in New Zealand," he added.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/...ectid=10334250

I gotta ask if this clown is still in office.
???
Is this acceptable in New Zealand? I didn't realise it had become part of the EU.

Originally Posted by bulldogg

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/...ectid=10334250

I gotta ask if this clown is still in office.
???
Is this acceptable in New Zealand? I didn't realise it had become part of the EU.

Geez you must have scoured the archives for that one, it was published on:
12:00AM Tuesday July 05, 2005

Much like all politics in New Zealand it receives a "don't know, don't care" rating.
Unlike other nations of the world New Zealand generally doesn't care to much about its politicians as much like the rest of the worlds they are lying , cheating, self promoting a-holes with little to be proud of and we treat them as such.

Originally Posted by MontyB

Geez you must have scoured the archives for that one, it was published on:
12:00AM Tuesday July 05, 2005

Much like all politics in New Zealand it receives a "don't know, don't care" rating.
Unlike other nations of the world New Zealand generally doesn't care to much about its politicians as much like the rest of the worlds they are lying , cheating, self promoting a-holes with little to be proud of and we treat them as such.

You do not view your Elected Officials as demigods walking among mere mortals?.... Demigods who must save all of humanity?.... Demigods who can do no wrong?.... my, my, how very Anti-American of you.

Originally Posted by MontyB

Geez you must have scoured the archives for that one, it was published on:
12:00AM Tuesday July 05, 2005

Hence the question I asked... is he STILL in office?

Yes, Ashtray is still a Labour Member of NZ's parliament (elected by list under the NZ voting system).

Originally Posted by Gator

You do not view your Elected Officials as demigods walking among mere mortals?.... Demigods who must save all of humanity?.... Demigods who can do no wrong?.... my, my, how very Anti-American of you.

Umm no we don't most people tend to think of parliament as a place for people who would otherwise be screwing up industry.

Originally Posted by bulldogg

Hence the question I asked... is he STILL in office?

Apparently so but thats not unusual as no one really listens to what they say anyway and if making dumb arsed comments was all it took to be voted out we wouldn't have a politician in the country (damn maybe we should pass that law).