NEW ZEALAND. LAWMAKER CONDONES STONING GAYS

Ashraf Choudhary, a Muslim lawmaker in Prime Minister Helen Clark's government, said he condoned the stoning executions of homosexuals and adulterers as prescribed by strict Islamic law. Choudhary was asked on a TV current affairs program whether he thought the Quran was wrong to recommend such punishments.
"No, no. Certainly what the Quran says is correct," Choudhary said. The Pakistani-born New Zealand citizen then added: "In those societies, not here in New Zealand."
Clark said she would demand an explanation from Choudhary on his comments, made during a show about Islamic extremism.
"Clearly Ashraf is a devout Muslim and he will have his own views, but for the record let me spell out the Labor Party does not support capital punishment. It does not support flogging. It does not support stoning. We have very strong views about that," she said.
Choudhary issued a statement the following day (July 6) that attempted to back off on his televised remarks but fell short of an apology.
"I have been a devout Muslim all my life and stand by the teachings of the Quran," Choudhary said. "But as a matter of personal belief, I abhor stoning and am strongly opposed to violence," he said.
The statement said he would have no further comment and did not explain why only a day earlier he said he supported stoning gays.