( CNN ) -- We watched in horror this week at the execution of an Afghan woman who was shot nine times while a crowd of roaring men who call themselves Muslim cheered and screamed . We were reminded of a similar tragedy that took place in 1999 in which a mother of five , clad in a blue burqa , was shot dead in a soccer stadium in Kabul . Both of these women were wrongfully accused of adultery , as there was no proof , evidence , fair trial , due process or justice . The similarities between the two slayings signaled to us that not much has changed in Afghanistan in the decade since the United States first became involved there . When we Americans ask why we have failed in Afghanistan , we blame the Afghans ' antiquated tribal practices and their hate of America 's freedom , and most of all , we blame their religion : Islam . Though we have said it over and over again , let us reiterate once more : The actions of these men were in absolute and supreme violation of God 's laws , and Islam does not condone unmitigated violence of any kind . Period . Manhunt under way for Taliban who shot woman in public execution . Though the U.S. declared the promotion of women 's rights , human rights and democracy as its policy goals before invading Afghanistan , it would appear that all three were lost in our efforts to establish a `` secular '' democracy in an Islamic Republic . When our government deployed our troops intending to eliminate al Qaeda and the Taliban and establish a new government in Afghanistan , we took responsibility for the future of its people . Is it not tragic , after all the bloodshed and the billions of taxpayers ' dollars spent , that there could be a resurgence of the Taliban and this kind of unimaginable violence ? When the U.S. leaves Afghanistan permanently , Afghan women will undoubtedly suffer . Throughout the past decade , our policymakers have failed to take into account the important role that religion held ( and still holds ) in the structure of Afghan society . If we want to affect the way that Afghans conceptualize important notions such as justice , we must understand the forces in their lives that guide their decisions . Poll : Religion is not the biggest enemy for Arab women . After 30 years of constant warfare , unstable political , civil and governmental systems and a dismal education system , many Afghans look to religious authorities to guide their actions . The solution to fighting extremism and affecting change in Afghanistan lies within the religious system ; secular ideologies that are imposed on Afghans are alien to them . Having said this , Americans do not have to sacrifice our goals of spreading democracy and peace to the Afghan people . Just as our Founding Fathers established `` life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness '' as basic rights for all Americans , so too does Islam establish the protection and preservation of life , religion , family , intellect , property and dignity for all . We must look for ways in which such rights can be realized , and ways in which we can work with Afghans to address these injustices . In 2006 , Daisy founded the Women 's Islamic Initiative on Spirituality and Equality ( WISE ) , a social justice movement that works to reclaim women 's rights in Islam . Its Global Muslim Women 's Shura Council of scholars and activists were so compelled by the level of violence against women that they published `` Jihad Against Violence , '' ( PDF ) a report that condemns both violent extremism and domestic violence . The response to this report , along with WISE 's Imam Training Program to End Violence against Women in Afghanistan , was overwhelming . Many Afghan imams confided in us that the scriptural evidence that we provided helped them to realize that they were propagating distorted and incorrect interpretations of the Quran , unintentionally . Egypt 's Islamists : Much to prove on women 's rights . The value of these religious literacy trainings were so transformative that we were told , `` The U.S. government should not have spent billions ( on the war ) ; they should have spent millions and involved the imams ( with regards to women 's rights ) , and everything would have been different today . '' Similarly , an Afghan woman told us , `` imams are our only shield against the Taliban . '' The Arab Spring has forced U.S. policymakers to acknowledge the fundamental importance of engaging with religious-political movements in the Middle East , and efforts to include these movements are gradually making their way into our foreign policy . As Muslims , we know that it is only in the religious sphere that we can achieve our vision of peace , democracy , prosperity and the realization of human and women 's rights in Afghanistan , and prevent atrocities like public executions from ever happening again . Opinion : Why world must react to Taliban execution . Saving Face : The struggle and survival of Afghan women . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and Daisy Khan .
Afghanistan : U.S. recognizes role of Islam in making Afghanistan a better place . Authors say Islam establishes protection and quality of life , and dignity for all . They say the U.S. should work with imams to improve life in Afghanistan .