Faith by force not true belief

Published: March 29, 2006

Tucson Citizen

The Council on American-Islamic Relations calls on the
government of Afghanistan to release Abdul Rahman, a
man facing the death penalty for converting from Islam
to Christianity.

Rahman's conversion is a personal matter that should
not not be subject to state intervention.

Islamic scholars say original rulings on apostasy were
similar to those for treasonous acts in legal systems
worldwide and do not apply to an individual's choice
of religion.

Islam advocates freedom of religion and of conscience,
a position supported by the Quran:

"If it had been the will of your Lord that all the
people of the world should be believers, all the
people of the earth would have believed! Would you
then compel mankind against their will to believe?"
(10:99)

"This is the Truth from your Lord. Now let him who
will, believe in it, and him who will, deny it."
(18:29)

"If they turn away from thee (O Muhammad) they
should know that We have not sent you to be their
keeper. Your only duty is to convey My message."
(42:48)

"Let there be no compulsion in religion." (2:256)
Faith imposed by force is not true belief, but
coercion. Islam has no need to compel belief in its
divine truth.

As the Quran states: "Truth stands out clear from
error. Therefore, whoever rejects evil and believes in
God has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that
never breaks." (2:256)

We urge the government of Afghanistan to order the
immediate release of Abdul Rahman.

Parvez Ahmed
Board Chairman
Council on American-Islamic Relations
Washington, D.C.