Islam peace and Freedom

Submitted by Mark (United Arab Emirates), Mar 24, 2006 at 07:01

Headline in 'Gulf News' the local Daily in Dubai this morning, 24 March 2006..

"Outcry over Afghan convert facing death, scholars ask western leaders not to meddle in relgious beliefs"

Dubai: Islamic scholars yesterday saud US President George W. Bush and other Western leaders should mind their own business and must not interfere in the case of an Afghan facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity.

Abdul Rahman, who converted to Christianity in Germany 16 years ago and returned to Afghanistan in 2002, faces death if he does not revert to Islam. He was arrested two weeks ago after his family complained to authorities.

Bush has stepped in to the row, saying he would pressure Kabul over the "deeply troubling" matter, while the United Nations says it beleives Abdul Rahman will be spared. ....

Dr. Ahmad Abdul Aziz Al Haddad, a renouned Islamic scholar with the Dubai Department of Islamic Affairs an Charitable Works, told Gulf News: " This is none of their [the West's] business... Bush and the West should stay out of personal beliefs. They should not intervene in a purely religious matter of Islamic law [Sharia]."

Dr. Al Haddad added: "If this penalty is carried out, it will protect many weak-willed people from deserting their religion....."


Dubai is probably the most tolerant and open society in the Gulf. Dr. Ahmad, it would seem is well educated. I hope I can imply that from the fact the he has a PhD. Could it be that other 'moderate' muslims might have the same beliefs.

Is it the belief of 'moderate' muslims that a person who converts from Islam should be killed?

Dr. Ahmad is the government appointee in charge of 'charity'..

Life is full of little ironies..

This is Dubai here not Waziristan..

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".