There should be no compulsion with regard to faith, says leading Muslim human rights advocate

April 27, 2012 – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic…Bettina Krause/IRLA

“Freedom of religion in its Islamic context implies that non-Muslims are not compelled to convert to Islam, nor are they hindered from practicing their own religious rights,” said Shammout. “Many of the Qur’anic verses make clear that all people are free to choose the faith they want.”

He also addressed the issue of apostasy in Islam-a concept he says has been often misunderstood and mis-applied. He concluded that the death penalty for apostasy was not prescribed by the Qur’an.

“I emphasize freedom of religion in the general sense-namely the right to choose one’s faith prior to becoming a Muslim,” he said.

He also warned that “Islamic respect for freedom and Muslims’ awareness of its value cannot be established by force and coercion, for the enforcement of any democratic ideal would be no different from the ‘just tyrannical’ leadership.”

Shammout, a lawyer and former judge in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, left that work to establish and direct the Arab Bridge Center for Development and Human Rights. This non-profit organization aims to foster moderation, with the avoidance of violence, to bring about change. It promotes respect and understanding among people of all religions.