I keep seeing statements countering the assertion that the Qur'an dictates the death penalty for apostasy. Who cares what the Qur'an has to say on the matter. A religion is the way it is lived-out by its followers; and a good many Muslims appear to believe that to be the case.
To any rational mind, the solution is clear:
1. Those responsible for the death threats should suffer the full force of the law.
2. Islam needs to clean up its act and make it abundantly clear to all its followers that freedom of religion...or lack of religion...is a fundamental right of this country. Any who cannot accept that have no place in Western society.

Andrew, Liverpool,

Often Muslims arrogantly state that they have a certain number of followers and that this growing - exponentially, as they know there is a penalty for leaving Islam.


The Prophet said something like, drive the non-believer off the road and make him know he is subordinate whenever he is forced to travel on the minor road.

In Egypt converts to Christianity are forced to live in the most horrendous conditions, as to renounce your Islamic faith is seen as an insult to Islam and insulting Islam is a crime in Egypt. This, according to a report out in Nov, 07 by Human Rights Watch. Some of these converts are forced to falsify papers, to state that they are Christian, while others go undocumented, along with their new born children, as Egyptian law states that once your father is a Muslim, you cannot readily change your religion.


The one thing we have on our sides is the weight of western opinion, but the fear is to inadvertently allow this kind of thing to take over, here.

Mia, London, England

The Qur'aan doesn't state Death for someone leaving Islam, Infact it doesn't even mention the Apostates. It's actually the Bible that doesn't tolerate Apostates. (Old and New Testaments).

Adaam, London, England

This paper is a serious paper which does not print things lightly.

Why has the name and address of the Immam father not been published so that the local muslim authority can at least have the chance to dismiss the immam and perhaps hasten him and his family's journey back to Pakistan.

The local muslim authority could no longer claim that 'they didnt know' if those details were published and pressure could be brought on them to act as the local muslim authority should act..

Batty Gar, Western Super Mare,

"The word ‘lapido’ means ‘to speak up for’ in the Acholi language of Northern Uganda."

It also means "I throw stones" in Latin, which might be more to the point.

Marion, Bournemouth,

People should read the koran and *discover* Islam's love.

It is vile and hate-filled, and yes, later injuctions, violent and intolerant injunctions abrogate earlier more moderate suras.

It is a guide book, a manuel for war , conquest and imperialism.

In fact, at times it seems that those who know the koran least are Muslims themselves.

The perpetrators of these threats 9 one of whom appears to be her brother) should be nabbed and charged, and if they hold dual citizenship, expelled from the UK.

You really don't need fanatics like this, they're harmful to ALL of society

David, Quebec,

I'm seriously sick and tired of all the people trying to "educate" us as to what the Koran says or doesn't say, or this and that about Islam and Muslims. I could care less. The reality is simple, there is a great deal of violence and threats being carried out by Muslims world wide, and now here in Britain. It is the Muslim's responsibility to stop this behavior and drastically reform their beliefs and most importantly, how they act.

David, L-Spa, Warwickshire

One comment here caught my attention namely, that "more Muslims are turning away from Islam and towards Christ . . ." Is this a UK trend? I haven't heard of it before; in fact, all I read makes it sound like Islam is the only growing faith in Britian.

Pete, Boundary Waters, USA

The Koran says exactly how Muslims are to live and these fanatical Islamists are simply acting it out, with this unfortunate lady just one of many victims. Why would we expect any other reaction, as this is how they operate their law in Muslim countries. Our Politicians urgently need to read a copy. I am sure that most Muslims are decent law abiding people, but many seem to be increasingly affected by extreme Immams who demand that the letter of the Koran is followed. I am concerned that if situations like this are not dealt with, then the Islamists will continue to gain ground. However, more and more Muslims are turning away from Islam towards Christ and they need to be assisted in every possible way, so they can escape the confines this apparantly inescapeable religion. In the meantime, all we can do is pray and take the love of Christ into these communities.

Richard, Reading, England

why are we even discussing this? arrest the deluded idiots who are threatening her (or anyone else) and let that be an end to it.

I don't care what any religion says. if you threaten to kill someone, you are breaking the law, and you go to prison. your options are - like it, lump it or go somewhere else.

your book might suggest something different, but, whatever your book is, most people think it is twaddle. you're free to believe whatever you like, but as soon as you start trying to impose those beliefs on other people, the law should not give you an inch.

jem, london, uk

Just shows how absurd the doctrine of multiculturalism is.

IM Archer, Alton, England

more hatred, violence, tyranny and bigotry from the religion of peace.

bob, USA,

Kay, see above. islamic teaching on this is clear and nice though the verse about no compulsion is , it is obviously abrogated by numerous, not so benign verses.

David , Glasgow, UK

"She seems rather ignorant, no where in the Quran does it say to kill the apostate"

Ah, unfortunately for you the ignorance is on your part. Islamic doctrine is not confined to the Quran. The Hadith is just as important and influential.

Calum Iain, Steòrnabhagh, Albainn

As I understand it,under Sharia,an apostate is first asked to return to Islam,force may then be used if deemed necessary at this time.If one does not embrace Islam again,then killing follows.This does not seem to be a policy that would allow one to freely choose ones religious beliefs.Not all Muslims embrace Sharia,but the number of adherants is apparently growing.In the past,the killing of apostates,blasphemers,non-believers,etc.has occured in the Christian religion also.I realize that this is a simplistic view of this ladies situation,but never doubt that she is in real danger.

ron, toronto,

It is quite incredible that this sort of behaviour should be tolerated in the UK today. This woman should not just be given police protection... the police should be arresting those who have been threatening her and the full force of the law should be brought to bear upon them where the necessary evidence exists.

I have no doubt that many of us are also sick of people telling us that Islam teaches no compulsion in religion, when the evidence so clearly points to the opposite. The persecution of converts out of Islam to Christianity is well documented. Can you imagine the uproar if converts to Islam were treated in the same way?

Andrew Brown, derby, UK

Mubarika Sami is being disingenuous.
Part of the absurdity of the Quran is that it contains contradictory statements, even though it is supposed to be 'perfect'.
Muslims get round this by the doctrine of abrogation.
Later 'revealed' verses abrogate earlier ones.
Thus Ms Sami is correct in saying that 'there is no compulsion in religion' which is stated in one part of the Quran.
She would also be correct in saying that Christians are respected as 'people of the Book.'
But these statements are nullified by other statements that are aggressive and oppressive.
As Ms. Samii should surly know, there is an authentic saying of the prophet of Islam, 'whoever changes his religion, kill him.'
I do hope that readers of this newspaper and website can see through the dissemblinmg of those muslim apologists who would deceive people into thinkng that Islam is a religion of peace. It is not.

James Strong, Pontypoool, U.K.

I was very interested in what Mubarika Sami has to say and I know the Ahmadi Muslims to be a peaceful group but is it not also true that they have been threatened with murder and violence even in Britain, by "mainstream Muslims"?

I think the Koran shows the limits of religious thinking when it takes place in a remote tribal backwater (Mecca in the 7th century) practically untouched by Greaco Roman intellectual tradition (unlike Judea in Christ's time). A book that is plagued with the injection of Arab tribal law, even caravan raiding theory(!) and bizarre conclusions one of which that insists it is the literal and unchangeable world of God.

Peter Giraudo, Nairobi, Kenya

You're right, Kay, it's not in the Quran, it's in the hadith:

"The Prophet said, ‘If any Muslim discards [changes] his religion, kill him.'" - Bukhari:V4B52N260

This particular hadith is considered perhaps THE MOST reliable statement in the entire collection, with the possible exception of the one which prescribes stoning for adulterers.

For a sane muslim male, all four schools of islamic thought - ALL OF THEM - are in absolute agreement: The punishment for conversion/apostasy is death.

A simple examination of the legal code in any country governed by Shariah will confirm this . . . *

(*Can anyone say "Taqiyya?")

Omar, Atlanta, US

The Quran does NOT advocate death for apostacy or any other punishment. The Quran clearly states that there is no compulsion in religion as guidance and error have been clearly distinguished. Let him who will believe and let him who will disbelieve.
Ignorant mullahs especially from the Indian subcontinent do not understand Arabic and act in contradiction to their religion and present a completely untrue picture of Islam.
Only defensive wars are allowed in Islam as a last resort if muslims are not allowed to practice their religion. The Quran can never be altered unlike other religious texts. It is God's promise to us as it is His Last Book. It is a universal Book, not just for one race or a particular time.
God did promise a reformer of the latter days who was born in India in 1835. His followers are Ahmadi Muslims and our motto is :Love for all, hatred for none.

Mubarika Sami, Epsom, U.K

The punishment for apostacy in Islam is very clearly not a worldly punishment as God gives us freedom of conscience to believe. The Quran says "There shall be no compulsion in religion for guidance and error have been truly distinguished". Forcing children into arranged marriages against their will is clearly agaist Islamic teaching but unfortunately is part of Indian culture which has crept into Islam. Bigoted and ignorant imams (such as this lady's father) have done such disservice to Islam and have hidden its beauty from the world today that they deserve punishment in this life and the hereafter.

Mubarika Sami, Epsom, U.K

Isn't it time that the Western World demanded that Islam make a critical review of the Quran with a view to producing a text that reflects modern, civilised values rather than out-dated hateful and vengeful values? If the justification for Jihad and the killing of apostates cannot be removed, then the book should be proscribed in this country on the grounds of being a document that preaches violence, murder and religious hatred.

The Quran is at the core of Islam and its texts are constantly quoted by Imams and terrorists alike to justify barbaric acts.

Enough is enough.

John Green, High Wycombe,

She seems rather ignorant, no where in the Quran does it say to kill the apostate,.............. the Quran is actually quite clear on freedom of religion.........refer to Surah 2 verse 256 "Let there be no compulsion in religion"

but then again, never let the truth get it the way of a good story hey...............

Kay, Perth,