Sir, Mr Paul Cook (letter, January 13) raises a pertinent question in response to a Muslim’s conversion to Christianity. Is apostasy punishable by death in Islam?

The answer is a categorical no. There is neither any such teaching in the Holy Quran nor any example to be found in the life of the Holy Prophet of Islam. Islam does not permit its followers to take any life because of religious difference.

Religion should be a matter of choice for everyone and in this respect Islam is the greatest champion of freedom.

Islam requires Muslims to believe in all prophets raised by God Almighty, whether mentioned in the Old Testament or elsewhere, irrespective of their time of advent or the race they belonged to. Moreover, as all of them were truly submissive to the divine message, the title “Muslim” (the one who submits to God) literally applies to them all, even if they lived well before the advent of Islam.

Yours faithfully,
ATAUL MUJEEB RASHED,
The London Mosque,
16 Gressenhall Road, SW18 5QL.
January 14.

From Mrs Maja Kalanoska

Sir, From the beginning of the 20th century there has been virulent debate within the Muslim world with regard to modernity and the Sharia. Unfortunately such civil discourse has been violently suppressed by secular despots, including Saddam Hussein.

Unfortunately, a small number of Muslims see the likes of al-Qaeda as the only way of achieving freedom after all other means have failed.

What our part in the debate needs is generous helpings of sincerity and understanding.

Yours sincerely,
MAJA KALANOSKA,
16 Madras Road,
Ilford, Essex IG1 2EY.
January 13.

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