Conversion
to modernity, the Islamic approach
Seattle
Times
March 30, 2006
Most of us brought a nickel's worth of understanding about world
religions to the intense legal and political drama over the fate of an
Afghan man who converted from Islam to Christianity. Charges that put
his life at risk were dropped over the weekend, and appropriately so.
He has since arrived in Italy expecting asylum.
The painful, overdue examination to come involves a recognition by the
Muslim faithful of the differences between religious and civil laws,
and the appropriate setting for each. Christians wrestle with the same
issues. Abdul Rahman was caught in a custody battle over his children,
and relatives turned him in to authorities for forsaking his Islamic
faith 15 years ago. The animosity and bitterness of such family
dissolutions are the only universal elements of the story.
Muslim clerics were adamant the punishment for apostasy is death.
Religious leaders in the West put pressure on politicians in the United
States and Europe to denounce the insult to religious freedom. Many
also used the opportunity to loudly repeat their view that Islam is a
violent, hateful religion.
Afghan officials struggled for a way to avoid this no-win dispute. Word
first circulated that Rahman was mentally unstable to stand trial.
Finally, the case was dismissed for lack of evidence and questions
about his citizenship and jurisdiction.
Leave it to the Islamic faithful to reconcile seemingly conflicting
sentiments that there be no compulsion in the religion, and that those
who leave the faith must be killed.
Even the interpretation of the word apostasy is up for grabs. Is it
grounded in the faith or political treason of ancient times? Christians
shocked by Islamic scripture have Deuteronomy in the Old Testament to
explain to casual readers.
Modernity is the challenge for Islam. Muslims must seek the same
accommodation to religious freedom that protects the faithful and
empowers private individuals to make liberating, fulfilling choices in
their own lives.