LETTER: Moral debate in the USA

Moral debate in the USA

From Mr Uzair M. Rizki

Sir: Today's leading article on the death penalty implies that a greater society is one that does not take the life of a criminal. You do not, however, consider the responsibilities of a greater society to the victims of crimes.

The crime of murder not only deprives a human being of life for ever, but it also condemns the family and the community of the victim to a life of hopelessness and despair. A society is lesser when it allows such hopelessness and despair to exist without any recourse.

It is for this reason that in Islamic law the wishes of the family of the victim are paramount in deciding whether the criminal should receive a pardon or commutation of a severe punishment.

Yours faithfully,

UZAIR M. RIZKI

Pinner, Middlesex

7 April