I’m a Muslim, and I condemn the un-Islamic attack on Salman Rushdie

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‘While some claim that Rushdie is an apostate, for which the punishment is death, there is no such punishment for apostasy prescribed in the Holy Quran’ (Reuters)

As a British Muslim, I condemn the attack on Salman Rushdie. Whilst I disagree with his views, violence against those we disagree with is not permitted within Islam.

Islam recognises the right of freedom of conscience and freedom of belief and that as far as one’s religious belief is concerned, one is answerable to God alone. No man has the right to punish another for his choice of belief.

While some claim that Rushdie is an apostate, for which the punishment is death, there is no such punishment for apostasy prescribed in the Holy Quran.