Occasional Paper No. 27:OP:1 (2006)
By A. Rashied Omar

Abstract

            In spring 2006, an Afghan citizen who converted from Islam to Christianity was arrested under local shari`ah law, which mandates the death penalty for apostasy. As a result of international pressure Abdul Rahman was released and given asylum in Italy. The widely publicized incident highlighted the urgent need for Muslims to seriously re-examine the restrictive traditional shari`ah laws on apostasy, writes Omar. He notes that the case took place in the war-ravaged context of Afghanistan where relief aid for the victims of war is dispensed by Christian agencies, some with a primarily evangelistic agenda. That raises the question: Is it ethical for philanthropic activities and humanitarian service to be undertaken with the primary intent to proselytize? No, Omar contends. He challenges Christians and Muslims committed to inter-religious dialogue to not only affirm the right of any individual to change his or her religion, and to decry the use of inappropriate means to entice the person to switch faiths.

A. Rashied Omar is Kroc Institute Research Scholar of Islamic Studies and peacebuilding.

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