To Kill Or Not To Kill- Muslim Scholars Discuss Apostasy At IIFA Conference

The debate was on regarding what to do about Apostates at the International Islamic Fiqh Conference in Sharjah. To behead or not to behead, that was the question at the religious freedom session on April 29, which seems an oxymoron, considering there is little, if any, freedom within Islam.

It seems Islamic scholars from all over the world were debating the hotly contested issue of apostasy, particularly in light of the fact we are living in the 21st century, not the 7th. Those from more enlightened countries believe there needs to be change:

“Religious freedom is a right that should be guaranteed to every human being. We have come here to present and discuss different viewpoints and we should do it in order to reach the right solution,” said Mahmoud Zaqzouq, Egypt’s minister of endowments.

But not surprisingly, there are those who are determined to remain in the dark ages and want to drag everyone else back to those days, as well:

“The view that Islamic scholars of the past had different views on how to punish apostates is incorrect. They only disagreed on how soon apostates should be executed; should it be done in three days, one week or few months. The waiting time is left to the discretion of the ruler,” said Muhammad Al-Nujaimi, a professor at the Higher Institute of Law in Riyadh.

It seems there will always be those who are ready, willing and able to exact their pound of flesh in the name of religion. Hard to believe we are living in the 21st century, and there are still those who believe someone deserves to have their head chopped off because they happen to abandon their religion.

Since they were unable to reach consensus, the debate will continue and

a six-member committee of scholars has been entrusted with the task of studying the issue and submitting recommendations.

How pathetic is that?!