Truths of Islam

Re: “Gauging Muslims’ ability to leave their faith,” Harry Sterling, Opinion, June 10.

Harry Sterling makes troubling accusations against Islam based on an unauthenticated video of a beheading allegedly for converting from Islam to Christianity.

Even if the video is authentic, it illustrates demented cognition and cruelty rather than the faith. The Qur’an states there is no compulsion in faith. Religion cannot be imposed since submission to the Creator in Islam has to be voluntary. Each individual is responsible for their own deeds after puberty. Sterling ascribes a quote to Prophet Muhammad: “Whoever leaves his religion, kill him.” If this were true, how is it that no one was killed during the Prophet’s time for renouncing Islam? He advised his followers to use kindness and mercy, rather than harshness and anger.

Islamic law does not allow for marriages of minors without parental approval, and the marriage cannot be consummated till both have reached puberty and agreed to the union.

Islam does not allow or condone wife beating. The Prophet stated that, “best among Muslim men is one who is kindest to his wife and family.”

Genital mutilation is not allowed or condoned. It is found in some Muslim cultures, but is being abolished through educating Muslims how such mutilation violates Islamic law.

How is it that any action taken by a Muslim anywhere, no matter how bizarre, is portrayed as a true reflection of Islam without any honest and critical inquiry? Surely, 1.6 billion Muslims have their share of crazies and we condemn their actions. We expect the intellectuals and Canadian media to do the same — educate themselves in Islam and stop inflicting ignorance and bigotry onto public discourse.

Shahina Siddiqui, Winnipeg Shahina Siddiqui is president and executive director of

Islamic Social Services Association Inc.-Canada.