Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Letter to the editor:

Islam doesn’t force people to convert

An Iranian pastor may be executed in Tehran for refusing to recant his religious beliefs and convert from Christianity to Islam, according to a news report. This is directly in violation of the Quranic command that says there is no compulsion in matters of faith.

Christians and people of other faiths have a right to freely practice what they believe. Those who use the name of God to justify their coercive action do so against the divine guidance. We must not remain silent on this issue. We must hold Iran accountable for this un-Islamic position.

The Quran does not pronounce death to apostates. The Quran, on the contrary, gives freedom to choose. Chapter 2 verse 256 says there is no compulsion in matters of faith.

The Quran also says, “The truth is from your Lord”: Let him who will believe, and let him who will, reject (it) (chapter 18: verse 29).

The author is the director of the Islamic Society of Nevada.

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