Iranian Death Sentence 'Condemnable, Horrific'
By: Ahmed Khan

The death sentence levied against Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in Iran on the basis of apostasy is condemnable and horrific. Furthermore, forcing him to recant his beliefs is a grave injustice. There is not a single verse in the Quran that supports such a ruling. On the contrary, the Quran states that an individual is free to believe and disbelieve as many times as you want without any fear of punishment (Quran 4:138). Prophet Muhammad never punished anyone for apostasy - even a Quranic scribe became an apostate. Modern day Muslim societies should give non-Muslims the status of al-dhimma (the people under protection) similar to the Muslim society of Spain had done for 800 years.

Under the law all people like Pastor Nadarkhani should be treated equally in spite of their differences - not be subjected to ill treatment because of them.