Minority rights in Islamic countries

One of the most discussed topics of the day is how Muslims view Christians and Jews, the rights of religious minorites in Muslim-majority countries, and whether there can indeed be democracy, freedom of thought and freedom of worship in Muslim countries. The world is used to seeing people who claim to represent Islam as they preach hatred, promote violence and terrorism while implementing dictatorial regimes and rejecting democracy and civil liberties. But is this true Islam? Do these people faithfully express Islam as we know it from Scripture? Based on the incorrect information they've obtained or the false examples they may have seen, some people have developed a fear that Islam will limit their lives or their freedoms, or perhaps attempt to control their very thoughts or restrict, if not eliminate, the arts and sciences. However people or countries that are taken for granted as Islamic are not necessarily reflective of the true nature of Islam itself. The simple fact of the matter is that Islam is a religion that ensures all manner of intellectual freedom as well as the freedom of worship and expression, that takes as a serious matter the rights of those people. What is more the primary concepts of democracy –freedom of speech and belief, treating everyone equally and as first class citizens, not putting any pressure upon anyone for any reason, respecting people regardless of their opinions and beliefs– are already present in the morality of the true religion. But it is essential to differentiate between bigotry supported by the classical rightist propaganda and the true teachings of Islam. According to Islam, Muslims have a God-given responsibility to establish the comfort for all people, whether they are Christians, Jews, Sahabbeans, pagans or else. It is not only those who believe in God, but even those who be classified as idolaters are granted asylum and protection. As it is commanded in the Qur'an, Muslims are responsible to protect them as they go from one place to another, even at the expense of their own life. This is an important criteria that Muslims must not be obstacles but rather guarantors of people's safety and freedom. Forcing people to believe in a religion or compelling them to practice something is completely contrary to the essence and spirit of Islam. God says "There is no compulsion in religion." (Qur'an, 2:256), and for a sincere Muslim God's statement in the Qur'an is quite explicit and leaves no room for doubt. Islam is a religion based on voluntary and sincere acceptance and practice. In other words, belief and worship are only of any value when they are directed to God by the free will of the individual. If a system imposes belief and worship on people, then they will become religious not out of sincere conviction, but out of fear of that system. And if one becomes Muslim under pressure, that person does not turn out to be a Muslim but a hypocrite. People can become irreligious or become a Christian while previously a Muslim, or embrace Islam while they were irreligious before, all as they wish. Nobody has the right to interfere, and as everyone is judged by their own decisions, God makes it clear that everyone's religion is his/hers. According to the Quran, a Muslim's reply is; "To you your religion, and to me, mine" (Quran, 109:6). The responsibility placed on believers in Islam is to invite people by means of peace and in the most respectful manner. The decision whether or not to believe, whether or not to implement the advises, lies strictly with the other party. Forcing that person to believe, or trying to impose anything on him, is a violation of Qur'anic morality. God says that one is "... not responsible for their guidance" (Qur'an, 2:272) and states that "So remind them! You are only a reminder. You are not in control of them." (Qur'an, 88:21-22) And in another verse, God tells "... you [O Muhammad] are not a compeller over them." (Qur'an, 50:45) Another important fact we learn from the Qur'an is that Muslims must respect and protect Jewish and Christian places of worship. In the Qur'an, the monasteries, churches and synagogues are mentioned as places of worship protected by God (Qur'an, 22:40). Thus if Jews or Christians want to worship in their own places of worship, they should be able to do so freely and without hindrance. Consequently Islam -in its purest form- is not a threat to freedom but the guarantor of freedom. Indeed, in a model where genuine Islamic morality prevails, Jews and Christians would be in the utmost peace and people from all walks of life, be they Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, or nonbelievers -regardless of faith, culture or ideology- would be living in comfort as first-class citizens and enjoying their equal rights and freedom in the truest sense of the word. Sinem Tezyapar is a political analyst. https://twitter.com/SinemTezyapar The views expressed by the author do not necessarily represent or reflect the editorial policy of Arabstoday.