TATCHELL: “JUST SAY NO TO SHARIA LAW”

Great article in today’s Comment is Free in the Guardian Online by Peter Tatchell ahead of Saturday’s march against religious laws.

In it he urges support for “the courageous Muslims who, often at great personal risk, are campaigning against religious extremism”.

Although he urges people to join the march, he admits that the turn out may be small. “This is odd,” he adds. “Most liberals and left-wingers would protest loud and strong if these persecutions were perpetrated by a western regime or by Christian fundamentalists. But they get squeamish when it comes to challenging human rights abuses done in the name of Islam. They fear being denouned as Islamophobic. They confuse protests against fundamentalist, political Islam, which seeks to establish a religious dictatorship, with an attack on Muslim people and the Muslim faith. These are two very different things. Saturday’s protest is in defence of Muslim people – and all people everywhere – who are victims of any form of religious tyranny.

“Sharia law is, however, one of the most barbaric manifestations of fundamentalist religion, which is why we need to highlight it. While other faiths are also often oppressive, Sharia is especially oppressive. Its interpretations stipulate the execution of Muslims who commit adultery, renounce their faith (apostates) or have same-sex relationships. Sharia methods of execution, such as stoning, are particularly brutal and cruel.”

He adds: “When I speak at Saturday’s rally, I will defend Muslims and people of all faiths against hatred and discrimination. The victimisation of people because of their religious beliefs is just as wrong as victimising people because of their race, gender or sexuality. “

Read the full article here.