I propose that a high-level team of Islamic scholars study this case, and defend Rahman, and win the legal victory they deserve: "Case dismissed." This would establish the Islamic legal precedent, on the international level, that true Islam requires freedom of religion. This might very well be as important a case for the entire world today as Brown v Board of Education was for the United States in 1956. And it could be the foundation of true Christian-Muslim understanding and peaceful co-existence, as described below.
THE PROPER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS
The world is well aware that a fundamental tension has long existed between Islam and Christianity, Muslims and Christians. The underlying theological reason for this tension is best understood by comparing two verses from Scripture: Sura (chapter) 112 from the Qur'an (Islam's highest written authority) and John 3:16 from the Bible (Christianity's highest written authority.) Sura 112 is considered by many Muslims to be the most important single statement in Islam, and John 3:16 is considered by many Christians to be the most important single statement in Christianity.
[112.1] Say: He, Allah, is One.
[112.2] Allah is He on Whom all depend.
[112.3] He begets not, nor is He begotten.
[112.4] And none is like Him.
Qur'an 112:1-4
(Shakir Translation)
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but
have eternal life.
Bible: John 3:16
(Revised Standard Version)
The Qur'an and Bible I am using here are the ones available online from the University Of Michigan by following THIS LINK => http://www.loveallpeople.org/koranbibleonline.html and elsewhere.
The Revised Standard translation of the Bible (RSV) and the M. H. Shakir translation of the Qur'an are both widely available and widely accepted. If you want to consult other translations, you can easily do so by searching for "Bible online" and "Qur'an online" at Google.com.
To a Muslim, it is blasphemy to say that Jesus is the Son of God. To a Christian, it is blasphemy to say that Jesus is not the Son of God. This is the fundamental conflict between Islam and Christianity, and it cannot be papered over with smiles and pleasant words.
Nevertheless, it is quite possible for both religions to live side-by-side in peaceful, even brotherly, co-existence. In fact, the Qur'an specifically instructs Muslims to accept and tolerate Christians, and the Bible instructs Christians to live at peace with all people, as we will show below.
The Way Christians Should Act Toward Muslims
The Bible instructs Christians to live at peace with all people, as much as it is possible to do so. Further, Christians are instructed not to seek revenge for personal offenses, but to leave vengeance to God.
If possible, so far as it depends upon you,
live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge
yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God;
for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay,
says the Lord."
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