[thechat] King Preaches Abstinence to Parading Maidens

[Tara Cleveland]

Syed Zeeshan Haider wrote:

> From: "Chris Marsh"
> To: <thechat at lists.evolt.org>
> Sent: September 16, 2002, Monday 5:06 PM
> Subject: RE: [thechat] King Preaches Abstinence to Parading Maidens
>
>
>> You miss the point. England is a Christian country, and yet Muslims
>> *are* given the opportunity to practice their faith. However, under the
>> circumstances this is a privilege, not a right.
>
> In contrary to this, according to Islamic laws, every non-Muslim has a right
> to
> practice his faith with full freedom in an Islamic country. In Islamic
> society,
> practicing their faith is a right of non-Muslims rather than a privilege.
>
> Syed Zeeshan Haider.
> http://syedzeeshanhaider.faithweb.com/
>

In fact, according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html) it is not a privilege it is a
right. The clause below is also found in the European Convention on Human
Rights (http://www.echr.coe.int/Convention/webConvenENG.pdf), which the UK
Human Rights Act (http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/19980042.htm) is
based upon (and uses as it's underlying text). So sorry, Chris, it's a
right, not a privilege, even in the UK.

"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this
right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom,
either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to
manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and
observance."

Regards,
Tara