Mick Hartley

What's this nonsense about Islamic states trying to curtail freedom of expression? On the contrary, Islamic jurisprudence protects freedom of expression – as long as, you know, we're clear about the definition of freedom of expression as "the expression of views on personal or public matters that are beneficial to society and the person communicating the views", and as long as it's used responsibly, within certain legal restraints, and the freedom isn't exploited to malign Islam, and it's understood that the objective of the expression of one’s views should be the welfare of Muslims, and as long as the sacred religious symbols of Islam are protected by law from abuse, and…   

Protecting freedom of religion and opinion was underscored in a statement issued by the International Islamic Fiqh Academy at the conclusion of its international conference on Islamic jurisprudence in Sharjah on Thursday.

The five-day conference, which commenced on Sunday, was hosted by Sharjah ruler Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qassimi.

The final communiqué recommended Muslim countries enact laws allowing freedom of expression and not to exploit freedom to malign Islam and its sacred symbols or cause chaos in society.

The communiqué defined freedom of expression as the expression of views on personal or public matters that are beneficial to society and the person communicating the views. “Freedom of expression is a protected right in Islam to be practiced within certain legal restraints,” the statement said.

He defined legal restraints as not abusing the dignity of others, adherence to truth and objectivity, and not being irresponsible.

The method of expression of one’s views should be legitimate, it said, adding that the objective of the expression of one’s views should be the welfare of Muslims and the general public.

It also urged Muslim countries to strive to persuade other countries to make laws to protect sacred religious symbols of Islam and stop distorting them in the name of freedom. It also demanded the international community avoids different standards in applying its charters on judging Muslim issues and issues of other religions.

“Religious freedom is guaranteed to every member of society on the basis of a clear directive of the Holy Qur’an, which says: There is no coercion in religion,” the communiqué said. The statement also demanded that non-Muslims respect Islamic symbols and stop abusing the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him), and called on Muslims to strive to overcome their differences.

On the other hand, the statement warned against the tendency of some people to spread ideas that endanger the security and stability of the Ummah.

The statement also urged Muslim rulers to guarantee their subjects responsible freedom, food, housing, treatment, education and employment opportunities so they are not carried away by dangerous ideologies.

The statement stressed that freedom of expression should not be an excuse to attack the religion and its symbols, or to disrupt law and order and create disunity. The communiqué also stressed the need for Shariah-based monitoring of the activities of Islamic banks.