Apostasy ban overshadows political debate in Tunisia
Published on The Tunis Times, by Staff, Jan 23, 2014.
The debate over the role of religion in the constitution has ignited an ideologically-heated dispute between the secularists and the Islamists. Ultimately, the two sides of the conflict, whether public or parliamentary, argued that Article 6 – the heart of this debate- should be worded otherwise to maintain balance. The article guarantees freedom of belief and conscience and the free exercise of religion and bans apostasy and incitement on violence.
The Islamist suggest a wording that adds a ban on religion insult should be added to balance the article. Some conservatives groups even called for the removal of the apostasy ban.
The consensus committee at The National Constituent Assembly have failed to settle an agreement on article 6 yesterday .
A ban on apostasy was added after Popular Front Deputy Mongi Rahoui was accused by Ennahdha Deputy Habib Ellouze of blasphemy. Mr. Rahoui has proclaimed in greater anger that he was target of physical assassination after the statement of Habib Ellouze.
“A Fatwa has been issued to neutralize me physically in 48 hours.” said Rahoui, Jan 5, 2014.
The apostasy ban will, according to secular lawmakers, prevent any religious-backed incitement on murder.
Tunisia’s recent history of post-revolutionary assassinations which counts as many as two assassinations in one year-Secular leaders Mohamd Brahmi and Chorki Belaid were murdered in July 25th 2013 and Feb 6th 2013 respectively- have plugged the country’s into a political crisis that blocked the constitution’s writing process and deepened the divide between the opposition and the Islamist-led government.
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Links:
Tunisia: Let Constitution herald HUMAN RIGHTS ERA, says HRW, on EurasiaReview, February 2, 2014;
Website: The Apostasy Project.org UK, aims to provide information and support for those thinking about leaving religion: /the Problem, /our solution, /your help;
Controversy of apostasy in Afghanistan, on BBCnews Asia, by Dawood Azami, Jan 14, 2014: An Afghan citizen has been granted asylum in the UK because he is an atheist, in what is being seen as a landmark case. The BBC’s Dawood Azami explains why religion is a very sensitive issue in Afghanistan’s conservative and traditional society …;
Mauritanian fatwas attack leftists for apostasy, on Al Monitor, by Ahmad Ould Jeddou, January 27, 2014;
Crisix Signs Deal With Apostasy Records, on MetalUnderground, by xFiruath, Jan 24, 2014;
Find on en.wikipedia:
- Apostasy … is the formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of a religion by a person. One who commits apostasy (or who apostatises) is known as an apostate. The term apostasy is used by sociologists to mean renunciation and criticism of, or opposition to, a person’s former religion, in a technical sense and without pejorative connotation …; inclusive /See also;
- Apostasy in Christianity, inclusive /Implications, /See also and /External Links;
- Jehovah’s Witnesses beliefs inclusive /Apostasy, inclusive /Defection, /Education and /External Link;
- Apostasy in Islam, inclusive /3.Punishment for apostasy, /4.Effects on Islamic learning, /5.Apostasy in the recent past, /6.Universal Declaration of Human Rights, /See also and /External Links;
- Apostasy in Judaism, inclusive /Examples, /See also and /External Links;
- Apostasy in Hinduism, There is no concept of heresy or apostasy in Hinduism. Hinduism grants absolute freedom for an individual to leave or choose his faith; on the Path of God. Hindus believe all sincere faiths ultimately lead to the same God;[35]
- Apostasy in Baha’i, Both marginal and apostate Baha’ies have existed in the Baha’i community[36] who are known as naqezin.[37] Muslims often regard adherents of the Bahá’í faith as apostates from Islam,[38] and there have been cases in some Muslim countries where Baha’is have been harassed and persecuted.[39] See also: Covenant-breaker and Freedom of religion in Iran;
- Apostasy in Other religious movements, inclusive /Notable examples.