Probing Islam

IN THE wake of the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby in 
Woolwich last week, there is certainly some sense in denying terrorists “the oxygen of publicity”, as correspondents have already pointed out. However, there also needs to be a place for frank and open discussion.

Those claiming that the Koran, Hadith and biographies of the Prophet Muhammad justify atrocities such as the Woolwich murder should be able to put their case publicly to more moderate Muslims who can, in turn, explain how they interpret the relevant passages and events differently.

Also, non-Muslims should feel free to challenge both sides of the debate by citing sections from the foundational documents of Islam.

Equally importantly, the veracity of Muhammad’s prophethood should be the subject of vigorous debate.

In other words, Islam should be treated like Christianity.

Richard Lucas

Boromyknowe

Colinton