Religious Freedom and Interreligious Relations in Islam: Reflections on Da'wah
Louay Safi Monday, 13 June 2011
Religious freedom is essential for protecting human dignity and ensuring healthy dialogue in society. In addition to allowing people of different religious persuasions the free exercise of religious beliefs and duties, religious freedom permits members of missionary religions to promote their religious values and beliefs. Promoting religious worldviews can contribute positively to energizing civil society as long as it is done under the principles of compassionate dialogue and mutual respect.
Christianity and Islam, in particular, promote missionary and da'wah work aimed at bringing religious truths and understanding to the followers of other religious traditions. Likewise, they resent and regret the loss of coreligionists to another faith. Some followers of the two religions make the seeking of converts their life mission, and many religious communities respond negatively to those who decide to leave their faith.
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