Tenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Is freedom of expression incompatible with Islam and its teachings? Such a charge is often made based on the absence of democracy and civil liberties in most Muslim countries. The main purpose of my paper is based on Quranic teachings of Freedom of Expression that is now missing in the most of claiming countries of following Quran. That is why I quoted this verse of Quran which clearly supports the freedom of expression as well as beliefs and faith. The often quoted Quranic verse “ there is no compulsion in religion”(Deen)(2.256) is logical corollary of the principle of dignity and equality of all members of the human family, it must be borne in mind that the Arabic term ‘deen’ has wider connotations than the English term religion, It includes the faith, belief, judgment, conscience and way of life, So when compulsion is ruled out, it means not only the undiluted freedom of religion but also includes the freedom of conscience and expression and the freedom of to pursue a way of life suited to one’s genius. Freedom of expression, like other basic human rights, is ordinarily denied by the regimes designed to protect the rulers instead of the ruled.