A Stand for Freedom: Iranian-American Campaign to Burn a Quran for Every Execution of Apostates in the Islamic Republic of Iran
By Bobby Darvish
darvishintelligence.blogspot.com
As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim and a member of the Christian LDS community, I have witnessed the brutal oppression of the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially against those who dare to renounce Islam. Apostasy—leaving Islam for another faith, or none at all—is considered a crime punishable by death under Sharia law in Iran. As a response to this horrific reality, a new campaign has emerged among Iranian-Americans, symbolically burning a Quran each time an Iranian is executed for apostasy.
This campaign is not about hate or an attack on religion itself but is a profound protest against the violent oppression carried out under the banner of Islam. It is a stand for freedom of conscience, an intrinsic right that every human being deserves. When the Islamic Republic executes individuals for exercising their God-given free will to choose their beliefs, they do so in violation of basic human rights. This campaign seeks to draw international attention to this injustice, forcing the world to confront the barbarity of the Iranian regime.
Apostasy in Islam and Iran
Apostasy, or "ridda" in Arabic, is viewed as one of the gravest offenses in Islam. The Quran and Hadith (Islamic traditions) both contain numerous references condemning those who leave the faith, advocating for harsh punishment, including execution. In Iran, this concept is not just theoretical but practiced with terrifying regularity. The Islamic Penal Code of Iran (also known as the Hudud) prescribes death for apostates, basing its laws on Islamic jurisprudence. Those who convert to Christianity or other faiths often face brutal consequences, including imprisonment, torture, and execution .
Iran’s clerical regime is a theocratic dictatorship that suppresses religious freedom, justifying its actions through its interpretation of Islamic law. The persecution of converts to Christianity, Zoroastrianism, or even those who leave Islam for secular beliefs, continues to escalate. In 2020, a Christian convert named Mohammadreza (Youhan) Omidi was flogged 80 times for drinking communion wine and practicing Christianity . Many such cases highlight the dire situation for religious minorities and ex-Muslims in Iran.
The Quran Burning Campaign: A Symbolic Protest
The Iranian-American campaign to burn a Quran for every execution carried out for apostasy is a powerful symbolic act. Quran burning has always been a controversial issue, but in this context, it is an act of defiance against the regime’s tyranny, not a blanket statement against Islam as a faith for all. It represents a call for justice, drawing attention to the real-world consequences of implementing Sharia law, particularly in Iran, where apostasy laws are used as a weapon to control and terrorize the population.
The goal of this campaign is to push for international awareness and pressure on the Islamic Republic. Just as global outrage can lead to sanctions and diplomatic actions against regimes that violate human rights, this campaign aims to galvanize such actions to hold the Islamic Republic accountable for its draconian policies.
Freedom of Conscience and Apostasy Laws
Freedom of conscience is central to the teachings of the Bible, which emphasize the importance of individual choice in coming to Christ. The Bible teaches that true faith must come from a sincere heart, free from compulsion. This principle stands in direct opposition to the Islamic doctrine that mandates death for those who leave Islam. The LDS Church, of which I am a proud member, places great importance on agency, the freedom to choose right from wrong, as a divine gift .
This fundamental right to choose one's beliefs is denied in Iran under theocratic rule. For Christians, particularly Iranian converts, following Christ can mean a death sentence. The Quran-burning campaign is a protest not only against religious persecution but also for the universal right to believe freely.
International Solidarity and the Need for Action
The world cannot remain silent while Iran continues to execute people for apostasy. This campaign seeks to unite Iranian-Americans, human rights organizations, Christians, and other religious communities in a common cause: to stand for freedom of conscience and against religious tyranny. By burning a Quran for every Iranian executed for apostasy, we send a message that the international community will not tolerate such inhumanity.
Countries that value religious freedom must be more vocal in their condemnation of the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses. Sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and support for dissident movements are critical tools that can be used to pressure Iran. The United Nations, particularly its Human Rights Council, should be called upon to investigate and take action against Iran’s apostasy laws, which blatantly violate international human rights agreements.
Conclusion
As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim, now a Christian LDS, I know firsthand the fear and oppression that accompanies leaving Islam in Iran. The Iranian-American campaign to burn a Quran for every execution carried out for apostasy is not a campaign of hatred but of defiance against a regime that has weaponized religion to control, oppress, and murder its people. It is a demand for justice and a plea for the world to recognize and act against the tyranny of the Islamic Republic.
Religious freedom is a sacred right, one that every person deserves. Iran’s apostasy laws stand in stark contrast to the divine gift of agency cherished by Christians and many other faith traditions. This campaign is a rallying cry for all who believe in freedom, human dignity, and the right to follow one’s conscience without fear of death.
References
Human Rights Watch. (2021). Iran: Christian Convert Flogged for ‘Drinking Wine’ in Communion. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/09/07/iran-christian-convert-flogged-drinking-wine-communion
Amnesty International. (2022). Iran: Stop execution of four men sentenced to death for ‘apostasy.’ Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/12/iran-apostasy-execution-campaign/
Bielefeldt, H. (2013). Freedom of Religion or Belief: Thematic Reports by the UN Special Rapporteur. United Nations. Retrieved from https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Religion/A.HRC.25.58_ENG.pdf
LDS Scriptures. (1830). Doctrine and Covenants: Section 93 – The Gift of Agency.
No comments:
Post a Comment