Apology of an imam - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Apology of an imam
Sunday, April 29, 2007
The Trib recently published an article about the recent speech by "Infidel" author Ayaan Hirsi Ali at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown, which included statements about my views on apostasy in Islam ("Furor over author’s visit stirs debate on religious freedom," April 22 and PghTrib.com).
Since that time I have come to realize that I was mistaken in my understanding of that issue. I misspoke, and I apologize.
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After further deliberation, I have come to the conclusion that a person’s religious choices are a personal matter and should not be subject to state or individual intervention.
Fouad ElBayly
JohnstownThe writer is imam of the Islamic Center of Johnstown.