Global Intifada

Ali Eteraz has written an excellent post (Obama Islam Smear Changes Stripes) debunking the right’s latest tactic in smearing Barack Obama. The original accusation was that he was secretly a Muslim or a Black nationalist-radical. Now the claim is that he was once a Muslim and has “apostated” from Islam, something that will raise the ire of Islamic radicals who will attempt to take him out.

Eteraz points out the following:

“First of all, under orthodox Islamic law, the punishment for apostasy can only be carried out by the state.

Second, it may be true that there will be fanatics who believe that they can flout the rules of Islamic law and try to assassinate Obama without permission from a state. However, these people probably want to assassinate American presidents regardless — so considering their opinion is a bit farcical.

Third, people that appear to be Muslims, but don’t follow Islam and choose another religion, are permitted under Islamic law to leave Islam without penalty.

Fourth, Islamic law recognizes abandonment by the biological father. “

To add to this discussion, I would like to point out that there HAS been a previous “apostate” from Islam in the past who suffered absolutely no repercussions for leaving the religion. Carlos Saúl Menem was the former president of Argentina who converted from Islam to Christianity after reaching adulthood, married a Syrian Muslim lady, and went on to become President of Argentina, visiting several Muslim countries (such as Syria) after his election. There were no calls for his death for apostasy when he became President, his term lasting a full decade.

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