Expert on Islam praises UAE's new anti-discrimination law

July 29, 2015

Father Samir Khalil Samir, a Jesuit expert on Islam who was appointed acting rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute in April, praised the United Arab Emirates for enacting legislation that bans discrimination on the basis of religion.

"In the Arab and Islamic worlds, where discrimination is commonplace, a law against discrimination is a rare thing," he said in a column published by AsiaNews.

"In Arab and Muslim countries, Islam is the state religion and other faiths are at best tolerated," he added. "Equality is foreign to Islam. Yet, this anti-discrimination legislation does just that; it provides equality, replacing totalitarian notions."

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• A new anti-discrimination law is a step forward in terms of religious freedom (AsiaNews.it)
• UAE, concerned about militant Islam, passes law against race, faith hate (Daily Star)