In The Times last Saturday Anthony Browne describes the risks many Muslims face when they convert to Christianity. One courageous individual told The Times that:
‘He and his family have been regularly jostled, abused, attacked, shouted at to move out of the area, and given death threats in the street. His wife has been held hostage inside their home for two hours by a mob. His car, walls and windows have been daubed in graffiti: “Christian bastard”.’
Mr Blair’s Government is falling over itself to pass a law against the encouragement of religious hatred at the request of the Muslim Council of Britain in the hope of winning Muslim votes. Ostensibly the measure will protect Muslims from Islamophobia, but the most serious problem we face is not the victimisation of Muslims by non-Muslims, rather it is the intimidation of former Muslims by those who have retained their faith. Few freedoms are more important than the ability to join or leave voluntary associations of all types, including religious faiths, without fear. Instead of inventing a thought crime, the Government should enforce the law against violence as it stands.