MOROCCO: SCHOLAR: 'ISLAM AND ABOLITION ARE COMPATIBLE'

many in the Arab world find support for the death penalty in the Quran. But this is a false reading of the texts, says Mustapha Bouhandi, professor of comparative religion at Hassan II University in Casablanca, Morocco. A controversial voice of tolerance, Bouhandi draws fierce criticism from Muslim extremists.
“In Arab countries the death penalty is retained by regimes which do not want to loose their most important instrument of repression. Most do not derive legitimacy from the ballot box. Often opponents are liquidated without trial. Every death sentence, even in non-political cases, is politically influenced. So, I would say religion has nothing to do with the application of the death penalty in the Arab world.”
“Many still believe that the death penalty is closely linked to religion because of the political abuse of religion to justify killings in the past history of Islam” “God's law, Shariah, is expressed in the basic commandments found in all monotheistic religions.
The main commandment is not to kill.” When asked if activists should first set their sights on extending Morocco’s moratorium on the death penalty regionally, Bouhandi answered “I really do not think that this penalty can be abolished at this time in light of the current organised international crime now being conducted against the Arab and Muslim community. We are witnessing the barbaric behaviour of many powers employing the latest in sophisticated arms, aircraft and missiles to implement the ultimate punishment against entire populations of villages, towns and tents. Those who wish to abolish the death penalty from their criminal codes should first address the international powers causing most of this existing violence on earth.”