While many people who identify as Muslim live peacefully, the ideology behind Islam, especially when fully implemented, does not lead to freedom. It leads to dominance. In many Islamic-majority nations, the law is not based on democratic principles or equal rights. Women are not treated equally under the law. Free speech is limited, and dissent against Islamic beliefs is often criminalized. We are seeing this take place in the UK, where criticism of Islam is treated as hate speech. We never want to foster hatred or hostility; we are called to love. Love speaks truth with clarity and conviction. And the truth is this: We must recognize Islam for what it is—not simply a religion, but a political and legal system that, when empowered, brings oppression, not peace.

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