License to Kill?
By Khalid A.
London, UK
It has become commonplace for preachers and clerics to use the term 'wajib-ul-qatal' when they are talking of allegations of blasphemy or apostasy. The term wajib-ul-qatal, if used within its literal meaning, can lead to a lawless society where anyone can be murdered by anyone else, on the basis of suspicion. This would be quite unacceptable in any law abiding and civilized society. So this term should be banned.
We can always say that such and such crime carries a 'death sentence' but the sentence can only be awarded by a competent court of law, after a due process of trial. The defendant will have the usual opportunities of defense and appeal.
