Islam and Human Rights

The Ahmaddiyyas consider themselves Muslim, but many Muslims do not agree. Pakistani laws has legalized discrimination against the group -- its members cannot practice the faith publically, distribute religious material, or build mosques. Under Pakistani law, practicing Ahmadiyya is a crime punishable by death.
             Although there are civil laws in Egypt that provide for freedom of religious belief and practice, several minorities face ongoing discrimination. Members of the Copt Christians group, for example, have been prevented from practicing their religion, and have even been attacked and killed . The Egyption regime has not been helpful in protecting Christians or in prosecuting their attackers. In November 2008, Christians in Cairo were unable to get a government license to build a church and so converted a warehouse into a house of worship. At the dedication of the building , thousands of Muslims attacked the church in the name of Islam. There was little police interference .
             Since the 1979 Islamic revolution, the rule of Sharia has meant a lack of equality for members of other religions in Iran. The Iranian constitution guarantees a certain level of protection for Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians. However, they are often targeted, accused of undertaking anti Islamic activities. The religious faith of Baha`ism , like Ahmadiyya in Pakistan, is illegal in Iran. Baha`is have suffered serious persecution, including arrests, banning of activities, and confiscation of property. .
             Some Muslims within Muslim majority countries also suffers from a lack of equality. In Bahrain, which is ruled by Sunnis , the majority Shia population experiences widespread discrimination in education and employment. The same applies to the Shia in Saudi Arabia, where they are minority.
             The governments of Saudi Arabia and Iran have punished apostasy with imprisonment or death. In Egypt, families that have converted to Islam, and then decided to convert back to Christianity have been refused the rights to officially identify themselves as Christians on their identification cards.