Study shows Islamic countries' constitutions guard religious freedom

Published: 2005-05-12

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A study of the constitutions of predominantly Muslim countries showed most enshrine freedom of worship as law, said a U.S. watchdog agency for religious freedom. The study, released May 11 in Washington by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, showed that countries with Islam as the declared state religion have constitutional provisions protecting religious freedom that compare favorably to international standards. Preeta Bantal, commission chairwoman, told Catholic News Service that that the study disproved a prevailing opinion in the United States that protection of religious rights was an American ideal that was not culturally relevant to Islamic countries. "In trying to emphasize the importance of upholding standards of religious freedom, it's equally important to emphasize that this is not about imposing American ideals. The ideals are already enshrined in these countries' constitutions," Bantal said.

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