SMC No. 1/2014 etc 24 years the Northern and Southern Irelanders fought with each other and wrecked violence in the name of faith. 24. When we think of such incidents of violence in the name of faith, we are always reminded of a quote from the Holy Quran6 wherein such acts have not only been condemned but have been classified as crimes against humanity. It ordains:- Translation: “On that account, We decreed to the Children of Israel the Eternal Moral Ordinance for all humanity (2:178) that whoever kills a human being, unless it is in the course of justice for murder or bloody crimes on the earth, it shall be as if he killed all mankind. And whoever saves one life it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. Our Messengers came to people with clear Truth, yet many of them continued to transgress in the earth.” 25. Islam does not compel people of other faiths to convert. It has given them complete freedom to retain their own faith and not to be forced to embrace Islam. This freedom is documented in both the Holy Quran and the Prophetic teachings known as Sunnah. ALLAH addresses the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the Quran: “If it had been your Lord’s will, they would all have believed all of who are on earth! Will you then compel humankind, against their will, to believe7?” …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… 6 Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:32). Translation by Moulana Shabbir Ahmed 7 Holy Quran (10:99)