An Iranian Cleric To Befriend

Sheikh Mohammed Kazem al-Khaqani is a Shia cleric who recently delivered a speech before the House of Commons (he was brought to England courtesy of the Henry Jackson Society). Peter Tatchell summarizes Khaqani's main points at Comment is Free:

• The right to life is the first right of all human beings. This principle applies to everyone – Muslim and non-Muslim. Justice and faith dictate that this right may not be abrogated. Terrorists and suicide bombers are therefore anti-Islam and apostates.

• There is no compulsion in religion. Religious belief is a choice. The call to Islam is not a religious obligation. Attempts to achieve conversions by threats or force are unIslamic.

• Jihad as a way of conquering a country and subduing people is forbidden. Muslims should lead by example. Consultation among the people is the most appropriate way to determine how society should be run.

• People should be free to choose the political system that they live under. Exhortations to topple secular governments and replace them with a religious state are erroneous interpretations of Islam.

• Absolute theocracy, as practised under the Iranian model of Shi'ism, is unacceptable. Separation of religion and state, with neither interfering in the other's domain, is the ideal.

• Religious tolerance and the promulgation of justice among all people, without consideration for whether the citizen is Muslim or non-Muslim, is an essential tenet of true Islamic thought.

• Violations of human rights in Muslim countries are unacceptable and incompatible with Islam.

• The west must pursue justice in the world. It should seek to acknowledge and correct its errors in the east, which have helped create despotic Islamic states.

The only item in Thatchell's post that gives me pause is his remark that he doesn't agree with all of Khaqani's opinions. I'd like to know what these are, please.