Islam and Human Rights — Page 1
1 i Introductory Life is dynamic, and so are man and human society. One characteristic of dynamism is that it generates friction, and in terms of social values that means difference and very often dispute. Difference, or, let us say, the right to differ, lies at the root of all knowledge, inquiry in - vestigation, research and progress. While, therefore, we must strive to safeguard the right to differ, to question, to dissent and on occasion even to protest, we must at the same time strive to secure that our differences, in every sphere-religious, philosophical, scientific, social, economic, political or whatever, should act and react beneficently and not destructively. When they threaten to become acute they must be regulated, and must be sought to be resolved or adjusted through the adoption of agreed peaceful procedures. This means, broadly, that we must all submit voluntarily or, if needed, reluctantly