Northern Ireland's First Minister, Peter Robinson, has come under fire for defending a Belfast pastor who spoke out about Islam.
During a recent sermon, James McConnell, Pastor of Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle Church, said that "Islam is heathen, Islam is Satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in Hell". His comments were prompted by the case of Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, the Sudanese Christian woman who is facing the death penalty for apostasy from Islam.
Police in Northern Ireland are investigating a 'hate crime motive' in relation to the incident.
Mr Robinson, who has attended the church on a number of occasions and plans to continue to do so, said that there "isn't an ounce of hatred in [James McConnell's] bones", describing him as "someone who preaches the gospel".
He also defended the Pastor's right to free speech saying that a Christian minister has a right to denounce false doctrines. He indicated that he would not trust Muslims who had been involved in violence or those who are "fully devoted to Sharia law" and would not turn to them for spiritual guidance.
The First Minister has come under attack from other politicians in Northern Ireland. However, he has met with representatives of the Muslim community in Belfast, a meeting which he described as "very useful, valuable, friendly and relaxed".
Andrea Williams comments: "Islam does not provide a coherent basis for peaceful coexistence. Pastor McConnell is right to recognise the danger that Islam represents not just in places such as Sudan but here in Britain. For the sake of society, it is vital that the freedom to critique is maintained and freedom of speech safeguarded."
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