Religion: Joint declaration on the right to conversion

The Islamic Council of Norway and the Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations have presented a joint declaration on the freedom of religion and the right to conversion.

The decleration states that everyone is free to adopt the religious faith of their choice.

- We denounce, and are committed to counteracting all violence, discrimination and harassment inflicted in reaction to a person’s conversion, or desire to convert, from one religion to another, be it in Norway or abroad, the declaration says.

- Freedom of religion is a fundamental principle which must be reflected in attitudes toward people of another faith. The right to change one’s religious faith is central to freedom of religion, says Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary for the Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations.

- By issuing this declaration we hope to contribute to the international process on this important matter, he says.

(NRK/Church of Norway)

Rolleiv Solholm