Islam and Locke

Here's another moderate Muslim manifesto, but, like Locke's Letter on Toleration, it insists on tolerance not as a secular but as a religious value:

"While we understand the feelings of our co-religionists, we strongly urge them to refrain from rage and violence. A zeal for Allah is rightful only when it is expressed in an enlightened manner, since Allah himself has ordained a restrained response.... No state, community or individual has a right to impose Islam on others. People should accept and practice Islam not because they are forced to do so, but because they believe in its teachings."

Keep sending me moderate Muslim statements. They matter. And they are too often drowned out. (Hat tip: Blackwell.)