The BBC News website looks at how the system of Sharia law works and fits into society.

There's a widespread belief that the penalty for leaving Islam is death - hence, perhaps, the killing of a British teacher last week. But Shiraz Maher believes attitudes may be softening.

There's a widespread belief that the penalty for leaving Islam is death - hence, perhaps, the killing of a British teacher last week. But Shiraz Maher believes attitudes may be softening.

The EU criticises Iran's draft penal code that would impose the death penalty for giving up Islam.

BBC analyst Roger Hardy looks at the difficulties involved in leaving Islam.

A group saying it represents large numbers of "ex-Muslims" urges policy-makers to ignore the faith.

An Afghan who faced a death sentence for becoming a Christian says he would have died had he stayed in Afghanistan.

An Afghan who faced a possible death sentence for becoming a Christian arrives in Italy, says PM Berlusconi.

Iran's Supreme Court again lifts a death sentence against dissident academic Hashem Aghajari.

A court in Iran reimposes the death penalty on a prominent dissident and sends the case back to the supreme court.

A lawyer for Hashem Aghajari, who was sentenced to death for apostasy, says he expects a judicial review of the case to be favourable.

Professor Hashem Aghajari's death penalty for apostasy against Islam over his criticism of the clergy is another blow against Iran's reformers.

A lawyer for liberal academic Hashem Aghajari files an appeal against his death sentence for apostasy.

A series of demonstrations have swept Iran in recent weeks. BBC correspondent Jim Muir looks at the reasons for the growing political strains in the country.

The Iranian judiciary says it will reconsider the death sentence handed down to liberal academic Hashem Aghajari.

Academic Hashem Aghajari is handed the death penalty after criticising "blind obedience" to decrees from Iran's Islamic leaders.

A well-known Iranian cleric who opposes the compulsory veiling of women is sentenced to seven years in prison.

Nawal El-Saadawi, Egypt's foremost feminist writer, is used to controversy. At 70, she is once again in trouble for expressing her views. Samira Hepburn reports from Egypt.

An Egyptian court adjourns the trial of a feminist writer, Nawal El-Saadawi, who is accused of being a heretic against Islam.

An Egyptian court is to hear the case against the feminist writer Nawal El-Saadawi, who is accused of being a heretic against Islam.