He told you the reason he is still a muslim: fear of retribution by the violent adherents.

The punishment for leaving the "religion of peace" is simple and universal: death.

These kind, gentle people you have met would be Christians given the freedom to choose. It's likely that in many cases, their not-so-distant ancestors were Christians that were violently conquered and forced to convert.

Islam is violence.

Islam is evil.

Islam is a death cult.