1. To set a tone for the first anti-Terrorism conference, which starts today.
2. To impress the 50 or so nations attending the conference.
The following cartoon also appeared:
Posted on 02/04/2005 11:10:32 PM PST by kipita
Some non-Muslims, especially those who do not know the basic principles and teachings of Islam, may wonder about the title of this article as Islam has been wrongly used as a synonym for terrorism and most Westerners consider Muslims terrorists.
Actually, Islam has nothing to do with terrorism. Terrorism is an international phenomenon and is found in every country and society. All divine religions have categorically rejected terrorism.
Terrorism briefly can be defined as aggression committed by individuals and groups or countries against people including their religions, intellect, honor and land. Terrorism and extremism are the products of wrong thinking. Socioeconomic factors as well as enmity also breed terrorists.
In this article I would like to focus on Islam, which has been unjustly described by those who are uninformed as a religion of violence and oppression. Actually, if we had learned its teachings as explained in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah and practiced them in our lives there would be no terrorists in our midst.
Islam was the first religion to combat terrorism and corruption on earth. It prohibited killing and terrorizing people in their homes and countries. The Holy Qur’an says: “The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His apostle and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: Execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land.” (Qur’an — 5:36)
Another verse emphasizes this point further.
“If a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is hell.” (4:93)
Allah honored human life in general. Nobody is allowed to kill a man without a genuine reason.
“On that account we ordained for the children of Israel that if any one slew a person, unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land, it would as if he slew the whole humanity. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole humanity.” (5:35)
Allah says: “We have honored the sons of Adam.” (17:70)
In this verse, Allah did not restrict his honor to Muslims, rather it covers all mankind. The rights of non-Muslims living in Islamic countries are protected as long as they follow the rules and regulations. Islam has taught us to be tolerant and good not only in our dealings with our Muslim brethren but with all mankind in general.
The Qur’an says: “Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for your faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them, for Allah loveth those who are just.” (60:8)
The Qur’an emphasizes the need to foster good relations among various nations and communities. “We made you into nations and tribes that ye may know each other.” (49:13)
In order to promote civilization and realize common interests it is essential for us to establish good relations with non-Muslim communities and give them a good impression of our religion. In this way, we attract individuals, groups and nations into the fold of Islam.
On the other hand, violence and terrorism present a bad picture of Islam, and we give enemies a weapon to use to attack our religion as well as our Prophet (peace be upon him). It will also drive away many people from our faith.
Islam advises us to exhibit good behavior even when preaching our religion. The Qur’an says: “Invite all to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching.” (16:125)
“It is part of the mercy of Allah that thou dost deal gently with them. Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee.” (3:159)
Moreover, the Qur’an teaches us how to hold dialogue with people of other faiths. “And dispute yet not with the People of the Book, except with means better.” (29:46)
Islam believes in difference of opinion and allows others to express their views freely without any fear. Even in matters of jurisprudence it did not impose any particular opinion. Differences of opinion among scholars have been considered a blessing.
I have no right to call those who do not follow my school of thought (madhab) as infidels. It’s Allah who decides who must enter Paradise or Hell among His slaves. Nobody else is given the power to decide.
Freedom of religion has been clearly mentioned in the Qur’an. “Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error.” (2:256)
The Holy Book also says: “The truth is from your Lord, let him who will believe and let him who will reject it.” (18:29)
Allah has prohibited Muslims from abusing the deities being worshipped by other communities. “Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance.” (6:108)
The aforementioned points and references emphasize the tolerance of Islam and its teachings. Islam respects all human beings despite the differences in their faiths and ideologies as long as they do not attack Muslims.
1. To set a tone for the first anti-Terrorism conference, which starts today.
2. To impress the 50 or so nations attending the conference.
The following cartoon also appeared:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1336520/posts
Anti-U.S. materials found at mosques (Dallas, Texas
8 metro areas
Freedom House researchers visited large mosques in eight metropolitan areas, specifically searching for Saudi-produced materials, Ms. Shea said.
Most of the material was at least a decade old and out of print, the Freedom House report acknowledged.
For example, the material collected in Richardson included a book by Saudi religious authority Sheik 'Abd al-'Aziz Bin 'Abdillah Bin Baz, who died in 1999. Among his rulings, or fatwas, was one that seems to say Muslims should not join the American armed forces:
"It is not right for a Muslim to support the unbelievers, or to ask them to support him against his enemies, they are the enemy, do not trust them."
Another document collected at the Richardson mosque was written by King Fahd, the monarch of Saudi Arabia, and published in 1993. In it, the king appears to preclude the possibility of peace between Muslims and Israel:
"[W]e consider ourselves to be in a continuous war against the Zionist enemy in every way until we achieve the hopes of the Arab nation driving the occupier out."
Publications collected at other mosques say that:
•Jews and Christians should be cursed.
•Jews corrupted Europe and destroyed family values there.
•Non-Muslims are "enemies to Allah, his prophet and believers."
•Muslims are not allowed to wish nonbelievers a "happy holiday" for a non-Muslim holiday.
•Muslims should not visit the homes of nonbelievers unless it's to educate them about Islam.
Islam has a tradition of lying to non-Muslims if it helps to advance Islam.
Right. The problem arises when you study the life of Mohammed, and ettempt to emulate his actions.
You end up flying planes into buildings.
Sorry, Arab News, I don't buy it.
Muslims have been in war with every religion, jews, hindus, christians, sikhs, you name it, they have fought it. On the
other hand there have been no wars between christians and jews,
between hindus and jews or christians and hindus. So draw your
own conclusions.
ERgo - if you not a "believer", you are "spreading mischief" and not following "the rules and regulations"
Ergo - I can slit your throat...
but all will be peace and love - for we are a religion of peace - so long as you obey MY rules.
1. 1968 Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed by Muslim male extremist between the ages of 17 and 40.
2. In 1972 at the Munich Olympics, athletes were kidnapped and massacred by male Muslim extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40.
3. In 1979, the US embassy in Iran was taken over by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 1 and 40.
4. During the 1980's a number of Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon by muslim extremists between the ages of 1 and 40.
5. In 1983, the US Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40.
6. In 1985 the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked and a 70 year old American passenger was murdered and thrown overboard in his wheelchair by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40.
7. In 1985 TWA flight 847 was hijacked at Athens, and a US Navy diver trying to rescue passengers was murdered by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40.
8. In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40.
9. In 1993 the World Trade Center was bombed the first time by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17and 40.
10. In 1998, the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40.
11. On 9/11/01, four airliners were hijacked; two were used as missiles to take out the World Trade Centers and of the remaining two, one crashed into the US Pentagon and the other was diverted and crashed by the passengers. Thousands of people were killed by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40.
12. In 2002 the United States fought a war in Afghanistan against Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40.
13. In 2002 reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered by Muslim male extremists between the ages of 17 and 40.
Islam is more at fault than other religions. What's this about the Crusades? They were came after 500 years of predatory behavior by Muslims against Christians. Not that Muslims were singling Christians out. They were invading every direction from Mecca.
Amen to that!
I just recently heard of another distortion the Islamofacists use all the time. On some of there websites you really have to carefully watch simple wording and phrasing.
You always hear that such and such Islamic group denounces terrorist acts. Then you see their denouncement and its as watered down and non-specific as can be. That must be Islamo-code for "Don't bomb me brother, I'm on your side"
They'll say something like "The people who performed these heinous acts of terror should be denounced"
Just hold on a second there Mohammed, "should be"? Should be isn't going to cut it you murdering POS's.
Words are cheap.
Stop the world wide butchery and islam may partly redeem itself, otherwise the real truth about islam will spread.
Sounds like a local legend.:
Girlfriend catches her boyfriend in bed with her neighbor, In The Act.
He turns, and quickly says, "This isn't what it looks like!"
I grok that. Along with all that, I'm sure that the desecration of the holy places of non-Moslem faiths is just something I can't understand because I've not received the wisdom of obedience.
Bingo!
pong
more taqiyah.
I think it's about 6% of muslims in the U.S. who attend mosque. That means 94% don't.
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