Don't link Islam to terror, Islamic chief urges

Reuters on Yahoo ^ | 12/19/08 | Robert Evans

[NormsRevenge]

GENEVA (Reuters) – The world's top diplomat for Islam called on Friday for an end to what he termed efforts to equate the religion with terrorism and said the 'demonization' of Muslims around the world must be fought.

But speaking soon after the U.N. General Assembly passed an Islamic-sponsored resolution condemning "defamation of religion" for the fourth year in a row, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said his group was committed to respecting freedom of expression.

There was a "rising tide of incitement to religious hatred and discrimination and intolerance targeting Muslims," he told a meeting called by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) at the United Nations in Geneva. The 57-nation OIC, based in Saudi Arabia, represents 1.5 billion Muslims.

"Attempts to equate Islam with terrorism should be stopped. Stereotyping and demonization of Muslims should be combated," said Ihsanoglu, a Turkish history professor who became OIC Secretary-General in 2005.

In a statement on Ihsanoglu's remarks, Geneva spokesman for the International Humanist and Ethical Union Roy Brown argued that Islam was often linked to terror because perpetrators of many terrorist acts identify themselves as Muslims.

Critics of the OIC -- including countries who voted against the "defamation" motion at U.N. headquarters in New York on Thursday -- say many Islamic states use defamation or "blasphemy" laws against minorities and free-thinkers.

Referring to the U.N. vote, in which for the first time since the OIC introduced a "defamation" motion in 2005 more countries voted against or abstained than voted for, Ihsanoglu said the motives of the Islamic grouping were misunderstood.

[KarlInOhio]

Oh, come on now, we all know that most of the terrorist attacks of the past couple of centuries were committed by people who look like this:

Clop, clop, clop, clop, clop, clop, clop, clop. BOOM!

Amish buggy bomb.

[ml/nj]

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said his group was committed to respecting freedom of expression.

I wonder how Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu about Passover Seders in Tel Aviv.

ML/NJ

[MrB]

Here's another one:

[Paladin2]

There’s a rising tide of violins by Muslims against almost everybody.

[Iscool]

However, not all Muslims, nor would I even say the majority, are terrorists or terrorism sympathizers.

How could they not when their religion which they voluntarily follow demands that they be???

[ml/nj]

i.e. I wonder how feels Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu about Passover Seders in Tel Aviv.

[ml/nj]

Third time's a charm!

I wonder how Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu feels about Passover Seders in Tel Aviv.

ML/NJ

[CE2949BB]

When I can open an AtheistMart in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Ihsanoglu?

[Bluegrass Conservative]

How could they not when their religion which they voluntarily follow demands that they be???

Are you saying that, as a Christian, you follow every instruction of the Bible to the letter?

[houeto]

"Attempts to equate Islam with terrorism should be stopped. Stereotyping and demonization of Muslims should be combated,"

Interesting choice of words 'peaceman'. I am certain your brothers understood the meaning precisely.

[Redbob]

The linkage of islam to terror is in actions, not empty words...

[maggief]

[omega4412]

Don't link Islam to terror, Islamic chief urges

That's like saying "Don't link Christ to Christmas"!!!

And stop demonizing Satan.

[Uncle Miltie]

Nearly two fifths (37 per cent) [of Muslims polled in Britain] believe that the Jewish community in Britain is a legitimate target “as part of the ongoing struggle for justice in the Middle East”.

Nope. No terrorism here. Move along.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article727952.ece

[Redbob]

"...not all Muslims, nor would I even say the majority, are terrorists or terrorism sympathizers."

Please submit one iota of proof for such an unrealistic statement.

[Cheetahcat]

This is a joke right??

[Bluegrass Conservative]

Please submit one iota of proof for such an unrealistic statement.

Example A: My best friend from high school, a practicing Muslim . . . and United States Marine!

[Redbob]

"Are you saying that, as a Christian, you follow every instruction of the Bible to the letter?"

Perhaps, perhaps not, but - and pay attention now, because this is an important point - the Bible doesn't command me to go out and kill those who don't follow Christ!

[JayAr36]

My answer to him . . .

Rod Dreher (via Andrew McCarthy at the Corner) quotes a 1991 internal memo of the Holy Land Foundation that was uncovered by the Justice Department in a raid on a suspect’s home in Virginia, and presented in the current trial of HLF for ties to terrorism. Here is the key paragraph:
The process of settlement [of Islam in the United States] is a “Civilization-Jihadist” process with all the word means. The Ikhwan must understand that all their work in America is a kind of grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and “sabotaging” their miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God’s religion is made victorious over all religions. Without this level of understanding, we are not up to this challenge and have not prepared ourselves for Jihad yet. It is a Muslim’s destiny to perform Jihad and work wherever he is and wherever he lands until the final hour comes, and there is no escape from that destiny except for those who choose to slack.

[Natural Law]

Killing the enemy is what’s called defense.