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Dear eleni121

"Moderate Muslims"? That is an oxymoron. It's like "moderate Communist"...can't happen.

Their whole history is replete with violence and blood against those who do not adopt Islam..and their "holy book" urges them to violence against those who will not submit.

I agree. Islam is capable of wearing any mask to achieve its ends. Remember that it is based on a book that is not "inspired" - say as the New Testament, but IS (for them) the uncorrupted verbatim word of God. Read that book and you will find good and bad injunctions. "Let there be no Compulsion in religion" - "Smite them wherever you find them - snip off all their fingertips".

The whole thing is written in a vague language, in verses of jumbled order... without there being any recognized authority. Imams are self-appointed. That means that instead of a broad avenue of love, turn the other cheek, forgiveness... you'll find anything to suit your latest whim... which in the case of this fellow is "appearing" to be moderate and American as apple pie.

Whereas I place no particular doubt on his sincerity, (one would have to read up on past statements made by this individual), I also place no doubt on Bin Laden's sincerity. And one needn't even bother asking which of the two is more popular. Both according to the conflicting verses of the Koran are perfectly entitled to make their respective pronouncements: "Everybody in the land join the caravan of love" - "Kill the infidels wherever you find them."

Read the article again and you might notice that what the man is saying shouldn't even need to be said. It should be obvious. He sounds terribly reassuring, doesn't he? But he's only re-discovering hot water... while already - albeit more subtly - playing the blame game, pinning the problem on the Wahhabis and the Octane Empire. I expect him in a couple of weeks to Blame America for keeping the Wahhabis in power because the USA buys oil there.

All religionists are humans who make mistakes. Never mind the single individuals. Look at the ethos. America (and now my Italy) has seen an influx of immigrants of all religious stripe. Plenty, not all have brought crime. As an Italian speaking to Americans I would not only have to shut up, but rip out my vocal chords and put them in a bottle of formaldehyde, considering our export into your country of the Mafia. But no group has ever brought such large scale and pervasive terrorism (and / or fear of terrorism). Most (but not all) religions seek converts, but none has the concept of Jihad.

In conclusion I would suggest not to be overly swayed by this lone voice in the wilderness. He is espousing a "perfect and sane" Islam that doesn't exist, nay, has never existed.

Islam is what Islam does. And may I remind you that the Chief Imam of Rome (obviously a "sensitive" spot), a graduate of Al Azhar seminary, considered the most prestigious, was ousted for inciting suicide bombing.

There were Muslims from all over Darul Islam listening to this madman. Not a single one flinched.

That is Islam.

"In conclusion I would suggest not to be overly swayed by this lone voice in the wilderness. He is espousing a "perfect and sane" Islam that doesn't exist, nay, has never existed."

And if you have any say in it, never will.

Does anyone else get the feeling that there are some here who would gleefully step on any budding Islamic modernity that might eventually rise and challenge the outdated heterodoxy of the Mullahs? It's almost as if they are praying no moderate Islamic group arises so they can keep their twisted armegeddon calandar date clear of conflicts.

I'll say it again, if this comes to pass it will be the American soldier and American mothers and fathers who pay the price...not those of the bleacher denizens or those from other countries.