[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

[dj_animal_2000]

The piquant twist is that Stephen Schwartz is a convert to Islam. He is a self-avowed "Jew-for-Allah" who has taken to calling himself Suleyman Ahmad, but he keeps this significant fact concealed from his readers. Why? He provides the answer, too:

"Since accepting Islam, I have proceeded carefully in informing my friends, neighbours, co-workers, and others . . . I want to proceed in a way that will do the most for the welfare of the Ummah and for better relations between all believers in la ilaha illallah."

Since "the welfare of the Ummah" is his main motive, everything is allowed, including lies and slanders.