CAIR workers pack copies of the Qur’an to be shipped out to Americans.
Posted on 06/03/2005 7:02:32 PM PDT by nickcarraway
WASHINGTON, 4 June 2005 — Following accusations of mistreatment of the Qur’an in the Guantanamo prison in Cuba, and recognition of widespread ignorance about Islam’s holy book by many Americans; CAIR, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, has responded by offering free Qur’ans.
More than 6,000 Americans have already requested the free copies of Islam’s holy book since CAIR launched the “Explore the Qur’an” campaign on May 17.
“Calls are coming into our headquarters at the rate of three-to-five calls-per-minute since publication about the campaign in USA Today and the Wall Street Journal newspapers,” said Nihad Awad, executive director of CAIR.
CAIR’s telephone message mailbox becomes completely filled “at least once an hour, which reflects a desire by ordinary Americans to better understand Islam and Muslims,” Awad said, adding that many are calling to congratulate them on their initiative.
“This fact about American society needs to be told in the Muslim world. People here respect the Qur’an and would like to learn about it, and the acts of a few should not obscure the reality of the general Americans society — which is good, tolerant and accepting of others,” he said.
Those who have requested free Qur’ans include a police officer who works with the Muslim community, Christian religious leaders who wish to explain Islam to their congregations and Americans of all faiths who just wish to learn more about Islam’s revealed text, he said.
CAIR’s first shipment of 25,000 copies of Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s translation of the Qur’an is being sent out this week to any American who wants one.
Nihad said he has received many questions about the Qur’an. “I tell them there’s no better spokesperson than the Qur’an.”
Distribution of Islam’s holy book offers an unprecedented opportunity for Muslims to introduce Islam to their fellow Americans, said Awad, who added the response by the US media has been “very heartening.”
Awad cited an article by Kenneth Woodward in the Wall Street Journal as an example: “If for Christians, Jesus is the eternal word of God made flesh; then the Koran is the word of God made book, and every Arabic syllable in it lives as the breath of the divine.”
“People have read hundreds of books in America, but I doubt that most Americans have ever seen, or read, or even touched the Qur’an. It’s a must-read, must-learn and must understand book that changed the history of the world, and will continue to have an impact on our lives,” said the head of CAIR.
But, as a non-profit organization, CAIR cannot continue this project without the support of the Muslim community: “We need to be supported to ensure it will be successful. People can go to the website and donate or request copies of the Qur’an at www.exploretheQur’an.org. We are hoping that we have enough resources to send out 100,000 copies.”
Awad said: “Donors to the Qur’an project are encouraged to ‘give the gift of faith to your neighbor.’”
A letter explaining how Muslims are taught to handle the Qur’an with due respect will be included with each shipment.
“It will deal with how Muslims traditionally have been taught to handle the Qur’an, and will request that they put it on a proper, clean place out of respect. We hope they will take that to heart.”
He stressed Muslims need not hesitate contributing to CAIR.
“CAIR is probably the most respected US Muslim organization. It has an excellent legal standing and is very transparent, and continues to have a good rapport with the US government. We receive delegations from the Muslim world through the State Department more than once a week, and we conduct seminars on Islam for different departments of the US government in Washington and in other states.”
Sweet, I've been needing some more toilet paper and gun range targets!
Gee, thanks, but my toilet is already backed up.
Hey don't knock it. Summer is coming and it might make good kindling for the family BBQ.
You beat me to it!!!!! :P
These will replace the Guidan Bibles, that used to be found in motels and hotels...but are now condemend
Charmin.
Everything I need (and want) to know about islam I learned on 9/11
Islam is not a religion. It is a psychopathic mental illness.
I could use one of those, there's a hog farm within smellin' distance that could use something to soak up pigpiss.
If I drag a copy of the Koran wrapped in chains of chitlins behind my car is that considered a hate crime or creating a road hazard to traffic?
Speaking of toilets, CAIR's got this thing about outhouses.
Well then, we should be able to pass out free copies of the Bible in Muslim countries.
If it's not in Classical Arabic it's a fake Koran. Don't trust CAIR.
So when do we get to ship Bibles over there with the same degree of tolerance?
Ditto!
To a rational person islam is a religion of extreme vile hate. I suggest that "good" muslims work to change this perception, sending free copies of a book that incites hundreds of thousands to kill, maim and commit suicide will not do this. I suggest that only "acts" will do this. Iraq would be a good place to start- so quit blowing up innocent civilians, Amercain soldiers and others. If your religion represents peace go to Iraq and get busy.
How can they be sure that Americans aren't just seeing if the thing will actually flush down a toilet?
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