Posted on 06/06/2005 6:04:57 AM PDT by 2banana
Ignorant about Islam
The writer of the May 30 letter "No peace with Islam" demonstrates gross ignorance of Islam and its basic teachings by falsely accusing the religion of being opposed to peaceful coexistence with other faiths. His statement that "Islam is not a well-meaning religion dedicated to peace and coexistence" finds no credible support in the Koran or the historical record.
Laura Bush's visit to the Middle East sent a positive message for all religious adherents. There is a dire need for greater outreach by all people in order to stem the tide of religious conflict and hatred that persists in the world.
While acknowledging there are extremists in all religions, the writer then incriminates 1.2 billion followers of Islam as culpable for the actions of a few extremists.
Such polemicists are the real obstacle to our world embracing diversity and tolerance. Muslim Spain was a perfect example of a flourishing society in which Jews, Christians and Muslims lived in mutual respect and cooperation. We should all do our part to create a world where such harmony exists instead of perpetuating hatred and discord.
Umar Abdur-Rahman
North Wales The writer heads the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
"Muslim Spain was a perfect example of a flourishing society in which Jews, Christians and Muslims lived in mutual respect and cooperation."
Muslim Spain was Christian Spain for nearly 700 years before being conquered by Islamic Armies in the 8th Century. That is the way the Islamic Religion has been historically spread, though military invasion and occupation. Treatment of conquered people has the same goal, the minimizing of other religions and conversion of the indigenous people. Among other rules for non Muslims in Muslim Spain; Christians and Jews could not bear arms -- Muslims could; Christians and Jews could not ride horses -- Muslims could; Christians and Jews had to get permission to build or fix places or worship -- Muslims did not; Christians and Jews had to pay certain taxes which Muslims did not; Christians could not proselytize -- Muslims could; Christians and Jews had to bow to their Muslim masters; Christians and Jews had to live under the laws set forth in the Koran, not under either their own religious or secular law; and Christian's and Jew's word in a court of law was not equal to a Muslim's Word. And the list goes on.
Today, 1300 years later, a Christian or Jew living in an Islamic country will still have to live nearly under these very same laws. I can see why the head of the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations would want us all to do "our part" to create such a world.
Regards,
2banana
"falsely accusing the religion of being opposed to peaceful coexistence with other faiths"
bwahahahahhahah!
Run that line of crap past Al Qaeda and the Taliban for their considered response(s)!
"The writer heads the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations."
'Nuff said.
Better talk to your own adherents, bub. They're the ones blowing up other of your adherents with car bombs and those sexy Muslim strap-ons.
What planet did this guy come from? History is littered with the corpses of those who did not want to embrace the religion of Muslim conquerers. I was going to write up a big, thoughtful retort to this yahoos statement. Then I thought, "what's the use, I'm preaching to the chior, here".
Commonly known as CAIR Packages.
Khan5:51 O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Auliyâ' (friends, protectors, helpers, etc.), they are but Auliyâ' to one another. And if any amongst you takes them as Auliyâ', then surely he is one of them. Verily, Allâh guides not those people who are the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust).
Khan 4:89 They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected (Faith), and thus that you all become equal (like one another). So take not Auliyâ' (protectors or friends) from them, till they emigrate in the Way of Allâh (to Muhammad SAW). But if they turn back (from Islâm), take (hold) of them and kill them wherever you find them, and take neither Auliyâ '(protectors or friends) nor helpers from them.
Waste of your time, even if it reaches him. He's using propaganda and knows it.
I was once a defender of Islam until I heard tapes of one of the local priests: one sermon for American sheep about tolerance (Islam is a religion of peace) and right on its heels, another for the faithful (Jihad jihad jihad). Its their MO.
Leaving aside the historical fiction about all faiths living in happy harmony in Muslim Spain, present day Muslims are proudly killing, maiming, beheading innocents. If this isn't a war of conquest, it'll do until a real one comes along.
Bottom line: they are the enemies of anyone who is not one of them.
Words, words, words, Mr. Abdur-Rahman.
Let's talk about deeds, deeds, deeds!
How are actual non-Islamic religions and religious people faring under actual Muslim rulers in actual Muslim countries in the real world?
Now, Mr. Abdur-Rahman, honestly answer your own question about which religion is the real obstacle to diversity and tolerance - if you can stand the answer!
I'll answer.
Saudi Arabia - Conversion by a Muslim to another religion is punishable by death. Bibles are illegal. Churches are illegal.
Yemen - Bans proselytizing by non-Muslims and forbids conversions. The Government does not allow the building of new non-Muslim places of worship.
Kuwait - Registration and licensing of religious groups. Members of religions not sanctioned in the Koran may not build places of worship. Prohibits organized religious education for religions other than Islam.
Egypt - Islam is the official state religion and primary source of legislation. Accordingly, religious practices that conflict with Islamic law are prohibited. Muslims may face legal problems if they convert to another faith. Requires non-Muslims to obtain what is now a presidential decree to build a place of worship.
Algeria - The law prohibits public assembly for purposes of practicing a faith other than Islam. Non-Islamic proselytizing is illegal, and the Government restricts the importation of non-Islamic literature for distribution.
Jordan - Has the death penalty for any Muslim selling land to a Jew.
Sudan - Conversion by a Muslim to another religion is punishable by death.
A few weeks ago a woman writer who speaks Arabic attended an indoctrination session at a mosque near NYC. Her account of what happened was posted on FR and was fascinating. When she first sat down, she was talked to by several Muslim women, in English. Pretending she might be interested in becoming a Muslim, she got the usual party line about religion of peace, etc.. Then afterwards, the women left and men entered for their afternoon meeting.
Still sitting in the back of the room, she wasn't noticed...besides...she supposedly didn't understand Arabic. So they ranted and raved Hate America rhetoric, preached violence and death to infidels, Christians, Jews, etc. Praise for bin Laden and homicidal bombers. This took place in a local mosque in either New York state or New Jersey. They're the fifth column, already in place, alive and well.
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