Mansour El-Kikhia: Arabs shouldn't have to apologize

San Antonio Express-News ^

[golch1979]

I am fed up with the ceaseless requests by columnists, religious personalities and other American public figures for Arabs and Muslims to apologize for terrorist acts committed by thugs and murderers in the name of Islam.

As far as I am concerned, the final straw came a couple of weeks ago when the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, paid for a national advertisement repudiating terrorism in the name of Islam.

[golch1979]

You know what I'm sick of? Muslims claiming that their religion only proclaims peace and violence only in self-defense. That's what I'm sick of. You know what else I'm sick of? The constant denial. Come here live the American dream, have rights that don't even have a word for them in the middle east, be free to criticize your government, and then get offended that that government is asking you to use your influence to make the whole country safer. Integration and being American mean something. They're not just words

[tobyhill]

No Soup For You!

[Darkwolf377]

I'm sick of Muslims who blame everything that's ever befallen them not on the fellow Muslims right next to them or who are leading them but on America and then have the utter gall to bitch about it when it's turned around on them.

You don't like it? WE DON'T CARE IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT!

[golch1979]

Okay.

[FormerACLUmember]

Nice "religion" you got there Man-sewer.

[tobyhill]

It's from Seinfeld, soup nazi episode.

[golch1979]

I know where it's from. I've had a long day and didn't quite get it right away. Cheers.

[muslims=borg]

Muslims are only loyal to the Koran and will never be loyal to the US Constitution. They must all be deported or we will pay later, we are already paying now. It will only get worse unless drastic measures are taken.

[Publius6961]

Mansour El-Kikhia: Arabs shouldn't have to apologize

I agree with you Mansour.

I'll settle for mass suicide

: )

[Darkwolf377]

I disagree with what CAIR did, and I also disagree with this groveling and begging for forgiveness, as though American Arabs and Muslims are responsible for those atrocities.

The CAIR ads are about expressing disapproval for terrorism. I don't recall seeing the annoying CAIR ever apologize for anything.

I guess this guy has a problem with Muslims coming out against terrorism, then?

It is rejection of U.S. and British policies in the Middle East, not Islam, that has promoted terrorism against America

Which policy was being rejected on 9-11? Oh, right, the presence of American troops in Saudi Arabia to prevent more Muslims from being killed. What an awful policy! They should have let Saddam slaughter more Muslims, so this dork could then whine about how the US would be there if the Muslims were white.

More important, it was the British and the United States that drew first blood. The Middle East didn't come to America or go to Britain; rather, America and Britain went to the Middle East. Both powers used and abused regimes, toppling some and keeping others in power. They never thought that the people they were helping suppress were human beings with needs, beliefs and emotions. They didn't care as long as their interests were served.

Yeah, Iran in the last quarter century sure has served the Muslim cause well. Ditto Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya. Yeah, those Muslim-friendly states sure have done SO well without American involvment.

Funny how he doesn't mention Mogadishu, the Baltics, Kuwait...

Future turmoil in the region is exactly what the instigators of the Iraq invasion have planned all along. They had made their desire for strife in the Middle East known long before the invasion of Iraq.

MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, yes, we planned to have Saddam and the Taliban--two names this writer doesn't seem interested in discussing--running things all along!

Yet they underestimated the consequences of their lunacy and set into motion processes and events that will make the United States less secure and threaten the lives of Americans for many years to come.

An adherent of the religion that considers the suicide vest a holy vestment calling anyone else's actions lunacy is truly rich.

There is nothing American Muslims can do to satisfy this group short of packing up and leaving the United States.

You first.

[golch1979]

That's a bit drastic. There needs to be some special attention paid to Arabs first and them muslims in general. By the way, I am first generation Iranian-American. I realize the danger that Islam is. I wished many more Iranians and muslims in general would renounce Islam.

[radar101]

Here is what Muslims think of Free Speech:
"Yesterday Michael Graham wrote in his column: "I take no pleasure in saying it. It pains me to think it. I could very well lose my job in talk radio over admitting it. But it is the plain truth: Islam is a terror organization."

And then his fears came true.

Hours after his column appeared here, Graham, a mid-morning talker at WMAL in Washington, D.C., was suspended without pay pending an investigation.

Graham's column and previous on-air comments were not the first time he's had a run-in with CAIR.

Remember that this is talk radio," Bloomquist added. "We don't do the dainty minuet of the newspaper editorial page. It's not 'Washington Week in Review.' It depends on pungent statements to drive it. Michael is rattling the cage. It's designed to start and further a conversation, and it has certainly done that."

Graham, on-air, explained his position on Islam:


"Because of the mix of Islamic theology that — rightly or wrongly — is interpreted to promote violence, added to an organizational structure that allows violent radicals to operate openly in Islam's name with impunity, Islam has, sadly, become a terrorist organization. It pains me to say it. But the good news is it doesn't have to stay this way if the vast majority of Muslims who don't support terror will step forward and re-claim their religion."
CAIR sent a mass e-mail to its sympathizers, who responded to their call.

[golch1979]

We must have people with courage to say this. We must have muslims with courage to agree with this and to do so publicly. To muslims: you have to help us drain your own swamp.

By the way when this guy Mansour was talking about the similarities between US policy in Vietnam and Iraq he forgot to mention one thing: the Vietnamese didn't respond by blowing up civilians.

[NonLinear]

From the editorial:
....There is nothing American Muslims can do to satisfy this group short of packing up and leaving the United States.

and

More important, it was the British and the United States that drew first blood. The Middle East didn't come to America or go to Britain; rather, America and Britain went to the Middle East. Both powers used and abused regimes, toppling some and keeping others in power. They never thought that the people they were helping suppress were human beings with needs, beliefs and emotions. They didn't care as long as their interests were served.

I thought 9-11 preceeded both Afganistan, and Iraq...
Oh, I guess he means when pretty much the whole world stepped in to help Kuwait when it was invaded by Iraq.

This editorial begs one to say "so go already!"

bitt Posted in another thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1439593/posts?page=90#90

The New Testament does not ever promote violence in spreading the Gospel (as you know). And what few instructions were given to the Jews in the Old Testament were rare and isolated incidents (as I'm sure you also know).

On the contrary, there are many in the koran and the ha'dith as I just posted.

The Koran / The Hadith on Jews, Christians, Christianity, Christ, the Gospel, The Deity of Christ, the Holy Trinity, the Bible (the Book) and Infidels

http://www.hti.umich.edu/k/koran/

"The Women" [4.89] They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper.

[3.85] "And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers."

[4.91] You will find others who desire that they should be safe from you and secure from their own people; as often as they are sent back to the mischief they get thrown into it headlong; therefore if they do not withdraw from you, and (do not) offer you peace and restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them; and against these We have given.you a clear authority.

[5.51] O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.

The Cattle - [6.146] And to those who were Jews We made unlawful every animal having claws, and of oxen and sheep We made unlawful to them the fat of both, except such as was on their backs or the entrails or what was mixed with bones: this was a punishment We gave them on account of their rebellion, and We are surely Truthful.

[9.5] So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

The Congregation [62.6] Say: O you who are Jews, if you think that you are the favorites of Allah to the exclusion of other people, then invoke death If you are truthful. (PLEASE COMMIT SUICIDE)

The Cow - [2.111] And they say: None shall enter the garden (or paradise) except he who is a Jew or a Christian. These are their vain desires. Say: Bring your proof if you are truthful.

The Dinner Table - The Dinner Table [5.14] And with those who say, We are Christians, We made a covenant, but they neglected a portion of what they were reminded of, therefore We excited among them enmity and hatred to the day of resurrection; and Allah will inform them of what they did.

[5.72] Certainly they disbelieve who say: Surely Allah, He is the Messiah, son of Marium; and the Messiah said: O Children of Israel! serve Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Surely whoever associates (others) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden to him the garden, and his abode is the fire; and there shall be no helpers for the unjust.

Quran tells Muslims to kill the disbelievers wherever they find them (Q. 2:191), to murder them and treat them harshly (Q. 9:123), slay them (Q. 9: 5), fight with them, (Q. 8: 65 ) even if they are Christians and Jews, humiliate them and impose on them a penalty tax (Q. 9: 29). Quran takes away the freedom of belief from all humanity and tell clearly that no other religion except Islam is accepted (Q. 3: 85). It relegates those who disbelieve in Quran to hell (Q. 5: 11), calls them najis (filthy, untouchable, impure) (Q. 9: 28). It orders its followers to fight the unbelievers until no other religion except Islam is left (Q. 2: 193).

"Fight those who do not profess the true faith [ISLAM], till they pay the jiziya with the hand of humility." - Koran 9: 29

".... I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, Smite ye above their necks [CUT OFF THEIR HEADS], and smite all their finger tips of them [CUT OFF THEIR FINGERS]." - Koran 8:12

"Prophet, make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites, and deal rigorously with them. Hell shall be their home: an evil fate." - Koran 9: 73

"When you meet the unbelievers in the Jihad strike off their heads [CUT OFF THEIR HEADS] and, when you have laid them low, bind your captives firmly." - Koran 47:4

"The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and his messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet and alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom...." - Koran 5: 33-34

" Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last day, nor hold the forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and his messenger, nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth from among the People of the Book, until they pay the Jiziyah with willing submission. And feel themselves subdued." - Koran 9: 29

"....the People of the Book and the pagans shall burn for ever in the fire of Hell. They are the vilest of all creatures." - Koran 98: 1-8

"Garments of fire have been prepared for the unbelievers. Scalding water shall be poured upon their heads, melting their skins and that which is in their bellies. They shall be lashed rods of iron. Whenever, in their anguish, they try to escape from Hell, back they shall be dragged, and will be told: 'Taste the torment of the Conflagration!'" - Koran 22: 19-22, 23

"And burn ye him in the blazing fire. Further, make him march in a chain, whereof the length is seventy cubits. This was he that would not believe in allah Most high and would not encourage the feeding of the indignant. So no friend hath he here this day. Nor hath he any food except the corruption from the washing of wounds. " - Koran 31-37

"The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and his messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be to be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet and genitals cut off, or to be expelled out of the land. Such will be their humiliation in the world, and in the next world they will face an awful horror." - Koran, 5:33-34)

"In order that Allah may separate the pure from the impure, put all the impure ones [all non-Muslims] one on top of another in a heap and cast them into hell. They will have been the ones to have lost." - Koran, 8:37

According to the New Testament of the Bible, the God of Israel has a Son - Jesus Christ of Nazareth; but Allah has no son according to the Koran

Therefore the Biblical New Testament Christian God of Israel is not Allah

"They say: Allah has taken a Son (to Himself)! Glory be to Him: he is the Self-sufficient: his is what is in the heavens and what is in the Earth; you have no authority for this; do you say against Allah what you do not know? Say: Those who forge a lie against Allah shall not be successful." - Koran 10:68-69 [SAYS JESUS IS NOT THE SON OF GOD AND WHOEVER SAYS SO IS A LIAR]

"....the Christians call 'Christ the Son Of God'. That is a saying from their mouth; (In this) they but intimate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth." - Koran 9: 30

The Women - [4.171] O followers of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah and his Word which he communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and his apostles, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one god; far be It from his glory that he should have a son, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His, and Allah is sufficient for a Protector. (CLEARLY STATES THAT JESUS IS **NOT** THE SON OF GOD)

The Immunity - Denial of Deity of Christ and His Messiahship - [9.30] And the Jews say: Uzair is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away! (MAY ALLAH DESTROY JEWS AND CHRISTIANS)

Say: "Praise be to Allah Who begets no son and has no partner in (His) dominion: nor (needs) he any to protect him from humiliation: Yea magnify him for his greatness and glory!" - Koran 17: 111

Further that he may warn those (also) who say "Allah hath begotten a son": - Koran 18: 4

It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that he should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When he determines a matter he only says to it "Be" and it is. - Koran 19: 35

They say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten a son!" Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous! - Koran 19: 88-89

For it is not consonant with the majesty of (Allah) Most Gracious that he should beget a son. - Koran 19: 92

No son did Allah beget nor is there any god along with Him: (if there were many gods) behold each god would have taken away what he had created and some would have lorded it over others! Glory to Allah (he is free) from the (sort of) things they attribute to Him! - Koran 23: 91

he begetteth not nor is he begotten; - Koran 112: 3

The Hadith Volume 4, Book 52, Number 176:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar:

Allah's Apostle said, "You (i.e. Muslims) will fight with the Jews till some of them will hide behind stones. The stones will (betray them) saying, 'O 'Abdullah (i.e. slave of Allah)! There is a Jew hiding behind me; so kill him.' "

The Hadith Volume 4, Book 52, Number 177:
Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle said, "The (Final) Hour (last human battle on Earth) will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. "O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him."

The Hadith Volume 2, Book 26, Number 595:
Narrated 'Aisha:

(the mother of the faithful believers) I said, "O Allah's Apostle! We consider Jihad as the best deed." The Prophet said, "The best Jihad (for women) is Hajj Mabrur. "

The Hadith Volume 2, Book 26, Number 594:
Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet was asked, "Which is the best deed?" He said, "To believe in Allah and His Apostle." He was then asked, "Which is the next (in goodness)?" He said, "To participate in Jihad in Allah's Cause." He was then asked, "Which is the next?" He said, "To perform Hajj-Mabrur. "

The New Testament does not ever promote violence in spreading the Gospel (as you know). And what few instructions were given to the Jews in the Old Testament were rare and isolated incidents (as I'm sure you also know).

On the contrary, there are many in the koran and the ha'dith as I just posted.

The Koran / The Hadith on Jews, Christians, Christianity, Christ, the Gospel, The Deity of Christ, the Holy Trinity, the Bible (the Book) and Infidels

http://www.hti.umich.edu/k/koran/

"The Women" [4.89] They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper.

[3.85] "And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers."

[4.91] You will find others who desire that they should be safe from you and secure from their own people; as often as they are sent back to the mischief they get thrown into it headlong; therefore if they do not withdraw from you, and (do not) offer you peace and restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them; and against these We have given.you a clear authority.

[5.51] O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.

The Cattle - [6.146] And to those who were Jews We made unlawful every animal having claws, and of oxen and sheep We made unlawful to them the fat of both, except such as was on their backs or the entrails or what was mixed with bones: this was a punishment We gave them on account of their rebellion, and We are surely Truthful.

[9.5] So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

The Congregation [62.6] Say: O you who are Jews, if you think that you are the favorites of Allah to the exclusion of other people, then invoke death If you are truthful. (PLEASE COMMIT SUICIDE)

The Cow - [2.111] And they say: None shall enter the garden (or paradise) except he who is a Jew or a Christian. These are their vain desires. Say: Bring your proof if you are truthful.

The Dinner Table - The Dinner Table [5.14] And with those who say, We are Christians, We made a covenant, but they neglected a portion of what they were reminded of, therefore We excited among them enmity and hatred to the day of resurrection; and Allah will inform them of what they did.

[5.72] Certainly they disbelieve who say: Surely Allah, He is the Messiah, son of Marium; and the Messiah said: O Children of Israel! serve Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Surely whoever associates (others) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden to him the garden, and his abode is the fire; and there shall be no helpers for the unjust.

Quran tells Muslims to kill the disbelievers wherever they find them (Q. 2:191), to murder them and treat them harshly (Q. 9:123), slay them (Q. 9: 5), fight with them, (Q. 8: 65 ) even if they are Christians and Jews, humiliate them and impose on them a penalty tax (Q. 9: 29). Quran takes away the freedom of belief from all humanity and tell clearly that no other religion except Islam is accepted (Q. 3: 85). It relegates those who disbelieve in Quran to hell (Q. 5: 11), calls them najis (filthy, untouchable, impure) (Q. 9: 28). It orders its followers to fight the unbelievers until no other religion except Islam is left (Q. 2: 193).

"Fight those who do not profess the true faith [ISLAM], till they pay the jiziya with the hand of humility." - Koran 9: 29

".... I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, Smite ye above their necks [CUT OFF THEIR HEADS], and smite all their finger tips of them [CUT OFF THEIR FINGERS]." - Koran 8:12

"Prophet, make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites, and deal rigorously with them. Hell shall be their home: an evil fate." - Koran 9: 73

"When you meet the unbelievers in the Jihad strike off their heads [CUT OFF THEIR HEADS] and, when you have laid them low, bind your captives firmly." - Koran 47:4

"The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and his messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet and alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom...." - Koran 5: 33-34

" Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last day, nor hold the forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and his messenger, nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth from among the People of the Book, until they pay the Jiziyah with willing submission. And feel themselves subdued." - Koran 9: 29

"....the People of the Book and the pagans shall burn for ever in the fire of Hell. They are the vilest of all creatures." - Koran 98: 1-8

"Garments of fire have been prepared for the unbelievers. Scalding water shall be poured upon their heads, melting their skins and that which is in their bellies. They shall be lashed rods of iron. Whenever, in their anguish, they try to escape from Hell, back they shall be dragged, and will be told: 'Taste the torment of the Conflagration!'" - Koran 22: 19-22, 23

"And burn ye him in the blazing fire. Further, make him march in a chain, whereof the length is seventy cubits. This was he that would not believe in allah Most high and would not encourage the feeding of the indignant. So no friend hath he here this day. Nor hath he any food except the corruption from the washing of wounds. " - Koran 31-37

"The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and his messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be to be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet and genitals cut off, or to be expelled out of the land. Such will be their humiliation in the world, and in the next world they will face an awful horror." - Koran, 5:33-34)

"In order that Allah may separate the pure from the impure, put all the impure ones [all non-Muslims] one on top of another in a heap and cast them into hell. They will have been the ones to have lost." - Koran, 8:37

According to the New Testament of the Bible, the God of Israel has a Son - Jesus Christ of Nazareth; but Allah has no son according to the Koran

Therefore the Biblical New Testament Christian God of Israel is not Allah

"They say: Allah has taken a Son (to Himself)! Glory be to Him: he is the Self-sufficient: his is what is in the heavens and what is in the Earth; you have no authority for this; do you say against Allah what you do not know? Say: Those who forge a lie against Allah shall not be successful." - Koran 10:68-69 [SAYS JESUS IS NOT THE SON OF GOD AND WHOEVER SAYS SO IS A LIAR]

"....the Christians call 'Christ the Son Of God'. That is a saying from their mouth; (In this) they but intimate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth." - Koran 9: 30

The Women - [4.171] O followers of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah and his Word which he communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and his apostles, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one god; far be It from his glory that he should have a son, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His, and Allah is sufficient for a Protector. (CLEARLY STATES THAT JESUS IS **NOT** THE SON OF GOD)

The Immunity - Denial of Deity of Christ and His Messiahship - [9.30] And the Jews say: Uzair is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away! (MAY ALLAH DESTROY JEWS AND CHRISTIANS)

Say: "Praise be to Allah Who begets no son and has no partner in (His) dominion: nor (needs) he any to protect him from humiliation: Yea magnify him for his greatness and glory!" - Koran 17: 111

Further that he may warn those (also) who say "Allah hath begotten a son": - Koran 18: 4

It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that he should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When he determines a matter he only says to it "Be" and it is. - Koran 19: 35

They say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten a son!" Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous! - Koran 19: 88-89

For it is not consonant with the majesty of (Allah) Most Gracious that he should beget a son. - Koran 19: 92

No son did Allah beget nor is there any god along with Him: (if there were many gods) behold each god would have taken away what he had created and some would have lorded it over others! Glory to Allah (he is free) from the (sort of) things they attribute to Him! - Koran 23: 91

he begetteth not nor is he begotten; - Koran 112: 3

The Hadith Volume 4, Book 52, Number 176:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar:

Allah's Apostle said, "You (i.e. Muslims) will fight with the Jews till some of them will hide behind stones. The stones will (betray them) saying, 'O 'Abdullah (i.e. slave of Allah)! There is a Jew hiding behind me; so kill him.' "

The Hadith Volume 4, Book 52, Number 177:
Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle said, "The (Final) Hour (last human battle on Earth) will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. "O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him."

The Hadith Volume 2, Book 26, Number 595:
Narrated 'Aisha:

(the mother of the faithful believers) I said, "O Allah's Apostle! We consider Jihad as the best deed." The Prophet said, "The best Jihad (for women) is Hajj Mabrur. "

The Hadith Volume 2, Book 26, Number 594:
Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet was asked, "Which is the best deed?" He said, "To believe in Allah and His Apostle." He was then asked, "Which is the next (in goodness)?" He said, "To participate in Jihad in Allah's Cause." He was then asked, "Which is the next?" He said, "To perform Hajj-Mabrur. "

[RightWhale]

Seems like an apology is not exactly what was requested. What was requested was more along the lines of blowing the whistle on these bomb-crazy cretins.

[houeto]

There is nothing American Muslims can do to satisfy this group short of packing up and leaving the United States.

I'll pay for as many tickets as I can afford.

[golch1979]

Even though I knew this logically I am still viscerally saddened. This is exactly what I renounced in my parent's culture. It is painfully scary that over 1 BILLION people have this as their faith.

[Ben Chad]

You know what I'm sick of? Muslims ...


Ditto

[SpinyNorman]

From http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/072805/met_19354060.shtml

Baptist preacher defends church's anti-Islam sign

Drivers on St. Augustine Road read that faith is 'evil and believes in murder.'

By JEFF BRUMLEY, The Times-Union

The sign may be controversial, but the Rev. Gene A. Youngblood said it is researched and speaks the truth.

"Islam is evil and believes in murder," reads the sign at the entrance of First Conservative Baptist Church and the Conservative Theological Seminary on St. Augustine Road in Jacksonville. "Jesus teaches peace."

References to specific Quranic and biblical verses accompany the statement, which Youngblood said are meant to serve as a warning to society.

"I am of the opinion, based on enormous research of the Muslims' own books, that Islam is the most vile, wicked, evil danger facing the world today," Youngblood said.

Youngblood made his comments during an interview Tuesday in the Mandarin church and seminary, of which he is president. Stacked on a table before him were several hard-bound volumes of the Hadith -- the sayings of the Muslim prophet Muhammad -- two versions of the Quran and a binder containing about 1,000 pages of lecture and research notes on Islam.

Youngblood said he wanted to show that his views of Islam are not those of a close-minded, ignorant preacher but of someone who has studied world religions for 41 years and taught on them for 31.

So while it was the July 7 train and bus bombings in London that inspired him to express the message on the marquee, his views -- and these signs -- are nothing new.

The church displayed a sign in 2003 declaring that "Muhammad approved murder" and Youngblood runs a Web site -- www.truthsthatfree.com -- that portrays what he considers to be the truth about Islam.

Muslims condemned the messages as hateful and ignorant in 2003 and are doing so again.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations in Florida released a statement Monday calling on religious leaders to repudiate the sign and declaring its message an example of "hate speech designed to divide our nation along religious lines."

Imam Zaid Malik, spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida in Jacksonville, said the sign is based on ignorance about Islam.

The verse cited on the sign -- Surah 9:29 -- is taken out of context, Malik said.

The verse commands believers to "fight against those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, [even if they are] of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."

The same problem is with the terrorists, who are interpreting the Quran themselves and taking verses out of context, Malik said.

Malik said he is saddened by the sign but feels pity for Youngblood because he is "ignorant of the true teachings of Islam."

"Although we are hurt," Malik said, "we hope we could have a dialogue, I hope we could sit together."

He may get his chance.

On Tuesday, Youngblood said he is willing to defend his views with Malik in a one-on-one, televised debate.

Malik said he's game.

"Sure, why not?" Malik said.

"The important thing is we should sit together, we should understand each others' viewpoints," Malik said.

jeff.brumleyjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4310

[puppypusher]

I won't ask you to apologise because I know that even if you did it would mean absolutely nothing.

I know that you will continue to cheer your brethren on to kill more infidel Americans.