"Sadly, the way we Muslims live Islam today is a far cry from the way our ancestors lived it in the golden age when Islam was a builder of civilization, not a force for repression, terror and destruction."
Sadly, since the time of Mohammed, Islam has spread precisely through violence, conquest, and terror.
Other than that, an outstanding article.
Regards
You are right. So is the writer. The Golden Age he refers to represents a time when Islam was supreme throughout a wide area and had little or no competition. In that circumstance only, Islam is able to show its "good" side, since all are in "submission". But whenever there are competitors in their midst or on their periphery, Muslims are duty-bound to participate in and foment "struggle" (jihad). Obviously, we are seeing the struggle in our time, and it is inevitable. And now that civilization has passed Islam by, it is inevitable that they will lose.
Lastly, I want to honor this Muslim writer for being so forthright; but I wouldn't give you two cents for his chances of living out the year. What he has done, while refreshing to us, is not permissible in Islam.