Posted on 11/29/2001 10:30:57 AM PST by EclipseVI
Myself included, there are over one billion humans on earth who call God by his Arabic name, Allah. Out of that billion, over seven million of us call America our home. Many of us are born as Americans, study in American institutions and go on to work and pay American dollars to our tax system. Like everyone else, we eventually find our better half, have chubby babies, go to zoos, get season tickets to the Chicago Bulls, go on our childrens' field trips and fix the leak in our roofs. With all the growing pains in the life that we lead as normal Americans, everyday we turn our face to Mecca to pray to what our Christian brothers call God, our Jewish sisters call Yahweh and whom we call Allah.
Islam, Christianity and Judaism have exactly the same origin. We each believe in the monotheistic deity of Abraham, who was the father of all three of these noble religions. Islam's moral and ethical standards are equivalent, if not more stringent, than those of modern day Christianity and Judaism. We, as Muslims, believe in every prophet of both Judaism and Christianity. We believe the world began with Adam and Eve and great prophets, namely Moses, Aaron, Jacob, Joseph and Jesus (peace be upon all of them) were all divinely inspired by God.
We revere Jesus as a great prophet and the messiah of God. He is mentioned by name in the Quran 33 times. We equally revere the Virgin Mary as the mother of the Messiah. She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran and she is mentioned 34 times. Anyone who says Muslims don't respect women, read the entire chapter dedicated to Mary (peace be upon her). How many times was our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned by name in the Quran? Five.
In Islam, a woman receives a monetary dowry from her husband, of which he has no legal claim. A woman is not obligated to change her maiden name. CNN happily broadcasts women being oppressed by the Taliban regime. Islam abhors the oppression of women. The Taliban says women are not allowed to work, yet the Prophet Muhammad's wife, Khadijah, was one of the most successful merchants in all of Arabia. Should we base our belief on a bunch of tribal warlords or the teachings of our Prophet?
In Islam, both men and women have to dress modestly. One aspect of this modest dress for women is the hijab (head covering). This is a religious mandate, but whether a woman decides to wear it or not, is an issue between her and Allah, because as the Quran categorically states, "there is no compulsion in religion." The hijab symbolizes empowerment, not oppression of women. It allows women to be judged on the content of their character, rather than the physical features that we men today objectify onto them. When we see a nun covered from head to toe in her habit, we commend her on her devotion to God. But when we see a Muslim woman wearing hijab, she is oppressed. In how many likenesses of the Virgin Mary, sculptures or paintings, is her hair not covered? Not one. Was she oppressed? Hardly.
Muslim American is not a paradox. As Muslim Americans we currently live in a diaspora having to deal with an attack on our, yes, our, country. We also have a dual anxiety because our way of life, which is not far different from our Christian and Jewish counterparts, is under attack.
I am a law student. I study international human rights. I have been to U2, Sarah Maclachlan, Dido and Outkast concerts. I have been a ball boy for the Chicago Bulls. I have owned a Ford Mustang. I pray for peace and have read Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech ninety-six times. I may be a dreamer, but I promise you, I am not the only one.
I am a Muslim and I am an American. I am proud of both and will compromise neither.
Then stand up and recognize that muslims ARE suspect right now- deal with that by trying to help.
The constant "leave us alone" is not the message that will help you. You are not a victim- you must realize that.
Do the things that show you reject terrorism- believe it or not, muslims aren't out there rejecting terrorism. Can you believe that?
Remember that you must diferrentiate yourself from the muslim terrorists. No muslims are out there doing that. Can you believe that?
I frankly do not have time for crybabies like you- you don't sound a bit American. Buck-up boy! Make an opportunity.
Sorry, EclipseVI. I am not aiming this at you! Just ranting.
Interesting, I wander what one would think of America if the only pictures they saw of this great Nation were the training camps and rallies of the KKK's cross buring and Aryan Nation's concerts?
Thats what you see of Pakistan. Remember, Pakistan is a Nation of over 140 million people. I think the non-demonstrations of the 139,998,000 people that support their President is a better indicator of what the Muslims in Pakistan feel about Osama and the Taliban.
As a matter of fact, yes, it makes them NOT Christians - according to the Bible. Thanks for asking.
All their energies seem devoted to hatred and envy. Islam seems a way to keep the masses in line while the sheikhs keep all the oil money to themselves. Instead of building up universities or investing in research, you find the rich Arabs living it up in the US, gambling away millions in Las Vegas, giving it away to strippers and whores. Then they can blame the Jews for all the misery and the people soak it up because the Koran says that.
What does the Quran say about apostasy?
Sure. Do you want to tell them about mutaa? Or should I? Muslims don't even try to achieve faithfulness in marriage, for that they can have as many wives as they can afford to buy, adultery is only when a married woman cheats, but a man can have as many wives and concubines as his little heart desires. And those temporary marriages worked very well for the Muslim students on US campuses so they can sit in judgement of fornicators while they are far worse themselves.
The other posts to me, this is my answer to you.
I do not care what what god you worship..how you worship..or where you worship. I do care when you try to pass yourselves off as Christians with a twist....you are anti Christ....you are Jew haters.....
so go to your mosque...bow down to the moon god....but do not slander my God saying He is the same as yours!
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