Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Ignorant about Islam - Letter in the Philly Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | June 6th, 2005 | Umar Abdur-Rahman

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Philosophy; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: culture; islam; koran; lies; spain
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-45 next last
Dear Editor:

"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

1 posted on 06/06/2005 6:04:58 AM PDT by 2banana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: 2banana

"falsely accusing the religion of being opposed to peaceful coexistence with other faiths"

bwahahahahhahah!


2 posted on 06/06/2005 6:06:30 AM PDT by Fenris6 (3 Purple Hearts in 4 months w/o missing a day of work? He's either John Rambo or a Fraud)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2banana
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.

Run that line of crap past Al Qaeda and the Taliban for their considered response(s)!

3 posted on 06/06/2005 6:09:30 AM PDT by infocats
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2banana

"The writer heads the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations."

'Nuff said.


4 posted on 06/06/2005 6:10:44 AM PDT by L98Fiero
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Fenris6
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.

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.

5 posted on 06/06/2005 6:11:19 AM PDT by Dahoser (Ok, shut down Gitmo. I vote to let the vermin swim home....after putting pig blood in the water.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: 2banana
The more we get to know Islam the more vile that religion becomes.

Islamic apologists always tell us to read what's in their book, but never do anything to stop the terrorists who go by Islamic teachings.
6 posted on 06/06/2005 6:13:38 AM PDT by Noachian (To Control the Judiciary The People Must First Control The Senate)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2banana
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.

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".

7 posted on 06/06/2005 6:14:07 AM PDT by Turbo Pig (...to close with and destroy the enemy...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dahoser
They're the ones blowing up other of your adherents with ... those sexy Muslim strap-ons.

Commonly known as CAIR Packages.

8 posted on 06/06/2005 6:15:38 AM PDT by jigsaw (God Bless Our Troops)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: 2banana
Additionally, in order for you to have ALL the benifits of being Muslim, you had to be an Arab too. Non-Arab Muslims, like those of the other faiths, were not treated as "true" Muslims. You could convert, but you were still treated like an Infidel.

-B
9 posted on 06/06/2005 6:15:51 AM PDT by beauzo (Half full, or half empty?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Turbo Pig
Please do and send it in to the Philly Inquirer (Inquirer.Letters@phillynews.com)
10 posted on 06/06/2005 6:16:00 AM PDT by 2banana (My common ground with terrorists - They want to die for Islam, and we want to kill them.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: 2banana
".....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......."

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.

11 posted on 06/06/2005 6:17:25 AM PDT by DoctorMichael (The Fourth Estate is a Fifth Column!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Turbo Pig
I was going to write up a big, thoughtful retort to this yahoos statement.

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.

12 posted on 06/06/2005 6:22:35 AM PDT by Fenris6 (3 Purple Hearts in 4 months w/o missing a day of work? He's either John Rambo or a Fraud)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

Comment #13 Removed by Moderator

To: 2banana
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

Oh, really...

"O Prophet! Make war against the unbelievers [all non-Muslims] and the hypocrites and be merciless against them. Their home is hell, an evil refuge indeed." (Koran, 9:73)

"When you meet the unbelievers in jihad [holy war], chop off their heads. And when you have brought them low, bind your prisoners rigorously. Then set them free or take ransom from them until the war is ended." (Koran, 47:4)

"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 to have their hands and feet chopped off on opposite sides, 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)

"When we decide to destroy a population, we send a definite order to them who have the good things in life and yet sin. So that Allah's word is proven true against them, then we destroy them utterly." (Koran, 17:16-17)

"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)

"How many were the populations we utterly destroyed because of their sins, setting up in their place other peoples." (Koran, 21:11)

"Remember Allah inspired the angels: I am with you. Give firmness to the believers. I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers: you smite them above their necks and smite all their fingertips off of them." (Koran, 8:12)
14 posted on 06/06/2005 6:31:13 AM PDT by reagan_fanatic (The theory of evolution is the great cosmogenic myth of the twentieth century - Michael Denton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2banana

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.


15 posted on 06/06/2005 6:31:44 AM PDT by hershey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hershey

Bottom line: they are the enemies of anyone who is not one of them.


16 posted on 06/06/2005 6:33:54 AM PDT by ReadyNow
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: 2banana
All Muslims may not be terrorists, but it seems all terrorists are Muslims. Where is Muslim outcry at these murderers?
17 posted on 06/06/2005 6:36:38 AM PDT by Mr. K (some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2banana
"Such polemicists are the real obstacle to our world embracing diversity and tolerance." - Umur Abdur-Rahman

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!

18 posted on 06/06/2005 6:38:21 AM PDT by Gritty ("Islam precludes critical thoughts about itself or honest dealings with non-Muslims-Lawrence Auster)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gritty
How are actual non-Islamic religions and religious people faring under actual Muslim rulers in actual Muslim countries in the real world?

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.

19 posted on 06/06/2005 6:40:19 AM PDT by 2banana (My common ground with terrorists - They want to die for Islam, and we want to kill them.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Fenris6

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.


20 posted on 06/06/2005 6:40:59 AM PDT by hershey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-45 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson