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The following letter was sent to the Islamic Supreme Council of America (ISCA) today. This is the organization which is led by Sheik Muhammad Hisham Kabbani who has been speaking out for years about the danger of the radical teachings of prominent Muslim leaders in America. The web site for ISCA is: http://www.islamicsupremecouncil.org
May 3, 2002
Dear friends at the Islamic Supreme Council of America,
I was very happy to see your web site. Someone directed me to your web site after I had a short discussion about some important issues related to religion and freedom in America.
Please allow me to introduce myself and take some time to tell you about the issue which I would like to discuss with you.
I am the president of the Center of Peace and Hope in Christ for Afghanistan <www.afghanbibles.com>. The purpose of our organization is to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the people of Afghanistan (especially those Afghans living in America). I do realize that the purpose of our organization is something that is frowned upon many Muslim organizations. I did want to let you know who I am in order make the full context of my request clear to you.
Our efforts to bring the teachings of Jesus to Muslims take place in the context of complete freedom. Not only is there is freedom to conduct such activity in America, individuals also have the freedom to listen to what we have to say and the freedom to totally disregard our message and not bother with us in any way. Our method is to make the message available for people, it is each person's decision what to do with the availability of the message.
Just as there are many people who used to call themselves Christians who now call themselves Muslims, there are also many people who used to call themselves Muslims but who are now followers of Jesus Christ. These people have come to the conclusion, for themselves, that the message of Mohammed is no longer relevant for them and that the teachings of the Quran is not what they want to follow.
For these dear fellow Americans who are from a Muslim background, there are threats against them by many who call themselves Muslims. There is even the teaching which states that any Muslim who leaves Islam is called a "murtad" and deserves the death penalty. These fellow Americans are virtually living under the sentence of death right here in America.
For some time now I have been looking for Muslim leaders in America to demonstrate the level of tolerance allowed for in the United States Constitution. I think all of us who are involved in religious activity would teach about various theological implications of being a follower of one religion or another and the consequences in the life hereafter. This is a natural character of religion itself. However, the U.S. Constitution does allow the complete freedom for people to convert to any religion they want. And no person should live under the threat of death in America by religious zealots who call for their death.
In my public speaking at churches I openly say that anybody is free to walk away from Christ. Jesus himself allowed people to walk away from him and his teachings. There is no threat against anyone who decides to leave Christian religion.
I am looking for Muslim leaders in America to stand with me and say that Muslims are free to leave Islam. Will you join me in this quest for true religious tolerance?
Sincerely and with respect,
Center of Peace and Hope in Christ for Afghanistan
Phone: 703-391-8627
www.AfghanBibles.com
The other concerns allegience to country over Islam. I don't mean asking them to deny their religion but when America goes to war against an Islamic nation, there are those muslims who feel that their side in the battle is with the muslims. A CO could be removed from a combat role but that is not enough for these people.
Some examples of this concern can be read in the questions on the Ask The Imam site. Another example is in the reports of the FBI agent who refused to tape record other muslims.