Televangelist Jerry Falwell labeled the Prophet Muhammad a "terrorist." The Rev. Franklin Graham, who offered the invocation at President Bush's inauguration, has repeatedly disparaged Islam, calling it "a very evil and wicked religion." He has frequently called for Muslims to be held responsible for what happened September 11.
Another minister, Jerry Vines of Jacksonville, Fla., called Muhammad a "demon-possessed pedophile" during a speech to pastors prior to the annual Southern Baptist Convention. It is a shame how these so-called religious figures claim to have knowledge yet slander someone who the Muslims believe the last and the holiest Prophet, Muhammad.
Being Muslim, I would like tell the people everywhere - including those blinded by the media - that Islam is seriously misunderstood. After September 11, many Muslims worldwide were forced to endure racist remarks. A 19 year old Iranian girl currently enrolled at the University of South Alabama also works as a server at a midtown restaurant. When asked about customers' reactions after September 11, she said she had to tolerate very harsh remarks and was confronted many times with rude questions about her religion. She said there have been numerous times when she was asked, "What are you doing in the United States? You don't belong here!" Furthermore, she claims to have been deliberately put in very uncomfortable situations by co-workers commenting on her accent, religion and culture.
Another Muslim student was harassed outside Bishop State Community College because she had on a hijab, a headscarf worn by Muslim women. She said she was literally terrorized by a couple of students asking her personal questions and being insolent with her in front of a crowd. She was so intimidated that she refused to reveal her name for this article. This proves that one of the most important principles of the people of the United States, equality of all races and cultures, has been denied certain members of the community.
The Arabic "Islam" literally means complete submission only to the will of God. It is derived from the word silm meaning peace--both inner and outer. A Muslim therefore, is not only one who submits, but also one who is at peace, seeks peace, and promotes peace.
Islam is not terrorism. It is compassion. Islam is not oppression; it is justice. It does not disregard human life; it is humanity. Islam is not a cult nor is it a fad; it is a faith, a brotherhood with a following of one billion. Islam is not Arab; it is cosmopolitan. It is not Louis Farrakhan. It is not Saddam Hussein. Islam is dignity. It is goodness.
Ever since September 11, we have been bombarded with generalizations as to the peaceful nature of Islam. "Islam is traditionally a religion of tolerance." "Our enemy is fanaticism, not Islam." It is not surprising such generalizations have confused a number of people about another "face" of Islam they have witnessed -- militancy. Muslims all over the world grieved the loss of so many innocent lives. We share the sorrow with all those who lost their family, their loved ones. It is also a loss of humanity, and we are equally distressed.
For a fuller understanding of how Islam sees itself, we should not only look at the Qur'an, which is the holy book of Muslims, but at other Islamic roots and sources as well. Let it be clearly stated, however, that it is wrong to say Muslims have always converted non-Muslims through the sword. In the United States, for example, there are two and three million converts to Islam, none converted by force. Whether all Muslims and non-Muslims are aware of it or not, Islam is not a religion in the same way religion is understood in the West.
One of the many misunderstandings that have arisen in the West, is the judging Islam by the conduct of a minority. By doing this, segments of Western society have deliberately played off the desperate actions of many Muslims, and have given it the name of Islam. Such behavior is clearly not objective and seeks to distort the reality of Islam
Islam Is Not Another Word for Terrorism?please read sorry for it not been a question?
Jazak-Allahu khayran ya Zahair.
Just wanted to add a couple of comments -
Bad Cosmo if i called myself an alien would you belief my words as truth (now dont be sarccy!!!hehehe) my point just is that whilst some people may call themselves by a certain name or label whether it be muslim or anything. It does not neccesarily mean that they are as they say they are. Its whats inside a person that makes them Muslim, their beliefs followings and knowledge - not lack off it like those involved in Terrorist attacks against innocent women, children and men.
AshiMashi - 1. Islam allows a women to marry once and only once she has reached sexual maturity, i.e her menstrual cycle has started and she understands and is knowledgeable about her decision. It is the females choice contrary to popular belief.
2. Yes it is true that men inherit twice as much as their female siblings. This is because under Islamic law a male must provide for his wife and family, and any unmarried siblings that do not have a father to provide for them. (Not so bad for the female!!) However a female if she inherits anything can keep her money and spend as she pleases - please remember that not all these laws you mention are as one sided as they may first look.
3. Yes Islam does prescribe punishments such as cutting off hands, stoning etc. for good reasons. I understand your point on why a person would steal perhaps out of desperation. And i struggled with this when researching Islam but on reflection if a person is that desperate then there are places he can turn too. All good Muslims should help and provide for Al'Mushrikun (poor). And to be honest if someone had mugged/stolen from a person in someones family, especially hurt them, i am sure they want to cut the little Sh%26amp;ts hands off theirselves. Stoning is for crimes such as rape, adultery, murder, child molestation hard crimes worthy of punishment.
I know Islam for some people is hard to get around and understand - it seems as laws are hard and strict, however behind each law is reason and compassion. You just need to look a little deeper.
Islamic Values are not always the same as Muslim Values there is cultural changes and variations. This is where the misconceptions and many misunderstandings route from. An ideal would be Islamic Values.
A fantastic book i read which does not go on spouting about Islam but is simply an Autobiography of a woman who reverts to Islam gives a moving and true picture of Islamic traits and personalities - if anyone is interested it is called From My Sisters Lips by Na'Ima Roberts.
Finally New Catholic just wanted to say whilst I understand and liked your answer if Zahair copied the information from somewhere else it wouldnt make a difference - it is just sharing of information that we all benefit from regardless of source.
Laa Ilaha Ilalla,
Mohamed Rasoul Allah.
Reply:. I can't stand how everything thinks were terrorist. Hitler and kkk were christians should I call christians terrorist or what about Jewish who banned a lebanese channel because it talked about how they hate us and said the truth. Report It
Reply:Televangelists are often the fundamentalist Christian equivalent to Muslim fanatics. Although they're are significantly richer. Some (and I emphasise some) American evangelists are really scary.
Reply:Well done you for speaking out!
Its what I as a Christian WANT to hear so I can understand.
Reply:Aren't you blaming all non muslims for the reactions of a few? Our world isn't perfect and many things need to be sorted out before any of us can truly call ourselves 'civilised'. The IRA were terrorists, as are ETA and damn I've forgotten its name... you get the point, anyone who blows up innocent people thereby causing terror is a terrorist. It is not limited to any religion or group, nor can anyone use their religion of membership of a group as an excuse for it.
Reply:Your examples condemn all non-Muslims for the actions of a few, as do many westerners examples condemn all Muslims.
We are in a crisis situation, however, and Muslims should be aware that generally it is a truth that All Muslims are NOT terrorists; but the majority of terrorists are Muslim. Holy wars are being declared on the west, that's ME (!) and my family (!). I think the world needs to have all the majority of good Muslims to work actively to stop the terrorists. I don't know what they can do. Punish the clerics that incite some of these people? Certainly making excuses for terrorists by anyone is not helping the Muslim cause if they are actually against the violence. The cold fact is that there is a war going on, in all Muslims have a religion in common with some of the combatants.
It is a bad time for the world. Hatred is making it worse, help to fix this situation needs to come from BOTH sides.
Jerry Falwell is one of the biggest as$holes on the face of the earth. He preaches hate. Lewis Farakan of the Black Muslims preaches hate. Small southern towns have never been a welcoming place for anyone different. Gays get worse treatment than you friends, and can be found in the local cemetaries. However, you can make your own list of clerics in the Muslim world who are actually calling for the death of all infidels. That includes the large majority of the American people. How do you think we should react to such threats? At least by law you are supposed to be protected and for the most part there is little real violence in the west against Muslims, compared to the kidnappings and murders in the Middle East of westerners.
Seeking some common ground might help.
Reply:Thank you for sharing this info. Hitler was a christian not all Christians fit his description. Often people base opinions on what they see though. If a 6 foot tall blond guy shoots up a store, then people will be cautious of a 6 foot tall blond guy until he is apprehended. Ever hear of McArthism. Well we are advancing as human beings.Somepeople ask questions of islamic people they come into cantact with because they want to learn.
Reply:Religion, or at least the major ones, have alot to answer for. Humans have warped them and bred extremeists in all religions. What doesn't help is the ones I have seen on yahoo answers who show the same level of bigotry towards others as christians do. It is a shame as I am sure that such religions were not meant to cause so much trouble.
Reply:I agree, what you have said is both very true and very upsetting. When a misunderstanding occurs it is up to the misunderstood party to speak and educate the party that is misunderstanding, assuming they will listen which more often than not they wont.
Reply:I agree that by far the majority of muslims are peace loving people who do much to help those who are worse off than they are.
However, as you have already said, there are a number who insist on misinterpreting their religion, using it as a license to hate and violence (as with every religion).
One way in which muslims can help the west understand this is to be more vocal in denouncing these misinterpretations and accept that Islam is divided in this way.
When the west hears muslims declare that there is no division in the religion and then see a group doing something unpeacfull then they assume that it is representative of Islam.
Don't just stand up against the misunderstanding in westerners (the majority of whom are NOT in anyway your enemies) but also stand up with the same voice against infadels who distort the true message (the Taleban for example).
I know the muslim world reeled at the violence of 9/11 and utterly condemned it but this should also happen when we hear of Shia/Shi'ite atrocities in Iraq or when some so-called muslims imprison a man in Afganistan for converting.
Allah is strong enough to look after himself and doesn't need people to 'fight' for him!
Reply:I agree with you.
Reply:I think you should be congratulated for bringing this to our attention. There is one problem though[well there are many problems in our crazy world] you went on far too long for the average person[I'm being polite here] who you need to get the message across to. I have some points to make%26gt; I know that not all Muslims are terrorists however I cannot think of ANY non Muslim suicide bomber[they're really murderers who are fools]. It wasn't Christians who flew planes into the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, it wasn't Christians who bombed Bali, it wasn't Christians who blew up trains in Madrid, it wasn't Christians who exploded bombs in the London Underground and a Bus, it wasn't any other religious fanatics except those that follow Islam.
As for the Christian right, they're not bombing anyone or telling their followers to kill non Christians, they're harmless nutters that's all. You shouldn't be so easily offended, treat these people with the disdain that their comments deserve. I hope that Islamists can get a grip of the idiots in their ranks and root them out, inform the police of any activity that you suspect is unlawful THEN AND ONLY THEN will you get the respect you deserve.
I have no religious beliefs and doubt that there is any afterlife.
Reply:Well done
Reply:Even I have felt discriminated bcoz of my religion in India with a population of 140 million muslims and my experience is that even if you try your best to tell the truth about Islam to "Islam haters" they never listen to you. They are just misguided souls(guided by american sponsored media) with their eyes and ears closed to holy books. They dont even know about their own religion leave Islam.
Reply:9-11 is a big dirtry game played against Muslims to turn the world against Islam. who will be the most benefit from this?
Reply:There is a very easy solution to your problem.
Emigrate to a Muslim country.
We won't miss any of you.
Reply:Of course "islam" is not another name for "terrorism" and there must be many millions of muslims throughout the world who are excellent people. It is also wrong for individuals to harass innocent people because of the actions of others.
However, as many people have pointed out Islam and the Qur'an do have an element of violence in their message. This has always inevitably lead to a certain amount of violence among the believers, especially to non-believers or those believers who do not belong to a particular group.
In addition, you say, The Arabic "Islam" literally means complete submission only to the will of God. but there is not enough straightforward guidance from the Muslim teachers as to what IS the will of God. No doubt the suicide bombers who kill and maim thousands of innocents, including other muslims, believe they are carrying out the will of God, some may even have been encouraged to think like this by certain religious men.
Reply:Don't be sorry for it not being a question, just follow the rules, why is that so hard?
Many do not like the 10 page cut and paste sermons from Imam's that distort the truth or just plain ignore it.
Why don't you try actually asking an honest question looking for others opinions using your OWN words?????
So after 9-11 all you can point to is two examples of Muslims feeling "Uncomfortable" in the US? That is weak..
When the Cartoons happned there were many people KILLED over them.
When the pope's comments were taken out of context, there was a Nun Killed. That is the Reality.
Speak up against those, and I will spead up against the two people feeling "Uncomfortable"
Peace!
Peace!
Reply:As long as muslims permit terrorists to be made into martyrs by your imams and mullahs, as long as muslims refuse to stand up and speak out against the murderers, and torturers, as long as you accept that these people are heroes, you are defending them, and supporting them. Until you stand up and yell in unison "STOP, NO MORE DEATHS" you are a violent religion. Until you march against the terrorists, instead of children drawing cartoons, you are a violent religion. Until you accept that the actions of the terrorists are wrong, and punishment is deserved by those who monitarily support them, shut up. We will continue to believe Islam is a cult of violence.
Reply:unfortunatly if you have read the quran you will see it is about domination and killing any who do not agree. islam may claim not to suport terrorism but there is not definate condemantion the quran does suport murdering none muslims have you read it all ????
Reply:http://www.apostatesofislam.com/
Reply:Ofcourse it's not another word for that, it's a word for collection of
polygomy (only for men), mass killing, violence.
It's a religion that allows a 9 y/o girl to get married, men to
inherit twice as much of women, in court of law (their law)
two female witness is equal to one male witness, they cut the
hands of thiefs (without questing what they stole or if they had
to do it to feed their children or anything), stone people to death.
and carry with them a history of mass murdering.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banu_Qurayz...
Reply:A good point well made!
You have to understand that the negative attitude towards Islam comes from the fact that so many Muslims have committed terrorist acts.
Unfortunately, many of them claim they have done this in the name of Islam.
You may disagree with their perception of Islam, but unfortunately these people are very vocal and very adement in their beliefs...
Reply:Allah bless you
Reply:I agree with you. Calling all Muslims terrorists is like calling all Christians KKK members.
And Bad Cosmo up there needs to look up Timothy McVey, abortion clinic bombings, and the terrorism that was going on in Ireland not too long ago. He is severely misinformed.
Reply:Not all Muslims are terrorists. But all terrorists are Muslims.
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