Experiments in Religion: Islam - How the media gets it wrong
January 31, 2008
Photo by Nick Feldman.
Four men bow during their afternoon prayer in the HUB sub-basement. Multiple groups of men gather throughout the afternoon to pray traditional prayers facing Mecca. Before conducting prayers, a Muslim has to perform a ritual ablution, or cleaning.
Photo by Nick Feldman.
Juniors Ashwaq Ahmed (center) and Safia Farole (right) kneel during their afternoon prayer in the HUB sub-basement. Women and men meet there separately to pray each weekday.
Photo by Nick Feldman.
Senior Hala Dilsi chose to begin wearing a hijab on her own, independent of the wishes of her family. According to Dilsi, many close to her were actually concerned about the treatment she would receive in public.
Contrary to the media’s stereotypes, Islam as a religion promotes peace, religious freedom and equality between different cultures and genders.
It’s also one the fastest growing religions to date. With one in five people in the world practicing the faith, this makes Islam the second most practiced religion in the world.
“Islam is a religion of peace,” senior Choclit’ Angel Handley, a member of the Muslim Student Association (MSA), wrote in an e-mail. “That is actually one of the definitions of the word ‘Islam’. The word ‘Muslim’ means ‘one whose life is submitted to the will [of] God.’ The key to Islam is sincerity. If one approaches Islam with utter sincerity, chances are that person will be a Muslim.”
The practice of Islam comes from the Quran as dictated by the prophet Muhammad. This provides a sort of guidebook for Muslims to study and follow.
Due to the complexity and many translations that can come from the Quran, various sects may hold different beliefs. This isn’t to say that one sect is “more correct” than another, since Islam holds emphasis on the intent behind the act and less on the act itself.
THE FIVE PILLARS
Practices that are essential to Sunni Muslims include the Five Pillars of Islam.
The First Pillar is iman, or faith. This is the testimony that “there’s no god but God, and Muhammed is his messenger,” senior biochemistry major Kurt Truong, another MSA member, wrote in an e-mail.
The Second Pillar is salaat, or prayer. Five daily prayers required by Muslims occur at dawn, early afternoon, late afternoon, sunset and nighttime. All this is done facing northeast toward ka’abbah, or black stone, Handley said.
One of the explanations for the significance in praying toward the ka’abbah is that it is the location where the prophet Abraham offered his son to God as a sacrifice (in an allegorical sense). A mosque was later built at this site and has been rebuilt throughout the years, said senior electrical engineering major Tahir Ahmad, president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Student Association (AMSA).
This unites all Muslims in prayer.
Prayer is seen as a form of meditation and cleansing of the spirit, although reasons behind it may differ for different people. Prayer is also a time for reflection and worship.
When praying collectively, genders are separated. Women either pray behind, next to, or in a separate area than men, depending on the mosque.
This segregation doesn’t imply that women are inferior to men. It’s in fact out of physical respect for women and their bodies, since prayer involves a lot of movements that may be distracting.
“Before salaat, we do a ritual purification prior to called wudu’ which is translated as ablution, where we wash our hands, faces, mouths, forearms up to the elbows, feet up to the ankles, and wipe our hair and ears with wet hands. During salaat we stand with our hands in front of us. … After pronouncing that Allah is great, there are times when we bow placing our hands on our knees,” Handley said. “And then there are times where we are prostrating with our foreheads, noses, palms and toes flat on the floor.”
The Third Pillar is zakaat, or voluntary charity, where up to 2.5 percent of a Muslim’s net income is to be given to the poor, Truong said.
Zakaat means purification, or almsgiving to the needy. This is an annual payment that helps the less fortunate. If one doesn’t have money to give, he or she can work or find other ways to help others, Handley said.
The Fourth Pillar is sawm, or fasting. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims will fast for 30 days, abstaining from all food, drink and sexual relations, Handley said.
“It is also said that one should even fast from thinking corrupt thoughts [using] and foul words during the entire month,” Handley said. “If one is sick or sustaining some other condition in which fasting would not be wise, they can postpone the fasting until they are enough to resume the task.”
The Fifth Pillar is Hajj, or the pilgrimage to Makkah. Only those who are physically or financially able are obligated to do this.
“Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments that strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God,” Handley said. “You could be praying next to a king and not even know it.”
While the Five Pillars require discipline, practice is based on an individual’s own ability.
“If you can’t afford to make Hajj, then you are not required to do so,” Truong said. “However, the prayers still need to be met, but if you can’t stand then you must pray sitting. If you can’t sit, then you pray while lying down. If you’re paralyzed, then pray with your eyes.”
The Misconceptions
There are common misconceptions regarding Islam and what it means to be considered Muslim. They include the intolerance of other faiths or Allah being regarded as a different entity as the Christian or Jewish God.
“A lot of people think Allah is a different God,” said Tuseef Chaudhry, a student at Seattle University and member of the AMSA. “But this is the same [God] as Jews … [and] Christians. Allah is a different word for God [and] literally means ‘the creator’ in Arabic.”
Arabic-speaking Christians will also refer to God as Allah, Ahmad said.
Muslims also believe that Jesus, Moses, Abraham and other important religious figures throughout history were prophets of God.
Based on this, it’s nearly impossible to be Muslim and intolerant of other religions. To be Muslim, you must respect the practice of other religions and even defend the attack against them.
“I have to guarantee freedom for other religions,” Chaudhry said. “If we see [someone] vandalizing a church or temple, we have [the] duty to protect that church or temple. If we don’t, we’re not holding up our role as Muslims.”
It’s also commonly believed that most Muslims are Arab or that most Arabs are Muslim and that Jihad promotes the use of violence and aggression toward others.
Roughly 15 to 20 percent of Muslims reside in Arab nations. There is a larger population of non-Arab Muslims than Arab Muslims, and the largest Muslim nation is in Indonesia, Chaudhry said.
One of the largest misconceptions comes from the use of Jihad, which means “struggle” and not holy war, as many people think. Chaudhry said, “This struggle is normally in the path of God, meaning that whenever you struggle to do what is right you are engaged in Jihad.
“Dr. King was engaged in Jihad, fighting for the causes of the oppressed … When Moses went to pharaoh on behalf of all the Hebrews and declared, ‘Let my people go,’ this is jihad. Whenever you have a late assignment that you know you can plagiarize … but refuse to do it because you know that is wrong … you have just engaged yourself in a battle of Jihad.”
So why do people interpret jihad as violence? Or why do people act in violence in the name of jihad?
Depending on the sect, there are either two or three types of jihad: greatest and great — which can be combined as greater — jihad and lesser jihad.
The media often portrays lesser jihad as the use of violence toward others. However, the reason behind use of violence or acting in the name of jihad is more complicated, and doing something in the name of jihad requires reasons that abide by laws.
“Islam is a religion of peace and is pragmatic. Its laws deal with the day-to-day social interactions, conflict management and resolution,” Truong said. “The faith encompasses a balance of both faith and laws; one without the other can lead to disaster.”
One interpretation for when lesser jihad is valid is in self-defense and during times of religious oppression, Ahmad said. The idea of terrorists declaring jihad on the West is more of a political battle, and is an example of people using religion to strengthen a cause. This twists the interpretation of Jihad to the point of confusion.
Chaudhry said Ahmadiyya Muslims believe that jihad of the sword is over and today’s jihad is with the pen; writing books or editorials to educate others is how jihad is defended today.
Because Islam is community oriented, you must follow a juristic method before claiming jihad, senior and MSA member Hala Dillsi said. Islam is a proof-based religion, so to wrongly attribute something to God or in the name of God is a huge “no-no.”
The exact definitions of jihad are different and depend on the numerous interpretations that can be taken from the Quran. There is a complicated debate over what lesser jihad requires, and it will always remain a topic of debate.
Another common misconception is the oppression of women within the religion. This mostly stems from cultural differences.
The hijab, or what is viewed as the headscarf, is often thought of as sign of oppression in Western society. However, there are many reasons for why some women choose to wear the hijab.
“Hijab refers to the parts … that you are supposed to … [cover] for modesty,” Dillsi said. “This includes hair, but also arms and legs. Scholars mention a spiritual hijab that refers to modesty.”
Men must also be covered from the navel to the knees.
“A Muslim’s most important garment
is ‘the garment of righteousness,’” Handley said. “It is a disposition of the heart, the modesty of one’s apparel should only be an outward manifestation of one’s submission to Allah, which starts from within.”
Many believe that the hijab is for women to cover themselves up from men. This isn’t completely true.
Dillsi said, “Under the main schools of Islamic law, it is to be worn in front of men who are not part of your close family. It is easily misunderstood that the hijab must be worn in reaction to have a man see or view a woman.
“Although this is one interpretation, … it is not the only one. Women wear the headscarf to keep within the Islamic standards of modesty as a sign of their commitment to God. This is often done irrespective of men’s views or stances on the wearing of the headscarf, as its wearing is done for God, rather than men in the society.”
In Western society, women are often appreciated for their sexuality and beauty. However, wearing of the hijab allows for focus on other aspects of the woman.
“[It’s] a form of modesty and respect for the woman … to not be judged by looks but personality and intellect,” Chaudhry said. “[It’s the] beauty of her intellect and the beauty of her modesty.”
In marriage, women can also receive one-third, and up to one-half, of her husband’s income. Given the context of an older society where women didn’t have any rights, this was seen as a token of sincerity. This was to show that you were not going to just marry a woman and use her, Ahmad said.
In a marriage, the man must meet his wife’s and his childrens’ needs. The woman is allowed to work and doesn’t have to share her income, Handley said.
“Also, in Islam, if I were married and my husband divorced me … I would get to keep the house whether I helped pay for it or not. … This is not unfair to him. … We are dealt according to our needs and what is just,” Handley said. “Also, it is obligatory for a man to go the mosque and pray. … The woman can go if she feels like it but she is by no means obligated. … I would go as far as to say that [there are] some aspects where the man is expected to carry a heavier load. … This is why I cannot see how people say it’s the women who are oppressed. We get to relax. It may not appear this way in certain cultures and practices but this is how it is written [in the Quran].”
Islam teaches that men and women are equal and are considered “God’s guests.” A woman doesn’t have to abide by the traditional rules. This is more culture than religion, Chaudhry said. While women are the primary caretakers of children, the relationship between husband and wife is seen as a yin and yang balance where, ultimately, they are equal.
[Reach reporter Doris Wu at features@thedaily.washington.edu.]
Comments
#1 Jason
commented, onJanuary 30, 2008 at 10:53 p.m.:
Liberal and western Muslims say that Jihad means a struggle within oneself, and for them, it does. There are also millions of Muslims and many Muslim leaders that use Jihad as a reason to commit murder. While I might be called a racist and a bigot for bringing up this fact, I think that those who deny this fact are denying the reality of Islam. The same applies for all religions. The vast majority of Christians do not believe in blowing up abortion clinics in the name of God. There are Christian groups that blow up abortion clinics in the name of God, and even though it isn't easy to acknowledge, this is also part of the reality of Christianity.
#2 Lutf ul Islam
commented, onJanuary 31, 2008 at 1:02 a.m.:
Unfortunatley, political Islam has hijacked the spiritual Islam. This is why any external observer will associate violence with the Islamic ideology. Talking about "reality of Islam" we should look at the reality of Islamic ideology first. The practice of Islam is a different matter and there are hundreds of different interpretations of Islamic practice. The reality is how you understand the Islamic teachings. For me, Islam's aim and objective is a perfect peaceful, multi-faith society. For a bigoted mullah, Islam's aim is a single faith society which should be acheived by whatever means possible. As Ahmadis, we have waged a Jihad against these mullahs for almost a century and this will continue until the final victory.
#3 Anon
commented, onJanuary 31, 2008 at 5:53 a.m.:
This article is flawed on many levels and shows a lack of understanding some key problems in Islam.
(i) The Veil:
An Islamic women who does not want to wear the veil is forcefully compelled to do so by members of an Islamic society. While the cultural and religious reasons for wearing the veil may be persuasive to some, the final right lies with the women.
Therefore, Islamic society do not allow freedom of choice to an individual
(ii) Apostasy:
The crime for apostasy in Islamic republics is death. Whatever the justification, the fact remains that this is in blatant violation of an individuals freedom of religion
There is not a single Imam who disagrees with the death penalty for apostasy.
(iii) Blasphemy laws:
In Islamic nations, perceived blasphemy is punishable by death. Islamic protests against perceived insults are violent and usually result in death threats. Take the example of Salman Rushdie or Taslima Nasreen who were forced into hidinh. Various Islamic governments (sometimes explicitly) justify violent responses to perceived insults.
No matter how insulting, freedom of speech and the freedom to openly criticize any religion is a fundamental right to true democracies which is sorely lacking in Islam, and certain other religions.
(iv) Right of women in Islam
Contrary to the opinion in this article, various neutral organizations have commented on the severe lack of rights.
For an example, please refer to this article by Amnesty international on "honor" killings in Islam.
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/...
#4 Rob Hanley
commented, onJanuary 31, 2008 at 9:25 a.m.:
I find it outrageous how Westerners are fed misinformation about how Islam promotes tolerance and yet, in Egypt an <a href="http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=11398&size=A">apostate cannot have his religion on his identity card</a>, in the so-called moderate muslim country Malaysia, an ethnic Chinese Buddhist family is appealing to a Malaysian high court Tuesday, seeking to overturn <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Shariah_courts_Islamic_conversion_ruling_challenged_by_Budhhist/articleshow/2739538.cms">an Islamic court ruling that found their late father had converted from Buddhism to Islam</a>, prompting his burial as a Muslim (this is not the first time, a Hindu was buried as a muslim before). In the same moderate Malaysia, <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaileditorial.asp?fileid=20080117.E03&irec=2">Lina Joy cannot convert from Islam</a>, there is a <a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-31521020080122">segregated by gender checkout lines</a> and <a href="http://www.bosnewslife.com/news/3388-malaysia-churches-protest-confiscation-of">the authorities confiscated Christian books</a>. Who can forget the <a href="http://www.christiantoday.com/article/muslim.clerics.warn.afghanistan.president.against.missionaries/16004.htm">Afghan apostate</a> who must admit being crazy and leave the country? Religious freedom means freedom to convert to Islam, but not from Islam. Non-muslims can't even pray in public in Saudi Arabia, let alone build a house of worship.
The fact is, everywhere in the muslim world, equality does not exist for anyone who is not muslim. Look up the concept of dhimmi. The ideology of Islam requires that Islam remains supreme because it's the perfect religion as Allah ordained. To pretend that the media stereotypes Islam is dishonest. Ever wonder why there is so much intolerance in Islamic and muslim countries if Islam is hijacked by a minority. Why haven't the moderate muslim majority we hear so often campaigned to bequeath equality to non-muslims? On the contrary, 'moderate' muslim countries like Malaysia and Turkey are voting officials with Islamic agendas into the office.
#5 A friend
commented, onJanuary 31, 2008 at 10:11 a.m.:
"Love for all and hatred for none" - Motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.
http://www.alislam.org
Peace and blessings,
A friend :-)
#6 Aaron
commented, onJanuary 31, 2008 at 4:07 p.m.:
The irony of this article is that its title is "Experiments in Religion: Islam - How the media gets it wrong." It is clear that there are many Muslims who want peace and interpret Islam as a peaceful religion, but The Daily makes it seem like the violent and intolerant side of Islam does not exist at all. I think that The Daily also got it wrong in this article
#7 Bruce
commented, onJanuary 31, 2008 at 8:54 p.m.:
This article was well-informed, but one question came up in my mind that bothered me for a long time...
Why didn't the Muslim world condemn the terrorist actions committed by Al-Qaida/Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations, such as those done on 9/11, in Indonesia, Iraq, and London?
I realize that this article explains that the terrorists use the name of God to advance a political ideology, but why, in the name of peace and tolerance, do the Muslim world not reject those fundamentalists?
Just something for you to think about. :)
#8 Doris Wu
commented, onJanuary 31, 2008 at 11:37 p.m.:
My intent in this article wasn't to discredit or ignore the violence that occurs in the world (because we all know there is a lot going on), but rather to bring up the positive aspects that are less known about or talked about.
This isn't a political article, it is a religion article.
Anyways thanks for the comments and reading.
#9 Lutf ul Islam
commented, onFebruary 1, 2008 at 3:06 a.m.:
I find the objections against the veil childish. Modesty for women has been a hallmark of all Abrahimic societies in the past.A form of Hijab existed in Europe not long ago. Most western women covered up properly until the great wars. Muslim women are aware of their responsibility to the society, which is to be seen as human beings and not show-pieces. Islam emancipated women from the ignorant rules of other cultures. Muslim women have contributed more to the world then any other civilization to date. The spread of islamic civilization to the four corners of the world was not achieved by warriors, but by families who practiced the faith and showed the world the way.
Apostacy is not a crime in Islam. The extremist mullah will make us believe otherwise. Anyone can leave Islam for any faith or no faith. There is no verse in Quran or no tradition of the Prophet (saw) which criminalizes apostacy. There were punishments for Treason and Murder during the Prophet's (saw) life, which are now interpreted as punishments for apostacy. Mullahs are wrong.
Blasphemy is not a crime in Islam. Provoking unrest and violence is. If someone criticizes Islam, the Prophet (saw) or the Quran, they can not be gagged under any law. As muslims we have the duty to answer the allegations and leave the foul-mouthed ones on their own. God cares more for the honor of His prophets.
#10 Doris Wu
commented, onFebruary 1, 2008 at 11:50 a.m.:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage...
#11 Don Conner
commented, onFebruary 1, 2008 at 7:21 p.m.:
"This isn't a political article, it is a religion article."
There is no separation of religion and politics in Islam. To think otherwise is naive. Islam regulates everything from how to eat, to pray, who to marry, how many women's testimony equal to one man's, how to divide inheritance, and who becomes dhimmis. Islam is supposed to be a way of life. Mohammad himself engaged in politics and warfare, as when he and his warriors conquered Banu Quraish tribe, killing all men and boys who sprouted pubic hair and enslaving all the women.
#12 Doris Wu
commented, onFebruary 2, 2008 at 12:46 a.m.:
First of all, I never said there was a separation between religion and politics in Islam, I have not studied Islam enough to make that claim. I was stating MY original intent in writing this article wasn't to make a political debate out of Islam. It's called EXPERIMENTS IN RELIGION, not in politics. I just think people need to focus more on the peaceful and positive aspects of the religion. What can you do if all you see are the negatives in people? Extremists hurt people, including others sharing the same religion.
What popular religion hasn't had a violent history? A common one to quote is Christianity and crusades. By the way, there are SOME Christians who believe if you don't share their exact beliefs you'll go to hell and discriminate against you, but no one complains about that as much. There are also many Christians that feel they can't judge who will go to hell and who won't since it's up to God.
There are many religions that believe their way is the True way and discriminate against other religions. But I guess given today's context, people are going to focus on Islam.
I do think there can be a separation between politics and religion. When you pray, when you focus on yourself and your spiritual relationship, when you do good for your community, not everything is politics. While all religions really are a way of life, this doesn't force you to include your religion with your politics--although that does happen a lot. Religion and politics intertwine, but they aren't linked completely together, so there are aspects that can be separated.
To think you can't separate religion and politics...well I don't know about that. I suppose it's up to opinion.
Also, as to media stereotypes and coverage, I think any religion can be used in the media as a way to unite people together or against each other. How people behave in religions depends on their placement on the spectrum. I feel that the media seems to only cover aspects of such to fit their own agenda (which I'll admit I did too by not discussing negative aspects as much).
To say "moderate" Muslims have not tried to change things, that is not completely true (check out Ahmadi Muslims!), I think they just don't have as loud of a voice as more radical Muslims, especially in the media. I mean there is a "war on terror" going on. So to garner support, there could just be more coverage on the negatives versus the positives, I want to stress the COULD since I'm not stating this as fact it's an opinion.
Also, I don't consider myself a westerner that is being completely misinformed. How many Muslims have you talked to recently??????
#13 afm
commented, onFebruary 3, 2008 at 9:02 a.m.:
"Love for all, hatred for none"- is nice.
I have also seen "www.alislam.org". It may the
wonderful resource to know about Islam.
#14 Noha Mahgoub
commented, onFebruary 3, 2008 at 10:20 a.m.:
I hear the argument often of where are the moderate muslims. I ask where are the moderate Americans? How many times in the history of America will we continue to discriminate without educating ourselves to the real reasons behind such hatred, racism and violence? For those who look for moderate muslims, I ask you are you looking? Where are we to go to condem terrorism? Why do we have to? Do you go around daily speaking out against racism? Sexism? War? Slavery? The Japanese concentration camps just decades ago? In my day to day life, if ever the subject comes up I am one of only many who condem it. Where am I? I am in your classrooms, your campus, your neighborhood. No one comes up to ask how I feel about it. Would you prefer I war an "I don't heart terrorism" t-shirt? Should I stand on a corner with fliers? Help me to understand what I could do to make YOU feel better about something that has devastated us just as much as you.
Islamic republics are mentioned. I hope I am able to get the point across that there is Islam, and then what people DO with Islam. Never combine the two, especially when you have no genuine understanding of either. Looking at societies from a western perspective is hardly objective.
So again, I ask where are the moderate Americans? The ones who have learned from the mistakes of the past generations, the ones who won't let the smallest percentage of world population of 1.2 billion muslims justify the harsh, injust treatment of the majority of a population.
For those of you looking for moderate muslims, I can only speak for myself, but would be happy to do so. nohnoh@u.washington.edu.
#15 LOVEforALL
commented, onFebruary 3, 2008 at 9:43 p.m.:
Anon -
"No Imam will deny that the punishment for apostasy is death."
Do your research my friend. Ask any Ahmadi Muslim Imam and they will clearly show you from the Holy Qur'an that there is NO punishment for apostasy, let alone death. Look it up yourself at www.alislam.org
Also, honor killings, forcing the veil, treating women as second class citizens ALL go against the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and were NEVER practiced by the Holy Prophet Muhammmad (peace be upon him). Hence, you wouldn't judge Christ by the KKK, so don't judge Islam by Islamic extremeists.
#16 choclit' angel
commented, onFebruary 5, 2008 at 12:32 p.m.:
Jason,
In the very first comment you wrote you misrepresented both christianity and Islam.
Blowing up an abortion clinic is NOT a reality of christianity, it's a reality of misguided extremists.
being a christian is about being christ-like hence the word christian (the word "christ" and the suffix "ian" meaning of,pertaining to, or resembling).SO if it doesn't look like Christ, then it's not Christianity; christ a character who exemplifies self sacrificial love,compassion, and monotheism -
THIS is christianity, what people do in the name of christianity cannot be attributed to it unless it can be supported by its scriptures (likewise with Islam, some of those muslim countries you are using as examples of Islam are only examples of themselves, their cultures, and their attempts to live Islam with blended results of success and FAILURE), so if you are going to attack christianity come with some "book, chapter, verse" before you start talking - if the book doesn't condone it then neither does the religion inspite of what people might do in its name.
Yes, you heard it right here, a Muslim defending Christianity. Why? Because I'm a Muslim :)
#17 Choclit' Angel
commented, onFebruary 5, 2008 at 1:23 p.m.:
Anon.....
There are no honor killings in Islam, maybe in Iraq, but not in Islam. nor can a woman be legally forced by someone to wear hijab in Islam. All you did was show us what happens in certain areas of the world as a result of flawed leadership and the inability to relinquish horrific cultural practices.
The Qur'an states plainly "..there is no compulsion in religion..." this means that according to our own religion we cannot force anyone to do anything that they do not want to do when it comes to religion.
What you are complaining about are empires, societies, kingdoms, etc. but Islam is not to blame. It's kinda like how:
CHRISTIANITY is
- not to blame for the insitution of chattel slavery in AMerica
- not to blame for George Bush :)
- not to blame for Japanese internment camps
-not to blame for a trail of tears, the trail of broken treaties, wounded knee, the battle at little big horn, the extermination of the majority of the American Indian ethinc groups
-abu ghraib
-iraq war
-jim crow
-white suprmacy
-the KKK
-hiroshima (nuclear bombing)
-nagasaki (bombing)
-both bombs and bread over bagdad
-nicaragua (are you crying yet? I am!)
-atomic bombs
-the holocaust
all these things were done in the name of CHRISTIANITY AND/OR for the "defense" of a so-called CHRISTIAN NATION, and people really thought they were doing something holy but they were terribly corrupted and mistaken at the sacred cost of life. We do not blame Christianity for this, we blame some of its hypocritical adherents for their putred and misguided actions, but not the religion in and of itself because it would never condone such things. Is it it too hard to see the same thing when it comes to Islam? These books don't preach the detestable acts that have been done in their names. I can say what I say about christianity because I have read the Bible from cover to cover - PAGE BY PAGE, I can say what I say about Islam because I study regularly its principles and whats its book(s) ACTUALLY say and IN THEIR CONTEXTS.
did you know that the founding principles of ALL Islamic law provide that a person have the right to: the protection and freedom to practice one's faith (muslim and non-muslim alike), to protect one's life and posterity, to protect one's property and wealth, and the protection of reason and freedom of thought? Sounds like the bill of rights doesn't it, only around 1400 years its senior. Right guidance stands clear from error, and truth out shines every lie - that's exactly why Islam, even in a time when it is being strategically persecuted through media campaigns, is the worlds fastest growing religion and second largest.
#18 Choclit' Angel
commented, onFebruary 5, 2008 at 2 p.m.:
One last thing,
could you all back off the "liberal muslim" and/or western Muslim thing? What is a liberal Muslim? one who habitually contradicts Islam? One that acts like you? One that dresses like you? One that drinks alcohol, clubs, and is loose in moral values? Or perhaps one that decides that they want to water down their religion so they can blend into the world as much as possible and tresspass the guidlines of their religion and be unrepentant like people adhering to some other religions have done?
That's not a liberal/moderate Muslim, that's a raggedy Muslim.
If you truly knew what a Muslim was you would wish that we were all extreme Muslims. an extreme muslim is going to try extremely hard to up hold the principles of Islam - giving willingly and regularly to the poor, loving and caring for the orphans of hte world, defending the weak and oppressed, taking care of widows, enjoining the good and forbbiding what is wrong, standing as the true protectors of RELIGION (not just Islam either), standing for justice and righteousness in the face of an oppressor,treating our mothers like the most important human being alive, demonstrating compassion and recognizing that only one's good deeds make one person superior to another and not one's race,submitted to the will of God inspite of one's own selfish inclinations.
An extreme muslim is not a suicide bomber, terrorist,a plane hijacker, or anything like that. An extreme Muslim would listen to all the ignorance, lies, and bigoted hatred some of you are spewing and after taking it all in, would love you inpite of.
#19 J Wade
commented, onFebruary 9, 2008 at 11:09 a.m.:
I have read the Koran. Islam is not a religion of Peace - it is a religion of subjugation and never-ending war.
I suggest everyone read the Koran and find out the truth.
#20 Dan
commented, onFebruary 12, 2008 at 9:05 a.m.:
And how can you call Islam a terrorist religion when all the information about Islam comes from media which is already so biased. You only get the truth when you read/hear it from the source. And the source for all Islam is Quran. I suggest reading it (in English translation if you will) and then only can you justify if it is the right religion or not. Don't come to a conclusion if you do not have a proof.
#21 4/19 or 9/11 ? will remember!
commented, onFebruary 16, 2008 at 1:26 a.m.:
just few years 5 or 10 or most 15 years from now people won't talk about anymore Oklahoma City bombing cus media/politicians won't be interested or will not keep feeding about what McVeigh and his friends did .and your children will never read or hear anything about Oklahoma City bombing.you know why you will forget and forgive in the name of JESUS McVeigh and his friends (one is already out just after serving only 10 years WOW WOW WOW .)plus McVeigh and his friends are saved by the bell (Jesus die for (???) sins ?
Now 9/11 ain't won't and will be not forget , you know why ? no its not Laden or Al Qaeda cus they were Muslim .
The Oklahoma City bombing was a terrorist attack on April 19, 1995 aimed at the U.S. government in which the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed in an office complex in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The attack claimed 168 lives and left over 800 injured. Until the September 11, 2001 attacks, it was the deadliest act of terrorism on U.S. soil.
McVeigh --Perpetrator
The September 11, 2001 attacks (often referred to as 9/11) were a series of coordinated suicide attacks by al-Qaeda upon the United States.
On that morning, nineteen terrorists[1] affiliated with al-Qaeda[2] hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners. Each team of hijackers included a member who had undergone some pilot training. The hijackers intentionally crashed two of the airliners (American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175) into the World Trade Center in New York City, one plane into each tower (1 WTC and 2 WTC), resulting in the collapse of both buildings soon afterward and extensive damage to nearby buildings.[3] The hijackers crashed a third airliner (American Airlines Flight 77) into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. Passengers and members of the flight crew on the fourth aircraft (United Airlines Flight 93) attempted to retake control of their plane from the hijackers;[4] that plane crashed into a field near the town of Shanksville in rural Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Aside from the 19 hijackers, 2,974 people died as an immediate result of the attacks, and the death of at least one person from lung disease was ruled by a medical examiner to be a result of exposure to WTC dust.[5] Another 24 people are missing and presumed dead, bringing the total number of victims to 2,998 — most of whom were civilians.
Laden -----Perpetrator
Laden and his gang going to hell but McVeigh and his friends are saved , saved by X-tans like you and god(s) like your !
#22 Free Bible Spurs
commented, onFebruary 16, 2008 at 1:39 a.m.:
sex Free Bible Spurs Controversy
Freehold, Iowa - After working with several church pastors for the better part of two years, James Montrose, principal of Landover Elementary School, announced last week that an abridged KJV Bible, omitting all references to illicit and deviant sex acts, has been finalized for use at the school next year. Montrose formally proposed to the Board of Deacons that the new Bible, roughly the size of a theater program, be required reading in all classes in place of the salacious unabridged version.
“It is beyond question that the Holy Bible, in unedited form, is simply not appropriate for children,” observed Montrose in testimony to the Board. The unabridged Bible is loaded with passages describing in detail such disgusting topics as premature ejaculation (Leviticus 15:2-15; 22:3-5), wet dreams (Leviticus 15:16-18, 32), voyeurism (Leviticus 18:6-20); damaged testicles (Leviticus 21:20; Deuteronomy 23:1); people taking a dump in the middle of camp (Deuteronomy 23:12-14); hemorrhoids (1 Samuel 5:9; 6:4-5), people urinating on a wall (1 Samuel 25:22; 26:34; 1 Kings 14:10; 16:11; 21:22; 2 Kings 9:8), people eating their own feces and drinking their urine (2 Kings 18:27; Isaiah 36:12; Ezekiel 4:12, 15), menstruation (just about all of Leviticus), etc., etc., etc. And those are just from a few books I reviewed this morning. Some of these topics are too prurient even for an S&M club. In fact, many parts of the Good Book are so tawdry that the Bible would be the first book hurled into the flames at our weekly book burnings - were it not inspired by God, of course.”
#23 T
commented, onFebruary 16, 2008 at 1:48 p.m.:
I'll let God be the Judger of all.
In the mean time, I'll live by the motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, "Love For All, Hatred For None" (www.alislam.org) :)
Peace be upon all of you!
#24 K.
commented, onMarch 7, 2008 at 11:02 p.m.:
Ask Choclit' Angel Handley is having an affair with married men an Islamic creed.
#25 Choclit' Angel
commented, onMarch 11, 2008 at 9:48 p.m.:
I assure you sister, it is not. Please feel free to continue directing questions about Al-Islam to me directly @ bnice2me@u.washington.edu. those I cannot answer, I will be sure to direct to someone who is more learned than I.
It is a basic teaching in Islam that having pre or extra marital affairs with married men is forbidden. But then there is really no need, as Islam makes the provision for a man to marry up to four wives :)
Being approached by a married man can therefore create sketchy situations for Muslimahs, especially if she has no wali or mahram to help her in these dealings. I hope I have answered your question sister. Whatever I have said that is inaccurate is due to myown human limitations and anything that I have said in accuracy is due completely to Allah alone. Allahu Alm :)
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