Lulua
11-12-2002, 12:15
Targeting U.S. Muslims is form of ethnic cleansing
December 10, 2002
After the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, attacking Islam and Muslims became the fashionable sport for the radio, television and print media. This year, instead of Ramadan and Eid greetings, Muslims are receiving vicious and poisonous articles, speeches and e-mails by those who are supposed to "love thy neighbors."
Islam-phobic writers and "religious" leaders are striving to become clones of Steve Emerson, the terrorism "expert" who had suggested that the Oklahoma City bombing was done by Muslims.
While Islam is being portrayed as a religion promoting violence and war (Cal Thomas column, Dec. 4), the FBI reports there is a 1,600 percent increase in hate crimes against Muslims and Arabs since 9/11. Those involved in such hate crimes are motivated by evangelists and anti-Islamic elements in the media.
The Rev. Jerry Falwell called Mohammad "a terrorist," and said that Islam was evil. Pat Robertson called Islam the enemy and said Muslims are "worse than the Nazis."
What is the purpose of such unwarranted and hateful attacks on Islam and Muslims? Ostensibly, they can only be read as the prelude to a Bosnia-style ethnic cleansing in the United States. However, I believe Americans are wise enough not to allow the hate mongers to disturb the peace in our country.
Karen Armstrong, a well-known British writer on Islam, herself a Christian, asks this piercing question (Sept. 17, Time magazine): "If Islam is so bad, as projected by the media, how come it is still growing so fast in the West?"
I add this question: Where is the sword of Islam now? Islam is a religion of peace, but Muslims have not been left in peace for a long time by the crusaders of the past and the present. Armstrong notes that "Islam is not addicted to war, and jihad is not a pillar of Islam." All of the 30 or so battles in the life of the prophet Muhammad were defensive wars imposed on Muslims by unbelievers.
Cal Thomas calls Islam "a religion of war," but it was not the Muslims who used the atomic bomb on Japan and Agent Orange in Vietnam. It was not the Muslims who killed millions of Jews and Poles in World War II; nor did they conduct genocide of American Indians.
Perhaps Thomas and other Islamophobes need to heed Armstrong's advice and not read out of context the verses of Quran (i.e. 4:90) that appear to promote violence. Armstrong says these verses were revealed to Muhammad, asking him not to give up against the terrorists of that time who were persecuting Muslims. If read out of context, biblical and other scriptural verses that appear to promote violence can also be found -- for example, Deuteronomy 7:1-2, Numbers 31:17-18 and Deuteronomy 20:10-17.
The attacks on Islam and Muhammad, which started 1,423 years ago, will continue. The hatemongers of the past and present will become history but the names of Muhammad, Moses and Jesus will continue to be remembered and respected until the end of this Earth.
While addressing the Catholic community of Ankara, Turkey, on Nov. 29, 1979, Pope John Paul II said, "My brothers, when I think of this spiritual heritage (Islam) and the value it has for man and for society, its capacity of offering, particularly in the young, guidance for life, filling the gap left by materialism and giving a reliable foundation to social and judicial organizations, I wonder if it is not urgent, especially today when Christians and Muslims have entered a new period of history, to recognize and develop the spiritual bonds that unite us in order to persevere and promote together for the benefit of all men, peace, liberty, social justice and moral values as the council calls upon us to do."
The moderate Muslims respect and listen to moderate Christians, whether Karen Armstrong or the pope, but not to Islamophobic evangelists or columnists. You can never get someone's cooperation by attacking his faith, scriptures or prophet.
Athar, M.D., is an Islamic writer and speaker. He can be contacted at sathar3624@aol.com
December 10, 2002
After the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, attacking Islam and Muslims became the fashionable sport for the radio, television and print media. This year, instead of Ramadan and Eid greetings, Muslims are receiving vicious and poisonous articles, speeches and e-mails by those who are supposed to "love thy neighbors."
Islam-phobic writers and "religious" leaders are striving to become clones of Steve Emerson, the terrorism "expert" who had suggested that the Oklahoma City bombing was done by Muslims.
While Islam is being portrayed as a religion promoting violence and war (Cal Thomas column, Dec. 4), the FBI reports there is a 1,600 percent increase in hate crimes against Muslims and Arabs since 9/11. Those involved in such hate crimes are motivated by evangelists and anti-Islamic elements in the media.
The Rev. Jerry Falwell called Mohammad "a terrorist," and said that Islam was evil. Pat Robertson called Islam the enemy and said Muslims are "worse than the Nazis."
What is the purpose of such unwarranted and hateful attacks on Islam and Muslims? Ostensibly, they can only be read as the prelude to a Bosnia-style ethnic cleansing in the United States. However, I believe Americans are wise enough not to allow the hate mongers to disturb the peace in our country.
Karen Armstrong, a well-known British writer on Islam, herself a Christian, asks this piercing question (Sept. 17, Time magazine): "If Islam is so bad, as projected by the media, how come it is still growing so fast in the West?"
I add this question: Where is the sword of Islam now? Islam is a religion of peace, but Muslims have not been left in peace for a long time by the crusaders of the past and the present. Armstrong notes that "Islam is not addicted to war, and jihad is not a pillar of Islam." All of the 30 or so battles in the life of the prophet Muhammad were defensive wars imposed on Muslims by unbelievers.
Cal Thomas calls Islam "a religion of war," but it was not the Muslims who used the atomic bomb on Japan and Agent Orange in Vietnam. It was not the Muslims who killed millions of Jews and Poles in World War II; nor did they conduct genocide of American Indians.
Perhaps Thomas and other Islamophobes need to heed Armstrong's advice and not read out of context the verses of Quran (i.e. 4:90) that appear to promote violence. Armstrong says these verses were revealed to Muhammad, asking him not to give up against the terrorists of that time who were persecuting Muslims. If read out of context, biblical and other scriptural verses that appear to promote violence can also be found -- for example, Deuteronomy 7:1-2, Numbers 31:17-18 and Deuteronomy 20:10-17.
The attacks on Islam and Muhammad, which started 1,423 years ago, will continue. The hatemongers of the past and present will become history but the names of Muhammad, Moses and Jesus will continue to be remembered and respected until the end of this Earth.
While addressing the Catholic community of Ankara, Turkey, on Nov. 29, 1979, Pope John Paul II said, "My brothers, when I think of this spiritual heritage (Islam) and the value it has for man and for society, its capacity of offering, particularly in the young, guidance for life, filling the gap left by materialism and giving a reliable foundation to social and judicial organizations, I wonder if it is not urgent, especially today when Christians and Muslims have entered a new period of history, to recognize and develop the spiritual bonds that unite us in order to persevere and promote together for the benefit of all men, peace, liberty, social justice and moral values as the council calls upon us to do."
The moderate Muslims respect and listen to moderate Christians, whether Karen Armstrong or the pope, but not to Islamophobic evangelists or columnists. You can never get someone's cooperation by attacking his faith, scriptures or prophet.
Athar, M.D., is an Islamic writer and speaker. He can be contacted at sathar3624@aol.com