China’s Uighur Muslims

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This article was first Published on Sunday, March 23, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/03/chinas-uighur-muslims.html

UIGHUR CHINESE MUSLIMS
TheStar.com World The other thorn in China’s side

The other thorn in China’s side
While the world focuses on Tibet, Beijing is also putting pressure on its Turkic Muslim minorityMar 23, 2008 04:30 AM Andrew Chung Staff Reporter
http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/349844

As Chinese troops have been fanning out across Tibetan regions inside China in an attempt to quell spreading anti-government riots, another restive group has also come under intense police scrutiny in the country’s northwest.

The Uighurs of Xinjiang province – a largely Muslim ethnic minority of Turkic descent that has long inhabited the Central Asia region – have felt the strong arm of a stepped-up police presence since the Tibetan protests began two weeks ago.

“Because of what’s going on in Tibet, the government has stepped up its security measures to make sure no Uighur would stand up against it,” says Rebiya Kadeer, president of the German-based World Uighur Congress, in a phone interview via an interpreter.

“In the streets, whenever three or four Uighurs come together, a van appears and plainclothes police arrive and either disperse them or take them away.

“I have also learned that the Chinese authorities have sent plainclothes Chinese police into Uighur schools … to make sure nothing is going on there.”

She says there are also curfews in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region’s cities and the government is also rounding up Uighurs (pronounced WEE-gurs) previously released from prison for political offences.

The actions appear to signal China’s willingness to take pre-emptive action against perceived threats as it steps up security in advance of the Beijing Olympics in August.

“There is great potential for the people (in Xinjiang) to follow the Tibetans and make some noise there,” says Mehmet Tohti, president of the Uighur Canadian Association. “That’s the fear of the Chinese government.”

Wang Baodong, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, said it’s understandable that authorities would take action to prevent problems from arising in the wake of the Tibetan riots.

“In the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, there are people calling for the independence or the separation of the region from China, and some extreme or fundamental elements, both outside and inside the region, have been engaged in various kinds of activities to try to realize their scheme.”

Wang could not provide details of specific police actions but said “it’s only natural for the local governments and relevant agencies to take preventive measures.”

Chinese authorities have numerous times in the past clamped down on Uighur communities in Xinjiang, which borders Pakistan, Afghanistan and a handful of other Central Asian republics.

There is a fierce mutual mistrust between the Uighurs and the Han Chinese, the country’s majority ethnic group.

For decades, the Han have migrated, with the government’s active encouragement, into Xinjiang. In 1949, when the Communists took over China and assumed control over Xinjiang, they made up just 5 per cent of the population. Now they’re threatening to reach majority.

Like the Tibetans, Uighurs say the Chinese have run roughshod over their culture and livelihoods.

The region is booming economically with tremendous development, especially in oil production, but observers note that it’s mostly the Han who benefit, dominating the region’s commerce and accessing the best jobs and education.

Han Chinese tend to live in newer areas, while they have also torn down historically and architecturally significant Uighur neighbourhoods.

“There does seem to be a sense among Uighurs, as well as Tibetans, that they are not benefiting from the development of Xinjiang as much as many Han immigrants are,” says James Millward, a professor of history and expert on Xinjiang at Georgetown University.

Many Uighurs resent government control over their religious practices, including the banning of religious schools.

Uighur separatists, who reject the name “Xinjiang” and instead use “East Turkestan,” have shown no compunction about using violence. The 1990s saw widespread riots and murders of Han Chinese and officials also blamed a 1997 Beijing bus bombing on Uighur extremists.

But iron-fisted rule has allowed China to thwart most violent activity.

In January 2007, Chinese forces killed 18 people in a raid at what Beijing described as a training camp in the mountains of southern Xinjiang, run by the ETIM.

This year, China acknowledged launching a Jan. 27 raid on a “terrorist gang” in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang.

State-controlled media reported that two members of the cell were shot dead, but not before the militants lobbed homemade grenades, wounding two police officers. Fifteen others were arrested.

It was alleged that the group had collaborated with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which the United Nations has listed as a terrorist organization and the U.S. insists has ties to Al Qaeda.

Xinjiang’s Communist party chief Wang Lequan recently told Xinhua News Agency that investigators seized weapons, books on terrorism and materials that suggested the group was planning an attack on the Olympics.

Then came reports of a March 7 incident in which a China Southern Airlines flight crew broke up an apparent attempt to down a plane flying from Urumqi to Beijing. Reports said a female passenger had smuggled gasoline aboard the plane and there was an attempt to ignite it in a lavatory toilet.

The alleged plot was discovered and the passengers, described by some witnesses as Uighurs, were apprehended. The flight made an emergency landing in Lanzhou, in Gansu province.

Some human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have expressed skepticism over the reports, saying Chinese authorities don’t give details about these incidents and restrictions make it impossible to verify them.

“I think that in many Western countries, these kinds of announcements would not have been met with skepticism,” says Georgetown professor Millward. “Some of that arises from the way the media is so closely allied with the (Communist) party and government authorities in China.”

In fact, human rights groups have long suspected China of overstating the terrorist threat as a pretext for smothering Uighur separatism.

China’s claims to Xinjiang and Tibet remain controversial but uncontested by the world community, observes Millward, who published a book last year called Eurasian Crossroads: A History of Xinjiang.

Both regions were under control of the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century. With the 1911 fall of the dynasty and rise of the Republic of China, their status became questionable. The Nationalists never actually had control over Tibet and wielded little influence in Xinjiang, Millward explains, “but always maintained claims” to them.

The Uighur people had their own state in the region, both in 1933 based in the city of Kashgar, and again just after World War II in northern Xinjiang.

Taiwan was also part of the Qing Dynasty and it was to the island that Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist army fled in 1949 to escape Mao Zedong’s conquering Communists. Mao’s forces also took control of Xinjiang in 1949 and did the same in Tibet two years later.

China has made it clear it will not countenance a formal declaration of independence by Taiwan, nor any kind of “splitting” activity from either the Tibetans or Uighurs.

Notes Millward: “They were all part of the Qing empire, for which the transition to being part of the modern Chinese state and being part of the People’s Republic of China has been at times difficult.

“There remain tensions and contradictions about their status that have yet to be fully resolved and fully faced.”

As the Tibetan riots and apparent resurging struggles in Xinjiang attest, China is facing touchy political battles under a heavy international gaze.

“It’s a lot for China, just as it would be for any country, to deal with,” says Millward. “There are lingering contradictions from the Qing Dynasty to the modern Chinese state and these have not so far been treated openly.”

World Uighur Congress president Kadeer says she worries that the Chinese government will use the Tibetan riots as an excuse to harass Uighurs and implement policies that would have seemed too heavy-handed in the past.

She estimates tensions in the cities to be “very high right now as a result of the Chinese government’s media portrayals of both the Uighurs and Tibetans as the enemy.”

However, it’s not easy to get a true picture of what is happening on the ground at any given time.

The Uighur Canadian Association’s Tohti says southern Xinjiang had been closed to tourists, foreigners and media – just as in Tibet and Tibetan cities in neighbouring provinces.

But a call from the Toronto Star confirmed with a hotel in central Kashgar that it was accepting reservations from Western tourists.

The latest Tibetan uprising has brought an outpouring of concern from around the world. But little is heard about the plight of the Uighurs.

To explain the disparity, Millward points to a well-worn maxim concerning China’s ethnic minorities.

“Tibetans are like pandas,” he says. “Uighurs are like camels. The pandas are cuddly – there is great sympathy for Tibetan Buddhism and no fear of it. Camels are prickly beasts, not something you necessarily want to cozy up to.

“Yet pandas and wild camels, both, are endangered species.”

A Church in Saudi Arabia

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This article was first Published on Sunday, March 23, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/03/church-in-saudi-arabia.html

I have lost track of a Saudi minister who had asked me to put together an interfaith meeting with about 20 people, comprising Jews, Christians and Muslims. I fought with him to include all faiths, but finally agreed to work in stages, from familiar to unfamiliar ones. It was some where around 2005. I am pleased to see at least a dialogue is emerging between Vatican and Saudi’s. Neighboring Dubai has just opened up a mega church this month.

I recall some Mormon friends of mine who had a congregation in Saudi Arabia way back in 1978-80 headed by a Houstonian by name Norman Powell, and of course my buddy Everett Blauvelt of Richardson was a Mormon as well, who first went to Saudi in early 40’s and had worked there for nearly 30 years and made a come back in late seventies. There were several others who attended the Baptist and Catholic mass on Sundays. The Indian, Pakistani and Filipion christians groups had their own gatherings as well.

### Now the article

LONDON, March 18: The Vatican and the Saudi Kingdom are holding secret talks on lifting the age-old ban on building churches in Saudi Arabia, the Guardian reported on Tuesday.

The newspaper quoted one of Pope Benedict’s most senior Middle East representatives, Archbishop Paul-Mounged El-Hashem, as saying: “Discussions are under way to allow the construction of churches in the kingdom. We cannot forecast the outcome.”

There are said to be around three or four million Christians in Saudi Arabia.

At the Vatican, the Pope’s spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said: “If we manage to obtain authorisation for the construction of the first church, it will be an outcome of historic dimensions.”

The opening last Friday of the first church in Qatar left Saudi Arabia as the only country in the region that still bans the building of churches and all forms of open Christian worship.

Diplomats in Rome said talks on the building of churches would be consistent with recent developments.

Saudi Arabia is among the few countries that do not have diplomatic links with the Vatican, but sources in Rome say the Saudis are keen to establish formal relations.

In Qatar last Saturday, some 15,000 people attended an inaugural mass at the country’s first church. Our Lady of the Rosary in Doha is one of five Christian places of worship planned in the state.

Addressing the reciprocity issue, Qatar’s deputy prime minister, Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, said: “We are enjoying the construction of mosques and Islamic centres in the West, so we must be fair (to Christians).”

The Pope is expected later this year to meet representatives of 138 Muslim scholars who wrote a letter to Christian leaders last October calling for peace between the two religions.

# # # # #

First Catholic church for Saudi Arabia
Published: March 18, 2008

Negotiations are underway to build the first Catholic church in Saudi Arabia with King Abdullah lending his support for its construction.

Vatican Radio reports the Vatican and the Saudi government are currently in talks to allow the church despite the kingdoms ban on allowing the construction of any non-Muslim place of worship.

No religion other than Islam is allowed to schedule public services, and even the possession of bibles, rosaries, and crucifixes is forbidden.

Saudi Arabia is the only country on the Arabian Peninsula without a Catholic church despite the 800,000 Catholics – virtually all of who are foreign workers.

While Saudi Arabia does not have formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See, King Abdullah became the first reigning Saudi monarch ever to visit the Vatican last November.

Commenting after his meeting with the Pope Vatican officials confirmed the Pontiff pressed for permission to open a Catholic church in the kingdom.

Holy See spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said that opening a Catholic parish in the Islamic land would be “a historic achievement” for religious freedom and a major step forward for inter-religious dialogue.

The apostolic nuncio to Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, Archbishop Paul-Mounged El-Hachem, is reportedly the lead Vatican negotiator in talks with Saudi officials.

IRS- Politics & Pulpit

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This article was first Published on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/03/irs-politics-pulpit.html

THE PEW FORUM ON RELIGION & PUBLIC LIFE
Politics and the Pulpit 2008

A Guide to the Internal Revenue Code Restrictions on the Political Activity of Religious Organizations

Download a printable PDF of the full report (23 pgs.)
During every election cycle, many religious congregations find themselves wondering what role, if any, they can play in the political process. Can a minister, rabbi, imam or other member of the clergy endorse a candidate from the pulpit or speak on political issues of interest to voters? Is a church or other house of worship legally permitted to register voters or distribute voter guides? Answers to these and many other questions are contained here.

This guide sets out in plain English the rules governing political activity that apply to nonprofit organizations (including churches and other religious groups) that are exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The 2008 edition of the guide updates versions previously published by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life in 2004 and 2002. The report was written by Deirdre Dessingue, Associate General Counsel of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Ms. Dessingue is a leading expert on the taxation of religious organizations, and she has written a straightforward and practical guide to the law on these matters. The report also has been vetted by a number of other prominent legal experts in this field.

The current rules have been in place since 1954, when Congress amended the Internal Revenue Code to impose limits on the political activities of religious groups and certain other tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. In recent years, some have voiced strong opposition to these limits, especially as they are applied to religious groups, arguing that they amount to an unfair abridgement of free speech. Others, including some religious leaders, have vigorously defended the rules, asserting that they correctly prevent churches from getting too deeply involved in partisan politics.

The Forum takes no position in this or any other policy debate. The Forum commissioned this publication solely to better inform religious groups and others on the provisions and meaning of the law as it is currently written. The Forum’s overall mission is to deliver timely, impartial information on issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs.

Politics and the Pulpit is published with the understanding that the Forum is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice. If legal advice or other professional assistance is required, the services of a qualified professional should be sought.

Note: Throughout this document, the term “churches” refers to churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and other religious congregations. The term “religious organizations” has a broader meaning, including both churches and other types of religious organizations that are exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

This report is in question-and-answer format. Use the menu below to go to a particular section of the report or to a specific question. A selected bibliography is available in the PDF version.
Background

1.Where do the restrictions on religious organizations’ participation in the political process come from?

2.Has this prohibition on political campaign intervention always been part of the Internal Revenue Code?

3.Are religious organizations singled out by the political campaign intervention prohibition in the Internal Revenue Code?

4.Doesn’t the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protect the right of religious organizations to engage in political activity?
IRS Restrictions on Political Intervention and Lobbying

5.What political activities are prohibited under the Internal Revenue Code?

6. Must religious organizations restrict their discussion of issues during election campaign periods?

7. When would an issue discussion violate the political campaign intervention prohibition?

8. Are religious organizations permitted to engage in lobbying activities?

9. Are religious organizations permitted to participate in referenda, constitutional amendments and similar ballot initiatives?

10. What are the consequences if a religious organization engages in excessive lobbying?

11. Does the political campaign intervention prohibition apply to the political activities of clergy and other religious leaders?

12.When are the political activities of clergy or other religious leaders attributed to their religious organizations?

13. Who is considered a candidate?

14.What rules apply with respect to candidates for non-elective office?

15.May candidates appear in pulpits during worship services?

16.What if the candidate appears in a noncandidate capacity?

17. What if the candidate is a member of the clergy?
Voter Education and Outreach

18. May religious organizations become involved in voter education?

19. May religious organizations publish or distribute voter guides?

20. Why must a broad range of issues be covered in voter education materials?

21. May religious organizations publish or distribute legislators’ voting records?

22. May religious organizations distribute voter education materials prepared by a candidate, political party or PAC?

23. May religious organizations sponsor candidate forums?

24. May religious organizations conduct voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives?
Religious Organization Facilities and Publications

25. May the facilities of religious organizations be used for civic or political events?

26. Do special rules apply to websites belonging to religious organizations?

27. Do links to candidate-related materials constitute political campaign intervention?

28. May religious organizations sell paid political advertising in their publications?

29. May a religious organization sell or rent its mailing list to a candidate, political party or PAC?
Enforcement

30. What are the penalties if a religious organization violates the political campaign intervention prohibition?

31. Does the IRS target churches for enforcement of the political campaign intervention prohibition?

Wilders, Fitna and Muslims

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This article was first Published on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at – :

http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/03/wilders-fitna-and-muslims_30.html

Muslim Response to Dutch legislators
Lies about Qur’aan.

By Mike Ghouse
.
The following piece is organized into three sections;

  1. Introduction
  2. A prelude to Qur’aan translations
  3. Geert Wilders 14 mis-translated verses of Qur’aan with the corrected ones.

This is a Muslim response to Geert Wilders documentary called “Fitna”. The documentary can be viewed at: http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/020472.php.

Mr. Wilders has read this piece and is not willing to correct statements made by him, he quoted them as if they are in Qur’aan, they are not. Wikipedia has made similar mistakes and even the prestigious(?) University of Southern California’s website has a quote ascribed to Qur’aan with a verse number to give the idea that it is legitimate, but that verse is not in Qur’aan. Of course, only 1/10th of 1% of the extremists blindly believe in such statements without verifying.

The Necons have done it time and again, blatantly lie to the public assuming at least a few will fall prey to it, and fund their evil agenda of promoting hate and chaos. I pray that they spend the time on building bridges and work for peace, they will achieve greater results.

It is time to believe what is verifiable. I urge every one to actually refer the Wilders’s quoted verses in the Qur’aan, you have to believe it yourselves. There are 18 translations of Qur’aan on the market now, a few of them are flawed, particularly the ones done by the Europeans in the middle ages, please do check them for the origins of Islamophobia. Then a Muslim by the name of Hilali Khan in the early 20th century translated it and it is equally evil, if you are a Jew or a Christian it will offend you, heck it offends me the Muslim. If you picked up a free copy of Qur’aan, more likely it is Hilali translation. By far the translation that reflects the intent of Qur’aan closely is Mohammad Asad’s. The website Islamicity has it, and you can simply punch in the verse numbers, and that is what I have done below.

If you wish to fund this project for creating a better world of Understanding, I can complete the work and put on the webiste for the world to see, it will be authenticated by Muslim, Jewish and Christian sscholars who know Arabic. To be a Muslim is to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill and I am committed to do my share of the work.
. .
I. INTRODUCTION

“Geert Wilders, Dutch conservative lawmaker, has made a sixteen minute film called “Fitna” (trouble) exposing the horrific passages of the Koran. Wilders refers to theses selected verses as “fascist.’” http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/29496.html

First of all, as a Muslim, I want to thank Geert Wilders for making this documentary, the verses, as he has quoted certainly sound fascist. These verses have not only been misquoted for millennia, but were mis-translated with the intent of maligning Islam in the middle ages to protect the European kings and their kingdoms. My gratitude to Wilders comes from the fact that he is putting it on the spot light, so we have an opportunity to discuss and clarify them, hopefully for ever.

Prophet Muhammad was pelted with stones by a bunch of miscreants, he was bleeding, and his associates and angel Gabriel were requesting him to give permission to go get the bad boys, the Prophet said no, instead he asked them to pray with him that God gave goodwill and a good sense to the misled miscreants.

Following the model of forgiveness given by the Prophet with a belief that there is good in every human soul, we have to relentlessly stoke the goodness in humans. I ask fellow humans in general and Muslims in particular to pray for Geert Wilders’ safety and well being.

Mr. Wilders, I have personally prayed for your safety and well being and request our Imams to do the same across the world. The report expressed that “You do not fear being slain, claiming 24-hour protection.” Again, I admire you for your courage and conviction and request you to consider the truth side of the equation that nearly 1.5 billion Muslims believe.

Note to the Muslim Leadership:

As Muslims leaders, we have a responsibility to prevent mis-haps. To be a Muslim is to be a peace maker; one who constantly seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for co-existence and world peace – God wants his creation to be in peace and harmony, and that is the chief purpose of religion. Islam is indeed peace.

Geert Wilder’s is going to show a 10 minute documentary on the 25th – the hell may freeze over and all of us will be scrambling to defend…. if our Imams can address this in the Friday Sermons, and urge Muslims to follow the model Prophet has created, we can avoid a big mishap and turn this upcoming nightmare into a peace building effort. I request all Imams to call their counterparts around the globe to win this propaganda war with love and kindness and it is an opportunity God has provided to become leaders. If you like, please circulate.

II. A PRELUDE TO QUR’AAN TRANSLATIONS

When the European Kings were threatened by the invading Arab armies in early part of the millennia, to safeguard and protect their Kingdoms, they gave birth to the idea of Islamophobia and their strategy was:

1. To label the Invading Kings as Muslim, as that was one of the ways to get their subjects to fight.

2. To mis-translate the Qur’aan to create a permanent wedge between the two communities

3. To paint the religion negatively and as a Mohammedan cult.

4. To reinforce this strategy they roped in the Pope to issue a fatwa approving crusades.

Their Blueprint worked well for them and the Arab Kings were pushed back and defeated. It is important to note that a majority of the kings were thieves and robbers, whose only purpose in life was to invade and annex the neighboring territories, loot their wealth, destroy their cultures and come back home stronger and erect a statue of themselves as Heroes. Very few of them wanted to spread their faith for the purpose of spreading piety and goodwill. Their goal was to control the resources and the people; in the process they destroyed civilizations, no different than today’s Neocons.

The Neocons of middle ages were exceptionally successful in steering public opinion against Islam via the translations. The foundation they laid at that time has become the basis for building baseless theories against Islam. The kings happened to be Muslims that they were against, instead their propaganda turned against all Muslims and Islam.

Dahlia Sabry is researching on the effects of this work and reports that ” it was found out that translating the meanings of the holy Qur’aan offered an opportunity to distort and misinterpret its meanings. This played a crucial role in framing a negative and an inaccurate image of Islam. The problem can be ascribed mostly to translations by non-Muslims, however, also partially to translations by Muslims.”

Lex Mahumet pseudoprophete (English: “Law of Mahomet the pseudo-prophet”) was the first translation of the Qur’aan into Latin by Robert of Ketton in 1142. Peter the Venerable persuaded Robert to join a team he was creating to translate Arabic works into Latin in hopes of aiding the religious conversion of Muslims to Christianity. It was the standard translation for Europeans from its release until the 18th century. This translation is loaded with inaccuracies.

Another Latin translation by Ludovicus Marracci was published in 1698. It was supplemented with quotes from Qur’an commentaries “carefully juxtaposed and sufficiently garbled so as to portray Islam in the worst possible light” (Colin Turner,1997 p. xii). The title of the introductory volume of such translation was A Refutation of the Qur’an.

Such translations formed the foundation for a number of subsequent translations into English, French, Italian, German, etc. The first English translation was that of Alexander Ross published in 1649. In his introduction, Ross says “I thought good to bring it to their colours, that so viewing thine enemies in their full body, thou must the better prepare to encounter … his Alcoran” (p. A3).

Similarly, H. Reckendorf (1857) says in his Hebrew translation of the Qur’an, “I can now stop writing and ask God’s pardon for the sin I committed when I profaned our sacred language and transferred to it the talk of lies and falsehood” (as cited in Abdul Aal, January 29, 2006, p. 78).

In 1734, George Sale’s translation came out based on Marracci’s earlier notorious work. In 1861, J. M. Rodwell’s work provided a further example of a writer “gunning for Islam” (Turner, 1997, p. xii).

That was the story of Neocons who shamelessly wore the Christian label, similar inaccurate and brazen translations were made by Muslims as well. The Noble Qur’an, also informally known as the Hilali-Khan translation was published in early 1900’s and is despicable. http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Quraan/Not-like-Jews-and-Christians.asp

Religions emerged to allay individual fears and bring a balance in one’s life and peace for the society. It is obvious that the Kings of the past have raped the religion to their own advantage and we must not give them the religious label. Their purpose was simply expansion, exertion and oppression and religion did not figure in the conquests, they were far from it.

It is time for us to strip the wrongs people have ascribed to religion, every religion, and get to know the truth. I am amazed neither the Universities, nor the responsible Governments have under taken research project to dismantle the false castles of hate from the past. It is time now, and we have begun this process.

Further Geert Wilders adds “When taking the Koran seriously as divine revelation, a superficial review of the Koran’s extremist verses is not what meshes with democracies.”

All the fourteen verses quoted below have one theme in common “Punishment” for those who do not follow the rules. Mr. Geert may understand this better, if he were to look at it from an universal perspective and not as Islam V. Christianity issue.

One can find ‘punitive’ verses in every holy book. However, the critical element overlooked is the most powerful and dominant aspect of the creator; Qur’aan 1:1 “In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace.” This verse is repeated 114 times in Qur’aan, more than any other verse and 113 Chapters begin with it. And as Muslims, the majority of us, perhaps 99% of us recite at the beginning of every activity we undertake during the day including going to sleep. We are constantly aware of God’s mercy and pray that God’s grace is on all of us every minute of the day.

For societies to function on equilibrium there must be law and order. When there is justice in a society, peace is a natural outcome. The Criminal and Civil laws are designed to bring net-peace to the society. For every violation of a rule, punishment is determined. If there were no punishment, then crimes go un-checked creating chaos in the society.

From a common man’s perspective, the word ‘painful doom’ appears to be cruelty coming from a kind God. Well, then what should hold any one from murdering and butchering the other. If you are a good guy who holds the temptations to steal someone else’s hard earned goods, and the bad guys steal with no consequences to it, then every one may resort to stealing. What will happen to a society when every one is stealing, lying or cheating? No one would trust and everyone is frightened of the other.

Imagine the nightmare in America, if we were to remove the punishment aspect from the United States Constitution, civil and criminal laws.

Religions emerged to allay individual fears and bring a balance in one’s life and peace for the society. It is time for us to strip the wrongs people have ascribed to religion, indeed every religion, and find the truth for ourselves. I cannot believe that the Universities and responsible Governments have not undertaken the research to dismantle the false castles of hate from the past.

We have undertaken the work to fix 60 misrepresented verses, hopefully to mitigate the conflicts and nurture goodwill for co-existence, as citizens of the world, you and I, every one included, have the responsibility to watch for the trouble makers whose business is manufacturing enemies and cashing in on fears of ordinary people.

III. The 14 Verses mis-translated in the Film Fitna
——————————————————————————–

Surah 9: Repentance

A full copy of the text from Geert Wilders is pasted at the bottom that includes 14 verse that sounds fascist, indeed they are as quoted. Actual verses from Qur’aan are pulled with each one of the 14 verses.

Mohammad Asad – http://www.islamicity.com/QuranSearch/

1:1 In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace:

According to most of the authorities, this invocation (which occurs at the beginning of every surah with the exception of surah 9) constitutes an integral part of “The Opening” and is, therefore, numbered as verse I. In all other instances, the invocation “in the name of God” precedes the surah as such, and is not counted among its verses. – Both the divine epithets rahman and rahrim are derived from the noun rahmah, which signifies “mercy”, “compassion”, “loving tenderness” and, more comprehensively, “grace”. From the very earliest times, Islamic scholars have endeavoured to define the exact shades of meaning which differentiate the two terms. The best and simplest of these explanations is undoubtedly the one advanced by Ibn al-Qayyim (as quoted in Manar I, 48): the term rahman circumscribes the quality of abounding grace inherent in, and inseparable from, the concept of God’s Being, whereas rahrim expresses the manifestation of that grace in, and its effect upon, His creation-in other words, an aspect of His activity.(Quran Ref: 1:1 )

#1. Give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom to those who disbelieve. 3

Mohammad Asad – http://www.islamicity.com/QuranSearch/ At-Tauba (The Repentance)

9:3 And a proclamation from God and His Apostle [is herewith made] unto all mankind on this day of the Greatest Pilgrimage: “God disavows all who ascribe divinity to aught beside Him, and [so does] His Apostle. Hence, if you repent, it shall be for your own good; and if you turn away, then know that you can never elude God!” And unto those who are bent on denying the truth give thou [O Prophet] the tiding of grievous chastisement.

There is no unanimity among the commentators as to what is meant by “the day of the Greatest Pilgrimage”. Most of them assume that it refers to the pilgrimage in the year 9H., in which the Prophet himself did not participate, having entrusted Abu Bakr with the office of amir al-hajj. This very fact, however, makes it improbable that the designation “the Greatest Pilgrimage” should have been given in the Qur’an to this particular pilgrimage. On the other hand, there exists a Tradition on the authority of `Abd Allah ibn `Umar to the effect that the Prophet described in these very words the last pilgrimage led by himself in 10 H. and known to history as the Farewell Pilgrimage (Zamakhshari, Razi); one may, therefore, assume that it is this which is alluded to here. If this assumption is correct, it would justify the conclusion that verses 3 and 4 of this surah were revealed during the Farewell Pilgrimage, i.e., shortly before the Prophet’s death. This might explain the-otherwise perplexing-statement, reliably attributed to the Prophet’s Companion Al-Bara’ (Bukhari, Kitab at-Tafsir), that At-Tawbah was the last surah revealed to the Prophet: for, although it is established beyond any doubt that the surah as a whole was revealed in 9 H. and was followed by several other parts of the Qur’an, e.g., Al-Ma’idah, it is possible that what Al-Bard’ had in mind were only these two key-verses (3 and 4) of At-Tawbah, which conceivably were revealed during the Farewell Pilgrimage.(Quran Ref: 9:3 )

Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: This is a classic example of misinterpretation of the Quran. You needn’t look very far in understanding what the verse is talking about. The VERY NEXT VERSE talks about observing peace treaties and NOT attacking those people that weren’t a threat! Here is the verse: (9:4. Except those of the Mushrikin with whom you have a treaty, and who have broken that treaty, nor have supported anyone against you. So fulfill their treaty for them until the end of their term. Surely, Allah loves those who have Taqwa (awareness of God).)

Mike Ghouse: There is just a God, and there is no Muslim, Christian or other God. If Wilders can see one source of Creation called God, he would not have the problem. God is essentially saying if you have some one else besides me, go to him or her, don’t come to me if you don’t believe in me.
#2. Slay the idolaters wherever you find them. 5

Mohammad Asad – At-Tauba (The Repentance)

9:5 And so, when the sacred months are over [6] , slay those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God wherever you may come upon them, [7] and take them captive, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every conceivable place [8] ! Yet if they repent, and take to prayer, and render the purifying dues, let them go their way: for, behold, God is much forgiving, a dispenser of grace. [9]9:2 [Announce unto them:] “Go, then, [freely] about the earth for four months [2] -but know that you can never elude God, and that, verily, God shall bring disgrace upon all who refuse to acknowledge the truth!”

9:5 Article: http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Quraan/Slay-the-idolaters-whereever-you-find-them.asp .

Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: The four months were given for the hostile people so that they can come and go peacefully amongst the Muslims and see what Islam is about. If it was not for them, they could leave the Holy Lands, and seek refuge elsewhere. If the whole purpose was killing and butchering them, then what is the purpose behind giving them four months??

# 3. Don’t let idolaters tend the sanctuaries. Their works are in vain and they will be burned in the Fire. 17

Mohammad Asad – At-Tauba (The Repentance)

9:17 IT IS NOT for those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God to visit or tend [26] God’s houses of worship, the while [by their beliefs] they bear witness against themselves that they are denying the truth. It is they whose works shall come to nought, and they who in the fire shall abide [27]

In its transitive form, the verb `amara comprises the meanings of both visiting and maintaining a place; hence my rendering of an ya’muru as “that they should visit or tend”.(Quran Ref: 9:17 )

Some of the commentators conclude from this verse that “those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God” are not allowed to enter mosques (“God’s houses of worship”). This conclusion, however, is entirely untenable in view of the fact that in 9 H. -that is, after the revelation of this surah -the Prophet himself lodged a deputation of the pagan Banu Thaqif in the mosque at Medina (Razi). Thus, the above verse expresses no more than the moral incongruity of the unbelievers’ “visiting or tending God’s houses of worship”. As regards their exclusion from the central mosque of Islam at Mecca (“the Inviolable House of Worship”), see verse 28 of this surah.(Quran Ref: 9:17 )

9:28 O YOU who have attained to faith! Those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God are nothing but impure: [37] and so they shall not approach the Inviolable House of Worship from this year onwards [38] And should you fear poverty, then [know that] in time God will enrich you out of His bounty, if He so wills: [39] for, verily, God is all-knowing, wise!

Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: The whole purpose of all religions, including Judaism and Christianity is that God alone should be worshipped. If polytheists were allowed to tend to or attend or build the holiest sanctuaries whose whole foundation was on Tawheed (the sole worship of God), it would be a huge contradiction in the religion. So to avoid this contradiction and conflict, Islam very clearly outlines the rules about who could or couldn’t come to the Haram of Makkah.

Bear in mind that the Prophet himself hosted a delegation of Christian dignitaries and priests from Najran, whom he allowed to STAY and whom he allowed to PRAY in his own mosque in the Holy city of Madina, the second holiest site to all Muslims.

Mike Ghouse:: Those who do not believe in God, simply cannot serve in the sanctuary with sincerity. Obviously one feels the pain of doing things that which is not in his or her nature. Caveat: There is no compulsion in faith, no one can push any one to believe what he or she is not willing to.

#4. Give tiding of a painful doom to Christians and Jews. 34

Mohammad Asad – At-Tauba (The Repentance)

9:34 O you who have attained to faith! Behold, many of the rabbis and monks do indeed wrongfully devour men’s possessions and turn [others] away from the path of God. But as for all who lay up treasures of gold and silver and do not spend them for the sake of Gods [51] – give them the tiding of grievous suffering [in the life to come]:

Most probably this is, in the first instance, an allusion to the wealth of the Jewish and Christian communities, and their misuse of this wealth. Some of the commentators, however, are of the opinion that the reference is wider, comprising all people, including Muslims, who hoard their wealth without spending anything thereof on righteous causes.(Quran Ref: 9:34 )

Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: The purpose of religious leadership is to focus on the Hereafter, and they should lead by example is this respect. If they are seen to be hoarding wealth, and not distributing it to the poor and needy, what kind of example are they setting for their followers? Also bear in mind that the condemnation in this verse is the hoarding of ILLICITLY gained funds and riches.

Mike Ghouse: Another good example of misquoting the Verses. Indeed, those (not all) who embezzle public funds need to be punished, be it Muslim, Jew, Christian or otherwise. Those are the laws of any civilized nation including the Netherlands. In the verse 34, there is word like Christian and Jew.

Pasted below is the transliteration and actual Quranic verse.

Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo inna katheeran mina alahbari waalrruhbani layakuloona amwala alnnasi bialbatili wayasuddoona AAan sabeeli Allahi waallatheena yaknizoona alththahaba waalfiddata wala yunfiqoonaha fee sabeeli Allahi fabashshirhum biAAathabin aleemin

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ إِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الأَحْبَارِ وَالرُّهْبَانِ لَيَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَالَّذِينَ يَكْنِزُونَ الذَّهَبَ وَالْفِضَّةَ وَلاَ يُنفِقُونَهَا فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ (9:34)


#5. If you refuse to fight, Allah will afflict you with a painful doom. 39

Mohammad Asad – At-Tauba (The Repentance)

9:39 If you do not go forth to war [in God’s cause], He will chastise you with grievous chastisement, and will place another people in your stead – whereas you shall in no wise harm Him: for, God has the power to will anything.

Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: The purpose of religious leadership is to focus on the Hereafter, and they should lead by example is this respect. If they are seen to be hoarding wealth, and not distributing it to the poor and needy, what kind of example are they setting for their followers? Also bear in mind that the condemnation in this verse is the hoarding of ILLICITLY gained funds and riches.

Mike Ghouse: In the USA, and perhaps in the Netherlands, these men are referred to as draft dodgers, during the Vietnam war if you dodge going to the war, you faced grievous chastisement by the Government of the United states of America, even though that was the wrong war. Perhaps Netherlands may not be sympathetic towards them either.

#6. Disbelievers go to hell. 49

Mohammad Asad – At-Tauba (The Repentance)

9:49 And among them there was [many a one] who said,” [71] Grant me permission [to remain at home], and do not put me to too hard a test!” Oh, verily, [by making such a request] they had [already failed in their test and] succumbed to a temptation to evil: [72] and, behold, hell will indeed encompass all who refuse to acknowledge the truth!

See verses 44 and 45 above. It is to be noted that both the verbal form la taftinni (rendered by me as “do not put me to too hard a test”) and the noun fitnah have the same root, comprising a great complex of meanings: e.g., test, trial, affliction. temptation to evil, seduction, persecution, oppression, discord, civil strife, etc. (cf. surah 8, note 25). Since it is impossible in any language but Arabic to reproduce all these many shades of meaning in a single expression, the rendering of the term fitnah must necessarily vary in accordance with the context in which it is used.(Quran Ref: 9:49 )

Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: Here the analogy of the draft-dodgers is appropriate. Anyone who opposed or even voices dissent in the “war on terror” was labeled unpatriotic. But, here the verse is referring to those hypocrites who showed that they were Muslims in front, but internally held malice against the Muslims. Part of their malice was not supporting the Muslims in anything they did including fighting if the need was there. God chastises these people, as their negative actions raised disorder and disunity and pessimism and negativity amongst even the true Muslims.

Mike Ghouse: Any one who refuses to acknowledge the truth must be punished. I don’t know what kind of tortures Netherlands applies to criminals, but most nations in the world including the United States of American, has used the water boarding techniques to extract the truth.

God could have made us all sinless angels; instead he chose to make us humans, giving guidance on one hand, temptations on the other – then giving room to make mistakes, and room for correction. Islam has not claimed monopoly to heaven; it is assured to those who do good deeds. Good deeds are defined by Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) as how your treat others.

#7. Those who vex the Prophet, for them there is a painful doom. 60

Mohammad Asad – At-Tauba (The Repentance)

9:60 The offerings given for the sake of God [83] are [meant] only for the poor and the needy, and those who are in charge thereof, [84] and those whose hearts are to be won over, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage, and [for] those who are over burdened with debts, and [for every struggle] in God’s cause, and [for] the wayfarer: [this is] an ordinance from God – and God is all-knowing, wise. [85]

Note 83/81: Since there is no English equivalent for the term sadaqat (sing. sadagah), I am rendering it here as “offerings given for the sake of God”. This comprises everything that a believer freely gives to another person, out of love or compassion, as well as what he is morally or legally obliged to give, without expecting any worldly return: that is, charitable gifts and deeds of every description (which is the primary meaning of sadaqat -e.g., in 2:263 and 264), as well as the obligatory tax called zakah (“the purifying dues”, because its payment purifies, as it were, a person’s property from the taint of selfishness). In the context of the above verse, this term refers to the funds thus collected and administered by the Muslim community or state. When these funds are disbursed for the purposes stipulated in verse 60, they assume once more – this time in relation to the recipients-the aspect of “charitable gifts”.(Quran Ref: 9:58 )

Note 84- I.e., the officials entrusted with the collection and administration of zakah funds.(Quran Ref: 9:60 Note 85: These eight categories circumscribe all the purposes for which zakah funds may be expended. By “those whose hearts are to be won over” are apparently meant such non-Muslims as are close to understanding and, perhaps, accepting Islam, and for whose conversion every effort should be made, either directly or indirectly (i.e., by means of the widest possible propagation of the teachings of Islam). As regards the expression fi ‘r-rigab (“for the freeing of human beings from bondage”), which relates both to the ransoming of prisoners of war and to the freeing of slaves, see surah 2, note 146. The term al-gharimun describes people who are overburdened with debts contracted in good faith. which – through no fault of their own – they are subsequently unable to redeem. The expression “in God’s cause” embraces every kind of struggle in righteous causes, both in war and in peace, including expenditure for the propagation of Islam and for all charitable purposes. Regarding the meaning of ibn as-sabil (“wayfarer”), see surah 2, note 145.(Quran Ref: 9:60 )

Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: I don’t see anything that can be held as negative in the verse. It is simply talking about giving in charity, and that includes to non-muslims.

Mike Ghouse: Another falsity.

#8. Those who oppose Allah and His messenger will burn in the fire of hell. 63

Mohammad Asad – At-Tauba (The Repentance)

9:63 Do they not know that for him who sets himself against God and His Apostle there is in store the fire of hell, therein to abide -that most awesome disgrace?

Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: This verse was specifically for those hypocrites who raised their voices of dissent and fueled disunity amongst the Muslims. It is not a general verse for everyone. The next verse emphasizes this point.

Mike Ghouse: Once you pledge your allegiance, and then betray it to do harm, it is called treason. However, if you chose not to believe, but not hurt any one in the process, you go Scot free. Justness is paramount in Islamic values. This is no different than the civil laws of any nation.

# 9. Allah promises hypocrites and disbelievers the fire of hell. Allah curses them. They will have a lasting torment. 68

Mohammad Asad – At-Tauba (The Repentance)

9:68 God- has promised the hypocrites, both men and women-as well as the [outright] deniers of the _ truth-the fire of hell, therein to abide: this shall be their allotted_ portion. For, God has rejected them, and long-lasting suffering awaits them.

Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: The reason hypocrisy is so bad is because these were the “wolves in sheep’s clothing”, i.e under the guise of being Muslims they fueled rancor amongst the Muslims. It is better to know your enemy up front, so you can avoid them, rather than an outwardly friendly person who is really your enemy.

Mike Ghouse: Please remember God is merciful and forgiver. Prescription of punishment is a deterrent to crime, at least most average people will not commit crime. Mr. Wilders, Welcome to the United States of America, and particularly Texas, those who deny the truth get the life time imprisonment or the electric chair.

#10. Fight the disbelievers and hypocrites. Be harsh with them. They are all going to hell anyway. 73

Mohammad Asad – At-Tauba (The Repentance)

9:73 O PROPHET! Strive hard against the deniers of the truth and the hypocrites, and be adamant with them. [101] And [if they do not repent,] their goal shall be hell -and how vile a journey’s end!

Note 101 – I.e., “do not compromise with them in matters of principle”. Regarding the meaning of the verb jahada (“he strove hard”, i.e., in a righteous cause), see surah 4, note 122. The imperative jahid is obviously used here in its spiritual connotation, implying efforts at convincing both the outspoken unbelievers and the waverers, including the various types of hypocrites spoken of in the preceding passages. Although the imperative is addressed in the first instance to the Prophet, it is considered to be morally binding on all believers.(Quran Ref: 9:73 )

Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: Comments It is obvious that the order is for striving to guide them, otherwise the translation be adamant would be rendered useless if one was to simply kill them. If the meaning is punishment, then punishing criminals is not wrong.

Mike Ghouse: Think in terms of civic societies and how the criminals are punished or at least there is a law ranging from a day in Jail to the death penalty. Shall we be lenient to rapists, murderers? Shall we tell them, that we believe in civility and as a bonus for their crimes, there is no punishment fro them.

#11. Allah will afflict disbelievers with a painful doom in this world and the Hereafter. 74

Mohammad Asad – At-Tauba (The Repentance)

9:74 [The hypocrites] swear by God that they have said nothing [wrong]; yet most certainly have they uttered a saying which amounts to a denial of the truth, [102] and have [thus] denied the truth after [having professed] their self-surrender to God: for they were aiming at something which was beyond their reach. [103] And they could find no fault [with the Faith] save that God had enriched them and [caused] His Apostle [to enrich them] out of His bounty! [104] Hence, if they repent, it will be for their own good. but if they turn away, God will cause them to suffer grievous suffering in this world and in the life to come, and they will find no helper on earth, and none to give [them] succour.

Note 102- See the first sentence of verse 61 above, and the corresponding note 86. The allegation that the Prophet deceived himself in the matter of revelation is, naturally, equivalent to disbelief in the outcome of his revelation, i.e., the Qur’an.(Quran Ref: 9:74 )

Note 103 – Lit., “which they were unable to attain to”. The classical commentators take this as a reference to an abortive plot, on the part of some of the hypocrites, to kill the Prophet during the expedition to Tabuk. However, without contesting the validity of this historical interpretation, I believe that the above allusion has a far deeper meaning-namely, the existential impossibility of one’s ever attaining to inner peace without a positive belief that man’s life has meaning and purpose, either of which can be glimpsed only through the revelations bestowed on those exceptionally gifted and receptive personalities, the prophets. (An indirect reference to divine revelation as the only source of this kind of cognition appears in 96:5, that is, in the earliest Qur’anic passage revealed to the Prophet.) Thus, torn between their half-hearted desire to “surrender themselves to God” and their unwillingness to accept the divine guidance offered them by the Prophet, the hypocrites “were aiming at something which was beyond their reach”.(Quran Ref: 9:74 )

Note 104- I.e., by means of the spiritual guidance contained in the Qur’an and the material welfare resulting from an adherence to its moral and social principles. The above phrase implies that the reluctance of the hypocrites to pay heed to the Prophet was not due to their finding fault with the Faith as such but, rather, to their lack of gratitude for the spiritual and material benefits which they had derived from it. (Because of its historical associations, most of this verse is expressed in the past tense, although its moral import is obviously timeless.)(Quran Ref: 9:74 )

Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: Comments

#12. For disbelievers there will be a painful doom. 90

Mohammad Asad – At-Tauba (The Repentance)

9:90 AND THERE came [unto the Apostle] such of the bedouin as had some excuse to offer, [with the request] that they be granted exemption, [122] whereas those who were bent on giving the lie to God and His Apostle [simply] remained at home. [123] [And] grievous suffering is bound to befall such of them as are bent on denying the truth!

Note 122 – I.e., from participating in the expedition to Tabuk. The term al-mu’adhdhirun connotes both “those having a valid excuse (`udhr)” and “those offering false excuses”; it is, therefore, best rendered as “such as had some excuse to offer”. The specific mention of the a’rab (“bedouin”) in this and the following passages probably arises from the fact that their attitude – positive or negative-towards Islam was of the greatest importance within the context of early Muslim history, inasmuch as the message of Muhammad could not obtain a real, lasting foothold in Arabia without first securing the allegiance of those warlike nomads and half-nomads, who constituted the great majority of the Peninsula’s population. At the time when the Prophet was preparing to set out towards Tabuk, many of the already-converted tribesmen were willing to go to war under his leadership (and, in fact, did so), while others were afraid lest in their absence their encampments, denuded of man-power, be raided by hostile, as yet unconverted tribes (Razi); others, again, were simply averse to exposing themselves to the hardships of a campaign in distant lands, which did not seem to them to have any bearing on their own, immediate interests.(Quran Ref: 9:90 )

Note 123 – I.e., without even caring to come to Medina and to excuse themselves.(Quran Ref: 9:90 )

Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: All religions carry the same criteria, that if you don’t believe in the fundamentals of that particular religion, you will be punished. Why is Islam being singled out?

Again the verses in question are about the hypocrites of the time.

Mike Ghouse: The key phrase is bent on telling the lies, which is denying the truth.

#13. Don’t pray for idolaters (not even for your family) after it is clear they are people of hell-fire. 113

Mohammad Asad – At-Tauba (The Repentance)

9:113 IT DOES NOT behove the Prophet and those who have attained to faith to pray that they who ascribed divinity to aught beside God be forgiven [by Him] even though they happened to be [their] near of kin [148] -after it has been made clear unto them that those [dead sinners] are destined for the blazing fire.

Note: As is obvious from the sequence, this prohibition relates to the dead among such sinners-i.e., those who have died without repentance (Zamakhshari, Razi)-and not to those who are still living: for “a prayer for forgiveness in respect of a living [sinner] … amounts to asking God that He grace him with His guidance … and this is permissible” (Manar XI, 60).(Quran Ref: 9:113 )

Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: There is no point in praying for one who has died as a polytheist, as this is an unforgivable sin. This verse was specifically revealed about the Uncle of the Prophet SAW, whom the Prophet loved very much. If the Prophet was not allowed to pray for him then how can any regular person from his followers?

Mike Ghouse: Those who do not believe in God, don’t really have to worry about any punishment after death as there is no God for them to believe in the first place, prayers for them don’t mean a thing. However, God’s most endearing quality, that comes as a creator is kindness and grace that he or she reserves to itself. (deliberate use of words). Then he advises in the most pluralistic terms, giving respect to one’s belief. Mind you, disagreement is handled in the most civil terms, putting the other person on equal footing.

109:1 SAY: “O you who deny the truth!

109:2 “I do not worship that which you worship,

109:3 and neither do you worship that which I worship!

109:4 “And I will not worship ~hat which you have [ever] worshipped,

109:6 Unto you, your moral law, and unto me, mine !


#14. Fight disbelievers who are near you, and let them see the harshness in you. 123

Mohammad Asad – At-Tauba (The Repentance)

9:123 O you who have attained to faith! Fight against those deniers of the truth who are near you, and let them find you adamant ; [163] and know that .God is with those who are conscious of Him.

Note 163- I.e., uncompromising with regard to ethical principles. For the general circumstances in which war is permitted, see 2:190-194, 22:39, 60:8-9, and the corresponding notes, as well as notes 7 and 9 on verse 5 of this surah. The reference to “those deniers of the truth who are near you” may arise from the fact that only “those who are near” can be dangerous in a physical sense or, alternatively, that – having come from afar- they have already approached the Muslim country with an aggressive intent.(Quran Ref: 9:123 )

Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: Uncompromising rigidity in the matters of right and wrong, black and white is not something to be ashamed of. If I am not harsh in for example somebody robbing my house at night by calling the police and prosecuting those involved, what message does it give?

Mike Ghouse: How does one translate Adamant to harshness? Shows lack of freedom on the part of Neocons to question what is dished out to them. They are taking that false translation as gospel. The least they can do is see if there is another translation. Isn’t that what democracy is all about?

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Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh

ICI is fortunate to have Shaikh Zia as Imam of our center. Imam Zia ul Haque Sheikh was born in Azad Kashmir, and at the age of four he migrated to England with his parents. He attended regular schools until the age of thirteen, when he enrolled in a full time Islamic school.

He memorized the Quran, and at the age of sixteen, he started an Islamic Theology course, which consisted of Arabic Syntax, Etymology and Grammar, Logic, Quranic Exegesis, Hadith Exegesis, Comparative Religions, Islamic Jurisprudence of the four main schools of thought, Foundations of Jurisprudence, Quran and Hadith, and other subjects. After extensive studying for approximately twelve years, he graduated in 1994 with a Masters in Islamic Theology. He is still engaged in various courses to further his education.

He is a founding member and Board Member of the North Texas Islamic Council, an umbrella organization representing Islamic Organizations in the North Texas Area. He is also one of the Board Members of Irving Faiths together, a group of various religious organizations, dedicated to Peace and Harmony between faiths.

He is one of the instructors at Suffa Academy in the Islamic Association of North Texas, teaching subjects such as Seerah, Aqidah, and Hadith studies.

He also conducts regular study circles at the Islamic Center of Irving, and is often invited to speak at colleges, universities, conferences and seminars.

He is actively involved in Interfaith and Dawah work.
He has served as an Imam in the USA since 1996.
Education & Other Skills:
Masters in Arabic and Islamic Theology
Memorized the complete Qur’an
Languages: Arabic, Urdu, English, Punjabi, Gujarati fluently

Has his own website : www.isaina.org
Has written a complete explanation of Imam Bukhari’s Book of Iman
Hobbies & Interests:
Soccer, Weight Training, Keeping Fit, Dawah Work

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Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker and a Writer. He is president of the Foundation for Pluralism and is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing interfaith, political and civic issues. He is the founding president of World Muslim Congress with a simple theme: Good for Muslims and good for the world. His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website www.MikeGhouse.net. Mike is a Dallasite for nearly three decades and Carrollton is his home town. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com
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By Grant Swank
Koran’s Verses via Dutch Film
December 04, 2007 12:00 PM EST

http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/29496.html


Geert Wilders, Dutch conservative lawmaker, has made a ten-minute film exposing the horrific passages of the Koran.

Per AP Wilders refers to the selected verses as “’fascist.’”

He does not fear being slain, claiming 24-hour protection.

Theo van Gogh, film director, made “Submission” available for public viewing. It was a “fictional study of abused Muslim women with scenes of near-naked women with Quaranic texts engraved on their flesh.”

Theo van Gogh was murdered—shot with throat slit by a Muslim extremist. His body was discovered on an Amsterdam street in 2004.

“Prominent Muslim critic Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who wrote the (van Gogh) screenplay, was threatened in a note left on Van Gogh’s body. She now lives under round-the-clock protection in the United States.

“Wilders plans to depict parts of the Quran he says are used as inspiration ‘by bad people to do bad things.’

“Less than 10 minutes long, the film is expected to air in late January.

“It will show ‘the intolerant and fascist character of the Quran,’ said Wilders, whose anti-Islam campaign helped his Freedom Party win nine seats in parliament in last year’s election.

“In the past, Wilders has said that half the Quran should be torn up and compared it with Adolf Hitler’s book ‘Mein Kampf.’ He has claimed the Netherlands is being swamped by a ‘tsunami’ of Islamic immigrants.”

In other countries, there are those sympathetic with Wilders’ point of view. There is grave concern on the part of persons enjoying democracies that infiltration of extremist Islamic lifestyle, especially that built upon the sharia so-called justice system, is a real-life real-time deadly threat to civility.

Numerous persons who have researched the Koran verse-by-verse have concluded that the general public in the main is ignorant of the Allah-dictates that threaten civility. This ignorance is evident when uninformed individuals still refer to Islam as a “peace religion.”

When taking the Koran seriously as divine revelation, a superficial review of the Koran’s extremist verses is not what meshes with democracies.

A sample of extremist Koran verses includes the following:

Surah 9: Repentance

1. Give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom to those who disbelieve. 3
2. Slay the idolaters wherever you find them. 5
3. Don’t let idolaters tend the sanctuaries. Their works are in vain and they will be burned in the Fire. 17

4. Give tiding of a painful doom to Christians and Jews. 34

5. If you refuse to fight, Allah will afflict you with a painful doom. 39

6. Disbelievers go to hell. 49

7. Those who vex the Prophet, for them there is a painful doom. 60

8. Those who oppose Allah and His messenger will burn in the fire of hell. 63

9. Allah promises hypocrites and disbelievers the fire of hell. Allah curses them. They will have a lasting torment. 68

10. Fight the disbelievers and hypocrites. Be harsh with them. They are all going to hell anyway. 73

11. Allah will afflict disbelievers with a painful doom in this world and the Hereafter. 74

12. For disbelievers there will be a painful doom. 90

13. Don’t pray for idolaters (not even for your family) after it is clear they are people of hell-fire. 113

14. Fight disbelievers who are near you, and let them see the harshness in you. 123

Concerning the Dutch situation, AP reports: “Immigrants from Muslim countries number about 1 million of the country’s 16 million people.

Wilders informs the media: “’I will make the film and see what reaction it creates.’” Read “Dutch lawmaker planning film criticizing the Quran” at www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=8512622

Qatar – Catholic Church opens

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This article was first Published on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/03/qatar-catholic-church-opens.html

We welcome this advancment – Mike Ghouse

DOHA (AFP) — Christians in Qatar opened their first church on Friday, joining fellow believers in most other Gulf Arab states who have long been able to worship in churches rather than homes and other venues.

An inauguration event was held for St Mary’s Roman Catholic church in Doha, the first of five that will be built in Qatar.

The opening of the church was attended by high-ranking diplomats, Catholic religious leaders and Qatar’s minister of energy and industry, Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah.

“The church will send a positive message to the world,” Attiyah told reporters.

The secretary of the Anglican church in neighbouring Bahrain, Yussef Haidar, boasts that the tiny state “hosts the first church of the Gulf region, founded in 1906 by American Anglican missionaries”.

Kuwait has about 10 churches.

Complaints by some Christians that they were forced to rent private residences and turn them into places of worship, prompted the Kuwaiti government three years ago to allot two large plots of land for new churches.

The United Arab Emirates, which prides itself on its religious tolerance and cultural diversity, also has several churches used by hundreds of thousands of Christian expats, mostly Filipinos, Indians and Arabs.

Land for churches in Oman has been donated by Sultan Qaboos.

However, Saudi Arabia, which adheres to a rigorous doctrine of Islam known as Wahhabism and is home to Islam’s holiest sites, bans all non-Muslim religious rituals and materials.http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gSdhIplxRjA5Isbw9mxIUMF1dmqw

Debate on Islamic State

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This article was first Published on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/03/debate-on-islamic-state.html

I just received an email about the upcoming debate on Islamic state, and I was completely taken back at the fiction Mr. Zuhdi Jasser is concoting and then solving it, and of course becoming a darling to the Neo-cons* (http://hatesermons.blogspot.com/2008/03/neocons.html )
First of all, I must acknowledge my respect for Mr. Zhudi Jasser for the 99 good things he does, but on this upcoming debate, he is wrong, per the information presented in the item received from him.
He seems to have a misunderstanding of Main stream Muslims and I have to call him on this. He once stated that all mosques in America deliver hate sermons, I asked him to prove it. Which he corrected to at least not the mosques he had visited. Even Wall Street Journal had printed that a while back, I wrote to them to prove it. Both have passed out this rumor as a fact. It is not building healthy and truthful and peaceful societies.
I hope we can work on legislation that would require all public lectures and sermons to be recorded and made available through internet and public archives. Any hate sermon, any incitement or whole sale prejudices must be called to justify. Just as one cannot shout “Fire” in a public place to disrupt peace, one should not be allowed to spew hate in public. This applies to all places of worship and non profits that are using public benefit through tax exemption. http://hatesermons.blogspot.com/2008/03/hate-sermons-from-pulpit.html

A statement is ascribed to Mr. Zuhdi Jasser as “a self-proclaimed ‘Moderate’ Muslim from Arizona…and whose views on Islam are well outside the scope of the mainstream Muslim world”. Indeed, his understanding appears to be outside the scope of the Mainstream Muslim World. Mr. Zuhdi Jasser is not in touch.
The mainstream Americans, Main stream British, Indians or Main stream Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Jews are moderate people who want to get along with all. They are no bigots, they believe in living their life and letting others live theirs. The do not aspire or conspire for secretive societies, they do not want to rule by injustice and push their ideas on to others, as they believe, if you are unjust, you are going to pay. They are law abiding citizens, where as the Neocons are not. Every one of them has fouled or still to be caught.

Mr. Zuhdi lacks understanding of the mainstream Muslim world, let alone mainstream America. Extremism is not a mainstream staple, it is a fringe of the society. Neocons and Islamists are indeed fringe elements of the society. They are incapable of dialogue, they rather use the megaphones or gunpowder and bulldoze all who oppose them, because they are insecure and abuse the power they have by pushing others. They will silence you by calling you unpatriotic if you question them. Their time is up now, thank God.

The Neocons, the Islamists, the Zionists and the Hindutvadis are a tiny-weenie minority driving the world by frightening the crap out of constipated men. Their time is up too and I pray that the see the benefit in dialogue and conflict mitigation as a path to peace, peace to them and every one around them. I pray that they jump on this path to bring peace, I know they will succeed, as they have the passion and funds to do it.

The mainstream Muslims do not aspire or have any thing to do with “Is the Ideological Desire to Establish an Islamic State a Clear and Present Danger to the U.S.?” They have come to America to be free and not have another lawless society in the name of any religion, be it their own.

The words appeal to the money throwing Neocons, who love the above words ” clear and present danger”. It is a frightening tactic to keep their grip.

The main stream Muslim knows deeply in his hearts that, democracy is the right form of governance. No doubt, there are a few out there, who dream Islamic form of government, which is about justice, but by no stretch of imagination they are main stream.
Even those in the Mainstream Muslims who may dream of the Islamic rule, will not do anything to make it happen, as no form of current label of Islamic rule works. None of the Saudi, Irani, Afghani or Sudanese brand will work. They would rather opt for the democracy as in Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan (now), Turkey, Bangladesh and India – together Muslims in these democracies make about 2/3rds of Muslim world.
Main stream Muslims do want democracy, and a nation where justice prevails. They do not want the kind of Khilafat that is projected by the Neocons “they are here to dominate and subjugate others.” Absolute baloney! No significant group of Muslims wants that. However, they do wish a Pope like figure who can make small petty decisions and give relief to apostates, rape victims, divorce and other issues, but it ain’t going to happen.
Islam is not designed to have a pope. Neither the Qur’aan nor the Prophet assigned a person to interpret the Qur’aan for the Muslims. The prophet said, you are individually accountable on the day of reckoning, so it is your responsibility to read and understand the book I am leaving behind for you. Islam took the priesthood off from controlling the knowledge and influencing the masses, the community is free to learn and practice their religion on their own. It was like internet in 612 AD, Prophet Muhammad making the knowledge available to every one.To be a Muslim is to be a peace maker; one who constantly seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for co-existence and world peace – God wants his creation to be in peace and harmony, and that is the chief purpose of religion.
Thus the role of the Caliph was state administration, but people opted to seek knowledge from them, as the first four rightly guided caliphs had a full understanding of the religion. (Read the balance created between the Scholars and the Caliphs from 9th Centurn onwards –http://sharialaws.blogspot.com/2008/03/why-shariah.html)

In essence there is a separation of church and state. Muslims had a plurlistic society during the Prophet’s time, infact the Madina declaration may be first of its kind where state signed a joint treaty among the people of different faiths to practice their faith freely. Muslims never had that opportunity until the mid of the last century. Indeed, America was the only nation on the earth that had democracy some 225 years ago, every nation on the earth until recently was a colony, tyranny, monarchy or dictatorship. Neocons are a hurdle for democracy, if God can help put Obama in place, we can see democracies around the world flourishing, it is his attitude, lack of arrogance and the desire to accommodate that will change the world for Good. Presently 2/3rds of Muslims live in democracy; it may go up to 75% or higher while still a whole lot of world needs to embrace democracy including our current president.

In conclusion, the debate is healthy and would be an opportunity to establish that Mainstream Muslims do not want any form of governance other than democracy.

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker, Writer and a Moderator. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing Pluralism, politics, Islam, Religion, Terrorism, India and civic issues. His comments, news analysis, opinions and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website www.MikeGhouse.net. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com or (214) 325-1916

Muslims more than Catholics

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This article was first Published on Monday, March 31, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/03/muslims-more-than-catholics.html

A greater number does not add any value nor a lower number takes away any. If the Shia segment is taken out, Catholics would still outnumber Sunni Muslims. What is the point?

Is there a race? Is God sitting at the finish line watching?

Qur’aan is clear about one thing – no one has a free pass to his grace. One has to earn it the old fashion way; through good deeds.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) defines a good deed as serving mankind . He gives an example; when you sow a seed, you know it well that by the time that become a tree and gives shade or fruit, you may not be the beneficiary, but you did it to benefit others, as you benefit from what was done before you.

Worship to God is self purification, serving others is service to God and is true worship. I hope the race should be which group would do more to benefit the mankind in terms of justice and peace. Taking care of the hungry, taking care of the needy. God likes competition in serving his fellow beings with arrogantless humility.

To be a Muslim is to be a peace maker; one who constantly seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence. God wants us to live in peace and harmony with his creation; life and matter. Indeed that is the purpose religion.

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/03/muslims-more-than-catholics.html

Mike Ghouse

Gandhi, let’s adopt him as an American

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By Mike Ghouse

Today is Gandhi’s birthday, and it is time to reflect on the hatred and love he receives from Indians. A majority of the Indians and the world revere him while the Hindutva outfits curse him. India is a ruptured nation at this time, and its social structure is collapsing; people live in fear of commenting on the Government’s policies, the economy is tanking due to gross mismanagement, and the political stability has become questionable in the short run.

May God guide the RSS organization to renounce its extremist ideology and stop hating Christians, Dalits, and Muslims. May God bless Modi with common sense to repent his sins (Praischit) and restore security, peace, and harmony to every Indian. I pray he speaks out against lynching, harassment, rapes, and disenfranchising fellow Indians who are not Hindus to restore righteousness to the nation. Then the world can count on India as a stable and reliable ally and democracy. May we not lose the trust of the community of nations. We need them, and they need us.

Despite the lynching, harassment, rapes, and disenfranchisement of Muslims, Dalits, and Christians, they have not resorted to retaliation or any violence. I hope and pray that the Modi Government appreciates Muslims and Christians who genuinely follow Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of Non-Violence.

Shamefully, the current Indian Government leaders reject Mahatma Gandhi and revere the guy who killed him. The entire world adores him, but for the Hindutva guys (https://theghousediary.com/hindutva-is-not-hinduism/). Maybe we should adopt Gandhi as an American until India returns on track and follows his path of harmony, coexistence, ahimsa, dignity and respect for every Indian. Does Gandhi belong to India at this time?

I sincerely wish and pray that the Hindutva guys shed their insecurities and hatred for Christians, Dalits, and Muslims and learn to live in harmony with fellow Indians. 

Hinduism has been a beacon of Pluralism, it has been our culture for over 5000 years. It was never perfect as the ugly treatment of Dalits is a shameful part of India’s pluralism.

Modi and his minions bow to Gandhi as a cover but hate him intensely. I know several men from the Hindutva who curse and hate Gandhi like anything, and one of them shares Gandhi’s birthday. I was taken back a few times.  

Mahatma Gandhi has impacted my life profoundly. He was a messenger of peace; his language nourished reconciliation, and his actions encouraged coexistence. Whether it is the conflict between Hindus or Muslims or with the British Raj, his words mitigated conflicts and directed one’s thoughts and actions towards solutions. Throughout the year, I reflect on his work, and most certainly, on his birthday and death anniversary, I write a note about him as my tribute to the great soul, the Mahatma.

Mahatma Gandhi could have led the life of luxury, he was a lawyer educated in England and worked for a big firm and had all the resources available to him, yet he chose to lead a simple life. He realized early on that none of the wealth goes with you; it is merely your duty to do good. Think about it; indeed, it is the good we do that brings relief, salvation, mukti, Moksha, nijaat, and nirvana to our self.

In Hinduism, there is an aspiration for one to be free, and the purpose of life is four-fold, to achieve Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Dharma means living righteously and act morally and ethically throughout one’s life. Artha means honest work to live a good life, and the Kama is about fulfilling desire and passion in one’s life. Finally, it is Moksha – freedom from the cycle of life, and to me, it means living freely with least tensions and least conflicts – that is what paradise is all about. Indeed, this is the essence of all religions.  

Pictures – http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157627813362862/show/

The first step in embracing humanity was to strip one’s ego and become a simple human where the masses can relate. He chose the simplest form of clothing and earned the friendship of the Indians at large. Didn’t all the spiritual masters live a simple life?

This aspect of “relating” with people and his compelling ideas became a source of inspiration to Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, and several other great souls who successfully brought a change through the peace to the world.

He was one of the most powerful leaders we have had in the last two centuries. He did not want anything for himself, nor did he want to control anything. All he wanted to do was create a society of mutual respect and coexistence. Everyone always wonders how did he get to make people listen to his message of non-violence? The answer is simple; People were fully conscious of his unselfishness; he gained nothing from what he does. Instead, they gained from his effort. Indeed, those who are un-selfish have invincible moral strength.

Nothing frightens them or cowers them. You will find the same commitment and moral strength in Moses, Jesus, Krishna, Rama, Buddha, Zoroaster, Mahavira, Confucius, Nanak, Baha’u’llah, Mother Teresa, and so many other great souls. Muhammad is my other mentor who had all the power on the earth during his lifetime but lived a simple life, and told his daughter that she ain’t going to get a free pass to God; she has to earn it by doing good deeds, i.e., doing things for other’s good. Every one of the above teacher’s strengths lies in a straightforward thing: Their sense of justice was solid as a rock; they were unselfish.

Mahatma Gandhi’s non-Violence movement is a model that will last for centuries to come. Every great teacher listed above has taught the same message over and over again. The idea is that there is a balance of energy in every human; doing bad things deflates that energy, and doing good things recoups it.  

The tyrant is blessed with the same energy but is not aware of it, and we have to help him realize it after enduring the suffering. Fighting out may bear the result in the short run, but the fighting and the avenging continue in the long run. Whereas the non-violence method of achieving the objective is sustainable, justice ultimately brings lasting peace, and non-violence sustains it; violence disturbs the balance.

I have a special connection with the Mahatma; I have met him twice in my dreams. The first time was way back in 1971 when the Mahatma, the Vice-Chancellor of Bangalore University, Dr. Narsimaiah, and I talked over a meal. Gandhi patted on my back and told me that I have a lot of work to do. Then again, in 2005, I saw him smiling at me, encouraging me to continue with Pluralism’s work.

This day, my message is to watch what you say; does it aggravate the ongoing dialogue and cause the opposing parties to dig in? Or does it propel people to work towards solutions? You can apply this formula at your work, home, or any situation and see the difference. Be a winner by making the others a winner too.

Mahatma Gandhi probably would have endorsed my view that, if we can learn to accept and respect God’s uniqueness to each one of seven billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. That is the mission of the Center for Pluralism. 

Today, October 2nd is Mahatma’s birthday. May this day make our leaders think and believe that there is a greater joy in creating peace. Ask yourselves every day – do my words and action bring solutions? There is immeasurable joy in doing good, good for others with nothing to gain. Try it; you will start enjoying life.

If you have a few spare minutes, watch this video:https://www.youtube.com/embed/6pzkSOulo0Q?feature=oembed

Mike Ghouse is the founder and President of the Center for Pluralism, all about him is at www.TheGhousediary.com

Pluralism in Islam-Karen

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This article was first Published on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/02/armstrong-on-pluralism-in-islam.html

All great religions preach tolerance: Karen Armstronghttp://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/02/armstrong-on-pluralism-in-islam.html

Mike Ghouse: Karen Armstrong is on a tour in Pakistan talking about Pluralism in Islam organized by the Aga Khan Foundation. Indeed, Pluralism is at the core of every religion, as God through religions communicates that we have to get along with all, every one has a right for his or her space and we need to honor that space and that uniqueness,

In the Daily Times, Pakistan
Renowned scholar says Islam only faith that emphasis pluralism

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: All great religions of the universe including Islam, Judaism and Christianity preach tolerance, says Karen Armstrong, a renowned scholar of world religions.

Armstrong asserted this while delivering lectures on ‘Tolerance in Islam’ and ‘Clash of Civilisations: Myths or Reality’ at the Jinnah Convention Centre.

Armstrong has written many books including the famous ‘A history of God; 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam’ that was on the New York Times bestseller list for more than a year. In her lectures, Armstrong highlighted the issues that lie at the core of the current debate on the conflict and misunderstandings between Islamic and the Western societies and the importance of tolerance in bridging the gap between the two civilisations.

Armstrong said that intolerance led to conflicts, atrocity and disaster and appropriate knowledge of the religions could help curb these problems.

“As opposed to the historical myths of a clash, in reality various cultures share far more commonalities than differences,” she argued.

Armstrong said that in fact this issue was part of the political imbalance and is not religiously inspired. She cited how the Western world in the past had blamed Islam for its progressiveness at a time when the west itself was mired in intellectual and spiritual poverty.

Pluralism: Armstrong said among the major world beliefs, Islam was perhaps the only faith that placed an emphasis on pluralism. She said Muslims had a rich and an illustrious past from which to draw strength from when faced with adversity.

She encouraged audience members to be positive, adding, “The great test of our time is to build a global community that is tolerant and compassionate.” She concluded the lecture by proclaiming her hope that as more people in the West learned about Islam, its history and message, the clash would recede.

According to NNI, the Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) organised the lecture as part of a series of events, conferences and seminars being held to mark the Golden Jubilee of His Highness Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of Shia Ismaili Muslims.

Predicated on the notion of fostering an inclusive and pluralistic understanding of Islam, the Golden Jubilee year will see a number of endeavours aimed at building bridges within and outside the Muslim Ummah. The Golden Jubilee will also catalyse new socio-economic, cultural and human development initiatives to realise the social conscience of Islam and improve the quality of life of the less fortunate in society.

This Golden Jubilee year falls at a time of increasing global complexities and when the search for mutual understanding amongst nations, faiths, and cultures remains essential to assuring global peace and stability.

In the last fifty years, polarisation among nations has resulted from mutual suspicion and ignorance and the misappropriation of faith for political and ideological purposes. This then calls for values of acceptance and compassion among and between the people of the world.
•
• http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C02%5C02%5Cstory_2-2-2008_pg11_1

Politics divides religions

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This article was first Published on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/02/politics-divides-religions.html

Politics divides religions

It is a enligthening to read Karen Armstrong’s speech below.

It is the insecurity of individuals that seeks security by controlling, robbing and forcing others to be powerless, as such threat-less. If the moderates of the world can give security to these cranky babies, we probably can mitigate some of the chaos. The Neocons are the extremists wearing different religious robes, and are good in imagining that fear and pre-empting it, facts don’t matter to them.

We need leaders who can work to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill for the good of all humankind, not because it is a noble thing, but because it makes good common sense.

Bush seems to have passed on that Neocons torch to John McCain, the average American is not interested in war and chaos. When I get a chance, I would ask Senator McCain to earn his presidency through giving hope and not frightening us.

We, the moderates can never be like them, reason matters to us, respect for life matters to us, peace matters to us and the truth matters to us.

Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net
www.Foundationforpluralism.com
www.WorldMuslimCongess.com