Islam is as Islam does

Submitted by Geno M. (United States), Oct 5, 2007 at 17:53

In response to my posting titled "WHAT THEN SHALL WE DO?" Garden Lady suggests that I read "Two Faces of Islam" by Stephen Schwartz. Garden Lady then goes on to say: "The depth of the Islamic History in your article would be greatly enhanced, and your article could reflect more truth if you are so inclined.

If you are, very well; If you are not, then you do yourselves and those who read what you think is Islam a great disservice!" Actually, I have read Mr. Schwartz's book. Schwarz, aka Suleyman Ahmad, a convert to Islam argues in his book that pre-Wahabi expressions of the Muslim faith were essentially peaceful and peace loving. Though the author goes in some detail to document the spread of violent Wahabi Islam, he misapprehends the problem as a local phenomenon endemic to Saudi Arabia.

Unfortunately, the historical facts argue otherwise. More troubling still, Schwartz paints modern day Iran as a benign entity. Again, the historical record reflects that Iran is anything but benign. In response to her thoughtful reading suggestion, which I did sincerely appreciate, I would encourage Garden Lady to read books that more accurately represent the facts about Islam and its impact upon the world. Two that come to mind are "Religion of Peace" by Robert Spencer and "Militant Islam Reaches America" by Daniel Pipes.

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