intolerance of Islam

Submitted by Rebecca Moulds (United States), Dec 3, 2007 at 16:47

The teddy bear story only goes to show what Dr. Pipes ascribes to as the "backward and oppressive condition" of Islam. In Egypt, my usually modernized driver would not, during Ramadan, look me in the eyes, because he said it was forbidden during the holy month to look at a woman. I found this entire posturing silly and unnecessary, and an insult to my position as his friend and employer.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali has 24 hour bodyguards in this country because she left Islam. I believe that Salman Rushdie is still in hiding. We are waiting for the more moderate Muslims of the world to condemn the acts of the fundamentalist variety of Islam, but as one of my moderate Muslim friends said, "Don't hold your breath." I feel for Ms. Gibbons; after all, it was her students who decided on the name "Mohammed" for the teddy bear. I have seen Muslims become verbally violent over seemingly innocuous incidences, and wonder at the oft-named tag of "a religion of peace."

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