moderate Muslims

Submitted by Imam Ahmed Syeed Ali Muhammed (United States), Apr 7, 2008 at 16:59

That's a good question Jennifer. Muslims here in the West really have nothing to fear from reprisals from radical Muslims. However very few speak out. One of the most shocking was A Imam I look up to, Imam Wallace D. Muhammed. He was virtually silent regarding 9/11. Another Imam, Imam Siraj Wahaj, said some rather incriminating things, that he had to pretty much take back. He said something to the effect of Shariah law being implemented here in the West. I don't necessarily agree with that for the reason that Shariah has been twisted, and turned so much it does more harm than good.

It is true that a lot of the verses of the Qur'an appear horrible. But what isn't included, and needs more study is the why. Islam didn't come about like Christianity did. It was concieved, or at least the teachings of it was during a more peaceful setting. Islam came about when Arab tribes were constantly at war with one another. So the setting was violent.

At First Muhammed (PBUH) was just preaching. But when the oppression of the Quraish came to be too great The Muslims migrated, first to Abssynia, then to Yathrib (Medina). And these moves made the situation even worse, because now they weren't just a band of social misfits, they were a community that threatened Mecca itself, because Muhammed was also forming alliances with the Jewish tribes of the city. The Violent verses of the Qur'an relate mostly to Warfare in the case that it was necessary, and seeing that the Muslim Community was still rather small and ill equipped compared to the Meccan army, they had to fight a form of guerilla warfare, such as digging the trench at the" Battle of the Trench". Or ambushing the enemy, etc.

It's sad that Radicals are using these verses as rallying calls to get young people to blow themselves up for paradise. Which leads me to a question that keeps bugging me... Why aren't any of the suicide bombers over 30? The ones that committed 9/11 didn't even look old enough to grow a beard yet.

It has been tough for my family, But I'm hoping with my own work, and hopefully more Imams such as my self will begin to voice our opinions about this problem we, and non muslims feel important to address.

Imam Muhammed

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