thanks for the encouragement

Submitted by Houssam (France), Apr 14, 2008 at 09:24

Thanks for the encouragement and your appreciation of the struggle happening within Islam itself to reform it, yet within Islam's own guiding principles. Indeed it is not an easy task, yet not something impossible.

Obviously islam and christianity have opposite views regarding religion and state. What happened with christianity doesn't necessarily work out for islam. The problem is that many if not most christians in the west want to impose their view of reformation on to the muslims, which eventually alienates even moderate and reformist muslims.

I just wish that if christians could understand that attacking islam and forcing things is not the right way to go about it. Rather dialogue and strenghening the moderate muslims is the way. Unfortunetly, many people, among them people in power and in certain industries like defense for example, have their own agendas, and keep pushing for a clash happening between civilizations. At the end, it's all about power, dominance and control. That has been the case of human history.

From my perspective, what muslims should do is two fold and it goes in parallel. Try to explain the true nature of their religion and dialogue with others about it, and at the same time push for reform and justice within muslim countries. I do beleive that there is something called moderate islam. We might disagree on what moderate means. However, genuine and sincere people from both side can find a common platform.

Let's pray that's how things unfold.

if you ever want to take this further you can email me.

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