Selecting language that can be heard by the intended audience

Submitted by P J Moran (United States), Jul 2, 2013 at 01:04

The author is correct in holding out the prospect of evolution in Islam. It is important for non Muslims to speak to the Islamic traditions that support learning and knowledge. There are many. India's Islam is a potential source of some of this theological and political thought. We can begin with the obvious - Muslims are killing Muslims in far larger numbers than those from non Muslim countries.

Looking at the Hadith. Mohamed's treatment of women and girls certainly does not justify what we see the Taliban doing to them. The Prophet's view toward women and girls was a significant evolution in his time. He saw women as a key parent in rearing children. An illiterate mother has a difficult task in educating children. If we start focusing our discussions toward the current bizarre extremes by citing Islamic tradition we can find a means of damaging the bona fides of the extremists. Well recognized Islamic scholars have addressed the issue of 'profaning' Mohamed by pointing out that the Koran - unlike other offenses - gives no penalty for criticizing the Prophet.

Indeed, it is clear efforts at reconciliation are required. Some also note that a man cannot be profaned, only God/Allah. If there is one core concept to Islam it is that there is one God/Allah. Treating the prophet as Godlike would clearly be apostasy, There is no reason why non-muslim societies cannot challenge many of the abominations of radicals on the basis of the Koran and the traditions of Islam. We just need our key leaders to learn to do so.

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