Response to Daisy

Submitted by Shazia Khanum, Sep 20, 2005 at 18:39

No, a Christian, a Jew, a Hindu, a Sikh, a Buddhist, etc. is not necessarily kaafir to me.

I elaborated on the word kaafir in my statement you quoted. Reflect upon it.

Here is a quote from the Qur`an:

"Among the People of the Book are those who are upright in their belief; they recite the proofs of God throughout the night, and prostrate themselves in love of the Creator. They believe in God and the Last Day; they enjoin good and forbid evil; they are avid to do good, and they stand among the righteous." Qur`an 3:113-114

So the Qur`an recognizes that there are pious people amongst the Jews and the Christians and, through expansion of this thought, amongst all those who received revelation, which include just about everyone.

Your criticism that the Muslim scholars have not done enough to declare Osama bin Laden a criminal or denounce him in a harsh way is valid to an extent. I am aware of some who have denounced him. But not enough. More needs to be done by the Muslim scholars to reveal him as an evil person.

You stated: "Are you asking the readers of this column to personally sit down and interview the billion or so Muslims that you personally endorse as peaceful and law-abiding ..."

No.

What I am wondering is why do some of the commentators here not accept Dr. Pipes' assertion that there is a difference between Islam as a faith and Islamism. Here's what he has been quoted as stating:

"Traditional Islam seeks to teach human beings how to live in accord with God's will; militant Islam aspires to create a new order."

From http://en.fgulen.com/a.page/press/columns/2004/a1914.html

These commentators are bent on painting Islam as an evil religion and ideology and will not accept the reality that there is a huge difference between Islam as a faith and Islamism (a radical ideology).

To me, they merely reflect their own self.

In response to another point of yours, there is no "official representatives of the organization". There is no "organization". As stated a few times, Islam and the Muslims ARE NOT MONOLITHIC.

Why is it so hard to recognize this fact?

You say: "Prove it. ...."

Many of us are. There are many reformation movements and initiatives. 911 has awakened us to the cancer within us.

And we will carry on with our initiative despite the fact that many of the commentators on this website are hostile to ALL Muslims, paint us all with the same color, thereby stereotyping us and calling our religion an evil religion/ideology. We will continue our peaceful efforts against the jihadis and the Islamists and any other radical extermist movements within us. We will do it to the best of our ability.

If there are those who continue to demonize us despite our positive efforts, thereby causing unnecessary difficulties for us, then that's fine. God willingly, we will rid of the cancer within us.

So if you wish to wish me good luck, it will be appreciated. Otherwise, I still respect others right to disagree with me.

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