Reply to Sultan

Submitted by Maggie (Australia), Oct 5, 2005 at 06:34

Sultan,

I have a very deep respect for your opinion and I hope that somehow we can see eye to eye. I am a very committed Catholic Christian, and as such I hope that I can meet the criteria for love of neighbour. Personally, I do not blame all Muslims because the terrorists are giving Islam a bad name. However, I have to add here that I have learned quite a bit about the beginnings of Islam that have made me realise that there is a difference between the Islam that is practiced by a majority and the Islam of the terrorists (which is closest to the Islam of Mohammed). I recognize that you might not like this unpalatable truth and will bristle because someone dares to challenge your beliefs. However, I have the deepest respect for those Muslims who have been willing to lay down their lives in order to save the lives of others.

Yes, I have learned about two situations where young Muslim men, having no regard for their own lives, died for the sake of trying to save the lives of others. The first story occurred around the year 2000 in Jakarta, when a young man who was a member of the Muslim youth discovered a bomb in a church and he died whilst trying to dispose of the bomb. May God grant this young man eternal joy in heaven for his selfless action in attempting to save Christians who were being threatened by Jemaah Islamayiah. The second story is of more recent origin and involved a young Shiite Muslim in Iraq. This 17 year old died whilst attempting to save Sunni Muslims who could not swim. He managed to save 6 people who had jumped into the river and was attempting to save a 7th person when his strength gave out. His action has brought about some form of reconciliation between the two groups. May God protect this young man's family, and may he be granted eternal rest because of his bravery. It is with an element of pride that I relate the stories of these two young Muslim men. They are what I consider a good example for all to follow.

Unfortunately, as you have rightly stated it is the devil who influences other men and women so that they are prepared to murder innocent people for they have sold their souls to the devil. What these terrorists have done is evil in the sight of good. There will not be any eternal reward for those who are stupid enough to believe what is preached by the leaders of terror and violence, such as that preached by Abu Bakr Bashir. These are the people who are willing to kill their fellow Muslims just because they belong to a different set.

I am no stranger to the idea of sectarian violence, since I am a Catholic, and with an Irish heritage I take an interest in Ireland. This is a land where sectarian violence has brought about much bloodshed. In defence of the Catholics though, I can understand that they were fed up with the idea of being murdered by the Protestants in the name of government. You see muc of the violence had been brought about by repressive laws that fade the Catholics to celebrate Mass (as well as other oppressive restrictions).

I am also familiar with the situation that had existed in East Timor. I now see the group known as Fretelin, not as terrorists but as freedom fighters. The East Timorese had lost their freedom to the Indonesians, and there have been times when they endured much in the way of brutality. Despite the brutality the people of East Timor did win in the end. They are a fine example of reconciliation, and it must be remembered that they endured over 20 years of repression at the hands of the Indonesian Muslim government.

You speak well, and I definitely respect your opinion.

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