To John Bastile

Submitted by Mohammed Saleem Akhtar (United States), Oct 20, 2005 at 14:44

"If that's the case, your idea of reforming Islam will never materialise unless you unify Islam."

There is no need to unify Islam. I just meant to say that there are people in Muslim nations who would welcome Reformed Islam if say eg 200 clerics sit down and do an ijtehad of things. Tell the world that Israel is a sovereign nation and West and Islam can be compatible. Reform means changing the Tafseer or interpretations of the Koran. Shias can remain shia, sunnis as sunnis or whatever...

You mentioned that "Islam does not have missionaries to convert people." I do not want to waste my time showing you the list of websites that can contradict this statement. Have you tried "google"?

Those people who are doing missionary work in name of islam are wrong. Again there are some verses in the Koran that tell you as long as one is a good person, the religion s/he belongs doesnt matter. This should also be part of Ijtehad. There is no need to convert anyone into any other religion.

"You also mentioned that the real Islam is 'not' Koran or the sayings of 'Muhammad'. In a way I understand your statement. The Koran and Hadiths are filled with absurdities and nonsense that you can't possibly defend with logic neither can you appeal to the intellectuals. Therefore, you represent a group of muslims who have to deny the validity of hadiths. People of the past have done so - the Sufis, for example. You find it difficult to abandon your faith either. Therefore, you are comfortable telling yourself that Islam means peace. Your prophet is most merciful. The perfect man. Allah knows best. ...Everyone else ..."

LOL.. let me tell you I am not religious. I just visited this website and liked a few articles by Dr. Pipes and hence posted a few responses to the commentary here... just some thoughts.. many of my family members live in pakistan and india. All I am saying is that muslims are a very heterogenous group of people and there are so many different divisions. Most muslims are normal, hardworking, people who earn their living. Its correct to say that some individuals Muslim countries are in a decline and living in a state of hypocrisy. Many muslims are uneducated or not interested in learning history (palestinians are prime example). Although we humans are cynical and we rarely think solutions are possible, main thing is we should just learn to co-exist and respect each other. At least teach the young generation to be more positive for a better future for all.

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