A Response to All the Comments Above

Submitted by Tina (Singapore), Oct 20, 2002 at 06:57

I am an ordinary Muslim who works hard everyday to earn a decent living. I grew up being taught that Islam is a religion of choice, that treats other people with respect (even non-Muslims, animals and the environment), that one must give alms to the poor and the destitute, and that all children are pure and innocent.

I was taught in the 1980s that Saddam is an evil man (in the same breath as the American and Israeli govt's) and that Islam, if practised to the fundamentals, will bring peace on earth. I learned all of this from pious Muslim men (whom I know personally) and who condemned all forms of violence except in self-defence. (Incidentally, all of them are law-abiding citizens, married to only 1 wife; they sent both sons and daughters overseas to study, never said a harsh word and helped everyone regardless of race and religion).

The Prophet Muhammed endured racist attacks, attempted assassinations, malicious rumours that he is a terrorist, saw his followers tortured and shot at (isn't that what you guys are doing in Afghanistan and Iraq?) for 13 years before he decided to fight back to save his life and family. And only because he refused to obey the greatest power in Arabia then.

I would like to know where the readers get some of the Koranic verses that they quote - I have learned the Koran but I have never come across those verses!!! It amazes me that people, after reading just a Koranic translation are suddenly experts at it! Great! Why don't you go around the world and "undo" the works of the Muslim extremists so that there will be less terror! People take years studying the Koran, understanding the history (extremely important to understand why those verses are being revealed - remember verses are revealed within the context of those times.) The Koran is a book of general guidelines which forces its followers to come together and interpret them to be in line with current times. Unfortunately, a group with hatred in their hearts have misinterpreted those verses (which most of you are doing right now - interpreting that the verses condone violence. How ironic - you guys are thinking and interpreting the Koran as the terrorists have done).

The least you can do is support Islam for what it is supposed to do - promote peace -- and stop alienating those Muslims who interpret the Koran with the peaceful message that God intends it to be.

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