to respond to Richard lion Heart....tolerance

Submitted by Maria (United States), Feb 8, 2006 at 18:10

Yes it is sad. However, that day has long come since Muslims accepted other religions...infact they were the first to do so. 1400 years ago, when the Prophet preached, under his governing, any religion was tolerated. Infact, I read about Islam and TRUE Islam says that Chrisitans and Jews are "People of the Book" therefore, stating further that you must be tolerant of other faiths and not force them into believing.

That is why the one of the greatest historical empires: The Ottoman Empire, under the rule of the brilliant Saladdin-Ayubi, was the first government system: strictly based on the teachings of Islam, tolerated other religions freely; it was the first time this happened; that is one of the main reasons why it was so great. I am sad to say that the Muslims who do not understand their religion truly have been depicted by media and soem backward minded people to be the true Islam. But it is not that way. It is just as if people should take the KKK (a Christian hate group) and sum-up the entire Christian world behind it. And we dont do that. We look at the true side of things; both sides. And about the cartoons, I must say that the media-shown Muslim world reacted irresponsibly with the outrage and violence, but please, look at the whole picture. there are true Muslims out in the world, who follow their religion for what it really is. And it is a religion of peace. But the wrong people followed it the wrong way. I hope your hatred toward Muslims (as seems evident) does not shut-out the true meaning. I too, repect the Prophet Muhammad and his greatness, and was hurt to see that the man listed as #1 in Jewish historian: Michael H. Hart's book The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, was deemed a terrorist; but I do not hate the cartoonoist. Instead, I hope to teach people that he was not (God forbid) like that.

He was indeed a messenger of God. And that his people being terrorist and radicals, are going on the wrong path. For as i recall, a famous story I read in the Biography of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), a lady hated him so much that when he walked down the streets, she would throw trash at him everyday. And he walked past everyday without yelling or acting back to her. One day, as he was walking by, he never got the days trash thrown on him that day. So he asked a neighbor what happened to the lady who lived in the house. The neighbor said that she was really sick. According to the proper teachings of Islam, you should go to visit someone who is sick; so the Prophet went to see her. Upon hearing that the leader of the Muslims, her worst enemy was in to see her, she asked why he had come. The beloved prophet replied that he had come in to see her as he heard she was sick and that his religion told him to be kind to every people. At that moment, the lady asked to be taught Islam saying that she had trhwon trash at him everyday and he never said anything, but at times of poor health, he came to wish her well; a religion who teaches such morals is true indeed.

I am not stating all this to merely show you how Islam is, but invite you to please take the time to understand the true Islam for what it really is. You seem learned yourself and as understand that you must not judge an entire group of people with the actions of a few. This is how the world treats Muslims today, but that is because the big picture is scewed by media.

I also went to Pakistan a few years ago and saw churches free of attack by Muslims. Muslims are not bad people. We are just pictured to be; sometimes by radical followers and sometimes by others who dislike the religion of Islam. The Muslims cannot however shut anyone's mouth or stop them from criticizing, but they can keep following their faith. and teach those who do not understand it the right way....to be better. I hope this helps people confused alittle, if any further comments, leave me some. And try to be nice....seems like all the goodness towards others is escaping this world. All we know how to do is demean others to make oursleves look good. And in the end, we look horrible.

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