To Mark

Submitted by Hind Samy (Egypt), Mar 28, 2006 at 22:34

Thank you for your kind remarks.

You said:
"Supposing Islam is a true religion. How is it then posible that so many people use the name of Islam to present such outrageous ideas and which they say are justified in the Quran."

One mustn't blame the religion for the behaviour of some - like I said in an earlier post - man will always try to justify his actions, people will use what they want in a scripture to justify their goals, taken out of context we've all seen how any holy book can be used maliciously.

As for the Talaq incident you mentioned, Islam is very clear on matters of divorce and marriage and I do find it ridiculous, I don't know what the media in the UAE is saying about the matter. Unfortunately many people are very black and white in their interpretations and opinions, I have experienced this personally, just today I had a talk with my gardener who is a simple man who hasn't been to university but shows impressive general knowledge. This man is also very well versed in the Koran and religious matters. I had a long discussion with him about many issues and I always love to hear his interpretations of matters I am curious or unfamilliar about. I find myself thinking that this is the way a Muslim should be and I wish more Muslims were like him (though he could technically be called illiterate). To cut a long story short, there are many Muslims who are extremely religious yet very rational at the same time. I wish this man knew english he would have been able to discuss matters here far better than me.

Unfortunately most people aren't heard on a global or even local level - and maybe that is why you have reached the conclusion that:

"While you argue in a way that demonstates education and critical thought, this is hardly the consensus of the Islamic world and some might argue, not even representative."

All people hear or read about are militant "Islamists", you hardly ever get to hear normal everyday people's opinions and views.

You said:
"In the same post you said you had no desire to fool me. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is God? Christians do. If you don't then you don't worship the same God."

First of all why would I want to fool you? What would I achieve by doing so?
As for believing in the same God, I believe we all worship the same God - God who created us and everything. I do not however believe that Jesus is God. I believe in God the Creator - God who created Muslims, Christians, Jews, everyone and everything. I think this issue has been discussed a lot here - the difference between how Christians and Muslims view Jesus so let's not open that issue again as it would be useless and seems to offend some.

"The nations of Europe that today have muslim majorities are very backward, e.g. Albania, Kosovo."

I wasn't talking about Kosovo and Albania, I was talking about the Muslim Empire - the Ottoman Empire etc - Islam at a time had spread to many countries taking with it huge wealth of knowledge. It is a well known fact that when Muslims entered Spain the rest of Europe was still in the Dark Ages. An interesting example is that many churches used forms of architecture that were originally used in mosques. There is a very nice documentary about this "Islam: Empire of Faith" that I would recommend you to watch, I personally learnt many things I didn't know from it.

At the end of your post you again question my sincerity and I have to admit, with all due respect, I feel some paranoia on your part - why do you keep assuming I am being insincere in my replies to you? What would I achieve and why would I lie? I do believe in everything I am saying otherwise I wouldn't say it.


Peace to you and yours.

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