Yes there are differences...

Submitted by Celina (United States), Jul 30, 2006 at 00:54

Hi Kathy,

I am going to answer your question as best as I can. I am, by no means, an expert on Islam. I have asked my husband that very question and he's explained it to me as follows:

In light of the situation in the middle east right now, especially in Iraq, I have asked my husband why are there some Muslims that are very extreme and rigid and promote violence and yet there are many Muslims, like my husband, who follow their faith and seem to have little or no problems at all. (Just to point out...the same thing can be said about Christians and their extreme measure certain "Christians" have taken in the name of God...just to be fair.)

The different sects, sunni and shitte Muslims are radically different. My husband, who probably would fall under the Sunni category states that Shitte Muslims, while followers of Mohammed and the Quran also follow Ali-and therefore, have a different following and approach to Islam. That is why there is so much conflict in Iraq...where there is a large Shitte population...I believe also, as I have stated in my previous posts...that so much has to do with the country they are raised in and if that country is ruled under Islamic law or if it has a democracy of some sort.

I LOVE Moroccan people and the Moroccan culture. I long to visit Morocco and experience all the wonderful things that their society has to offer.

I'm glad that your friend is kind, most Moroccans put our manners to shame and their hospitality is greatly admirable. They are very friendly and go over and beyond making you feel welcome. If you have not been to a Moroccan home for a dinner...you are missing something. They welcome you, feed you and talk your ears off! They are wonderful people.

I will encourage you to get the book...Unveiling Islam by the Cantor Brothers. As a Christian, I found this book to be very detailed and informative. It respects the relegion of Islam while informing those interested in understanding it. The Cantor brothers were raised Muslim but converted to Christianity and have a wonderful perspective on their former faith.

We, as Christians, must be careful not to paint every Muslim with the same brush. Some of the nicest and most decent people I have met have been Muslim...some of the people (in-laws) that I truly love are Muslim. I only wish that I may be an example of what a Christian is to all these people. I may be the only Christian they ever meet...What a way to honor our God, Jesus Christ...for he loved Muslims just as much as he loved us...and he died for them...just as he died for us.

I hope this helps. Continue to be kind to your Moroccan friend. Pray that God will use you to be the one Christian that may turn his heart to Jesus. Be the example for him...about what a life with Christ is like. Muslims fear God...their God is not a God of grace and mercy. Their God is a God of judgment and condemnation. Every Muslim must be Good enough for Allah....and they are constantly trying to prove their "goodness" so that Allah will bless them. They have no concept of Christ and his love for us.

But Kathy, be careful not to get into a spiritual battle with your friend. You can not refute everything he tells you..don't even try. He has these things engraved in his head..."Jesus is a prophet, Jesus did not die, Jesus was taken with the prohpet Mohammed to heaven, God does not have a son, It was Ishmael that was almost sacrificed..not Isaac, etc, etc. " These are things that have been tought to him.... and he will have an answer to everything you say...he will be able to explain it. Talk to him about salvation. Ask him..."Do you know what happens when you die?" Muslims do not have a clear picture of salvation...they can only hope their earthly deeds are good enough to get them into Heaven...when we all know none of us is good enough for heaven...hence Jesus Christ.

Hope I helped.

Celina

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