Daniel's Sabbatical and Islam's future

Submitted by Maurice Picow (Israel), Dec 27, 2006 at 03:13

Dear Daniel,

Writing on behalf of myself and many other readers, we all wish you well in your teaching sabbatical. Anyone who will have the opportunity to hear your lectures on a daily basis is very fortunate, and your column will be missed - even though only temporarily.

Regarding the West fighting a losing battle against Islam, it must be realized by all non-Muslims, no matter what religious affiliation, that Islam is the most aggressive and wide-spreading religious movement in the world today. While other religious groups, including Catholics, are losing members, Muslims are gaining new converts as well as staging a proflic demographic upsurge. In regards to demography, a visit to the maternity wards of most European hospitals will amaze anyone in regards to number of new-born infants of Muslim parents. Even in countrys in Italy and Spain, prominent Catholic countries, the birth rate is shrinking among most of the population - except Muslims.

The phenomenon has not been so widespread yet in America, mainly due to the strict U.S. immigration policies. But who knows what will be there in the next 50 years? Both the African and Asian continents are becoming increasingly "Islamized", and Europe's Islamic future is already evident.

Only in Latin America is Islam still struggling; although the religion is on the increase in countries like Brazil and Paraguay (Ciudad del Este is a thriving Muslim enclave), and even in Mexico, more Muslims are evident.

On a military standpoint, America and other Western countries, especially Israel, are feeling the increase in militant Islam. The West may not entirely lose the battle against Islam, but we all must reconcile ourselves to the fact that Islam may very soon become the major world religion; with all it's implications.

And an increaslingly nuclear Islamic future, especially from Iran, is especially worrisome.

Gook luck in your teaching assignment!

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