Islam in U.S. Cross Hairs
Although President Bush has characterized "Islam, as practiced by the vast majority of people, a peaceful religion, a religion that respects others", increasingly a large number of foreign policy hawks have joined the religious conservatives in taking issue with this characterization.
Increasingly, they are engaged in advocating a civilization clash that targets Muslims in conflict with the West, led by the United States.
Thus, with the current war cries against Iraq growing louder, the stage is being set for campaigns against Iran, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Libya followed by other Muslim countries in their turn.
Kenneth Adelman, who serves on the Pentagon's Defense Policy Board, said this about Islam: "The more you examine the religion, the more militaristic it seems. After all, its founder, Mohammed, was a warrior, not a peace advocate like Jesus."
Another member of this board, Eliot Cohen writing in a Wall Street Journal editorial argued that the enemy of the U.S. is not terrorism "but militant Islam." Paul Weyrich, who has influence in the White House, recently wrote that he is concerned about President Bush's "constant promotion of Islam as a religion of peace and tolerance just like Judaism or Christianity. It is neither."
These comments follow those of conservative Christian leaders such as Jerry Vines, a former Southern Baptist president and evangelist Franklin Graham, who early on stigmatized Islam.
Then, although he later apologized, Jerry Falwell appearing on CBS "60 Minutes" reviled the Prophet of Islam as a "Terrorist."
And the unapologetic televangelist Pat Robertson continues to cast aspersions on Islam, Muslims and the Prophet of Islam.
Thus Ibrahim Hooper, a representative of the Council on American and Islamic Relations, an American Muslim advocacy group, commented, "These right wingers are trying to set up a civilization conflict with all their might in the same way as Osama bin Laden. We're trying our darnedest to prevent it, but every day it's looking more and more like it's heading in that direction."
First, it is important not to confuse a religion with the actions of certain persons. Otherwise, one could equate genocide committed by Hitler and the Nazis, or Slobodan Milosevic and the Serbs, with Christianity.
Islam espouses the same principles of peace, love and tolerance as Christianity. To garner respect for the Prophet, I would refer them to the recent PBS documentary, "Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet", co-produced by Michel Wolfe and Alexander Kronemer.
Second, any talk of violence without due attention to its underlying causes, is counterproductive.
Among others, Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada linked the September 11 terrorist attacks to the attitude of the West - particularly, the way the U.S. "flexes its muscle" and imposes its "values" around the globe.
And the former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter is troubled by this new belligerent "face of America."
The current growth of anti-Americanism is not restricted to the Muslim countries, but is also widespread in Europe because it considers the U.S. as arrogant and unilateralist as a superpower.
Most European governments are opposed to war on Iraq, and large street protests are common occurrence in their countries.
A British field marshal commented that an attack on Iraq is likely to "add petrol to the fire."
The FBI and CIA reports also indicate that this attack will further inflame the Middle East and the Muslim world.
The neo-conservatives are pursuing a unidirectional monologue, basing the U.S. foreign policy on their imperialist designs. This is dangerous, because it is coercive and thus bound to create more conflicts.
They must acknowledge that this world is composed of diverse entities, each with its own distinct tradition, values, needs and interests.
Therefore, the prevalent neocolonialist attitude towards the world's Muslims must be replaced with equity and fairness.
And, through cross-cultural dialog and open, free exchange of ideas, it must create an environment conducive to the peaceful coexistence and betterment of humankind as a whole.
Siraj Mufti, Ph.D. is a researcher and free-lance journalist.
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This life is temporary,my life will end,my wifes life will end and my childrens lives will end. So whilst I love them and care for them I cannot use them as an excuse to justify doing nothing.
Allah has promised that this religeon will be protected but if we do nothing to help our muslim brothers and sisters or if we do worse and help those who oppress them, Allah has not promised to protect us.
So,the question is,do you and I really believe that we will be judged and do we really believe there is a heaven and a hell. If the answer is no,then stop kidding around and pursue this life for everything it has to offer. If the answer is yes we believe,then pursue the next life for what it has to offer. And we cannot side with the non believers against fellow muslims. We should not join the armed forces or the police of the non believers and we should shun brothers and sisters that do. The time is here to choose which side we are on,the side of Allah and our muslim brothers and sisters or the non believers. You can can lie to yourself, you can be concerned with how others see you, but you can'tlie to Allah and He see's how we truely are.
the muslim people are the best in this world and in nexet world. so if peole say bad word for as they are losted (correct)
esselam alejkum
Q
You're an offence to critical thinking, so stick to your playstation console where you'll be safe n sound.
Lets be real Doug, you sure as hell didnt go into the Balkans to save Muslims.....thats pure fantasy on your part, if that were the case you not have waited for Milosovic to ethnically cleanse Bosnians while placing them on an arms embargo on the Muslims . The real reason the US was there was to expand and justify the need to keep NATO alive, while establishing a closer base of operations to Russia, should they become disobidient in the future.
Further more Doug, you are no American patriot, you took this country for granted, you never questioned authority, instead you were immersed in your own world of irrelevence. 9/11 happened, and you became a pseudo patriot compensating for your lack of interest in the affairs of the nation. I'd bet you never even voted.
THe Muslim community doesnt owe you anything, we care for this nation, you dont. So kindly get lost or get acquanted with facts before mouthing off like some sophomoric peon.
PS. Also, please continue to overlook how the US recently saved the Muslim minorities in the Balkans from certain genocide by Milosovic.
I have an answer on your 2nd point. Beacuse the US doesn't attack North-Korea for its nuclear program. The Koreans are not taking any effort to hide their nuclear program.
I thought that the US was really interested in getting rid of Atomic weapons all over the world. So why not korea? Or am I being stupi here??
Where on earth have you been? Under ground? Please do yourself a big favor and take time for some arguments or facts. Or go get yourself an education because your level is too low for this forum.
Thank you
"Judy Abdelghani's" post is a perfect example of candy cane propoganda, US style. For people who repeatedly parrot and brag about how "free" they are, they sure dont want to hear an opposing (and truthful) view. This mindset is prevalent among many Americans whose true motto is " love it or leave it" or the usual " go back to your country." And just how is endless war and suffering in America's interest Judy ?
Most Americans dont vote, most have zero idea where their tax dollars go, most are taught by state media who's good, bad etc. Most are fully in favor of throwing people in prison without charge or due process based on either race and/or religion without evidence. Those brave Americans who do question and critisize are labelled "communists" "traitors" etc.... so much for dissent.
It seems to me that the majority of the American public is better suited to be ruled by dictators since they dont practice the democracy they claim to love and cherish.
And how can the "beacon of democracy" prop up so many brutal dictatorships around the world ? Oh but I guess those peoples lives are not above your "interests" is it ? American foreign policy is a disaster to say the least, one doesnt have to be a political scientist to notice the numerous examples of lies, deciet and hypocrisy. So Judy your entire spiel was nothing but a bad commercial laced with inaccurate and misleading assumptions, you're an assimilated conformist and your type are destroying this nation.
The American people MUST wake up before our nation crosses the point of no return.
America's attitude toward Muslims is fair and equitable and that is one reason that Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in America. Also that is why so many of the Islamic nations own citizens escape to America from their oppresive and opportunistic regimes.
America isn't perfect and we make mistakes, but at least we provide equal rights and opportunities for ALL of our citizens, including Muslims who immigrate to our country. Islamic (Muslim) regimes can't say the same. So if you can't even get it right for your own peoples, why should the rest of the world take you seriously?
Make the Muslim world throughout the middle east multidirectional, diverse and accepting of others traditions, values, interests and religious belief's before you tell one of the world's most multidirectional, diverse, accpeting and free nations that they aren't doing a good enough job for YOUR beliefs.
By the way, what are YOUR "designs" on US foreign policy? I think you should think about that. Of course, the USA will be working in their best interest just as your governments work for their best interests. There again, at least America tries to do the best for their peoples. It may not always succeed but at least it tries. Where as your governments do the best to better themselves without much thought to their populations and often at the peoples
further note, on several occasions it was the international media who REJECTED air time to these ppl and chose extremist MORONS to represent Islam on air!!! I personally know the BBC planned to give Omar Bakri (Al-Muhajiroun) air time to 'represent Islam' on air! They had a number of leading muslim dignitaries as alternatives but instead chose a man NOTORIOUS for his extremist beliefs. I personally emailed the BBC advising them as to the foolishness of this act along with I believe 2000+ concerned muslims!!
I am extremely infuriated at the lack of character shown by the so called 'CHRISTIANS' and 'JEWS' who continually attack the Holy Prophet(PBUH)! I say so called because I do not find Jesus (PBUH) or Moses (PBUH) to be slanderers, defamators of character or back biters! so WHO are YOU the ppl OF??????
Continually you spk of Mohammed (PBUH) as war mongerer when your own historians indicate to his inspirational diplomacy and merciful attitude towards his most deadly foes! in 10 years of 'wars' during the Prophet (PBUH) life time only slightly more than 250 non-muslims perished!!! check this out for yourselves....
No conquering army has ever freed the entire denizens of a captured city, EVER!! EXCEPT Mohammed (PBUH)!
I equate YOU to the BARBARIANS that perform similar and worse actions in the name of islam!your collective ignorance is an indication of the myopia of your intellects but more dangerously your hearts...
I pray to THE ONE TRUE GOD that in His All Encompassing Mercy, He guides us all (muslims AND non muslims) to a better understanding. Amin!
The second question is simple. Many Muslim political and religious leaders have condemned the terrorist attacks on the US attempted attacks in Europe, the Bali Indonesia bombings and the recent Algerian masacres. The real question is why don't americans know about it? It is because the pro Israeli American media will not say anything positive about Islam in politics any air time.
This is apparant when militant clerics' words are placed in the news but more peacful words are ignored in american media.
Why do they go to the street against the US and Israel's actions but not against other groups? First, people protest against things governments do, not covert organizations. Second about 90% of media is government controled, so people from "terrorist supporting states" don't know why their governments are listed. Another reason is that in many countries there are clerics who take advantage of the lack of education in many Muslim countries, as well as the half truth of the government media. They either do this by direct sactioning from the government or by their own false view of Islam.
In addition there is currently dislike for the US it has two sources. In the Muslim world they quote anti Islamics like Pat Robertson as being the view of all Americans.
In addition Muslims in many countries protest against Israel's actions by force. The really want to protest agst their own governments' lack of action in regards to Israe
true Islam has no "sect" or "school" Islam is peaceful, but there are many revolutionist philosophies in Islam that are not real Islam that are currently very popular. The bad attitude of uneducated Muslims is like many Christians at the time of the crusades, an age of ignorance promoted by Christian leadership in th
Every honest American knows full well who the media is run by and how they shape the thoughts of the ignorant. If some of you half baked GI Joes types are so concerned about your country, brush up on history and take responcibility for your governments actions around the globe. You people are about as sick and twisted as they come.
President Bush quoted the Bible to start his Terrorism Campaign, thus making it the continuation of the Crusades. The President's advisers must sureley know what the Quran says, and would not be fooled by the falsification of the identities in the Signs of Allah for Jesus, Christians and Jews, and the pretense that Islam is a walk-over-me religion.
"Think not that I am come to send Peace on Earth. I came not to send Peace but a Sword." These are the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 10:34)so, exactly who is fooling who about which religion is Peaceful?
The Religions that are linked together in Terrorism (Islam and Christianity, bearing in mind that those who are falsely described as Jews and who love the Jewish mistaken identity are really supposed to be Muslim AND Penitents) must settle their differences in worship and in the Messianic syndrome.
Israel and Islam and Christianity of Palestine and the Middle East, the Terrorists of Jerusalem, are about to face the Truth or be annihilated by their own ignorance.
The Holy Land remains defiled by the attempted crucifixion of the Messiah. The Christian Hoax of the crucifixion of the Messiah has already been revealed as the Greatest Hoax of the past 2000 years as the Quran confirms the truth of the matter even as is it said in the Bible, and the self-imposed Muslim leadership refuse to acknowledge and speak the Truth. Man will face the consequences of infidelity as before.
Rejection of the Islam of the Messiah by Israel and Christianity, and the support given to the blasphemy of Christainity by self-imposed Muslim leadership, in defiance of Allah and the Quran, need to be addressed, or the wrath of Allah will come down as is the Promise of Allah.
United Nations or United Religions have turned their backs on Allah, and Allah is Exalted in Might, The Wise.
REPENT AND AMEND!
Hello,
I Mr Olaide sherif i really have a good comment of the issue My God almighty Allah be with you and bless abundantly.
Stay Cooooool
Sherif.
Anybody remotely familiar with the history of colonialism knows full well whats going on here. You're the ones creating and getting rich off wars.
The snide comments posted by your ilk demonstrate not only your blatant disregard for facts and figures but also a denial of your bloody past. This willful ignorance and denial is your tragedy really, given that most of the world knows what you warmongers are really about. Trust me, you're not fooling anyone.
are minced meat.it is all based on power and america will be converted.
I find your writings helpful in my understanding of the prevalent thinking in the Islamic community. This quoted sentence appears to be the single major point of confrontation between the cultures.
"Therefore, the prevalent neocolonialist attitude towards the world's Muslims must be replaced with equity and fairness."
Is it beyond the governments scope in a free society to accomplish this? Since it is the business community who maintains the global business aspirations. Can a culture be stopped at the door of a country in today's electronic media environment?
That being said, with questions because I really do not know what are the solutions. If they exists?
"And, through cross-cultural dialog and open, free exchange of ideas, it must create an environment conducive to the peaceful coexistence and betterment of humankind as a whole."
This seems to be a statement belonging on the other foot. "Free exchange of ideas" This hardly seems applicable to modern Islam. "Peaceful Coexistence", that would be nice, perhaps Muslims should stop their world wide campaign of murder and destruction to initiate this conducive environment.
As a citizen of the U.S., it is apparent that our country is not perfect. Yet, for the common man, we have achieved much. It is our desire, as people, to help the common people of the world. This can be witnessed in most countries.
Peoples of all religions, countries and cultures represent our country. We live together in peace. Unfortunately, the cost is a homogenization of our society. The bigger question for the benefit of the antagonist seems how to stop this homogenization of the globe. (perhaps this is really the same quoted sentence at top of this response.) That answer is not easy, nor do I have it. Although the current Islamic answer, war, is not the right one.
Western Foreign Policy in general and US Policy in specific has been anything but inconsistent in this message. The challenge for Islam is to intellectual challenge the minds and hearts of the people that elected the organized crime family that is the Oil cartel/the US government. The average westerner or american does not understand all of the repercussions of the capitalism that America represents. For the sake of a dollar, America tolerates thousands of murders each year as a result of handguns, drugs, and sexual preditors for the sake of the entertainment, guns, Enrons, Worldcoms of the US.
We should say to the US government:
Are you for us or against us.
America is an anti-Islamic state as long as it still collborates or plans itself to kill the innocent muslims throughout the world. (Iran, Chenya, Palenstine, Ivory Coast, Soamlia, Sudan and the list gets longer all the time).
I would like to know if you could clarify a few points made in this report.
1. Who are the "increansingly large number of foreing policy hawks" that have join the religious conservative. What actions have they taken to promote Islam in a negative manner beside maybe stating their point of view?
2. How is going to war with Iraq setting the stage to go to war with other Muslim contries?
3. Militant Islam is the enemy of the US, I dont know why you have a problem with this statement since it is true. Many militant Muslims have declare war on the US hence they should be dealt with in a prompt and effective manner just as if they were a Christian militant group with the same agenda. I would not have a problem dealing with both groups in the same manner.
5. Are Muslims or Islam beyond critism?
6. If the US is so anti-Islam why is Islam the fastest growing religion here is the US?
"The lies (Western slander) which well-meaning zeal has heaped round this man (Muhammad) are disgraceful to ourselves only."
"A silent great soul, one of that who cannot but be earnest. He was to kindle the world, the world's Maker had ordered so."
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God bless you brother Siraj
great article
Please allow me to add a couple of pionts in line of your thaughts:
*Organised religion is a fraud!!
They are selling somthing the don't have.
God , the all mighty, does not require a middleman ,particularly ,the drunken ,the fellon ,
and the con artists
*We have the book with unquestionab othenticity .
I am reading a book by ellit freedman titeled
"Who wrote the bible" a must reading for every moslem.
"The Islam" is a direct threat to the capitalist system as we know it ,
the system that is built on the explitation of labour and materials,
"The Islam" is built on social justice ,and economic justis( vey unamerican) (smile)
*Enemies of "The Islam" are part of the 10% of the population that owns 90% of the wealth of this country(michael moore "stupid white men"
The list can go on and on ,
May I recommend, that we the muslems put our faith in God and read as much Kuran as possible
it strengthen our faith and prtect our mindes and hearts from the hereticsand theire mental erasment.
and most of all we have to be cool about it .
once we loose our temper, we loose the argument,
Wealso have learn thier tactics and sytle of attack
LAST POINT
* the question of tolarance????
"The Islam "have succeded in bginging integration into this society whily christianity have falled
misrabily
thank you for listing
God helps us all
Love to all
LOVE 3adel
salamo- 3alaicom