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Reader:
I feel the hate building in me for the Islamic world and I don't like it. |
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Followers
of Islam you ought to be ashamed of what you don't do. You are
represented by murderers throughout the world and you stay quiet,
while to people like myself you seem to all be guilty. If you want
to be understood then put an end to these elements of your faith
that seek to cause your ruin. I guarantee that if the United States
is attacked again by Muslims then you will see what it was to be a
Jew in 1940's Germany. You will learn why other people of the world
chose to become civilized.
If
Islamic leaders don't set Muslims straight then I assure you many
generations of Muslims will suffer. You must get over the idea that
non-Muslims are against you. It might be hard for you to understand
that most of us don't care what religion you are. We just want the
world to be a place where all people are free of oppression and have
a chance to better themselves.
I
believe that so many Muslim countries allow hate to be preached. It
is how they keep their people from knowing who there real oppressors
are. This has been very effective, but who suffers from this? In the
long run it's the poor souls who don't know any better, who are
taught from birth it is the infidels who keep them down. I feel the
hate building in me for the Islamic world and I don't like it. I
assure you it was not caused by anything that my country has done,
but by the radical Islamists. Please help me to change the way I
feel and do something to change this. Take a stand and make Islam a
religion you can be proud of. Because right now if you are proud of
it you are guilty!
Dear
IOL reader,
There are various factors that contribute to violent acts of frustration. |
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Your
anger and hatred is certainly understood, but it will not get you or
us anywhere.
It would be a grave error to generalize the actions of a few and
consider them representative of more than 1 billion people, and to
say that the problem lies in their belief. For the majority of
Muslims, their belief only inspires moderation in action and
thought, and there have been, and there continue to be, a series of
efforts by Muslims to meet the challenges they face through calls
for understanding and mutual respect rather than violent
confrontation or violent rhetoric.
There are various factors that contribute to violent acts of
frustration, and belief is the last factor to consider. Whenever a
certain group of people lacks awareness and knowledge, and whenever
they are oppressed and do not feel represented, they act in the most
incomprehensible ways. This is what happens often with a lot of
Muslims around the world, and this has in fact happened to a lot of
people from other backgrounds throughout history.
There is no denial that a lot of the trouble lies within us as
Muslims, and in the way we handle our problems. Yet Muslims' ability
to handle their problems is oftentimes impaired by a variety of
other sociopolitical factors that they don't always have control
over.
There are two absolute "No"s:
1. Are Muslims absolutely guilt-free in all the harrassment they are
subjected to? No.
2. Is the trouble with the violence evident in a lot of Muslims
inherent in Islam? Absolutely not.
Once again, thank you for your feedback. We hope you remain a
regular visitor to our site.
Regards,
IslamOnline.net
Reader:
The problem is not about forcing Islamic law on the world. |
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Too
bad Muslims in the world do not reflect the reasonable face of your
Web site. The reality seems to be of a daily increasing violence.
The 9/11 attacks did not enrage me as has the behavior of Islam in
just the last few months. And now, in the past week, the savage,
uncivilized violence and attempts of imposition of Muslim law on the
world reveals the intent of the continually more vocal Muslim
majority. What seemed like a fringe element, a minority of
Islamofascists, with radical ideas, is becoming more Taliban-like
with a true intent to impose Islamic rule over the world, and
persecute and eliminate other religions.
The
sooner the rest of the civilized world (which I truly hope will
include many, many of the Islamic faith) realizes that this
expression of desire to dominate the world is here, the more the
possibility that the world can move forward to a new spiritual
level.
Peace
to the people of Peaceful Islam!
Dear
IOL reader,
One
of the key things we try to do on IslamOnline.net is to clarify the
facts and show the context within which events that affect Islam and
Muslims operate. The division is not between a "reasonable
face" on IslamOnline and Muslim actions that do not reflect it.
The division is more between facts and actions on the ground and
selective and unbalanced media coverage that most of the time shows
only violent incomprehensible actions, thereby manipulating
perception and fueling more hate rather than contributing to better
interaction and understanding.
The problem with Muslims that were angered at the cartoons to a
point of violent protest was not about forcing Islamic law on the
world. While the violence they resorted to is by no means
justifiable, it merely reflects an accumulation of frustrations and
an increased sense of humiliation. And the problem with the cartoons
for Muslims in general was not about an Islamic law broken by
non-Muslims by depicting the Prophet, it was about insult and
humiliation, for which many Muslims do in fact feel partially
responsible.
Regards,
IslamOnline.net
Reader:
The
drawings have to be seen in the context of Danish politics. |
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It's
important to realize that not all Danes support the publication of
these awful, shameful, drawings. I, for one, find the situation
appalling and dangerous. The newspaper that published the cartoons
was clear that publishing the drawings would be a provocation, but
they went ahead anyway.
The
drawings have to be seen in the context of Danish politics. The
drawings are weapons in a "cultural war" which is being
fought in
Denmark
, and the enemy is Islam and Muslims. The defining issue in Danish
politics is the "Muslim question;" are you for or against
Muslims?
The
current Danish government is kept in power because of its alliance
with an extreme right-wing party which has nothing but contempt for
Islam and lives to attack Muslims and insult them. Basically they
use the myth of a Muslim "threat" to Danish culture, in
order to gain influence and power, much as the Nazis used the
"threat" of the Jews to get votes in
Germany
. But as the Muslims are a minority with very little power, the
Danish government thought it could do whatever it liked.
Dear
IOL reader,
We
believe that the problem was more about information. Very few of the
people who work for the newspaper know much about Islam, the prophet
or Muslims themselves and their grievances.
The
media stands in a very sensitive and extremely important position
before the international community; it plays a primary role in
shaping the public mindset, and providing the information upon which
people create their outlook and perspective on a given issue.
It
is therefore a shame to see it becoming a platform for hatred and
discrimination, fueling prejudices rather than breaking them down
and dissolving them by becoming the platform for the exchange of
information and dialogue.
We
work very hard towards that end, and are very happy to receive your
input on the issue.
We
hope you remain a regular visitor to our site.
Regards,
IslamOnline.net
Reader:
Hello
I am open minded and warm hearted. I have not an ounce of racism in
me. But I have to say that the actions of Islam are in danger of
driving me to a position that is totally unhealthy. The West has
welcomed Muslims into our midst - the actions of Muslims are
creating real fear and this is turning to hatred. It may be your
objective, but you could drive the West to a position where the
Nazis seem like choir boys. Why can you not live and let live? How
can a cartoon cause such insane over reaction?
Dear
IOL reader,
The
first thing we would like to say to you is: We understand.
We
understand your grievance over the response of many Muslims, we
understand your inability to comprehend how a simple cartoon can
create all that fuss, and we understand how hurt you feel, as a
Westerner, to see how Muslims living in your midst can express all
that hate.
Whether
or not they practice Islam, whether or not they understand it
for what it is, they feel very strongly about it. |
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The
cartoon controversy is a symptom of an old and deep-rooted ailment
in the communication between many Muslims and many people from the
West. While Western nations have a high degree of political
awareness that channels their actions in ways that make them more
mobilized, and hence better heard, many Muslims, especially outside
the West, come from long years of deliberate political and social
pacification from their governments, which resulted in a lack of
trust in anything that stands for authority.
As
people, Muslims do not feel represented, and when they act, it is
random action, in many cases impulsive, not coordinated or even
planned.
It
is therefore impossible to speak of them in generalizing terms. When
you witness the actions of some, it would be unwise to conclude that
they are the actions of ALL Muslims, especially when the media
focuses on some and ignores others.
Islam
continues to play a key role in shaping the lives and identities of
the majority of Muslims. Whether or not they practice Islam, and
whether or not they practice it right, whether or not they
understand it for what it is, they feel very strongly about it. And
it is a basic fact that they love the Prophet and consider him the
highest example to be followed.
Ridiculing
the Prophet, and ALL prophets, strikes a very raw nerve with
Muslims. It has the effect ridiculing the holocaust would have on
the Western mind.
Many
Muslims feel that they are often subjected to double standards and
discrimination when it comes to issues that pertain to their rights,
or respect to their beliefs, and the recent controversy only added
to their grievances.
This
by no means justifies the violent rhetoric, or the violent actions
that were carried out by many Muslims, for the majority believes
that the only means for resolving the issue is dialogue and
understanding between both sides, which inevitably leads to mutual
respect and tolerance. Both sides should get to know the other well.
If
you are disenchanted with the actions of Muslims that the mainstream
media delivers to your home screen, we invite you to get to know the
Muslims on the ground, and the many activities they have initiated
in order to reach out to you.
Regards,
IslamOnline.net
Reader:
U.S.
Supreme Court Depicts Muhammad
So,
this is allowed? Is it hypocrisy? Or an exception to the rule?
Sincerely.
Dear
IOL reader,
What
is unacceptable is the act of ridicule. |
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The
link you provided points to a depiction of the Prophet Muhammad in
the Supreme Court. There are two important points to take into
consideration:
1.
Islam prohibits depictions of ALL prophets and key religious
figures, such as the blessed virgin Mariam, mother of Jesus, in
addition of course to God, and the angels.
2.
The outrage over the cartoon controversy was for reasons other than
the mere fact that the Prophet was depicted. It was because of the
satirical nature of the depiction, which implied disrespect and
intolerance for the beliefs of over 1 billion people.
Certain
Muslim sects do in fact depict the Prophet in some of their
drawings, an act that is considered unorthodox. And the Prophet is
in fact depicted in many places, not only the Supreme Court (where
his depiction is respectful). As Muslims, we convey our objection to
that, but we also respect the laws and regulations of the related
establishments. Any change regarding that matter should perhaps come
gradually, through more understanding and dialogue.
What
is unacceptable is the act of ridicule. While the violent response
of many Muslims is by no means justifiable, Muslims still hold their
right to object, and to seek all lawful means to alter any similar
incidents in the future.
Regards,
IslamOnline.net
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