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Name
Imran
- United Kingdom
Profession
student
Question
Hello. Because of the unfortunate events that happened, do you think we are really going to be able to build good relations with the British public? What I mean to say is despite Muslim organizations and groups trying to give Islam a true image, how do we do that with the media going into 247 overdrive scapegoating and spreading propaganda about Islam. Also, rather than just letting Muslim bodies do all the work, would it not be better for all the mosques committees and the Muslims in general to work together, perhaps this way we can reach more of the British public and make them aware. Would this increase co-existence between the two groups?
Answer
The terrorists attack in London last week was evil and sinful. I am pleased that major Islamic organizations in England, Europe and here in the United States immediately condemned this attack and condemned those who committed it. It is very important that Muslims become more vocal and together we state our total abhorrence to these crimes.
We must fully and categorically reject those who commit these crimes. They are not part of us and they do not represent Islam at all.
It is time that all Muslims organizations come together and make a unified stand against misuse of Islam. We should publish full page ads in major British papers denouncing these crimes of terrorism and those who commit them. We must say that those who commit these crimes are harming Islam and Muslims. They are not serving any Islamic or Muslim cause and we reject them and their evil methods.
May Allah help us and make us do good things for ourselves and for all humanity.
Name
Mazin
-
Profession
Question
First, do you have a certain definition for co-existence? Does peaceful co-existence between Muslims and non-Muslims can bring good results for both sides?
Answer
Co-existence means living together respecting each other. Islam teaches us that we should respect others' life, family, property, honor and freedom. We must treat others as we like others to treat us. We should be good neighbors and peaceful citizens.
Peaceful co-existence is good for all people in our shrinking global village. We are now living in a world where more and more people of diverse faiths, cultures, colors, races and nationalities are living and working together. Peaceful co-existence is a must at all times but especially in our world today. Peaceful co-existence is beneficial for all people and it will make our world a better world.
Name
Martin
-
Profession
Question
In your own view, are Muslims facing a problem regarding integrating themselves in majority non-Muslim societies or it is the non-Muslim societies that fail to accommodate Muslims?
Answer
We are living in a world of tensions and difficulties. Most problems in the world are not religious, but economic and political.
Muslims and non-Muslims have been living together for centuries together in peace and harmony. The present difficulties that have emerged are more of political and economic nature. It is important that we focus on the real issues of grievances to bring more peace and harmony.
At this time there is a need for work on both sides. Both sides have to work to improve relations. A tiny minority from amongst Muslims and also a tiny minority from amongst non-Muslims have increased this situation of tension and fear. Some elements from among Muslims committed crimes in the name of Islam and some elements among non-Muslims used this to discredit Islam and all Muslims. There is a need to emphasize that all have to work together and stop this climate of fear and suspicion.
Name
Manfield
-
Profession
Question
Can you give me a list of procedures that help enhance cooperation and peaceful co-existence in a given multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural society?
Answer
I have outlined six important areas of work and I would like to mention them here:
1. No to intolerance:
We should emphasize tolerance and good relations with all people. We are living in this shrinking world of diverse faiths and cultures. We must recognize the rights of others and treat each person and group with honor and respect. Tolerance should not be just a slogan, but it should be put to practice on all levels. Tolerance must be practiced on the levels of individuals, groups as well as states. It should be a political and legal requirement. Tolerance should be between the members of the same community and same religion, as well as between the people of different faiths and cultures. Tolerance is not the sign of weakness in faith; it is the sign of strength and confidence in faith.
2. No to false propaganda:
We emphasize that people must be free to express their ideas and feelings. They should have full right to differ and disagree, but they must express themselves with truth and decency. Dehumanization of others, false propaganda and deliberate distortion of others views and traditions must stop. These things create alienation and anger. The media is a powerful tool and it can help in building bridges of understanding and co-existence between various religious and cultural communities. Media and entertainment industry should be careful not to feed people by misinformation and propaganda against other religions and cultures. We must work hard to expose the false propaganda and stand against it. Of course we ourselves should not be engaged in false propaganda against others either.
3. No to domination and hegemony:
We should emphasize cooperation and collaboration and must stand against domination and hegemony. Justice, fair dealing, live and let live should be emphasized rather than the push for control and power. We should give a clear message that all human beings should be treated with respect and dignity. No race should enslave other races and no country has a right to dominate the whole globe. Modernization does not necessarily mean westernization and globalization should not mean the domination of one group over the whole globe.
4. No to exploitation and extortion:
The gap between the haves and have-nots should be reduced. We must see that all human beings have the opportunity to live with dignity. Deprivation and poverty are main contributing factors for much of the discontent and violence today in our world. Governments are willing to spend billions on weapons, military buildups and wars, but very little for the economic well beings of the poor people in their own societies and around the globe.
5. No to immoral behavior:
We should promote ethical and moral behavior in our communities and neighborhood. Honesty, truthfulness, courtesy and kindness should be emphasized. We must promote good family values and must work with others to remove pornography and indecency from the world. We must encourage and support the educational system that promotes openness, dialogue and guards against fanaticism. Our educational system should not teach every view in the absolutist terms. Our students should be taught that there could be various perspectives and one should be open to other points of view. We should also promote human rights of all people, more political freedom, open debates, participatory democracies and representative governments. Hypocrisy and the double standards of the governments, the powerful states and multinational corporations must be exposed and must be stopped.
6. No to violence:
We must emphasize to ourselves and to the world that violence is not the way to solve any problem. Violence must be rejected in all forms and by all human beings. Individuals, groups and nations all should learn to solve their problems peacefully through dialogues and negotiations. Terrorism and violence against innocent non-combatants and civilians is immoral and evil. It must be condemned wherever it exists. All terrorism –whether committed by groups or states- must be eliminated from the world. All weapons of mass destruction from every part of the world must be destroyed. It should be illegal for all nations and countries to invent, produce, sell, buy or acquire such weapons. No nation has a right to own such weapons.
Name
Muslim
-
Profession
Question
What is the status of the perpetrators of last week's bombings in London in light of them being Muslims?
Answer
Those who committed the crime of terrorism last week in London and others who committed such crimes before that are sinners. They have sinned against Allah and humanity.
In Islamic terminology they are called "muharibun" or those who committed "hirabah.". Hirabah is a crime where someone attacks and kills innocent people. There is severe punishment for them in Islam as mentioned in the Qur'an in Surah al-Ma'idah 5:33.
Name
Fatimah
-
Profession
Question
In your view, how can British Muslims help rectify the image of Islam and true Muslims after the recent London bombings?
Answer
They should work more and put more efforts. They should conduct more dialogue and open houses with people of different faiths. They should invite people to mosques and have a dialogue with them. They should meet with their neighbors and explain the true message of Islam.
On the other hand, Muslim organizations need to come together and form a unified stand in rejecting violence and acts of extremism. They should publicly speak against what happened and explain who Muslims are and what they stand for. Muslims should work towards having special segments on TV, radio and newspapers to declare what they believe in and reject extremism.
Name
Jack
-
Profession
Question
You Muslims always say that you back justice and truth, but let me ask you just one question: If a Muslim came to know that another Muslim is a terrorist who seeks to destroy people and launch attaks similar to those of Londo, Does your religion allow him to inform the authorities about that terrorist, or you will side with him only because he is a Muslim?
Answer
No, Islam states the opposite. The Qur'an speaks of the safety of all human souls: "Whoever kills a human soul, it is as if he has killed the whole mankind, and if he saves it, it is as if he has saved the entire humanity." (Al-Ma'idah 5: 32)
So for the safety of human being, if a Muslim knows about another person, Muslim or non-Muslim, who is going to launch a similar attack, he must inform the authorities immediately.
Name
Marwa
-
Profession
Question
Due you think reiterating terms like, Dar Al-Islam and Dar Al-Kufr these days help achieve better co-existence between Muslims and non-Muslims? If not, then why and please mention your reasons?
Answer
The terms Dar al-Islam and Dar al-Kufr are not mentioned in the Qur'an or authentic Hadith. These are terms that our jurists coined in the early centuries. There are also many definitions of these terms according to different jurists.
Our situations has changed today. Now almost one third of the Muslims of the world (about 500 millions) are living in countries where the majority of the people are non-Muslims and there are considerable non-Muslim minorities who are living in majority Muslim countries. In many non-Muslim majority countries Muslim minorities are quite happy and enjoy their rights and similarly many non-Muslims are enjoying their rights in majority Muslim countries. So these divisions of Dar al-Islam and Dar al-Harb are not very much applicable at this time.
In my opinion we should avoid them, because they may create unnecessary barrier in our relations, collaborations and co-existence with others.
Name
Damro
-
Profession
Question
Do you agree that attacking civilians and taking their lives is a crime against all human values and a punishable sin in all divine religions?
Answer
Yes, I do agree that taking the lives of a civilian is a heinous crime and a disgusting sin that is punishable in all divine teachings of God.
Name
Isha
- Nigeria
Profession
student
Question
How do I relate with the non-Muslims and those that have bad deeds like fornicators, etc?
Answer
You should give da'wah to them. Be a good example. Do not do what they do and help them to change their bad habits. If you cannot help them then do not unnecessarily argue with them. Pray to Allah to guide them to the right path.
Name
AllZeeZ
-
Profession
Question
Is there any disagreement on calling the attackers, if proved to be Muslim, as apostates or muharibun?
Answer
There cannot be any disagreement about the sinfullness of killing innocent people. This is totally abohorent in Islam, and those who kill innocent people are sinners and muharibun.
I don't use the word apostates, but they are sinners and muharibun who have violated the pure teachings of Islam that emphasize the protection of human life.
Name
Amir
- United States
Profession
student
Question
As-salamu `alaikum Dr. Siddiqui,
Do you think the growing rift between Muslims and non-Muslims is a result of lack of efforts by Muslims themselves?
What level of participation (by Muslims) on community level is required to bridge this rift?
Answer
Wa`alaikum As-salam warahmatullahi wabrakatuh.
Muslims have to do a lot of work to develop good relations with their non-Muslim neighbors and co-workers. Muslims must increase their efforts individually and collectively to change this climate mistrust. They should set a good example of Islam. They should not hide their identity or give up their practice of Islam; they should rather become more open and active in civil society and community work for all human beings.
Name
Muslim
-
Profession
Question
How can the third and fourth generation living in majority non-Muslim countries adapt themselves to the lifestyle of the countries where they live in a bid to have a common ground without putting their religious commitment at stake?
Answer
Muslims can live in any country and among all people. Wherever Muslims live they should follow the rules of Allah. The rules of Allah are not only observing the five pillars of Islam or eating Halal food etc. The rules of Allah are to respect all people, their lives, properties and their honor.
Muslim should know that we have many things in common with others, especially with the Jews and Christians. We should appreciate our commonalities and respect our differences.
In order to be Islamic we should not isolate ourselves from others and in order to be accommodating we should not forget the rules of Allah. A balance approach is very important and this is what we should learn and teach to our children.
Islam is a religion of moderation and peace for all people. Extremism has no place in Islam.
Name
Jere
- United States
Profession
writer
Question
Does Islam accept the existence, and even the spiritual legitimacy, of other world faiths; or is conversion to Islam ultimately required of non-Muslims in order to live in peace and equality with Muslims? I ask this because I have read quotes from persons identified as Muslims that the ultimate goal of Islam is to become the world's single religious faith. Thank you.
Answer
Does Islam accept the existence, and even the spiritual legitimacy, of other world faiths; or is conversion to Islam ultimately required of non-Muslims in order to live in peace and equality with Muslims? I ask this because I have read quotes from persons identified as Muslims that the ultimate goal of Islam is to become the world's single religious faith. Thank you.
Islamic message is for all humanity. Islam teaches that we should invite all people to the way of God with wisdom and patience. However, Islam is the religion of tolerance and it forbids its followers to force any one to accept it. The message has to be given as clearly as possible and then one should leave the decision to the person to accept or not to accept.
Islam teaches that Muslims should have good relations with all people, Muslims and non-Muslims. On the human level, we should treat all people with respect. We must respect their lives, honor, property and freedom.
Name
Tamir
-
Profession
Question
To what extent can the bombings and attacking civilians undermine a history of trust and expose a peaceful society to danger?
Answer
What happened was really bad and hideous. It created a lot of difficulties and tensions for us. Now, we have to do a lot of work in order to remove this mistrust. Those who perpetrated these attacks have caused a lot of harm to Islam and Muslims. They are the enemies of Islam.
It is our responsibility, individually and collectively, to work towards the removal of this mistrust and bring back the true and beautiful image of Islam to our neighbors.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
.
Answer
Finally, we would like to thank Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi for taking the time to answer the questions of Islamonline viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue. We apologize for not being able to accommodate all the questions within the time allocated to this session. If you feel your question is very important, feel free to contact us at EngLivedialogue@islamonline.net and we will try our best to answer your question. We request our readers to join us in upcoming sessions.
