If Hamas welcomed this war with the Israelis, is it misleading to employ the word Holocaust to describe Israel's defending itself from rocket attacks by destroying Hamas?
Do not we Muslims have a responsibility to be accurate? Or do we not care because we are Muslims? Did not the Prophet (pbuh) lead us by his example to be kind and compassionate to the People of the Book?
Answer
Let us not forget that the aggressor is not Hamas but Isreal. It is Isreal that has attacked Gaza and the Isreali government does not hide its desire to destry Hamas. The Isrealies in doeing so do not care if they kill innocent bystandards or women or children in the 100's. Furthermore, Hamas did not want this war and did not persue it. This hoever does not mean we should not be accurate and fare.
Name
Ihsan Khan
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
I believe the assembly is not that old entity and I wonder would you be able to reach all the Islamic centers in Europe for working on the same topics tomorrow?
Answer
Today with the help of the communication technology it is easy to reach, more or less, every one. However we cannot clame that the assembly has connections with all Islamic centers in Europe. We are working hard on that. The Assembly is a new organisation that hopes to gather and connect most if not all Immams and spiritual guids in Europe.
Name
Muslimah Singaporean
- Singapore
Profession
Question
Singapore wishes you a happy and wonderful new year.
Do you not believe in your heart that today is the time for the Palestinians to finally make a meaningful peace with Israel and avert further death, destruction and crocodile tears?
After all, how many more litres of blood and perspiration must be expended?
We Muslims cannot endure the stupidity exhibited by Hamas goaded by the imbeciles in Iran. The civilised world views Islam as a religion of fanatics and murderous thugs who have no hesitation in permitting others to fight their battles.
Answer
And to you a happy year. It is my belief supported by historical fact that it is Israel that does not want a meaningful peace. The tears of our sisters, children, old men and victims are not the tears of crocodiles. They are the victims not the aggressor. and the bombs that fall on their heads are very real and sophisticated. Hamas is not goaded by Iran get your information sorted and they are definitely not stupid. We need to work hard to clarify the view held by the west regarding Islam (Not every one holds this view by the way) But we cannot be held responsible if this view is wrongly spread by the west for political reasons.
Name
Hoda Rahmany
- Turkey
Profession
Question
Why do you think there are many problems with the European imams' recruitment process and being imams in EU with there eastern culture, language, etc? Why don't you work on a project for training the European-born imams and making them qualifies enough through your kind and respected assembly?
Answer
We hope to achieve this through training, supplying courses and resources and through lectures, conferences. We believe that Imams in Europe should be able to talk fluently the language of the host country, understand the culture, know the political setup of that European country and the West, Know the History of the country were they reside and that of Europe and should also have an extensive knowledge of Christianity with its different groups and also Judaism.
Name
Mosaad Kalyani
- Belgium
Profession
Question
We are in Europe very far away from the events taking place in the Muslim World, do you think such steps and demonstrations would have an impact on the Palestinians?
Answer
As European citizens we have certain obligations towards our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Financially we are more able individually then all other Muslims in the rest of the world to help Gaza. The Political situation in Europe(Democracy) allows as to act more so than in any other Muslim Country. We should lobby the politicians and contact the NGO such as Human rights organizations and send letters to the editors of newspapers and magazines etc. As with regard to Demonstrations it has the Following benefits:
1) Demonstrations of this kind are covered by the media and take the message around the globe.
2) Our brothers and sisters in Palestine feel that we are with them and this gives them great moral support.
3) If you take your family with you to these demos your children (and you and your wife) will receive moral boost and a feeling that they have a cause will develop. It helps them define their identity.
4) Demos are also a means of applying political pressure on the host government.
5) They unite Muslims from all over the earth.
Name
Barbie Backmyer
- United States
Profession
Psychologist
Question
Why are you blinded by Egypt's support of Israel's annihilation of Hamas? WHY DO YOU THINK EGYPT IS DOING THIS? Please be brave and do not avoid answering my question.
Answer
I believe that the reasons are:
1) All Arab countries fear Hamas type organizations
2) The political situation in Egypt is critical and the government cannot afford to go against the USA as the USA supplies Egypt with its weekly ration of flour.
Name
Tahir Ali
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Asalmau Alikum
Do you think imams in Europe with their non-European identities can be positively chaining the image of Islam among European citizens and promote peace?
Answer
No not much. Imams in Europe need to be in touch with the European reality and way of thinking. They need to understand the youth and what influences them; they need to know the history of Europe, the Politics of Europe. They need to constantly be updated to what is happening around them even to the extent of knowing the football teams and players and the pop stars.
Name
Mostafa Qurany
- Netherlands
Profession
Question
Salam brother
Kol Aam Hijri w antom bekhaier in London and wish the assembly the best of luck.
I wonder what is this day is all about? And what are the assembly's plans for this day?
Answer
It's about uniting Imams in their approach to the crisis in Gaza and motivating the European Muslims towards positive Legal action.
Preparing material that can be used in Khutba which is based on (1)relevant extracts from the Quran and Sunna, (2) facts about what is happening in Palestinian, the Arab and Muslim world and the rest of the world (3)A language that is not extreme but moderate and understood in the West (4) Human suffering and the need for food and medical aid.
The Assembly encourages people to fast today or any other day, to make Dua al Kunot, to set up support team. To contact the media, NGOs and MPs, Make Dua, collect donations, etc.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
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Answer
This session has come to an end.
We would like to thank Mr. Mohammad Abdul Malek for speaking to IslamOnline.net viewers today and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue.
We apologize for not being able to accommodate any further questions. We request our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
