In my previous blog I wrote ‘a tale of two leaders and a book’, about two different and sharply contrasting views of the Quran and Islam. Since then I have been sent a Youtube link by a friend, with a bemusing title, ‘Christianity is dead, Israel is dying and Islam is the religion of future’, that has caught my attention, particularly as it comes in the wake of Geerd Wilders’s tirade against the Quran and Islam.
This link is of particular significance, firstly as it is from a Rabbi, whom few would regard as a friend of the Quran or Islam, and secondly because of the understanding of both which he displays. His understanding appears to be the result of a combination of historical analysis, what he observed through his dealings with Islam, and his obvious skill in reading the Book. Thirdly, he spoke with clear respect towards the Quran, the Prophet and Islam, without a hint of detriment.
First, let me list some of his remarks. These I have taken from what appeared on the screen as subtitles in English, albeit a somewhat broken English. I did not understand the language of the Rabbi, but listening carefully to what he was saying, I could hear some of the words pronounced in the language shown and so assumed it was an authentic translation.
He spoke of Christianity as follows:
1- Christianity stopped being a ‘leading religion’ in the nineteenth century, with the rise of Marxism, and by the virtue of the makeup of its establishment it is now unable to withstand any social revolution.
2- Christianity provides spiritual support only for a group of people who are already dead;
3- Nothing really remains of Christianity, except its old historic buildings;
4- If a Christian goes to Church on a Sunday, just once, it is considered to be a good thing.
He observed about Islam:
1- Islamic teachings are built to withstand any changes in the world;
2- Islam arose differently from other religions and its leader received a divine message, ‘and there is no doubt about this’.
3- The establishment of Islam happened in a very clear way; there was a Prophet, God revealed to him the Message (The Quran), on the basis of which the Prophet built a religion, a new society and testaments;
4- Later events demonstrated that these teachings were indeed able to withstand any changes, and ‘we will find it very clear if we read the Quran’;
5- It is very clear in the Quran that its teachings were intended to survive in any situation;
6- ‘In the world today, little remains of any religion other than Islam;
7- Following the Prophet Muhammad and a commitment to Islamic teachings ensures ‘regular contact with the Creator;
8- Muslims kneel five times a day to God.
9- ‘In my travel to some European countries, I found quiet corners at airports. I observed at the prayer times, Muslims coming and placing newspapers on the ground and kneeling on their knees praying …… This is Islam.
10- “Islam in total is the Religion of future, and I think that within 70 years most of the land, will embrace the religion of Islam, and it can lead people in the right direction”.
In addition he spoke unfavourably of Judaism and Israel, saying ‘nothing remains of Judaism as a result of its falling under the shadow of Zionism; he further stated that Islam presents the only hope for solution to the problems of his country.
While Muslims may take much pride in what the Rabbi said about Islam, the Quran, and the prophet Muhammad, his statements also appear to reinforce the fact that many of the slurs and slanders uttered against Islam these days, are of a fallacious and malicious nature. Both Wilders and the Rabbi belong to groups of people, who do not subscribe to Islamic teachings, yet, thankfully, one could come up with a positive understanding of the religion, and encourage the others to study the book before they make up their minds solely on the basis of hearsay and prejudice.
The Quranic teaching is that ‘let there be no compulsion in religion, the truth stands out from falsehood’ (S2:V256)
The Quran invites people to investigate their belief and its foundations. It wants people to take absolute responsibility for the consequences of whatever they believe. It does not seek to stop people from having a belief other than Islam. Islam has always proclaimed a total freedom in this respect, with one exception: the only path acceptable to God is total submission to Him.
The Rabbi’s comments on Islam are positive ones for Muslims, and they should therefore feel confident in Islamic teachings. Only those people taking negative or extreme views could lack confidence in or misunderstand the teachings.
I would say to other friends and critics of Islam, there would be no reason to erect the barriers of prejudice, misunderstanding and difficult relationships between communities, if we lived positively and came to a good understanding of the teachings of Islam. Context always determines outcomes, or as the Islamic saying goes: ‘actions are based on one’s intention’ so let us help create a positive context in our community relationships and in understanding each others’ faiths, traditions and views of the world.
If a comparative discussion about Islam is to be conducted, in the proper manner, I would, like most Muslims, welcome it.
If you want to watch the video clip then here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMi_-xqhBYw&feature=player_embedded#at=34
Thursday 30 June 2011
Saturday 25 June 2011
A tale of two leaders and a book
A Dutch court today acquitted the prominent Dutch Islamophobe, Mr Geert Wilders, of charges of incitement against Muslims, a verdict very much in line with what many commentators had anticipated. Mr Wilders has continually manipulated the right of free speech to attack Islam, calling it an ideology, and the Quran, comparing it with "Mein Kampf", Hitler's tirade against Jews. In 2008, he also made a controversial 17-minute film, ‘Fitna’, in which he misquoted and misinterpreted the Quranic verses to air his mistaken views about, and his hatred towards, Islam.
He claims to have ‘legitimate concerns’ and spoke with a rhetoric "on the edge of what is legally permissible" but not illegal.
Now we ‘understand’ that it is Islam, and its holy Book the Quran, which is the real problem for Mr Wilders and his ilk. The Bible, of course, is no longer seen by him as a problem, because of what the secularist atheists, like him, have done with it, and now Christendom is on course to be ‘civilised’.
So what is wrong with the Quran? Why are so many people upset with Islam? It is no good to simply say that Islam is an ideology. People must have, I agree, a proper debate about Islam in a proper context. One must be ‘allowed to discuss Islam in public debate’, and with this I also agree.
But what is a public debate? Why only debate Islam in an effort to suffocate it in the name of ‘free speech’ or ‘freedom of expression’? The irony of this question is that we use the pretext of ‘freedom of speech’ only to suppress or castigate the freedom of others’ freedom of speech.
However, British Ex prime Minister Mr Tony Blair has used his freedom of speech, both in the past and in the present, to express his opinions about the Quran and Islam.
Remember, he was one of the two most hated political world leaders who, after 9/11, unleashed the full force of the means and might at their disposal, to wage the ‘war on terror’. Even so, Mr Blair was extremely careful not to talk about Islam and the Quran in a derogatory fashion or to suggest that the book was the source for Islamic violence, or that the agitation shown by Muslims the world over, stemmed, somehow, from it. Unfortunately, his actions led to talks about Foreign policy grievances and the failure of multiculturalism, and he failed to counteract the divided sense of loyalty then felt by many immigrants with a Muslim cultural background.
Mr Blair’s sense of obligation, created by the concerns arising from these actions, and only in private, led him to read about Islam and the Quran. And it seems he has been doing so ever since……
Now, look at what the Ex Prime Minister says (without the constraint or fear of being mugged, by Mr Wilders and his supporters):-
Mr Blair claimed that he read the Quran every day, and gave his reasons for doing so as: ‘partly to understand some of the things happening in the world’ (possibly alluding to ‘violence in the Muslim world’, ‘Islamic’ terrorism, Muslim agitation against the ‘infidel west’, etc.), and continues: ‘but mainly just because it is immensely instructive’.
Well, the Quran tells its followers that it is guidance for the believers and for those who seek discipline in their lives. That is the positive sense of the teachings which discipline the course of human life in ways that are beneficial and introduce justice to human society. Any negative connotation of being ‘instructive’ would be unwarranted in this context, just like implementation of discipline in armies, certain clubs and societies and educational institutions.
Further, according to Daily Mail reports, Mr Blair ‘considers the ‘Koran’ a reforming and inclusive book’. I wonder if Mr. Wilders would have come to the same conclusion! Or is his anger and malice in vain, and he repeats just what some perpetrators of the present clash of civilisations claim, only because it is maliciously enjoyable to do so?
It struck home forcibly, when Mr Blair was reported to have claimed: ‘Muslim Faith being beautiful and the Prophet Muhammad, being an enormously civilising force’.
I am glad this did not come from the mouth of a Muslim, although most Muslims would have claimed it anyway.
I do hope people in Mr Wilders country of residence, where the cartoon controversy originated, as well as those who receive his allegations positively worldwide, take note of the ‘Prophet Muhammad being an enormously civilising force’.
Mr Blair seems to have studied the Quran to a deeper level. Consider the implications of his following words: words that could not have been said just to appease Muslims, or with any apparent hidden meaning.
He says, about Islam: ‘It extols science and knowledge and abhors superstition. It is practical and way ahead of its time in its attitudes towards marriage, women and governance’.
If we drew up a list of ‘misconceptions about Islam’, the impact of this sentence would become immediately apparent, and refute Mr Wilders’ vindictively perpetrated allegations and help to stop his advocating the banning or banishing of the Quran from Europe, or burning it.
Perhaps people now have more reasons to read the Quran and discuss its teachings in public debate. Who is afraid? I hope no one, given the due respect it deserves, when comparing it to other ‘books’ old and new. As far as Muslims are concerned, I would tell them to be confident and to read the Quran and understand it, as our Ex PM does.
Don’t know where the blame for all this strife and anger lies? Still with Islam, because some people think it is an ‘ideology’ a violent one, or because it is a ‘religion’ as the word is commonly misunderstood? Perhaps there are those who, very conveniently, tend to ignore the right place and people to blame………
Think…..Hmmmm……we may just know where the problem lies!
Written by: Sh. Rashad A Azami
He claims to have ‘legitimate concerns’ and spoke with a rhetoric "on the edge of what is legally permissible" but not illegal.
Now we ‘understand’ that it is Islam, and its holy Book the Quran, which is the real problem for Mr Wilders and his ilk. The Bible, of course, is no longer seen by him as a problem, because of what the secularist atheists, like him, have done with it, and now Christendom is on course to be ‘civilised’.
So what is wrong with the Quran? Why are so many people upset with Islam? It is no good to simply say that Islam is an ideology. People must have, I agree, a proper debate about Islam in a proper context. One must be ‘allowed to discuss Islam in public debate’, and with this I also agree.
But what is a public debate? Why only debate Islam in an effort to suffocate it in the name of ‘free speech’ or ‘freedom of expression’? The irony of this question is that we use the pretext of ‘freedom of speech’ only to suppress or castigate the freedom of others’ freedom of speech.
However, British Ex prime Minister Mr Tony Blair has used his freedom of speech, both in the past and in the present, to express his opinions about the Quran and Islam.
Remember, he was one of the two most hated political world leaders who, after 9/11, unleashed the full force of the means and might at their disposal, to wage the ‘war on terror’. Even so, Mr Blair was extremely careful not to talk about Islam and the Quran in a derogatory fashion or to suggest that the book was the source for Islamic violence, or that the agitation shown by Muslims the world over, stemmed, somehow, from it. Unfortunately, his actions led to talks about Foreign policy grievances and the failure of multiculturalism, and he failed to counteract the divided sense of loyalty then felt by many immigrants with a Muslim cultural background.
Mr Blair’s sense of obligation, created by the concerns arising from these actions, and only in private, led him to read about Islam and the Quran. And it seems he has been doing so ever since……
Now, look at what the Ex Prime Minister says (without the constraint or fear of being mugged, by Mr Wilders and his supporters):-
Mr Blair claimed that he read the Quran every day, and gave his reasons for doing so as: ‘partly to understand some of the things happening in the world’ (possibly alluding to ‘violence in the Muslim world’, ‘Islamic’ terrorism, Muslim agitation against the ‘infidel west’, etc.), and continues: ‘but mainly just because it is immensely instructive’.
Well, the Quran tells its followers that it is guidance for the believers and for those who seek discipline in their lives. That is the positive sense of the teachings which discipline the course of human life in ways that are beneficial and introduce justice to human society. Any negative connotation of being ‘instructive’ would be unwarranted in this context, just like implementation of discipline in armies, certain clubs and societies and educational institutions.
Further, according to Daily Mail reports, Mr Blair ‘considers the ‘Koran’ a reforming and inclusive book’. I wonder if Mr. Wilders would have come to the same conclusion! Or is his anger and malice in vain, and he repeats just what some perpetrators of the present clash of civilisations claim, only because it is maliciously enjoyable to do so?
It struck home forcibly, when Mr Blair was reported to have claimed: ‘Muslim Faith being beautiful and the Prophet Muhammad, being an enormously civilising force’.
I am glad this did not come from the mouth of a Muslim, although most Muslims would have claimed it anyway.
I do hope people in Mr Wilders country of residence, where the cartoon controversy originated, as well as those who receive his allegations positively worldwide, take note of the ‘Prophet Muhammad being an enormously civilising force’.
Mr Blair seems to have studied the Quran to a deeper level. Consider the implications of his following words: words that could not have been said just to appease Muslims, or with any apparent hidden meaning.
He says, about Islam: ‘It extols science and knowledge and abhors superstition. It is practical and way ahead of its time in its attitudes towards marriage, women and governance’.
If we drew up a list of ‘misconceptions about Islam’, the impact of this sentence would become immediately apparent, and refute Mr Wilders’ vindictively perpetrated allegations and help to stop his advocating the banning or banishing of the Quran from Europe, or burning it.
Perhaps people now have more reasons to read the Quran and discuss its teachings in public debate. Who is afraid? I hope no one, given the due respect it deserves, when comparing it to other ‘books’ old and new. As far as Muslims are concerned, I would tell them to be confident and to read the Quran and understand it, as our Ex PM does.
Don’t know where the blame for all this strife and anger lies? Still with Islam, because some people think it is an ‘ideology’ a violent one, or because it is a ‘religion’ as the word is commonly misunderstood? Perhaps there are those who, very conveniently, tend to ignore the right place and people to blame………
Think…..Hmmmm……we may just know where the problem lies!
Written by: Sh. Rashad A Azami
Tuesday 14 June 2011
Unbecoming to be civilised?
I remember the days of my childhood, when, as children, we played in our neighbourhood; running around, from street to street and alleyway to alleyway, in our school breaks. Some of us were naughty and behaved very badly, but others would admonish and show us how to behave properly. Most children then were governed by their own good conscience and sense of self morality. Those were the good days, when, as children, we took pride in our ‘manhood’, valour, and good manners.
This consciousness of the difference between right and wrong is extremely important, especially when children enter their teenage years, and even more important when they become adults, and enter university. Are we not still taught that children are the future guardians of the next generations of our community?
When we see the appalling behaviour of some people, many of them teenagers, and many of them university students, in the streets and in private, it disgusts and embarrasses many of us.
For example, I have noticed, more than once, young adults, often late at night, urinating on the outer doors of people’s property, through railings into people’s front basements, into their gardens, in phone booths, in shop doorways and indeed sometimes openly in the streets. With the urine still running in the street, some of these degenerates, embarrassed only at being observed, offer a feeble ‘sorry mate’.
I have even been told about cases in which individuals urinated through people’s letter boxes.
What is even worse, in my opinion, is that sometimes, when these individuals are part of a group, and urinate in public, they are screened by their colleagues, like some potentate being surrounded by bodyguards. No doubt their imbibing of excessive amounts of alcohol is partially to blame.
Many will still remember that, few years back, a group of young adults entered the building of the Islamic Society, and while the congregation were at prayers, they sprayed their urine on the shoes, jackets and the lobby area. This act was caught on camera, with clear pictures, but despite all the attendant publicity, the culprits were never discovered. Perhaps they too were screened by ‘bodyguards’ - people who would not deem such a degenerate act worth bothering to report.
The other day, having finished late night prayer around 11.30PM, I exited the Mosque and encountered a couple of very young children, perhaps in their early teens, one of them barely able to stand on his feet. All the time supported by his friend, also seemingly heavily drunk, he was trying to unzip his trousers and pass urine through the railings in front of the Mosque.
He saw me and tried to move away towards another property, no doubt desperate to relieve his self. Obviously, I could not stop him from what he was doing. But I asked myself what were they doing out at this time of night? Why were they in this drunken condition? Had such behaviour become a habit? Where are the guidance, care and love of their parents?
For me the ethical guidance offered in the Islamic teaching, not only tells me that alcohol is forbidden because of its potential to cause social, physical and moral harm and economic damage, but its use clouds people’s judgement, is a source of indecent acts, and removes a person’s ability to judge between right and wrong. In short, it leads to public acts of a disgusting and immoral nature. Late night noise, vomit on the pavements, streets and in private property, the fighting, the damage done to people or property, and immoral sexual acts, are there for us all to see.
Good citizenship brings a sense of social responsibility and keeps people’s consciences alive. It is better to have a social and moral hangover the morning after, than the physical hangover resulting from a late night rowdy alcoholic binge.
I do believe that if the morality of conduct is redundant, at least the morality of freedom should be self governing. Let us safeguard a collective mindset of decency which is the ultimate treasure of any civilised society and the bulwark of people’s freedom.
This consciousness of the difference between right and wrong is extremely important, especially when children enter their teenage years, and even more important when they become adults, and enter university. Are we not still taught that children are the future guardians of the next generations of our community?
When we see the appalling behaviour of some people, many of them teenagers, and many of them university students, in the streets and in private, it disgusts and embarrasses many of us.
For example, I have noticed, more than once, young adults, often late at night, urinating on the outer doors of people’s property, through railings into people’s front basements, into their gardens, in phone booths, in shop doorways and indeed sometimes openly in the streets. With the urine still running in the street, some of these degenerates, embarrassed only at being observed, offer a feeble ‘sorry mate’.
I have even been told about cases in which individuals urinated through people’s letter boxes.
What is even worse, in my opinion, is that sometimes, when these individuals are part of a group, and urinate in public, they are screened by their colleagues, like some potentate being surrounded by bodyguards. No doubt their imbibing of excessive amounts of alcohol is partially to blame.
Many will still remember that, few years back, a group of young adults entered the building of the Islamic Society, and while the congregation were at prayers, they sprayed their urine on the shoes, jackets and the lobby area. This act was caught on camera, with clear pictures, but despite all the attendant publicity, the culprits were never discovered. Perhaps they too were screened by ‘bodyguards’ - people who would not deem such a degenerate act worth bothering to report.
The other day, having finished late night prayer around 11.30PM, I exited the Mosque and encountered a couple of very young children, perhaps in their early teens, one of them barely able to stand on his feet. All the time supported by his friend, also seemingly heavily drunk, he was trying to unzip his trousers and pass urine through the railings in front of the Mosque.
He saw me and tried to move away towards another property, no doubt desperate to relieve his self. Obviously, I could not stop him from what he was doing. But I asked myself what were they doing out at this time of night? Why were they in this drunken condition? Had such behaviour become a habit? Where are the guidance, care and love of their parents?
For me the ethical guidance offered in the Islamic teaching, not only tells me that alcohol is forbidden because of its potential to cause social, physical and moral harm and economic damage, but its use clouds people’s judgement, is a source of indecent acts, and removes a person’s ability to judge between right and wrong. In short, it leads to public acts of a disgusting and immoral nature. Late night noise, vomit on the pavements, streets and in private property, the fighting, the damage done to people or property, and immoral sexual acts, are there for us all to see.
Good citizenship brings a sense of social responsibility and keeps people’s consciences alive. It is better to have a social and moral hangover the morning after, than the physical hangover resulting from a late night rowdy alcoholic binge.
I do believe that if the morality of conduct is redundant, at least the morality of freedom should be self governing. Let us safeguard a collective mindset of decency which is the ultimate treasure of any civilised society and the bulwark of people’s freedom.
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