Recently, I posted a press release (it can be read on my blog) that was simple and straightforward regarding Islamophobia. It was an invitation to a event held April 18, 2009, hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Zion, Illinois. USA
The Daily Herald, a very respected and well read newspaper, published the press release in its entirety. We thank the publishers for including it as a Letter to the Editor. After online publication, the letter was besieged by bloggers, who certainly are entitled to their views, who ripped Islam, Muslims. They created a string of comments that were curious to me. I applaud the "voices of reason" in the community that responded to the Islamophobic comments with incredible wisdom and patience.
Here are some excerpts taken from almost 180 comments:
My dear Hasan,
Perhaps I'll attend your meeting Saturday. When I arrive I'll be interested in seeing copies of your groups condemnation of all muslim terrorist attacks, as well as those condemning Hamas, Hezballah, and al Qiada, and your statement recognizing the right of Israel to exist.
You do have such public declarations, don't you? Or are you simply a lot of hot air like the rest of the closet islamo-fascist organizations in this country, like CAIR?
Until you publicly declare your allegiance to US, you are the enemy.
But again, it is the bad apples that get all the attention. Here too, if Hasan Hakeem and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community made a call to Jihad it too would be front page news- but their attempt to reach out to the community is stuck in the Letters section.
My feeling is that it is bridges- not walls- that will get us over troubled water and from one place to the next. I wish I could make it Saturday- if for no other reason than to say thanks.
Hakuna Matata & Namaste!
I agree that there are radicals out there in all walks, but we need to see that our media is conditioned to only tell us what is wrong- and not what is right. Over time this can lead us to an almost McCarthyism like state that we see here in several posters.
If the Queen of Jordan suggested Jihad, it would be front page news- But her months and months of work to breakdown stereotypes barely gets her a youTube award.
posted by Veteran American on Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:08 AM
I'll listen when they step forward and take back their religion from the radicals. Until then you are the enemy
posted by Lou Skolnick on Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:01 AM
Hasan Hakeem, President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community: Muslim voices who say Islam means peace have been drowned out a long time ago by radical clerics who support jihad and promote hatred in the name of Islam.
Lou: Apparently, Hasan does not know "salaam" means peace -- Islam means submission.
Since Hasan has his words confused, perhaps he misunderstand what those "radical clerics who support jihad" are saying. Perhaps, those "radical clerics who support jihad" merely want you to submit to Allah's will and obey Sharia in the way Allah demands.
posted by Donnieyo on Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:02 AM
Hasan, if you want peace, then YOU as a moderate Muslim must fight for justice. Denounce unequivocally the violent acts of the extremists of your religion. Then you will end Islamophobia and win respect.
I think I'd rather take Arabic lessons from a guy named Hakeem than a guy named Skolnick. But Lou's mileage differs, as always.
posted by Evie2 on Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:37 AM
It's interesting how our president, with his willing accomplices in the press, allow Muslims to characterize America as having a damaged image around the world while Islamo-cavemen blow up women and children, terrorize the seas and plot the destruction of the modern world.
Gimme a break! If anything we should be acting more aggressively to exterminate the blight of Islam on the world.
posted by CCL on Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:57 AM
Just because some Muslims are terrorists doesn't mean they all are. We have Christian terrorists also who think nothing of battering Gays because of the Bible.
Also ever heard of the Ku Klux Klan - they still exist you know and believe the Bible is their guide.
The Southern Poverty Law Center also tracks other American terrorists in this country and there are many of them - mostly nazi-like militia groups.
No doubt there are plenty of bad guys out there. The level of violence and associated deaths put forth by Islamic extremists every single day throughout the world is, however, unmatched.
Although there is no denying the existence of non-Muslim terrorist groups, there is also no denying the Muslim terrorists are the most active and have by far perpetrated the most death.
posted by sluggo on Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:48 PM
Mike the Fledgling Lawyer asked "Who said: Not all Muslims are terrorists, but almost all terrorists are Muslim."
Don't know, but whoever it was is an idiot.
posted by Victoria77 on Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:10 PM
HASAN: I would like to know your view on Jerusalem being the rightful capital of the Israelites.
The fact that Arabs and Jews are half-brothers stemming from Abraham, the hatred could not be more clear. You view Ishmael as Abraham's eldest son, whereas Jews and Christians view Isaac as Abraham's true heir.
As it says in Genesis 16:12 of Ishmael, although his lineage will be blessed and the people multipled exceedingly, it specifically says this:
He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers."
It amazes me that the above Biblical verse could not have been more prophetic and how Muslims kill their own without any remorse.
The Quran teaches that if you do not convert to Islam no matter what your religious beliefs, or no religious belief at all, you need to be killed. This is more pervasive today than ever before.
Having people come and talk about so-called "peace" is a smoke screen. Once Arabs stop viewing Israel as a rotting corpse and hate the United States for unwavering support of Israel, things can never be solved.
posted by Poindexter on Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:32 PM
posted by Victoria77 on Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:10 PM
The Quran teaches that if you do not convert to Islam no matter what your religious beliefs, or no religious belief at all, you need to be killed.
===
So you're a scholar of the Qur'an now? Could you please quote chapter and verse... Excuse me, could you please cite for me the sura and ayat where this decree from Allah may be found?
posted by Pumbaa on Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:57 PM
Victoria- the vile stuff you think is Islam is not Islam but your Islamaphobia.
Seriously the meeting Hasan Hakeem and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are putting on is ideal for Islamaphobics like you.
posted by Jickles on Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:26 PM
These responses alone prove Islamaphobia is alive and well.
I am curious how many people who posted know any Muslims? And I do not mean see some working at the Amoco station or drive by some while driving down Devon ave. in Rogers Park, but actually know and spend time with them? I am just curious...
posted by LetFreedomRing on Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:58 PM
"True" Islam cannot co-exist with other religions. They seek to overtake, overwhelm, overrun everyone else. The push others to 'tolerate' them, which really means they use any force necessary to impose their religion, laws, customs, traditions, upon everyone else. Look to the spread of Sharia here in America. The 'true' islamists won't be happy until all our laws are replaced with Islamic Sharia law and our courts are all run by Muslims.
This is a fact.
Now, not ALL muslims feel this way, nor do they feel the need to impose their religion upon a western society.
But it just takes a few vocal ones to do it, combined with the idiotic soclialism and liberals in the western countries, and before you know it, it takes root.
posted by POV on Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:07 AM
posted by paper reader k on Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:47 AM
My dear Hasan,
Perhaps I'll attend your meeting Saturday.
........................
Yes Paperk I encourage you to do so with an OPEN mind. Then come back and report on what you experienced, without bias.
Unfortunatly I have serious doubts you will follow through on your threat to attempt learn something.
posted by Charles60191 on Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:14 AM
There is not a country on this planet that does not have issues with their Muslim population.
France? Muslim Problems (Riots last year)
Canada? Muslim Problems (Citizens of Toronto are being intimidated by Muslim groups)
Spain? Muslim Problems (Remember the bombings?)
Iraq? Muslim problems (They are ALL Muslims in Iraq and they can't get along)
Any country that has a mix of ANYONE and Muslims has issues with the Muslim population.
Why is that?
Could it be that Muslims get upset when everyone else does not bow to their needs?
Are Muslims militant and violent due to the teachings of their religion?
Are these people just animals and totally incapable of living among other people?
Whatever the case may be, I have yet to see ANY high ranking Muslim cleric speak out against the violence, caused by Muslims, in the name of Islam. NOT A SINGLE HIGH RANKING MUSLIM CLERIC.
The bottom line is that this "Religion" is a sadistic and oppressive cult that has no tolerance to any view point beyond its own teachings. They are completely unable to mix with any society (including their own).
End Islamophobia?
No
End Islamofascism.
posted by TGSantini on Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:47 AM
Hasan's letter sounds a bit like a trolling pervert telling a youg kid to get in his car because he has candy.
No one ever shows the kid the candy and no Islam-o-"insert suffix here" has denounced the terror perpatrated by his fellow religious bretheren.
If you want to be accepted then you have to all play by a common set of rules. In this country those rules are the Constitution.
If they take control of this country then we have no one to blame but ourselves and our liberal politicaly-correct pandering idiocy.
I'm fine for letting people practice their religion as long as it stays their religion and isn't forced on anyone else.
If you want Islam to be accepted in America then you have to publicly denounce the horrible deeds done by your brothers and sister.
CHEERS
posted by tahmed on Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:23 AM
A couple of clarifications: What is Allah?s cause, to harm fellow beings?? His cause is to create peace and harmony amongst all of us not to quarrel and kill one another. The other cause is to worship one true God!
What is Jihad, it is a struggle or to strive to do the better righteous thing. Therefore, each of us has a Jihad, we want to create peace and that is a struggle, it is the right thing to do. Jihad is not a war of machines, ammunitions, etc. We want a better life for our families that is Jihad, we want the right environment and peace for our children.
It is the believer?s task to reflect over the Holy Qur?an and the advice and counsel of the Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him)
Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said ?Avoid oppression because oppression will manifest itself as darkness on the Day of Judgment. Avoid greed, materialism, and malice as it destroyed the earlier people.?
posted by tahmed on Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:25 AM
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) defined ?a destitute person? as that individual amongst us who will present himself on the Day of Judgment with his prayers and his fasting. However, he would have had abused people and take over other?s property and physically harmed others. His virtues (prayers & fasting) will be granted to his victims and he will thus be ?destitute?.
These are just 2 simple examples from Muhammad.
There are individuals who observe worship of God and who give a lot in financial terms, however, they do not recognize other?s rights. Purity is not by virtue of what is apparent; rather it is by virtue of the state of one?s heart. That is what we should concerns ourselves with, look in the mirror and say am I pure in my heart, am I feeding the wrong message to others to create disharmony? It seems like the overwhelming majority are creating disharmony, is this a trap?
Now, will any of you come to this event, will you ask questions, will you meet Muslims? I am an American, I care about my country and yes I am a Muslim, meet me and talk to me, I am as human as you are, I care more about the society than myself. I simply dare you to come
posted by Pumbaa on Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:52 PM
posted by tahmed on Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:25 AM
Now, will any of you come to this event, will you ask questions, will you meet Muslims? I am an American, I care about my country and yes I am a Muslim, meet me and talk to me, I am as human as you are, I care more about the society than myself. I simply dare you to come.
---
I wish I could make it but have several other commitments Saturday. I truly respect the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for this outreach and hope that there will be many more.
I wish you much luck with this project and hope it goes well. As you can see from several posters here- Islamophobia is seemingly contagious.
posted by PeaceMaker7 on Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:13 PM
For those interested in reading about Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's view towards terrorism, there is plenty of literature available at http://www.alislam.org/terrorism.html you are welcome to read it.
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