The Danish Cartoons

[Peace]

For Muslims and non-Muslims, Please read this, for there is a message for both of you

Mr. Amr Khaled’s Message to the World regarding the Danish Cartoons

In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Ever-Merciful. All praise be to Allah and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

This is my message to the Muslim Nation, the Muslim youth, the Western civilization, and the whole world. I present this message through Amrkhaled.net to reach the Life-Makers youth and the youth of the forum. I ask them to deliver it exactly as I have said it to the Muslim Nation, the Muslim and Arab youth, the West through all their contacts there and surely to the whole world.

My first message is to the Muslim Nation and the Muslim youth:

Allah (TWT)[1] says what can be translated as, “Say, “In case your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren, and your spouses, and your kinsmen, and riches that you have scored (Literally: committed) and commerce whose slackening you are apprehensive of, and dwellings you are satisfied with, in case these are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving in His way, then await till Allah comes up with His Command; and Allah does not guide the immoral people” (TMQ[2], 9:24). If any of these eight things is dearer to you than Allah, the Messenger of Allah (SAWS)[3] and striving in the way of Allah and His Prophet; if your sons are dearer to you than the Messenger of Allah; if your money is dearer to you than the Messenger of Allah; if your country is dearer to you then the Messenger of Allah; if your wife is dearer to you than the Messenger of Allah, then expect the dreadful anger of Allah (TWT) to be near.



To you I emphasize that dignifying and loving Allah’s Prophet is a divine precept in the same way that loving Allah (TWT) is. Again listen, “Say, “In case your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren… in case these are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger …” observe the status of loving Allah’s Messenger (SAWS).



Why should there be all that love? There is another ayah[4] in the Qur’an in which Allah says what can be translated as, “Indeed there has already come to you a Messenger from (among) yourselves. Mighty (i.e., burdensome) to him is whatever distresses you. Most eager is he for your (welfare), to the believers (he is) constantly compassionate, constantly merciful.” (TMQ, 9:128). It is because he is such that we love him in this way. Accordingly the relationship between us and him is just like the ayah in which Allah describes what can be translated as, “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and (the ones) who are with him are strict against the steadfast disbelievers, constantly merciful among themselves. You see them constantly bowing themselves, (and) constantly prostrating themselves, seeking Grace from Allah and all-blessed Satisfaction…”(TMQ, 48:29). In order to ensure that such a relationship remains like that for ever, in an ayah in surat[5] Al-Hujuraat, which continuously rings in our ears, Allah (TWT) states what can be translated as, “And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah…”(TMQ, 49:7). The Messenger of Allah is among us?! Who is this ayah addressing? The sahaba[6] at time of the sahaba? No, this ayah is everlasting and effective everywhere and forever. O youth, O mothers, O ladies… Everyone must “know” that in the year 2006, in the year 2010, in the coming century, in the past century: during any age or time, know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. He is among you with his shari’ah[7], he is among you with his sunnah[8] andhe is among you with his mercy. He is among you with his path, among you with his way and among you with the light and guidance he left behind. He is among you with his love to you. He is among you with the fact that each time anyone prays for him (conveying him peace and blessings), Allah returns his soul back to him so that he can answer us. He is among us with the fact that all our deeds are presented to him every Thursday, so whatever good there is he thanks Allah for it, and whatever evil there is, he asks Allah to forgive us for it.



Again, the four ayahs I mentioned order us to love him because, “… Mighty (i.e., burdensome) to him is whatever distresses you. Most eager is he for your (welfare), to the believers (he is) constantly compassionate, constantly merciful”. So the relationship between us and him is, “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and (the ones) who are with him are strict against the steadfast disbelievers, constantly merciful among themselves…”. Allah continues to remind us of this relationship by saying, “And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah…”. All prayers and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad (SAWS).



My message to the Muslim Nation and Muslim youth is, loving Allah’s Messenger, dignifying Allah’s messenger, defending Allah’s messenger and living on the path of Allah’s messenger is a duty and a responsibility that we will be asked about on the Day of Judgment. O youth, there is a responsibility resting on our shoulders. O Life-Makers, there is a responsibility resting on our shoulders. O ladies, there is a responsibility resting on our shoulders that dignifying Allah’s Messenger is a trust that we will present to him on the Day of Judgment when we meet him at the hawd[9]. We will go to him (SAWS) and tell him we are your ummah[10], we have fulfilled our duty. Perhaps we may have been wrongdoers, perhaps we sinned and perhaps we did not always work perfectly to reform and revive your ummah but we could not but dignify you and make the whole world dignify you. This is a responsibility that we return to you on the Day of Judgment that you may use to intercede for usand allow us to drink from your hawd while patting us happily. You (SAWS) would then say to us, yes, you made mistakes and committed sins, but dignifying me was so dear to you. Then you would make us drink from your hawd.



This is a trust. My message to the ummah is thatwe can never betray that trust whatever happens; it is the trust of dignifying the Prophet (SAWS) and making the world dignify Allah’s Messenger (SAWS). This is in addition to loving him and living on his sunnah and on his path. This is my message to the Muslim Nation. We will never neglect dignifying our Prophet, our beloved and our role model (SAWS).


(To be continued)

 

[Peace]

Now this is my message to the West:



There exists a cultural vagueness in the West. This vagueness results from the presence of two different concepts. The first is a great Western concept that we respect, appraise, and need. That concept is freedom of speech. This is a great humane and civilized concept. On the other hand, there is the great Islamic concept of dignifying Allah’s Messenger (SAWS). The problem arises due to the lack of understanding of the Islamic Civilization and the Western Civilization regarding these two concepts. The non-Muslims cannot value the rank of dignifying the Prophet (SAWS). On the other hand, due to the below-average quality of practical application of freedom of speech, Muslims have a vague understanding of the concept of respecting freedom of speech.

Accordingly, what is required now? We do not want to refuse the concept of freedom of speech, absolutely not. However, the West should alter the freedom of speech so that it does not collide with the very important Islamic value of dignifying the Prophet (SAWS). Here lies the vagueness and ambiguity. The West understands very well the freedom of speech (which we appreciate) but it does not understand Islamic values, such as dignifying the Prophet (SAWS) and other Islamic sanctities. This is where the Western cultural vagueness lies.


I clearly say to the West, you have a problem. You cannot comprehend how much the Muslims love Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). You are still unable to understand this point. If you had really encompassed its significance, you would never have accepted what happened. The West, in general, governments and people, does not apprehend that Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) is dearer to us than our parents, dearer to me than my father and dearer than my mother. I am sure that any Muslim woman listening to me now, be her religious or not, will swear on that fact. Just ask, what does Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) mean to you? It is not even necessary to do that because it is so evident, but you may conduct surveys for yourselves, and you will realize how true what I am saying is. Ask any youth, be he heedless or pious; ask any Muslim anywhere, in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Yemen or in Egypt. Ask any Muslim in any village regardless of how religious he is, be he an obedient Muslim or not, a drug user or not, successful in his life or a failure, old or young, ask them, what does Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) mean to you?


O West, I affirm that Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) is dearer to all Muslims than their own parents. O West, Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) is dearer to us, Muslims, than our children and grandchildren. O West, Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) is dearer to us than our money, dearer to us than our own selves. He is dearer to us than our own countries. O Egyptian, who is dearer to you, Egypt or Allah’s Prophet? O Saudi, who is dearer to you, Saudi Arabia or Allah’s Prophet? O Yemeni, O Moroccan, O Algerian, who is dearer to you, your country or Allah’s Messenger (SAWS)? O West, comprehend that meaning, Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) is dearer to Muslims than their children and their own selves.

We can never forget the hadith that I repeatedly mentioned during the episodes of “On the Path of the Beloved”. O West, listen to this hadith[11] as it forms part of the sentimental make-up of the Islamic personality:

“We were with the Prophet and he was holding the hand of Omar Ibnul-Khattab. Omar said to him, ‘O Allah's Messenger! You are dearer to me than everything except my own self.’ The Prophet said, ‘No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete faith) till I am dearer to you than your own self.’ Then Omar said to him, ‘However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self.’ The Prophet said, ‘Now, O Omar, (now you are a believer).’”[12]


Being a true believer is conditioned with loving Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) more than our own selves.

O West, this is our notion and this is our love for Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).

I know that the West resists racism as they realize very well what it means. I also know that they stand up against any anti-Semitic assaults as they recognize the serious consequences of such acts. Yet, true contradiction lies in respecting Semitism and resisting racialism on the one hand, while humiliating the most valued figure for Muslims, the Prophet (SAWS), on the other.

Six months ago, a famous journalist of the BBC attacked Arabs describing them as a worthless nation. In spite of being a renowned figure with a daily program in Britain, his slandering was rejected by the British as racist and he was fired from the BBC. At that time, I was preparing a program on family matters, and knowing that he had articles and shows tackling this subject, I wanted to refer to them. To my surprise, none of his works were available due to his intolerant views against Arabs. There is no way to compare the Prophet (SAWS) to the Arabic nation, as slandering them is of a diminutive nature when compared to offending the Prophet (SAWS). My message to the West then is that freedom of speech, which we indeed respect, honor, and actually need, should be modified so that it does not clash with the highly revered Muslim value of dignifying the Prophet (SAWS). The West respects monarchies, Semitism, all races, and different ethnicities, and its respect to the Prophet (SAWS) and to sacred Muslim values should be no less.

Thus, my message to the Muslim ummah is that we should not forsake dignifying the Prophet (SAWS) under any circumstance. On the other hand, my message to the West is that the value of freedom of speech should be adapted to Muslim values.

My third message is to the whole world. This offense does not aim at the Prophet (SAWS) alone, but rather to one billion, two hundred thousand Muslims; or rather to all humanity. To explain this further to everyone, whether Muslim or not, I believe that Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) is the greatest personality that existed on earth. There is no doubt that his model of reform was most successful so far and whoever denies this fact is indeed most ungrateful. Slandering him is actually slandering humanity. Great men that existed throughout history were qualified as such due to a certain trait in their characters. Gandhi for example, was a great politician, Shakespeare a great dramatist, Voltaire a great writer, Napoleon a great military leader and so on. They were all great in one aspect or the other, while the Prophet (SAWS) was great in every aspect of his life. He was so great morally that he never hit or humiliated a soul, never beat a woman, never betrayed or lied, never went back on his word or avenged himself. He was always called 'the truthful and honest one' before bearing the message of Islam, and after becoming a prophet, the values and principles of the Qur’an were the model for his behavior. He was also great in his political insight. After the Battle of the Trench, for example, he knew that it was a turning point that would not be followed by a defeat. Moreover, he was great in his submissiveness to Allah as he bowed when praying, saying,

“O Allah, it is for Thee that I bowed. I affirm my faith in Thee and I submit to Thee, and submit humbly before Thee my hearing, my eyesight, my marrow, my bone, my sinew.”[13]

He (SAWS) also used to stand (in prayer) until both his feet swelled. When asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) he said,


“Should I not be a thankful slave?” [14]

He was great in the way he believed in freedom of opinion. In the Battle of Badr, he changed the location of the battlefield upon the advice of a soldier. He also agreed to dig the trench around Madinah according to Salman al-Faresy’s suggestion, and changed the fighting plan of the Battle of Uhud to respect the opinion of some of his companions. This is how he respected freedom of speech 1400 years ago!

He was great at forgiving others. On the day of the Conquest of Makkah, his companions were rejoicing saying, “Today is the day of a great battle and today Quraysh will be humiliated by Allah”. Conversely, the prophet's (SAWS) response was that today is the day of mercy in which Allah will bestow honor on Quraysh.

(to be continued)

 

[Peace]

He was great in his voluntary renunciation of worldly luxuries when he could have been the richest man on earth had he wished to be. He was also great in the way he dealt with young people motivating them to exercise. For example, he once passed by some of the young companions of the tribe of Aslam practicing archery and he said to them,


“O offspring of Ishmael! Practice archery as your father was a great archer. I am with (on the side of) the son of so-and-so-.” Hearing that, one of the two teams stopped throwing. The Prophet (SAWS) asked them, “Why are you not throwing?” They replied, “O Allah's Apostle! How shall we throw when you are with the opposite team?” He said, “Throw, for I am with you all.”[15]


His enemies were never able to slander him due to any bad trait. He lived with them for 40 years before the divine message and another 13 years after it, and never were they able to smear him with a single bad trait that marred his character, or doubt his outstanding abilities. They even testified that he had never lied in his life. That is how great he was and that is how humiliating him smears every American, Indian, Pakistani etc.; everyone, whether Muslim or not. It is an insult to all humankind when such a great man is insulted.



He was great in his mercy. When he was persecuted by the people of At-Ta’ef and stoned until his feet kept bleeding, the angel of the mountains asked for his permission to destroy them. Yet his response was to supplicate Allah to guide them and to save them.Furthermore, in the Battle of Uhud, he was injured, overcome by his enemies, had his front teeth broken, and fell into a pit with blood gushing from his wounds. Nevertheless, when his companions asked him to curse them and to invoke Allah to punish them, he declined stressing the fact that he was sent as a mercy to all of humankind. He even invoked Allah to guide them to the right path and to excuse them for their ignorance.

He was merciful even with animals narrating that,


“A man saw a dog eating mud from (the severity of) thirst. So, that man took a shoe (and filled it) with water and kept on pouring the water for the dog till it quenched its thirst. So Allah approved of his deed and made him enter Paradise.”[16]


Similarly, he (SAWS) said,

“A woman was tortured and was put in Hell because of a cat which she had kept locked till it died of hunger.”[17]

This is our Prophet and this is how great he was. Unlike that of other great human figures in history, the Prophet’s greatness is lasting throughout the generations.

He believed in co-existence. He trusted the Jews and gave them all the rights of citizenship in Madinah, guaranteeing that no one would harm them, take any of their money, force them to convert, or intercede with their freedom to worship. He was also great in co-existence when he was against using the Muslims loyal to him in Makkah to create tension among the people of Quraysh, even during the war between Makkah and Madinah. At the time of the Hudaybeya treaty, he could have waged war against Quraysh but resorted to peace instead. He could have turned it into a bloodbath, but he chose peace and forced it on his enemies.

The human race should be proud that Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) existed one day, whether they were Muslims, Hindu, Jews, Christians, believers of any kind, or even non-believers. He is a turning point in the course of humanity. This is Muhammad (SAWS) and this is how humanity was humiliated the day he was. People around the world are demanding an international law that protects the dignity of this great Prophet.

That was my message to Muslims, to the West, and to the whole world.



One final question remains here, which is, what is it that we want? We do not need speeches. It took me some time to deliver this speech, as I believe that speeches alone cannot solve this problem. We do not even want superficial apologies that are not as deep as our wounds. We do need effective actions that denote Western respect for the Prophet (SAWS). We will not stop our protests until our Prophet regains the dignity he duly deserves as our great leader. Thus empty words and shallow apologies are not enough, actions must be taken. Until then, I need everyone to convey this message to their families and friends. I want it to be translated by Dar al-Tarjama to all languages and to be distributed everywhere to reach the West. This speech will be broadcast on Iqraa’ channel soon and I want as many people as possible to watch it. Meanwhile we should do our best to let the people know about our Prophet (SAWS). ‘On the Path of the Beloved’ for example, a program about the Prophet’s life, is being replayed now on Iqraa’ every Tuesday and Friday. Dr Tarek Suweidan, A’aed al-Qarny, Al-Habib Aly al-Jifry and Dr. Al-Buty are all renowned modern Muslims scholars who have speeches and articles about the life of the Prophet. Please do your best to make good use of their works as well as the tapes of ‘On the Path of the Beloved’ to enlighten the whole world about the Prophet (SAWS), until this predicament is unraveled and until Muslim requests are answered with real actions. Thus, what I am asking everyone to do is to distribute this message everywhere and to let everyone know about who the Prophet (SAWS) is. Our duty is double fold, we need to distribute this speech and make it available everywhere, and we need to introduce the Prophet (SAWS) and tell his story to everyone, among Muslims and non-Muslims. This speech is to be continued and I am indeed not done yet with this issue. Thank you. May peace and Allah’s blessing and mercy be upon you all, and let us get to work.

Amr Khaled


[1] TWT = Tabaraka Wa Ta`ala [Most Blessed Most High]).
[2] TMQ = Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.
[3] SAWS = Salla Allah alayeh Wa Salam [All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon him].
[4] Verse
[5] Chapter
[6] The Prophet’s companions
[7] Islamic law
[8] The Prophet’s divinely guided way of life.
[9] The Prophet’s basin at which the true believers will meet him to drink from his hands on the Day of Judgment
[10] The Muslim nation
[11] The Prophet’s saying or action narrated by one of his companions.
[12] An authentic hadith reported by Al-Bukhari in Al-jame’ Al-sahih page/number 6632 and narrated by Abdullah Ibn-Hesham Ibn-Zahra Al-Korashey.
[13]Authentic Muslim hadith, Book 004, Number 1695.
[14] Authentic hadith by Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 21, Number 23
[15] Authentic hadith by Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 592
[16] Authentic hadith by Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 4, Number 174
[17] Authentic hadith by Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 40, Number 553

 

[flysky]

Muslims respect Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) very much and insulting him (pbuh) was very outrageous. It's simple to understand this outrage. What if someone makes an insulting image of your family - will you except that? And for Muslims, Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) is more than a family and insulting him (PBUH) is very offensive. Remerber Islam teaches us to forgive and we as a Muslims are willing to forgive but it doesn't seem that people who are printing have that intension and some of the Muslims are taking it on Danish Government for not stopping in the beginning. Just a opinion.

-----
http://askmuslims.com

Ask Muslims not the Media.

 

[TashaN]

The Danish government doesn't have the power to stop free speech in their free country.

I agree with you ....

Nonetheless, Why Muslims focused in Denmark but not norway?

Because the government said "WE WILL NOT APOLOGIZE" which means that they agree to insult religions and prophets of God.

 

[TashaN]

I agree that Westerners should show more respect for your prophet....but Muslims should show more repect for Mohammed by following his ways more precisely in kind. And Muslims should show more humane action toward Westerners and quit calling for the deaths of those that slander your faith. Can't you see how contradictory and negative issuing death threats is to the purpose of extolling Islam?

Believe me, this is much far complicated than you think. Arabs already suffered alot in seeing thier brothers in Iraq killed by the name of Peace.

they said may Allah help us in this and we hope that the world will be a better place ...

ok?

but the problem is that there are some Muslims who do not know anything about Islam except that they love Allah, his prophets and praying to Allah everyday which some poor knowledge about Islam so when a simple muslim hear that they insulted his prophet so he will lose his mind cause he already got enough of what is happening around him but the thing which is not acceptable is to insult the prophet. Anything is easy and can be solved with time except this main and obvious issue because it's the highest thing ever a muslim stick too after loveing Allah and obeying him.

 

[Popeyesays]

Did anyone think that the cartoonist and the editors of those papers were NOT aware that what they were doing would enflame many Muslims? In Europe today there are many muslims who can claim citizenship in European countries. Invariably they are treated like second class citizens - France, Germany, England. And many staunchly conservative Europeans are heartily sorry that those Muslims live in "their" countries. The closest thing to historical reference is the anti-Semitism of early Nazi Germany - when it still barely tolerated Jews.

The Prophet Muhammed was bitterly satired by the "wits" of His day in the form of poetic lampoons, and the Meccans accused Him of being a poet-satirist Himself. So satire, and art have always been supremely suspect by the Islamic clergy and scholars. And it is not hard to see why.

You can't have tolerance of one thing when another is not-tolerated. Many muslims hate the European discrimination against their people, and many Europeans will happily fuel the fire.

It is a serious issue to Muslims, if we cannot understand that, then we are just providing a bad stereo-type for ourselves to Muslims.

Denmark owes an apology. It should be heartfelt, and the editors and satirists should be chastised for what they have done. That can all be done with a free-press that environment. It won't keep them from doing it again, but the monarch can certainly express her displeasure and many Danes will take that to heart.

Regards,
Scott

 

[Fluffy]

A very beautiful message. I don't agree with large parts of it but I respect any effort to reduce hatred and increase greater unity. Thank you for that.

 

[Buttercup]

Believe me, this is much far complicated than you think. Arabs already suffered alot in seeing thier brothers in Iraq killed by the name of Peace.

In my post I am referring to the recent Danish cartoon controversy only. And I find that scenario quite simply explained to be honest.

But, this is not a debate thread so I will leave my questions out there and not debate the issue. I am merely curious as to what the average Muslim thinks on boths sides of the coin regarding the recent events in Europe. I can imagine the answer but, I'd like to hear it nonetheless. I think Peace has shown us some thoughtful attributes of Mohammed and snippets of his messages to the world.

I am merely curious as to his thoughts on the threatened violence stirred up by the cartoons and how that furthers in a positive light the teachings of Mohammed.

 

[rocketman]

I agree with you ....

Nonetheless, Why Muslims focused in Denmark but not norway?

Because the government said "WE WILL NOT APOLOGIZE" which means that they agree to insult religions and prophets of God.

Also, they don't really have the legal authority to apologize either, because the cartoons were by a private entity. I don't think you understand! If it was done by the Government, in the name of Denmark, that would be different. Clearly, you simply don't understand how free countries work. Do you live in a free country, sir?

By the way, as many Muslim leaders have been saying today, this violent reaction is seriously hurting Islam. Islam is more important than the prophet.

 

[Judgement Day]

In my post I am referring to the recent Danish cartoon controversy only. And I find that scenario quite simply explained to be honest.

But, this is not a debate thread so I will leave my questions out there and not debate the issue. I am merely curious as to what the average Muslim thinks on boths sides of the coin regarding the recent events in Europe. I can imagine the answer but, I'd like to hear it nonetheless. I think Peace has shown us some thoughtful attributes of Mohammed and snippets of his messages to the world.

I am merely curious as to his thoughts on the threatened violence stirred up by the cartoons and how that furthers in a positive light the teachings of Mohammed.

Well, I think on one side of the coin, freedom of speech is not the same as freedom of insult. You can have freedom but there is a limit to it. On the other side of the coin, Muslims has the right to protest because as what Peace mentioned in the article, as Muslims we love Muhammad more than our wife, husband, more than our children, parents and even more than ourselves. So an insult to Prophet Muhammad will be taken seriously. But, I disagree with the violence. But violence is NOT the point here. The core of the problem is the insult. If there weren't any insult, these violence wouldn't have had to happen.

 

[rocketman]

Well, I think on one side of the coin, freedom of speech is not the same as freedom of insult. You can have freedom but there is a limit to it. On the other side of the coin, Muslims has the right to protest because as what Peace mentioned in the article, as Muslims we love Muhammad more than our wife, husband, more than our children, parents and even more than ourselves. So an insult to Prophet Muhammad will be taken seriously. But, I disagree with the violence. But violence is NOT the point here. The core of the problem is the insult. If there weren't any insult, these violence wouldn't have had to happen.

Why are some Muslims committing violence and not others? Why are some Muslim leaders fanning the flames while others are calling for calm? Is there more than one Islamic view on this? If this issue is so important and fundamental then both sides can't be right.

 

[TashaN]

Do you live in a free country, sir?

what is the definition of a *free* country? and does it supposed to be free in the western countries way or the other nations way?

 

[TashaN]

Why are some Muslims committing violence and not others? Why are some Muslim leaders fanning the flames while others are calling for calm? Is there more than one Islamic view on this? If this issue is so important and fundamental then both sides can't be right.

It's clear that you guys think that all Muslims are just the same. We don't live in the same country. We don't have the same culture. We may not have the same language.

More than billion muslims around the world can think seprartely by thier own and we may differ in many things whether in the religion or many other things too.

 

[Popeyesays]

It's clear that you guys think that all Muslims are just the same. We don't live in the same country. We don't have the same culture. We may not have the same language.

More than billion muslims around the world can think seprartely by thier own and we may differ in many things whether in the religion or many other things too.

You are quite right, Muslims are different all over. So WHY does one Muslim community resortto violent demonstration and counter-insult and another community refrain?

I think there is an answer. Look at what the mullah or imam is doing in the places where rioting occurs and violence flares, and look at what the mullahs and imams in the communities where the violence does not happen are doing.

The priesthood is often too powerful and too willing to lead actions which can be seen as doubtfully appropriate in a good muslim.

Blame the priesthood if someone must blame A group of Muslims for the problem, but be very careful who you pick to point a finger at. One must not blame the blameless and ALWAYS remember that you are looking for individuals who are instigating the violence not the followers who TRUST their priests too much.

Regards,
Scott

 

[Judgement Day]

Did anyone think that the cartoonist and the editors of those papers were NOT aware that what they were doing would enflame many Muslims?

Actually, they are aware, just like when they were aware when they were about to release offensive Jesus cartoons:

http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-02/09/article04.shtml

 

[michel]

**************************Mod Post**************************
​

Please be aware of the rules regarding posting on Discuss Individual Religions only; which are as follows:-​

Discuss Individual Religions Forums Rules and Usage:

8.) Each Individual Religion forum is for that religion's education and fellowship for people who abide by that religion and for discussion within that religion.

9.) We will not tolerate any debate about a religion in its Individual Religion forum, NO OUTSIDE DEBATE OR VIEW POINTS ARE ALLOWED. This rule is strictly enforced. If you wish to debate a certain religion the proper place for that is in the Debates sections.

10.) Asking respectful questions of other religions is acceptable in their Individual Religion forum.

11.) Attacking other religions in these forum is not tolerated. These forums are for education of the Religion or system in the title of the forum and fellowship only, not discounting other religions.
​