Thank you for your eloquence and kind words during this difficult times. I
think the website looks very good, and in addition to providing a rational
kindness from outside of the Muslim community , it also answers some of the
questions that have been raised. Is there any way that some of the
misquotations of Qu'ran or misrepresentations of Islam could be refuted on
this site too?
Some of the things I have been asked by friends who do not know anything
significant about Islam (but are too logical to suppose that Islam would be
the fastest growing religion if the things that were said about it were
true) are:
Is it true that in the Qu'ran it says 'if a muslim kills a non-muslim, it
is a sure path to heaven?'
Oh - and the other 2 emails I received, I will just forward to you in
hopes that you might take the time to check them out. They are too long to
paraphrase.
I know that trying to provide a complete frame of reference to the issues
raised by these questions will be a daunting task, and I would gladly help
you to prepare any sort of written material, if you could but guide me where
to look. I feel like surely I have read through these ayat and hadeeth, but
cannot recall where to find them in order to provide any context to the
quotes - which I do think are accurate. I also understand that you are
probably pretty busy right now, but any help you could find time for would
be greatly appreciated.
- Petin, 14 September 2001
Answer
I hope that you and your family and extended family are doing well. This week
has been emotionally very difficult for everyone, and it has brought double
jeopardy for the Muslim community in the US.
Although I did not respond to the false charges, I discussed a few issues with
some details in the article Anti-Islamic
Propaganda: A Gospel of Intolerance, thinking that
these remarks may be useful for others to read. I applaud your intention to
prepare writen materials in answering these charges. If you do so, then I will
be happy to publish your material in our website.
I would also encourage everyone to read an article by Robert Fisk, which is
linked to our website. This article should help one appreciate what
contributes to terrorism. It is directly related to political situation and
has nothing to do with religion, like some people suggest out of bigotry,
prejudice or sheer ignorance.
Let us keep up spirit, stay positive, and remain strong. Following the
example of Aminah Assilmi, we should win
over evil with what is good, and not let this overwhelm us.
Repel evil with that which is best (Qur'an 23:96)
- Mushfiqur Rahman, 16 September 2001
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