Muslims & Christians .. "A Common Word"

At Georgetown university in Washington, a wonderful experience of cultural talk is going on. A conference among senior Muslim scholars including the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Dr. Ali Gomaa, and Amr Khaled, the famous Muslim preacher who have wide fame among Muslim youth, and senior Christian scholars. Political personalities are attending the conference from among them are Tony Blair, Professor John Esposito and Anwar Ibrahim. This two-day conference will take the "Common Word" initiative to the next stage by focusing on global issues and initiatives for change. Global political and religious leaders, scholars, media, and community representatives will discuss and develop concrete proposals to advance global peace and security between Muslim and Western societies.

This bright experience started 3 years ago, when Pope Benedict XVI offered a speech offending Muslims around the world. An action that was faced by a wise reaction from 38 Islamic authorities and scholars from around the world, representing all denominations and schools of thought, joined together to deliver an answer to the Pope in the spirit of open intellectual exchange and mutual understanding. The number expanded a year later to be 138 Muslim scholars, clerics and intellectuals coming together to declare the common ground between Christianity and Islam. All major Muslim countries were represented in the message that is addressed to all Churches and indeed all Christians all over the world. The uniqueness of this initiative is that it depends on the teachings of the two great prophets, Muhammad and Jesus (Peace Be Upon Both of Them).

In a related event at Johns Hopkins University organized by US Institute of Peace, Dr. Ali

Gomaa will discuss the challenge of moderation in Islam. Dr. Gomaa has been a regular critic of violence being practiced in the name of Islam, and has written extensively on spirituality, prevention of violence, human rights, women's equality and peacemaking. Dr. Gomaa has a wide fame among Muslims and particularly in Egypt.

Following is the Summary of the introduction to the initiative..

Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of the world's population. Without peace and justice between these two religious communities, there can be no meaningful peace in the world. The future of the world depends on peace between Muslims and Christians.

The basis for this peace and understanding already exists. It is part of the very foundational principles of both faiths: love of the One God, and love of the neighbour. These principles are found over and over again in the sacred texts of Islam and Christianity. The Unity of God, the necessity of love for Him, and the necessity of love of the neighbour is thus the common ground between Islam and Christianity. The following are only a few examples:

Of God's Unity, God says in the Holy Qur'an: "Say: He is God, the One! / God, the Self-Sufficient Besought of all!"(Al-Ikhlas, 112:1-2). Of the necessity of love for God, God says in the Holy Qur'an: "So invoke the Name of thy Lord and devote thyself to Him with a complete devotion"(Al-Muzzammil, 73:8). Of the necessity of love for the neighbour, the Prophet Muhammad said: "None of you has faith until you love for your neighbour what you love for yourself."

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ said: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. / And you shall love the Lord

your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. / And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)

In the Holy Qur'an, God Most High enjoins Muslims to issue the following call to Christians (and Jews—the People of the Scripture):

"Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to a common word between us and you: that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside God. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him)." (Aal 'Imran 3:64)

The words: "we shall ascribe no partner unto Him" relate to the Unity of God, and the words:"worship none but God", relate to being totally devoted to God. Hence they all relate to the First and Greatest Commandment. According to one of the oldest and most authoritative commentaries on the Holy Qur'an the words: "that none of us shall take others for lords beside God", mean 'that none of us should obey the other in disobedience to what God has commanded'. This relates to the Second Commandment because justice and freedom of religion are a crucial part of love of the neighbor.

Thus in obedience to the Holy Qur'an, we as Muslims invite Christians to come together with us on the basis of what is common to us, which is also what is most essential to our faith and practice: the Two Commandments of love.

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The full introduction is available on the Official Website of A Common Word

Questions About Women In Islam (Marriage)

Is a Muslim woman allowed to choose her husband herself?

Islam gives woman the right to choose her own husband. Without her consent no marriage can take place; and should thus take place, such marriage is invalid. Narrated Abu Huraira: Prophet Muhammad said, "A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after her permission." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! How can we know her permission (Because a virgin feels shy)?" He said, "Her silence (indicates her permission)." Sahih Bukhari

How are we to understand the permission for polygamy in Islam?

Technically, Islam allows men to marry four women; however, there are certain conditions to be met. This is best understood from the following verse in Qur'an: "And if you have reason to fear that you might not act equitably towards orphans; then marry from among [other] women such as are lawful to you -- [even] two, three, or four; but if you have reason to fear that you might not be able to treat them with equal fairness, then [only] one -- or [from among] those whom you righfully possess." (Chapter of Women, Verse 3)

The requirement of justice and identical treatment is therefor a condition closely tied up with polygamy. This, however, largely depends upon the personality of the man and the woman. It is possible for a man to grant a widow or a divorcee honourable maintenance by marrying her as a second wife. Moreover, from a woman's point of view a polygamous marriage, in which each wife has equal rights, is a choice preferable to that of a mistress who has no rights.

Islam did not outlaw polygamy, as did many other peoples and religious communities; rather, it regulated and restricted it. It is neither required nor encouraged, but simply permitted and did not outlaw. The only passage in the Qur'an (4:3) that explicitly addresses polygamy and restricts its practice, in terms of the number of wives permitted and the requirement of justice between them, was revealed after the Battle of Uhud, in which dozens of Muslims were martyred, leaving behind widows and orphans. This seems to indicate that the intent of its continued permissibility , at least in part, is to deal with individual and collective contingencies that may arise from time to time (e.g, imbalances between the number of males and females, created by war). This provides a moral, practical and humane solution to the problems of widows and orphans, who would otherwise surely be more vulnerable in the absence of a husband.

Does a woman have an option to face polygamy?

Absolutely, a prospective first wife may include in her marital contract a condition that her prospective husband shall practice monogamy. If this condition is mutually accepted, it becomes binding on the husband. Should he later violate this condition, his first wife will be entitled to seek divorce with all the financial rights connected with it. If such a condition was not included in the marital contract, and if the husband marries a second wife, the first wife may seek khul' (divestiture).

Is a Muslim man allowed to beat his wife?

This subject is burdened with a lot of prejudice. This question arise from the verse in the Qur'an which reads as follows: ".. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all)." (Women Chapter, Verse 34). This verse makes it clear that the husband is required to apply three steps in any case: Admonition, Separation in bed, and only thirdly Beating. This means that beating in the heat of the moment is specifically forbidden. In the second place, according to the Muslim scholars, "beating" has more of a symbolic connotation rather than the meaning of physical injury or hurt. Prophet Muhammad did express quite clearly his misgivings about beating a woman by saying: "Is it really possible for you to beat your wife as if she were a servant and then go to her at night?" He himself never beat a woman and he is the best example for Muslims.

What did prophet Muhammad said about treating women as wives?

In his "farewell pilgrimage" address, he said in his famous "Farewell Sermon", that is really appreciated by all Muslims; "O People! It is true that you have certain rights in regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives, only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat you women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste."

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Sources:

-WOMAN IN ISLAM, by Discover Islam Center, Kingdom of Bahrain.

-GENDER EQUITY IN ISLAM (BASIC PRINCIPLES), by Jamal Badawi, Ph.D., American Trust Publications

Jews .. Enemies or Friends?

When some ignorants call Muslims as "Haters of Jews", and that Islam is allegedly inviting its followers to hate and "kill" Jews, we can find in America a very special image of coexistence between Muslims and Jews refuting all these false claims..

[Place: Reston, Virginia state]

[Time: In Ramadan month]

When all Muslims worship God and make charity, and all mosques are filled up by the praisers of God. When there weren't enough space in mosques, Muslims resorted to a Jewish synagogue renting its social hall to praise Allah!

Torah copies beside Zakat collecting boxes, and Jewish symbols beside the Muslim prayers, and "Allahu Akbar" beside the verses of the Torah. It's a remarkable image of cultural understanding and cooexisetence that must be encouraged not fought against by the enemies of peace.

Commenting on this event, a member of Al-Azhar foundation welcomed praying in the Jewish synagogues, confirming that Sharia rules allow praying in all places whether it's a Christian church or a Jewish synagogue.

Muhammad Majed, Imam of the mosque, says; "The cooperation between the mosque and the Jewish synagogues clearly reveals the nature of the relation between Muslims and non-Muslims in the West", Majed adds;"There is a social dimension in that which is represented in the cooperation between Muslims and Jews in common cases. This cooperation surpasses the hosting of prayers to organizing lectures and dialogue between religions."

Robert Nosanchuk, the rabbi of the synagogue, said; "You really only get to know someone when you invite them into your home ... you learn to recognize their faces.You learn the names of their children" Nosanchuk adds;"When we told the visitors of the synagogue, who knew before about our cooperation with the mosque, they welcomed that cooperation which is considered to be an appliance for our values."

This event isn't an exceptional one, but Muslim Friday prayers were made along the last 7 years in Churches, and in Jewish synagogue since 1.5 years. The mosque hosted one of the survivors of the Nazi Holocaust who was rescued by the Albanian Muslims. And hosted too the breakfast of the Jewish Easter.

These great images of wonderful coexistence are represented in Sharia rules that are extracted from Qur'an and Sunna..

In Qur'an we can realize from Chapter 60, verse 8 that it's recommended and encouraged to deal kindly and justly with non-Muslims who don't fight against Muslims. "Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just." And that it's allowed according to Chapter 5, verse 5 to share non-Muslims food, eat on one table, and to make the most powerful social tie ever i.e. marriage. "This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time,- when ye give them their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret intrigues if any one rejects faith, fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good)." In another verse, we can find a prohibition of reviling them so as to guarantee an atmosphere of comfort and peace. "Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance. Thus have We made alluring to each people its own doings. In the end will they return to their Lord, and We shall then tell them the truth of all that they did." 6:108

If we read Sunnah books we can realize how the prophet of Islam, Muhammad SAW, organized the relation between Muslims and Jews (People of the Book). We can see him standing in respect for a funeral of a Jewish man passing in front of him, telling his followers; "Isn't it a soul!". We can see him visiting a sick Jewish neighbor, however he was throwing rubbish in front of his door. When he immigrated to Medina, the first thing to do was to sign a convention between all the factors of Medina people including Jews. The basic articles in the convention between the prophet and the Jews of Medina were; Muslims have their own religion and Jews have their own religion, Both parties must defend against those who attack the parties of the convention, Between the parties is the advise and good not rancor, Victory is for the oppressed, The convention doesn't protect any oppressor. Very just, and very tolerant.

Conclusion; According to the teachings of Islam; sharing Jews and Christians the food and drink, visiting them in their homes, giving them presents and even marrying them are permitted and recommended manners.

Islam: Way Of Logical Conviction

One of the greatest features about Islamic religion is that it do respect the mind. It follows the route of logical conviction, the way of providing evidences that any normal free mind would simply accept. Unlike other faiths that would ignore the logical conviction depending on unapproachable secrets, and only the love towards some person, or concepts that deeply contradict the logical thinking, Islamic religion is so different.

One of the most verses that I like too much in the Qur'an is in the 2nd Chapter (The Cow). It's about an argument between prophet Abraham and a king that claims to be a god..

"Hast thou not Turned thy vision to one who disputed with Abraham About his Lord, because Allah had granted him power? Abraham said: "My Lord is He Who Giveth life and death." He said: "I give life and death". "

That man was a king claiming to be a god, when he argued with prophet Abraham about that, the prophet was trying to refute his claims, so he said that it's only Allah that can give life and death. The king answered that he too can give life and death, he said; "If I have two captives that will face the penalty of death, I'll execute the first, and gave amnesty to the other. That's how I can give death and life."

The prophet didn't argue with him that it's not what he meant by giving life and death, but he moved immediately to the next evidence..

Said Abraham: "But it is Allah that causeth the sun to rise from the east: Do thou then cause him to rise from the West." "

Every time I read this verse, I admire prophet Abraham and say; "How great are you, prophet Abraham!". He shut him up so simply! He revealed the truth to him by a very strong logical evidence. I wonder how the fellows of that king felt at that moment. It was a challenge for their minds, an invitation for them to stop and think for a moment; "If he is truly a god, so how he couldn't win that challenge!" I'm sure their minds were awakened up by hearing that argument.

"Thus was he confounded who (in arrogance) rejected faith. Nor doth Allah Give guidance to a people unjust."

Reading Chapter 21 (The Prophets) in Qur'an few days ago, I read great verses about the story of prophet Abraham trying to invite his people to abandon polytheism to worshiping the One God..

The verses start by;

"We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his rectitude of conduct, and well were We acquainted with him. * Behold! he said to his father and his people, "What are these images, to which ye are (so assiduously) devoted? * They said, "We found our fathers worshipping them." * He said, "Indeed ye have been in manifest error - ye and your fathers." * They said, "Have you brought us the Truth, or are you one of those who jest?" * He said, "Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He Who created them (from nothing): and I am a witness to this (Truth). "

His people was worshiping idols, kneeling to them and providing sacrifices to them! An act that is obviously contradicting the mind and logical thinking. At first he argued with them, he said and they said too, when he found out that the argument is not revealing the mist away from their minds, and that the words are not enough, he decided to execute a plan, a plan that will make their eyes see a physical convincing evidence..

" "And by Allah, I have a plan for your idols - after ye go away and turn your backs". * So he broke them to pieces, (all) but the biggest of them, that they might turn (and address themselves) to it. "

The plan was about putting them face to face with the fact that; They Are Worshiping Stones! He broke all the idols using an ax, then he left the biggest idol untouched, and put the ax on the statue's shoulder..

"They said, "Who has done this to our gods? He must indeed be some man of impiety!" * They said, "We heard a youth talk of them: He is called Abraham." * They said, "Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may bear witness." * They said, "Art thou the one that did this with our gods, O Abraham?" * He said: "Nay, this was done by - this is their biggest one! ask them, if they can speak intelligently!" "

The scene for the people of Abraham was the next; Broken Idols, The Biggest One Is Unbroken With An Ax On Its Shoulder, and The Doer Is Unknown. They brought the one who might have did it i.e. Abraham and asked him; "Did you do it?" He simply pointed at the biggest statue saying; "He did it!".. "Ask them if they can speak!"

Prophet Abraham was saying to them; "That big statue that can't move and can't see is the one who broke your "gods"" He was challenging their minds. "Those idols that you found your fathers worshiping, kneeling and submitting to them, praying for them and providing sacrifices are just stones that cannot speak or feel. Where are your minds when you kneel to a stone?!! Or how you're thinking when you worship and provide sacrifices to a stone that cannot feel your worshiping and won't see or feel your sacrifices or even your presence?" By this plan, he was screaming at them; "WALK UP!"

He provided a very convincing evidence for their minds to make them think, to stop for a moment and let their minds see the truth. "Ask them, if they can speak intelligently!" A very short statement, but a very convincing evidence..

"So they turned to themselves and said, "Surely ye are the ones in the wrong!" * Then were they confounded with shame: (they said), "Thou knowest full well that these (idols) do not speak!" * (Abraham) said, "Do ye then worship, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm? * "Fie upon you, and upon the things that ye worship besides Allah. Have ye no sense?".. "

Other great verse that clearly prove that faith isn't accepted from a Muslim if that faith didn't came from a strong conviction..

"Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,- there are indeed Signs for men of understanding,- * Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (With the thought): "Our Lord! not for naught Hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire. * "Our Lord! any whom Thou dost admit to the Fire, Truly Thou coverest with shame, and never will wrong-doers Find any helpers! * "Our Lord! we have heard the call of one calling (Us) to Faith, 'Believe ye in the Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord! Forgive us our sins, blot out from us our iniquities, and take to Thyself our souls in the company of the righteous. * "Our Lord! Grant us what Thou didst promise unto us through Thine apostles, and save us from shame on the Day of Judgment: For Thou never breakest Thy promise." "

The message of these verses in Surah 3 (The Family Of 'Imran) is clear. Human must contemplate in the wonders of God's creation, and reach the truth of the faith and the truth of creation through that contemplation, through his own mind.

Important Fatwa About Terrorism

One confusing question for non-Muslims about Islam is;

When most of the violent acts against innocents are committed by the name of Islam, what does Islam itself say about such acts and killing innocent civilians and bombing crowded civil places?

Do Islam justify these things? OR does it refuse them?

Do all Muslims accept these attacks against innocents? OR they consider them as barbaric acts?

If a terrorist bombing a crowded train station is sending a message of hatred, so What is the message of other Muslims?

American Fiqh Council has issued a very important Fatwa about terrorist attacks. It's very important to read it to understand what Muslim scholars say about terrorist attacks against innocents, and to figure out what is running in the minds of the majority of Muslims.

"In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

U.S. MUSLIM RELIGIOUS COUNCIL ISSUES FATWA AGAINST TERRORISM

The Fiqh Council of North America wishes to reaffirm Islam's absolute condemnation of terrorism and religious extremism.

Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent lives.
There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram – or forbidden - and those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not "martyrs."

The Qur'an, Islam's revealed text, states: "Whoever kills a person [unjustly]…it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind."
(Qur'an, 5:32)

Prophet Muhammad said there is no excuse for committing unjust acts: "Do not be people without minds of your own, saying that if others treat you well you will treat them well, and that if they do wrong you will do wrong to them. Instead, accustom yourselves to do good if people do good and not to do wrong (even) if they do evil." (Al-Tirmidhi)

God mandates moderation in faith and in all aspects of life when He states in the Qur'an: "We made you to be a community of the middle way, so that (with the example of your lives) you might bear witness to the truth before all mankind." (Qur'an, 2:143)

In another verse, God explains our duties as human beings when he says: "Let there arise from among you a band of people who invite to righteousness, and enjoin good and forbid
evil." (Qur'an, 3:104)

Islam teaches us to act in a caring manner to all of God's creation. The Prophet Muhammad, who is described in the Qur'an as "a mercy to the worlds" said: "All creation is the family of God, and the person most beloved by God (is the one) who is kind and caring toward His family."


In the light of the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah we clearly and strongly state:

1. All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are haram (forbidden) in Islam.
2. It is haram for a Muslim to cooperate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence.
3. It is the civic and religious duty of Muslims to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians.

We issue this fatwa following the guidance of our scripture, the Qur'an, and the teachings of
our Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him. We urge all people to resolve all conflicts in just and peaceful manners.

We pray for the defeat of extremism and terrorism. We pray for the safety and security of our country, the United States, and its people. We pray for the safety and security of all
inhabitants of our planet. We pray that interfaith harmony and cooperation prevail both in the United States and all around the globe."

FIQH COUNCIL OF NORTH AMERICA July 28, 2005

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TO SEE THE FULL DOCUMENT INCLUDING ENDORSING NATIONAL ORGANIZATION, MOSQUES AND ISLAMIC CENTERS. Please click here.

Marwa.. The victim of "her clothes"!!

A former volleyball player and a successful pharmacist. 32 years old. And a Muslim woman. Immigrated to Germany aiming at obtaining the PhD in pharmacy and better life conditions. Marwa wasn't an extremist Muslim woman, in contrary she was a moderate example of Muslims, she had very good relations with her German neighbors. She was killed by a German Russian man!

The story started at the autumn of 2008 when she was in a public garden with her little child. When she asked a man swinging a little girl to share the Swing with her child, thinking that it's an image of good communication among the people in one society, he pushed her to the ground, describing her as; "A terrorist and a racist" because .... she was wearing the Hijab! After that accident Alex used to attack her, grabbing the Hijab over her head. A 750 € fine was imposed by German courts against him for that.

At the 1st of July 2009, in the court of Appeals, Alex W. stabbed Marwa 18 times by a knife killing her at once, when she was pregnant since 3 months later, then he wounded her 4 years old child, then stabbed her husband 3 times when he tried to protect his wife, an act that has been faced by a German officer by shooting the husband in his legs!!

Just imagine how the little 4 years child has felt. Seeing his mother stabbed 18 times, seeing his mother killed in front of his eyes, then his father stabbed 3 times then shoot in his legs!!

Why all of that? The Hijab? Is it logical that the way how a person wear be the reason to be killed?

It's racism, it's terrorism.

DON'T KNOW = AFRAID

I was thinking about an Arabic sentence that I heard before. It says; "الإنسان عدو ما يجهله" => "Man is an enemy of the Unknown".

That's true. If you are ignorant about something, then you'll be afraid from it. When you walk in a forest for the first time, you're afraid, you "don't know" where the danger will come from. When you walk in a dark street, you're very cautious, you "don't know" what is hiding where. Even if you meet another person from a different culture, you maybe afraid from him, you don't know what his behavior would be. What if you were told thousands .. maybe millions of times that this person comes from a "Kill-Culture"?!! That he will blowup himself in you.

Now you understood me? Yes, I'm talking about Muslims, whom I belong to and proud of this. Were you told before in the news that Muslims are "terrorists"? Were you told about the bombings related to Muslims? Were you told about the hundreds of innocents that have been killed by Muslims? 

ARE YOU AFRAID FROM MUSLIMS?

That's my point. Many Westerns are afraid from Muslims, they suffer from "Islamophobia". If they saw a Muslim in the street they would say; "Where he's hiding the bomb?" or "Officer, please arrest him!!" :) If they heard an Arabic word, they would question; "Is he preparing for bombing himself?". An American friend was talking about "madrasa" as a place where young Muslims are taught to hate Jews. I was amazed, because "Madrasa" (in Arabic: مدرسة) is "School"!!

I would never dare to claim that this fear is not justified. I would be cautious if I were told in my Media in the morning, afternoon and in the evening that there is a vast religious group that kill others with no mercy. I would think; "And when my turn to be killed will come?". I completely understand that. But I blame Westerns that they just follow their Media with no questions, without letting their minds to work for a second; "Is that true ALL Muslims are killers?", "Is that true that they abandon every drop of the mercy that they would use their own children as human-shields?!!", "Is that true there is a Holy Book that more than 1.5 Milliards believe in is inviting to killing the rest of other peoples?".  I blame Westerns that they just follow what their Media say without trying to use neutral knowledge sources to gain the facts, without trying to listen to what the majority of Muslims say. Many know about BinLaden, Zawahri, Zarqawi, Qaeda, etc, but if I asked a Western to name one moderate Muslim who say; "Peace must prevail." or "Muslims love non-Muslims" Would he name someone?

Bridges of exchanged understanding must be founded. Muslims must talk about the love, peace, cooperation and helping others that are in their religion. Westerns must listen to them. We're all fed up with listening to the voice of bombers and killers of innocents by the name of Islam. It's a must now to hear the other voice of Muslims, the voice of peace in Islam, the real core of this religion. We should cooperate so as not to give those who use the name of Islam to justify killing innocents any chance. We shouldn't encourage them to kill more. When Westerns begin to listen to the voice of Muslims who believe in the message of Islam, peace and love this world will be changed.

I'm inviting every Western to read what Muslims say. If you have a copy of the Qur'an read it, if you have a book about the sayings of prophet Muhammad read it, if you have a book written by a Muslim scholar read it. You can visit tens of Islamic websites created by Muslims who want you to listen to them. I recommend the following websites:

IslamOnLine 

Sultan

Also try to watch the videos of Ummah Films on YouTube 

IDF in Gaza: Killing civilians, vandalism, and lax rules of engagement

By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent

During Operation Cast Lead, Israeli forces killed Palestinian civilians under permissive rules of engagement and intentionally destroyed their property, say soldiers who fought in the offensive.  The soldiers are graduates of the Yitzhak Rabin pre-military preparatory course at Oranim Academic College in Tivon. Some of their statements made on Feb. 13 will appear Thursday and Friday in Haaretz. Dozens of graduates of the course who took part in the discussion fought in the Gaza operation.  The speakers included combat pilots and infantry soldiers. Their testimony runs counter to the Israel Defense Forces' claims that Israeli troops observed a high level of moral behavior during the operation. The session's transcript was published this week in the newsletter for the course's graduates.  The testimonies include a description by an infantry squad leader of an incident where an IDF sharpshooter mistakenly shot a Palestinian mother and her two children. "There was a house with a family inside .... We put them in a room. Later we left the house and another platoon entered it, and a few days after that there was an order to release the family. They had set up positions upstairs. There was a sniper position on the roof," the soldier said.  "The platoon commander let the family go and told them to go to the right. One mother and her two children didn't understand and went to the left, but they forgot to tell the sharpshooter on the roof they had let them go and it was okay, and he should hold his fire and he ... he did what he was supposed to, like he was following his orders."  According to the squad leader: "The sharpshooter saw a woman and children approaching him, closer than the lines he was told no one should pass. He shot them straight away. In any case, what happened is that in the end he killed them.  "I don't think he felt too bad about it, because after all, as far as he was concerned, he did his job according to the orders he was given. And the atmosphere in general, from what I understood from most of my men who I talked to ... I don't know how to describe it .... The lives of Palestinians, let's say, is something very, very less important than the lives of our soldiers. So as far as they are concerned they can justify it that way," he said.  Another squad leader from the same brigade told of an incident where the company commander ordered that an elderly Palestinian woman be shot and killed; she was walking on a road about 100 meters from a house the company had commandeered.  The squad leader said he argued with his commander over the permissive rules of engagement that allowed the clearing out of houses by shooting without warning the residents beforehand. After the orders were changed, the squad leader's soldiers complained that "we should kill everyone there [in the center of Gaza]. Everyone there is a terrorist."  The squad leader said: "You do not get the impression from the officers that there is any logic to it, but they won't say anything. To write 'death to the Arabs' on the walls, to take family pictures and spit on them, just because you can. I think this is the main thing: To understand how much the IDF has fallen in the realm of ethics, really. It's what I'll remember the most."  More soldiers' testimonies will be published in Haaretz over the coming days. See on Haaretz website

History vs Claims

Unfortunately when many of us try to judge the Palestinian-Israeli conflict we have one strong belief: "Peace Will NEVER Come ONLY Because Hamas DENY It."

 

In fact there is another different point of view that is rarely discussed. Trying to explain it I'll answer a question. It may take long to answer, but please be patient, it may be the first for most of you to know about the following.

 

The question: Is it really about Hamas rockets?

 

In 1987 Hamas was announced as an Islamic Palestinian resistence against the Zionist occupation. Could you read the previous date? It's 1987. Please memorize this date very well..1987.

 

I'll talk about accidents that happened before this date. Please be patient reading the following.

1938> Bomb in a train in Haifa killing 2 Arab cops, 2 British cops. (Irgun Zionist movement)

1938> Bomb in a coffee shop in Haifa killing an Arab civilian. (Irgun)

1938> An attack against a bus to Jerusalem killing an Arab Palestinian cop man. (Irgun)

1938> 3 Arab civilians killed by bullets in Haifa. (Irgun)

1938> 2 Palestinian civilians killed in Tel Aviv.

1938> 7 Arab Palestinians killed in a bomb explosion in Jaffa.

1938> An Arab civilian killed in a hospital's yard in Haifa.

1938> Many Palestinians killed in a bombing in a crowded market in Jerusalem. 

1938> Firing towards a group of Palestinians killing 7 close to Tel Aviv.

1938> Throwing a bomb towards a bus in Jerusalem killing 3 Palestinians.

1938> Explosion of 2 time-bombs in a market in Haifa killing 18 Palestinians and 5 Jews.

1938> Bombing in Jerusalem killing 4 Palestinians.

1938> Market bombing in Jerusalem killing 10 Palestinian civilians.

1938> Market bombing killing 53 Palestinians in Haifa.

1938> Market bombing killing 24 Palestinians in Jaffa.

1939> 33 Palestinian killed (24 in a market bombing in Haifa, 4 in a market bombing in Jerusalem)

1939> Land mine explosion near a cinema in Jerusalem killing 5 Palestinians.

1939> Bomb in Jerusalem killing 5 Palestinians.

1939> Bombing a mail center in Jerusalem killing the British bomb specialist.

1939> 6 Arab Palestinians killed in Jerusalem.

1939> Explosive bag on a donkey's back in Haifa market killing 20 Palestinians.

1939> 13 Palestinians killed in a fire shooting.

1939> An Arab Palestinian killed in Jerusalem market.

1939> Shooting 2 Palestinians in Lefta village.

1939> Market bombing in Haifa killing a Palestinian civilian.

1939> A Palestinian civilian killed in Jaffa train station.

1939> 6 Palestinians killed in attacks close to Tel Aviv.

1946> Bombing of the King David Hotel killing 91 persons (41 Palestinian, 28 British, 17 Jew, 5 other) {Explosives were put inside milk cans, executives of the attack wore Arab clothes}

1947> Balad al-Shaykh massacre when 70 Arabs (including women & children) were killed. {Most of the bodies were found inside the homes of the village}

1948> Bombing of Arab National Committee HQ killing 14 Palestinians.

1948> Semiramis Hotel bombing killing 24 people.

1948> Haifa train bombing killing 40 Arabs. (Lehi)

1948> Ein al-Zeitun massacre when about 70 Palestinians were killed. (Palmach)

1948> Abu Shusha massacre when 60 Palestinians were killed.

1948> The massacre of Deir Yassin village when 360 Palestinian (children, women, elderly, young men) were killed through random firing.

1953> Qibya massacre when 69 Palestinian were killed, many of them by exploding their homes when they were inside, 45 home were destroyed, a mosque and a school. {The massacre was led by Ariel Sharon, former Israeli prime minister}

1956> Kafr Qasim massacre when 48 Palestinian civilian were killed, including women and 23 child.

1956> Khan Yunis refugee camp massacre when 520 Palestinian were killed.

What was the date? It was 1987. Hamas was established in 1987!!

We should think thousands of times, use our minds and think logically before believing the claims of Israeli entity when an Israeli soldier uses his rifle, or an Israeli pilot by his helicopter or F16 killing a child, when a school is targeted by air-to-ground missiles, when a child is killed by a bullet in the head, or when a baby is killed in his mother's womb, or when the villagers of small village are killed by automatic guns. We must think if this crime or that massacre is REALLY BECAUSE a rocket was launched!!

If we asked ourselves why Palestinians fight against Israelis and these massacres and bombings were not the answer, then what is the answer?!!

Targeting schools is not a new thing in the Israeli history. In 8th April, 1970, 9:20 AM, Israeli Phantoms struck Bahr el-Baqar Egyptian school when 130 children were inside. Five bombs and 2 air-to-ground missiles were sent at the school causing 46 child killed and 50 wounded (many of them maimed for the rest of their lives). The school was completely destroyed. The usual justification; Israelis thought it was a military base!!!

Should we believe such claims?!!

If we will keep calling Palestinian side as the "obstacle stone" in the way of peace and considering Israelis as the "peace doves", ignoring all this long history, then I can assure that peace and stability in this area will be far far away.. in fact they'll never be achieved.

But if we have a balanced view of the situation, taking in consideration that there is a side who started the conflict by unilaterally declaring their Jewish state completely ignoring the Millions of non-Jews who lived for hundreds of years on the same land, then deciding to use Jews as human shields by bringing them from every spot of the world however there weren't a real ceasefire between Palestinians and Israelis, they threw them in the middle of the battle ground, that's why immigration out of Israel is becoming more than immigration to Israel in the last few years.

The peoples in the west must change their view of the conflict on this small part of the land. There are two sides, the first who lived for hundreds of years on this land, the second who came to this land from other states and nationalities and unilaterally declared their entity using every illegal mean to achieve that. A very balanced view built on a good study of history is necessarily needed.

Peace?!!!!!!

Finally the bloodshed in Gaza has stopped.. (However there were in 29-1 a rocket launched from Gaza that killed no body, and an Israeli air raid causing 2 killed and 18 wounds including 11 child.)

 

So far the following numbers brief the situation;

 

1330 killed

   - 418 child

   - 108 woman

   - 88 elderly

   - 14 of medical crews

   - 230 cop man

5450 wounded

   - 50 % are children & women

   - 90 % of the wounds were affected by White Phosphorus

   - many of the wounds have "a never-seen before injuries" as described by doctors

   - many of the wounds will suffer from permanent physical disability

20,000 civil homes were targeted (4000 are totally destroyed)

27 mosques were targeted (All totally destroyed)

4 of UN buildings were striked (including 2 schools causing the killing of 40 civilians)

35,000 Palestinians are currently homless because of the destruction of their homes

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

When 40% of the killings, 50% of the wounds are children & women and the majority of the rest are not martyrs. When there are many civil homes and mosques that were striked. When there are UN schools and warehouses were striked. Can we keep calling it as 'WAR'?!!

 

Read the following words of witnesses and survivors from the raids and Israeli occupation forces assault, then we can judge.

                     

In Hay Al-Zaytoon South-East of Gaza city, forces of Israeli occupation gathered tens of the Al-Sammony families in one house. Then they striked it continuously for 10 minutes!!  Nayeb Al-Sammony narrates that the house turned into a blood lake, some of them died at once, some kept bleeding for hours and were dead at last. He said that Isreali forces prevented ambulances from reaching to them. He says that he lost his wife Hanan, his daughter Hoda and his 60 years old mother Rezka!!    Haytham Dababesh a doctor in Shifa hospital says; "What happened in Hay Al-Zaytoon was a collective execution by a cold people!!" He adds that the reception section in the hospital was incapable of treating with all the 70 citizens who reached all in the same time.

 

Dalal, a 13 years old girl who lost all her family members, the father, the mother, her sister and her two brothers who were all younger than 7 years. She survived because she were in her grandmother's home when her family's home was striked. The only thing that was left for her were photos and clothes of her family, and .. her cat. She said on the TV when she was crying; "What did I do to the Jews to kill my family?"
  

The mosques in Gaza weren't just targeted by F16 and helicopters, in addition the Israeli soldiers committed insulting things like; peeing, writing offending words on the walls, tearing Moshaf (Books containing Qur'an) and walking above them. All that before demolishing them by bulldozers.

In Gabalia where Nazar Rayyan a Hamas leader lives with his family, the home was striked by Israeli air fighters causing his killing and the killing of 15 of his sons. They all were extracted from under the destroyed home as dead bodies.

The survivors from the first day raids against police stations say that the main reason for the high number of civil victims is that the Israeli air fighters striked the same place twice; once in the first against the station, when citizens gathered at the striked place the air fighters striked again!!

  

The doctors who were in Gaza hospitals describe that they never saw or imagined wounds like what they saw in Gaza before. They say that Israel is testing new unknown weapons against Palestinians. They say that there is a weapon that force doctors to cut the leg or the arm of the wounded. Another weapon causes severe burnings. They say that they can see an enterance of a splinter, but they didn't find neither anything inside the body nor an exit hole. They describe that the internal parts of the body (lungs, liver, intestine, etc) are like "dough" that you can't realize anything from the other.

They describe the effect of the Whit Phosphorus that when the wounded arrive to the hospital he is "corroding", it keep penetrating the skin, the flesh to the bones, it turns all that into "coal". This don't stop until the burns are isolated from the oxygen. The most important features of Whit Phosphorus is that it keep burning as long as oxygen is available, breathing it for a long time may cause cuts in the mouth and breaking of mouth bones. The effect of the WP as described by Mr. Peter, the Head of Weapons Unit, Legal section in the ICRC; "This weapon is capable of causing horrible and painful injuries, or a slow and painful death".

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It's the time now to study history to realize if Israeli entity really want to achieve peace with Palestinians and to share them the same land peacefully, or instead it want to dominate them. There are some facts that may settle this question; the first thing is how Israel has been established on a land where there were a people already living, the second is how Israel always kept violating International resolutions; started by the partition plan 1947 and ended by the 1860 CS resolution 2009, the third thing is the big difference in the numbers of victims between Israelis and Palestinians, the fourth thing is the continuous Israeli expanding and the continuous building of new settlements on the lands of Palestinians.

We must ask ourselves now if it's only the right of Israelis to "defend themselves" or it's the right of Palestinians to fight back when there is excessive power used against them killing and wounding thousands of children and women, whatever the justification for killing those innocents. We must ask ourselves if a terrorist is a nationality & religion, or instead acts & crimes. We must ask if Palestinians and Israelis have equal rights of life and land immunity, or it's only the right of Israelis.

What Israelis believe in!!

These are the images of what Israeli soldiers wrote on the walls of a home in Gaza..

hmmmm.. Do Israeli people really want peace?!!! 

Peace in the future?

CHILDREN OF GAZA UNDER ATTACK

To supporters of Israel,

Please don't bother yourself trying to find some thing to justify the bloodshed in Palestine - Gaza. Israel is just defending itself. They are achieving success against the source of terrorism. They are working for peace.

216 children>> No, they will grow up to be 'TERRORISTS'

89 women>> Not at all, they are wives, sisters or mothers of sisters. They will bear children who will grow up to be 'TERRORISTS'
Few medical crew members>> They are giving help to the 'TERRORISTS'

Tens of destroyed homes>> They are where 'TERRORISTS' live.

Congratulations for you ... 'TERRORISTS ARE GONE, PEACE IS COMING'

***************************************************

To All Free Men and Women of This World,

Another failure for International organizations, another evidence of how policy can affect humanity. Council of Security is incapable of stopping the killing of

 hundreds of civilians, obvious violation of international resolutions and conventions and KILLING OF PEACE. The killer is equaled to the killed and the occupier is equaled to the resistant.

216 children are killed, 89 women are killed, more than 1500 of children are injured and more. All that is not enough yet for International organizations to move, to condemn the killer, the killer keeps equal to the killed.

We must ask now; WHAT IS TERRORISM?
Is it killing children? Is it using banned weapons? Is it bombing homes of civilians? Is it using weapons causing cutting of arms and legs of civilians? Is it cutting life principles from thousands of civilians? Is it, is it, is it?!!!!!!!!!!
No body is brave enough to answer. But I'm brave, YES. That's exactly terrorism. If individuals practice that, then that's it's individual terrorism, if groups practice that then it's group terrorism and if states practice that THEN IT'S STATE'S TERRORISM.

Terrorism is not resisting to live, but terrorism is killing life. Terrorism is not protecting children, but terrorism is killing them. Terrorism is not fighting to protect your land, terrorism instead is occupying lands. Terrorism is not trying to share life with others, instead terrorism is trying to live alone.

In 14 days there are;
-776 Muslim Palestinian are killed (half are civilians, 216 child, 89 woman)
-3150 Palestinian are injured (half are children, severe injuries; cutting of arms or legs, breaking skulls, etc)
-12 ambulances were targeted by Israeli air fighters missiles
-6 of medical crew members were killed -2 schools were targeted -14 mosques were targeted by Israeli air fighters missiles
-People's Assembly in Gaza was targeted
-The Islamic University was targeted
-Medical crews are incapable of providing help to the injured because of being targeted by Israeli air fighters -Israel strike today after the prayer of Friday (All Muslims pray today in the mosques, which means more civil victims)
-Olmert declared that they won't apply the 1860 UN resolution which invites to a ceasefire

All that, and Israel is claiming that they are; "Defending themselves", "Not targeting civilians"!!!!!

I wonder; if they do target civilians, would the number of children that have been killed would be different?!!!

Balance of response?

'Merry Christmas to Gaza'

230 KILLED, 700 INJURED <=> ONE DAY!!!

No, it's not war. It's genocide.

Let them live

Now it's not about the right to domain or to own that piece of the land or to go back to where they lived for years and years. It became about the right to live. 

People in Gaza are dying under the terroristic siege of Israel. No food, no electricity, no medical aids, no clean water, no going out, no going in. It's not because of the rockets of Hamas, the truth is clear now. Hamas stopped their rockets, but Israel continued its terroristic siege against the people of Gaza. Yes believe me, it's not a siege over Hamas, it's not a siege against the Palestinian resistants; it's instead a siege against the children of Gaza, against the babies of Gaza, against the old women and old men of Gaza, against the students of Gaza.

The situation in Gaza is going worser and worser because of the siege which has been forced by Israeli government a year ago. They are closing all the entrances to the Gaza stripe, they prevent every medical aid, and they prevent food supplies and gas trucks to pass. This caused electricity stations inside the stripe to stop, so electricity is cut, and water stations can't work, so the water is no longer clean. They also prevent medical aids, so patients in Gaza hospitals are facing death. In addition; premature babies will die soon because their artificial womb can't work without electrical power. Bakeries in Gaza started using the wheat of animals because human wheat is over.

We hate you Israel. We hate your ugly face which don't see the hungry children and and the dying babies. We hate you not because you're Israel, but because you caused the pains to 1.5 Million human being who did no thing to you. We hate you because you don't let human live.

There are few demonstrations which have been made in few countries, some government and organizations demanded Israel to end the siege, petitions have been signed by thousands of people, ships from Europe went to Gaza. Regardless of all of these things; there are official international silence and freeze towards Israeli terroristic policy. In a different situation when an Israeli soldier has been taken away aids have been sent to Israel and international decisions and announcements were released, but when 1.5 Million Palestinian are forced to hunger and to face death and fear there is absolute silence!!!!

What happened to the world? To that far policy affects and controls the human feelings that every one has in the depth of his heart? Shame that policy and shame everything that make us see the oppression being practiced against weak and innocent human, and our reaction is just to ignore or watch .. or help the oppressor.

When the siege remains. Then there is a necessary question that must be asked specifically at this time; If peaceful way don't work to save the lives of 1.5 Million innocent souls, so what about force and fighting to achieve that?

I keep the answer to myself, but I ask you to answer regardless of who is under the siege and who is forcing the siege. Try to express yourself neutrally only this time.