All Comments (42)

It is sad that some Muslims find it necessary to criticise the Aga Khan. Whilst I am not a follower of the Aga Khan, I admire him for all that he has done for his fellow Muslims. People do not go about judging other people simply because they don't follow your brand of Islam.
Let God be the judge, when you judge, please judge him by his actions on earth. If you are not aware of all the AgaKhan hospitals and educational institutions I suggest you do some research before criticizing a fellow Muslim brother. I consider the Agakhan to be a fellow Muslim brother who has done a lot for the Ummah.

I really have concern here about Agakhani community all over the world and not sure if Agakhan is aware of that or not. Worst part of this community is, as other communities the way they treat single women and specially DIVORCED WOMEN and they get OUTCAST from entire community of the world. Not even that if they try to visit Jamatkhana, they are not welcome there and people look at her hatefully and these community leaders slanders her name all over USA including back home, unless she is coming from a RICH FAMILY BACKGROUND OR SHE HAVE FAMILY IN USA. Why? How many people are aware of this truth? Grass looks green from other side but where women are not cherished or respected in the community, when women are the piller of the community that community can't prosper for a long time even it looks green from far away.
Charity begins from home. Before Agakhan Imam help whole world he should make sure women those are single or DIVORCED are getting help in this community or not. Any religion or comunity likes publicity, saying they are the best, but how they can be the best when world don't know internal afair of this community or how they operates. And when woman who been shunned in the community can't open her mouth to complain to the council members or president or Imam Agakhan and if she does she can't live her life normal and they destroy her whole life slandering her name all over the world. Then how this community can be best in the world?

I really have concern here about Agakhani community all over the world and not sure if Agakhan is aware of that or not. Worst part of this community is, as other communities the way they treat single women and specially DIVORCED WOMEN and they get OUTCAST from entire community of the world. Not even that if they try to visit Jamatkhana, they are not welcome there and people look at her hatefully and these community leaders slanders her name all over USA including back home, unless she is coming from a RICH FAMILY BACKGROUND OR SHE HAVE FAMILY IN USA. Why? How many people are aware of this truth? Grass looks green from other side but where women are not cherished or respected in the community, when women are the piller of the community that community can't prosper for a long time even it looks green from far away.
Charity begins from home. Before Agakhan Imam help whole world he should make sure women those are single or DIVORCED are getting help in this community or not. Any religion or comunity likes publicity, saying they are the best, but how they can be the best when world don't know internal afair of this community or how they operates. And when woman who been shunned in the community can't open her mouth to complain to the council members or president or Imam Agakhan and if she does she can't live her life normal and they destroy her whole life slandering her name all over the world. Then how this community can be best in the world?

Al-Hamdu ! It is a Covenant of God that HE will protect HIS Light and so everything is confined into a Manifest Imam.It is in the Quran !

God had appointed Abraham as an Imam of entire mankind and his progeny except the wrong-doers and the unjust ones who have dispapeared since them into oblivion.

Allah says:

"They intend that they put out the Light of Allah with their mouths but Allah disdains (aught) save that HE keeps perfect HIS Light, however much the disbelievers are averse.." (HQ)

Imaam Jafar as-Sadiq said:

"The Earth is NEVER devoid of the Imam: whenever the believers advance too far, he turns them back, and whenever they fall short, he completes them." (Al-Kulayni Al-Kafi 1:178)

Imam as-Sadiq also has said: "I swear by Allah, that the Earth is NEVER devoid of the Hujjah.

He teaches the permissible and the impermissible, and calls the people to the
Path of God." (Al-Kulayni Al-Kafi 1:178)

SuhailHajj: Ignorance is the worst kind of terrorism. You talk like a Jahaliya!

The way you write and behave in a public forum reflects poorly on your faith, which you call Islam. You talk and act like a man who just got up from a bad dream. Or someone shaking in fear because his security blanket has just been snatched from him!

Melvin, I know you very well because for the past 30 years you have been sounding like a broken record, in the same tone, from forum to forum. No matter how hard you try to hide your identity, your language gives you away!

The rest of you, who call yourselves true Muslims, what have you done for Afghanistan besides destroying it? Has Aga Khan not helped Afghanistan? In fact, he continues to help, while your people sit on Thrones!

Who is killing Shias and Sunnis in Iraq? Who is demonizing people in Somalia? Who is responsible for 9/11, 7/11 and bombing in Spain?

Since when is it Islamic to take lives of innocent people? Allah S.W.T. says in the Qur'an, a life destroyed is a mankind destroyed and a life saved is a mankind saved!

Don't blame the Americans and the Jews! First look at the fire under your own feet!

What did you do for your people in Uganda when they were thrown out? Did not Aga Khan help everybody, irrespective of their faith? And your so called protectors of Islam helped Idi Amin, whose hands were drenched with blood!

What have your Protectors of Islam done besides, strapping bombs to young Muslim children in exchange for 72 houris in paradise? Your Protectors of Islam sold Palestine to the British for 20 thousand pounds!

These protectors of Islam, who sit on billions of dollars of oil fields, what have they done for the Ummah besides destruction! They can buy a diamond studded car for their children's birthdays, but they cannot welcome Palestinian refugees in their Kingdom!

For the past 62 years Palestinian refugees have been languishing in camps surrounded by Muslim kingdoms! Why? There is no other race on this Planet who has been displaced and is living in Camps! All Muslims should be ashamed of this.

Instead of shouting obscenities at people who are improving life of fellow human beings, why don't you use your time and help your fellow human beings?

Even the Jews took care of their own when they fled from Russia, Iran and Ethiopia!

In response to your question, "why Aga Khan is not helping Palestinians,", let me ask you, how do you know aga Khan has not tried to help them? I ask you all, who consider us one tenth of the whole Muslim Ummah, What have you done for the Palestinians? Isn't it a duty of a Muslim to help his fellow Muslims? Where are the Ansars of Islam! And you claim to follow the Sunnah of Prophet S.A.W. Then why are the Ismailis, the only Muslims, who not only take care of their own displaced people but of also of other Muslim brothers, including yours!

Didn't Ismaili Muslims take care of their flock from Afghanistan with the help of Aga Khan? What did you do brother Suhail Hajj for your people from Kosovo? When your people were not helping them, didn't the Canadian government ask the Ismaili Muslims to help the Kosovan Muslims? And didn't the Ismailis help them!

And you, SuhailHajj, brother, are condeming Aga Khan to Hell? Well, if Aga Khan goes to Hell, I would like to go to that Hell, because no way would I like to go to paradise with the likes of you!

Why did the Aga Khan have to restore the Sunni Masjid in Mopti and Madressas and Masjids in other parts of the world? Where were you guys?

And for brother Jand, the response to your question if Aga Khan has any Jewish blood in him...
No, but his ancestor, The Prophet S.A.W. had a Jewish wife named Sofia and she was his tenth wife. He also had a Christian wife, Mary the Copt. She was his last wife!

Majority of you here, sound like you cannot see the work the Aga Khan is doing in the world, because deep inside, you wish your leaders would do this work! Yes, one of your fellows here has pleaded to the Ummah to do just that, but, the Ummah has turned a deaf ear! So go and shout your obscenities at the people who have made sure you do not attain education, and languish in Madressas while they enjoy their lives!

It is never too late, brother, if your leaders are not doing anything, start your own troop and go volunteer and be an Ambassador of Islam. Show the good side of Islam! Cursing in poor English shows the low life you are! And makes you look like a pagan rather than a Muslim.

A good Muslim is ethical, kind and gets along with everyone. Following 5 pillars of Islam and reciting salat with a filthy mouth and dirty heart, is not Islamic.

Maa Salaama! Mohgul

What - did your Hajj go to your head Suhail that now you are judge of the world.

Take your wahhabi ways and hit the road brother.

It's time for people of the world to learn how to
use diplomacy for the good of all. That is the only path to peace.

Your hatred defines you.

I prefer the manner of the Aga Khan as do most civilized people. I am not an Ismaili but I like the good example he sets for all Muslims

And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

“I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations”

And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.
And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.

“yet indeed she is my sister”
“she is the daughter of my father”
“but not the daughter of my mother”
“and she became my wife”

And Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse,
And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,
Nethaneel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,
Ozem the sixth, David the seventh:
Whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab, and Asahel, three.

“David the seventh”
“Whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail”

Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

“the name of his wife Abigail”
“she was a woman of good understanding”
“of a beautiful countenance”

And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:”

And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the Lord, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife.
And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.
And Abigail hasted, and arose and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.

“David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.”
“she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.”

“yet indeed she is my sister”
“she is the daughter of my father”
“but not the daughter of my mother”
“and she became my wife”

“David the seventh”
“Whose sisters were Zeruiah, and Abigail”
“David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.”
“she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.”

And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.
And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.
And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,
The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head.
And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.
Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.

The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads;
and let my name be named on them,
his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head
his left hand upon Manasseh's head
and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

I know it, my son, I know it
I know it- his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head
my son
I know it- his left hand upon Manasseh's head
Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren
“it may be that I may obtain children by her”
“I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations”

Quoting "Sacred Seeds: Children of Abraham Reading Sacred Texts Together"

Sacred Seeds: Children of Abraham, Abram

The parents of Ishmael are Sarai(thru Hagar) and Abram “it may be that I may obtain children by her”

Look
“the Lord judge between me and thee.”
“when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes”
“thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee.”
“when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face”
“the Lord hath heard thy affliction”
“the Lord judge between me and thee.”

The parents of Isaac are Abraham and Sarah.

“shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac”

“this bondwoman and her son”
“I have given my maid into thy bosom”
“shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac”
“in Isaac shall thy seed be called”
“the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed”

“the Lord judge between me and thee.”

“in Isaac shall thy seed be called”
“the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed”

BE A JUDGE, what does your heart perceive, your eyes see, your ears hear
“Cast out this bondwoman and her son”
“I have given my maid into thy bosom”

IS Abram, Hagar, Ishmael being cast out.
“took Hagar her maid the Egyptian”
“her husband Abram to be his wife”

Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.

“For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground”
“thou shalt not be established”
“ nor thy kingdom”

And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

LOOK
“and in their death they were not divided”
“I have given my maid into thy bosom”
“the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed”
“in Isaac shall thy seed be called”

LOOOOOOOOOOOOK
“I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan”

“For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground”
“thou shalt not be established”
“ nor thy kingdom”

Abram, Aaron, ?Moses?, Ishmael

And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee.
But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.

“it may be that I may obtain children by her”
“I have given my maid into thy bosom”
“thy maid is in thy hand”

And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.

“the Lord hath heard thy affliction”

And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.
And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

“when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram”
look
“it may be that I may obtain children by her”

And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.
And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.

“And Abraham took Ishmael his son”
“And Ishmael his son”
“Ishmael his son”

Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.
And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.

“this bondwoman and her son”
“I have given my maid into thy bosom”
“shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac”
“in Isaac shall thy seed be called”
“the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed”

“when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram”
“And Abraham took Ishmael his son”
“he is thy seed”

“shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac”
“in Isaac shall thy seed be called”

Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.

“hold him in thine hand”
“it may be that I may obtain children by her”

And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

“God did tempt Abraham”
“Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac”

And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

“not withheld thy son, thine only son”

“I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven”
“as the sand which is upon the sea shore”
“thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies”

By Pluralism i mean followers whom His Holiness addressed ,and same way the population control is working as perfect as the generation of regime control.May Allah Bless The Aga Khans and make them more effective in the coming future.

The Aga Khan addresses his spiritual followers here, and as far as His Holiness's peerage is concerned almost a scholar can tell the Koran is a Book for those who will believe and those will understand.
The Dalai Lama has a large spiritual interest in a great Den south of Akash the home of a Race living a degree above The hindu Brahmin ,even forbidden to visit Akash a town strongly communicated to myself by China since Chairman Deng to re-occupy. But will tjhe West and Eastern Cultures unite or say The Southern Hemispheres Culture-ists and Northern Hemispheres Politicalism . Perfection is at hand. The Dalai Lama is not in good hands with The West . and His Holiness is now going to enjoy his lifetime passion of Muslim culture www.geocities.com/greatglobalist/investieren.JPG
His Holiness Prince Karim is a close family member amongst the Twelve Great Imam Leader Kings and The Alhusieni AlAli makes him a King amongst The Saracen count officially..

Eboo- Good things are happening in your old Rogers Park neighborhood. This past Tuesday evening, I attended the Sacred Seeds event described below--there were over 100 people in attendence. Although a lot of the religious discussion was over my head, it felt like such an important and exciting event for our neighborhood. The next event is May 20th and the organizers are hoping to keep it going through out the year. Thanks for all of your good work and your insightful words. Dara

Sacred Seeds: Children of Abraham Reading Sacred Texts Together>>

A Jewish, Christian and Muslim Encounter>>

Conflict, distrust and misunderstanding between Jews, Muslims, and> Christians is the weary reality of our world. How often do we hear the> news and wonder “when will it all end?” Believing that all real change> begins in local communities, where people can meet one another face to> face, some faith communities in the Edgewater neighborhood are beginning> a series of interfaith conversations in April and May. North Shore is> one of the sponsoring congregations. Focusing on stories from Genesis,> each session will include a presentation on the story from the> perspective of one tradition, responses representing other traditions,> and a moderated open dialogue.>>

Participants:>>> Rev. Carol McVetty, North Shore Baptist Church>>> Rev. Paul Koch, Ebenezer Lutheran Church>>> Rabbi Michael Zedek, Emanuel Congregation>>> Father Dominic Grassi, St. Gertrude Catholic Church>>> Jamaluddin Husain, Ismaili Center>>

Tuesday, April 22, The Creation>> Tuesday,

May 20, Cain and Abel>> 7:45- 9:00 pm at St. Gertrude Catholic Church , 1420 West Granville Ave>> All are welcome to begin a conversation among neighbors.>>>>

>>The comments seem disjointed, incohesive, and in many cases simply off topic to me.<<

That is pretty much the case with all of Eboo's posts. The guy has huge following, negative or positive, doesn't matter.

Ebbo Patel provides an excellent insight into some of the constructive activities that a Muslim, the Aga Khan, is engaging in as part of his mandate as a Shia Imam. It is interesting to me that so many of the views link the Aga Khan to the political climate of Middle Eastern Islamic states such as Saudi Arabia, Palestine etc.

The fact of the matter is that plurality within the Muslim Ummah (community) extends to some of the more vibrant societies of our world within South Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. What about the Islamic perspective within these diverse societies. Why are we hung up on defining the Islamic identity from the Middle Easter condition which is home to less than 10% of the worlds 1.5 billion Muslims.

The Aga Khan is a voice of a reasoning and moderate majority of Muslims that are working toward strong civil society within the places they live, work, and pay taxes.

Moreover, while the article focuses on the secular work of the Ismailis as an extention of their Islamic values, much of the comments are personal attacks on the community's and their Imam's religious creditibily and origins which don;t seem to be offering any constructive and meaningful exchange within this forum.

The comments seem disjointed, incohesive, and in many cases simply off topic to me.

>>If Saudi Arabia is not islam,what it is ?>that means *homeland of islam* is under occupation<<

Saudi Arabia: Homeland of Islam?, like Rome, homeland of Christianity? What about Ireland then? Russia? Ah, India, the homeland of Hindus? What about Pakistan, homeland of Islam, again? Which Islam then?, didn't Saudi Arabia got Islam already.

Use your God given or evolutionary given brain!

With or without Aga Khan, Islam is still the same flawed religion wreaking of the same stench of terror and warmongering.

Some specific flaws and errors of Islam:

1. Belief in "pretty/ugly wingie thingies".

2. Belief that an hallucinating, illiterate Arab did actually talk to the "pretty Gabriel" in the hot "Gabe" cave and therein received the warmongering and anti-female words and resultant laws now listed in the koran.

3. That Sunnis are superior to Shiites in all aspects of life. And Shiites think the same way about Sunnis.

4. That Islam is perfect and the koran inherently condones no sin even though the 24/7, 800 year-old blood feud between Sunnis and Shiites gives significant credence that greed, hate, suicides, assassinations, maiming, and murder are condoned by the koran. Male Islamics to include imams and clerics having multiple wives also gives significant credence to the sins of rape, adultery, lust and polygamy. The condoned treatment of these wives gives credence that the koran allows the sins of hatred, anger and greed.

*Saudi Arabia is not islam*
If Saudi Arabia is not islam,what it is ?

*Islam is not Saudi Arabia*
If it is correct,that means *homeland of islam* is under occupation and should be immediately liberated.

And if Saudi Arabia is not islam,where is islam on the earth ?

Pluralism is Human Rights,not *submission.
Pluralism is the Contemporary Values,not desert rules which based on the stone age mentality.
Pluralism means not to be half human.
Pluralism means to divorce.

Pluralism is the blowing about your hairs.

>>If Islam believes in pluralsim then Saudi Arabia would be a tolerant<<

Saudi Arabia is not Islam, Islam is not Saudi Arabia. Get your facts straight.

If Islam believes in pluralsim then Saudi Arabia would be a tolerant, secular state. Non-Muslims can not even bring in their holy books.

This article is full of lies, making us believe that Islam is a peaceful, tolerant religion. Reading of any major newspaper headlines, with all the beheadings, threats, violence etc. does not say so.

Four Christian Teachers Murdered - VOM Sources

The USA should want NOTHING to do with Islam. Pluralism and Islam are antithetical.

On April 13, four Christian teachers, two of them converts from Islam, were murdered by Islamic militants in Beledweyne in south-central Somalia. The four teachers, two British citizens of Somali origin-Mr. Daud Hassan Ali (64) and Ms. Rehana Ahmed (32)-and two unidentified Kenyans, were shot and killed by Islamist insurgents during a midnight raid on the Hakab Private English School. The Islamic extremist group responsible for the violence, alleged that they fired indiscriminately and that the teachers were killed in crossfire. Local people, however, believe the teachers were singled out for their suspected evangelistic work. The wife of Daud Hassan Ali alleged that her husband was targeted because he was a Muslim-born convert to Christianity.

Although you have called your article Pro-West Islam, I think Pro-democracy would be more accurate.

Most Americans valuing freedom of speech don't object if Muslims criticize various political people or voice their desire for change within the democratic system. Muslims don't have to be Pro-West to be accepted by the majority here, just Pro-World. No one is asking you to give up your heritage or habits from the East.

But for Muslims to be genuinely accepted the Brotherhood would have to cease the propaganda that the west is corrupt and needs a caliphate to straighten it out. Have they looked at their own corruption being people who live a way of deceit.

But the Brotherhood would simply go underground and maintain their objective. That is why the Brotherhood should be outlawed in US as it is in Egypt. They are a subversive and destructive organization.

Mr. Patel, we would respect you more if you did not lend them credibility with your support of them.

If Muslims accepted such an honorable man as the Aga Khan as their leader, the world would see all that is good within Islam.

But the Muslims in the US are currently led by people that records show have the agenda to undermine our government. These despicable beings have chosen a life of lies and deceit.

Many mistake the criticism of Muslims in the US as Islamophobia, while it is a natural objective to a group, any group, who have come here with destructive intent.

Yes, of course, we wish to get rid of such vermin,
but if Muslims behaved honorably like the Ismailis do and valued being truthful and sincere with others, Muslims would be considered a welcome contribution to America;s great melting pot.

We can teach you about Isiam
The Shia or "party" of Ali, already in existence during the lifetime of the Prophet, maintained that while the revelation ceased at the Prophet's death, the need for spiritual and moral guidance of the community, through an ongoing interpretation of the Islamic message, continued. They firmly believed that the legacy of Prophet Muhammad could only be entrusted to a member of his own family, in whom the Prophet had invested his authority through designation. That person was Ali, Prophet Muhammad's cousin, the husband of his daughter and only surviving child, Fatima, and his first supporter who had devoutly championed the cause of Islam and had earned the Prophet's trust and admiration. Their espousal of the right of Ali and that of his descendants, through Fatima, to the leadership of the community was rooted, above all, in their understanding of the Quran and its concept of qualified and rightly guided leadership, as reinforced by Prophetic traditions. The most prominent among the latter were part of the Prophet's sermon at a place called Ghadir Khumm, following his farewell pilgrimage, designating Ali as his successor, and his testament that he was leaving behind him "the two weighty things", namely the Quran and his progeny, for the future guidance of his community.

Among the early Shia were the pious Quran readers, several close Companions of the Prophet, tribal chiefs of distinction and other pious Muslims who had rendered great services to Islam. Their foremost teacher and guide was Ali himself who, in his sermons and letters, and in his admonition to the leaders of the tribe of Quraysh, reminded Muslims of his family's right, in heredity, to the leadership for all time "as long as there is among us one who adheres to the religion of truth".

Interesting post...the works of aga khan foundation is truly outstanding. I have yet to see the government or any other non-profit org. do as much as the aga khan development network has achieved for the global population- muslims and non-muslims alike. I have heard lots of talks, opinions and views, but nothing stands as solid as the actions-the actions of the aga khan and his development agencies. Many leaders can get up there and talk the talk, but very few act. I definitely support the actions of the aga khan and the actions of his followers as it represents the true meaning of Islam. Islam’s image today is blurred with political interpretations. It is hard to separate religion from politics because of its image today. Much of the clash in the world is because of politically minded individuals and the ignorance and the lack of tolerance of each other’s beliefs. Islam is not a closed religion and neither is the Quran closed to interpretations- there are two parts to a Quran: one that is literal and the other that is open to interpretations-the aga khan's interpretations of the Quran is by far the most beneficial to the global population. An aspect to ALL religions is about caring for the mankind and Aga Khan and his Ismaili Muslim followers not only believe in their religion, they practice Islam in their daily lives and through the actions of the aga khan development network….. and if something helps the world and so many people whose lives it has touched, then how can it be so wrong?

Mr. Eboo Patel

You are an enigma.

Now you tell us you are one of the peaceloving Ismailis who genuinely believe in pluralism. if this is so, then I apologize for considing you a taqiya-using puppet of the Muslim Brotherhood.

But why then, did you previously state your admiration for the Brotherhood's current reigning puppet-president, a woman, so they don't appear to be the bullying misogynists that we all know they are. These Wahhabi promoting bullies spread peace-loving propaganda on the surface while promoting the overthrow of America and the destruction of its constitution privately amongst their inner circle.

Ismaili's, I thought, are for democracy in sincerity - not intending to destroy it from inside like the Brotherhood groups.

How can you Mr. Patel both support the admirable Aga khan and the Brotherhood thugs seeking to destroy democracy from within the system?

I don't understand.

The Aga Khan is pro-Western partly because he is Western. His mother was British and his paternal grandmother was Italian.

There are many admirable aspects to his community. But there are some disturbing aspects as well.

Most importantly, the community is an anomaly and declining in numbers, which is partly induced by its liberalism.

In the next few decades, I think the community will effectively become the Muslim version of Unitarian Univeralists. Good for a few, but kinda strange for most.

"The Pope and the Dalai Lama got all the headlines last week, but they weren’t the only international religious leaders visiting the United States."

I don't really know if the figures are correct but supposidly there are 1.5 Billion Muslims in the world. Patel says that his little group represent 15 million people. So maybe Patel's little radical fringe group represents .1 % of the Muslims in the world. That is... one tenth of one percent of the world's Muslims are these so called Ismaili Muslims. Yet week after week Patel is presented here like he represents all Muslims. The reason is simple: the real arrogant Muslims don't come on this web site because we challenge them and, in their minds, we insult them. Mr. Patel is more like you and me than a Muslim and to his credit he can live with free speech, even when it seem to be insulting to his God and his religion. The other Muslims really can not deal with free speech so the WOPO has brought us Mr. Patel. He is a nice guy but does not represent true Islam.

It is bunk that Mr. Patel's opinions represent Muslims. Ismaili Muslims think that they can make up the rules. They don't really have to follow the Quran because the Aga Khan can do things like abrogate the need for daily prayers. So the Ismaili Muslims are not only one tenth of one percent of those who claim to be Muslims they are really not even Muslims because they don't have to obey the Five Pillars of Islam. They are essentially a religion unto themselves.

I thank Mr. Patel for this posting because I finally know where he is coming from and why his ideas about what Islam is all about always seemed so wacky to me. The ideas of Ismaili Muslims don't seem all that bad and it is just too bad that they are only one tenth of one percent of those who claim to be Muslims. The other 99.99 percent of Muslims are out to dominate and a significant number of them are into terror so don't let Mr. Patel's vision what Islam should be confuse anybody. The only thing his religion has in common with the main stream of Islam is that it is deceptive.

Mullah Victoria is at it again. Quoting the Quran to show that Allah does not know simple biology. Mankind was not created from a single pair, or a single man and woman. Just that statement should be enough to know that the quran is a sham.

Eboo, you are praising the head of a family business? Aga Khan is not vice regent of Allah on this earth. The ismailis are a disappearing lot, as their minuscule numbers shrink because it is hard to keep selling that a corrupt and lascivious hedonist should be worshiped. People really should read the shenanigans of the Aga Khan and his father and grandfather.

Re:Victoria

"All mankind is created from one man and one woman, therefore, no one has superiority over another and noblest is he who is the most righteous"

Please try making Zionists understand this who think they are GOD beloved people and it is their GOD given right to occupy Palestinian lands.

Re:Victoria

"All mankind is created from one man and one woman, therefore, no one has superiority over another and noblest is he who is the most righteous"

Please try making Zionists understand this who think they are GOD beloved people and it is their GOD given right to occupy Palestinian lands.

what do the words of the grandfather have to do with the actions of the man who is the aga khan now?

what are you talking about observer?

this man has helped and is helping countless people- of all faiths-
hence the gist of the article-
pluralism and education-

not what his grandfather said with words 60 years ago- but what the man is doing with action today!

Baraka comes with a list of reasons why it is not the Agha Khan’s business to support the Palestinians. Then he suggests that the Palestinians formally request the Agha’s help, as if he needs a reminder. Then he summarizes by saying “In addition, his speeches help dispel the widespread misperceptions concerning Islam and Muslims”
The Agha Khan should not have made that macabre claim since it is obvious that he had neither the intention nor the ability to carry it through. All what such a boast did was polarize the enemies of the Palestinians still further, and made it appear as a religious war instead of a political conflict. This is a copout that reinforces rather than dispels “misperceptions concerning Islam and Muslims“ Fortunately not too many people around the world believe the Ismaelis and their Imams are a true representative of Islam.

DO NOT ye be FOOLED by them STANIC-VERSES Lovers Of Arabic Zionism international Army!

REQUEST: Please Have the self imposed "AGA KHAN" (King} Tell WAHABi SAUDI ARABia that 'iSRAEL' is "OUR-PEOPLE!"

Hence, if ye want to PROVE & Live by KORAN:SURA:49:13. THEN

please have the (un) holy AGA-CON renounced SURA:2:161 & 2:98 et seq, "..Curse Of "ALLAH" (OUR G-d? or Eboo Patels G-d?) via NON-BELiEVER's.... & "...ALLAH Hates..."????

QUESTION: Mr. Patel et al, is an ENGLISH translation of that (un) holy or (un) Glorious Quran/Koran Considered 'OFFiCIAL when translated outside of Arabic, G-ds Official Tongue????????

What does The CALIF and or SULTAn & or WAHABI's say or House of iMMAM's have to sayeth????????

According To MUHAMMAD (pbuh et al) that ANY 'Translation' (out side of Arabic) is a Blasphamy & is an Abomination to ALLAH & the Angel (who spoke Arabic only) !

So the Koran/Quran is Untranslatible! And thus can never be Translated according to MUHAMMAD (pbuh), Wahabi Saudi Arabia, Al Quada, Mahdi Army, Taliban, Muhajeen et al!

So your 'imposter" AGA KING (Khan) is an Anti Plurilist (kafir) who is trying to Situationally via "Word Merchantising" his way out of the Islamic-Stale Mate!

Remember "AL TAQIYAH"? (The Islamic ZiONISM Conspiracy to take over the World, even through Lies & acts , sharades etcc.. until it is Jihad signal time)!

Remember "it-ji-had", The 10th Century's Scholars whom Jealousy & Foolishly "CLOSED The QURAN/KORAN" forever it's HADiTH's etc..?????

Please answer Today & "i" will go away forever!

Thank-o-Shame. aka SHOOKRiA, aka SHOOKRON!

REQUEST: Please Have the so imposed "AGA KHAN" (King} Tell WAHABi SAUDI ARABia that 'iSRAEL' is "OUR-PEOPLE!"

Hence, if ye want to PROVE & Live by KORAN:SURA:49:13. And please have the (un) holy AGA renounced SURA:2:161 & 2:98 et seq, "..Curse Of "ALLAH" (OUR G-d? or Eboo Patels G-d?) via NON-BELiEVER's.... & "...ALLAH Hates..."????

QUESTION: Mr. Patel et al, IOs an ENGLISH translation of that (un) or (un) holy Glorious Quran/Koran Considered 'OFFiCIAL when translated????????

What does The CALIF and or SULTAn & or WAHABI's say or House of iMMAM's have to sayeth????????

According To MUHAMMAD (pbuh et al) that ANY 'Translation' (out side of Arabic) is a Blasphamy & is an Abomination to ALLAH & the Angel (who spoke Arabic only) !

So the Koran/Quran is can never be Translated according to MUHAMMAD (pbuh)!

So your 'imposter" AGA KING (Khan) is an Anti Plurilist (kafir) who is trying to Situationally via "Word Merchantising" his way out of the Islamic-Stale Mate!

Remember "AL TAQIYAH"? (The Islamic ZiONISM Conspiracy to take over the World, even through Lies & acts , sharades etcc.. until it is Jihad signal time)!

Remember "it-ji-had", The 10th Century's Scholars whom Jealousy & Foolishly "CLOSED The QURAN/KORAN" forever HADiTH's etc..?????

Please answer Today & "i" will go away forever!

Thank-o-Shame. aka SHOOKRiA, aka SHOOKRON!

Where I come from; Pakistan, Aga Khan has done quite a bit. The Aga Khan foundation has successfully helped Muslims around Pakistan in Medicine, hospitals and education. Though not cheap they maintain a high standard which is respected and people are willing to pay for the service they get, after all they get what they pay for. The Aga Khan Medical School provides good quality medical education and churns out smart and well rounded Medical Graduates that help in Pakistan. Aga Khan is very fond of helping out the people in the North of Pakistan Baltistan, Kafirastan etc. perhaps he likes the people that live that far up north. Their traditional (kafir) ways were and still are very appealing to peace loving people. They are a good people and little known, they are fast being gobbled up by tablighi Sunni muslims, today few Kafirs are left. It won't be long before they are talibanized... if not already.

Pluralism is perhaps the central challenge of our times, after all how are different people of all races, colors and religions going to get along? The United States has made the most progress in this area. As much as I travel the world I am most comfortable back to this great country. I look like a Muslim talk like one AND have an islamic name but find people to be very nice and hospitable wherever I go in the US of A. However, as Eboo states in his article that Pluralism is highly prized in Islam, I have to disagree. Islam is the most dividing religion on this planet. Again, I can give numerous examples of how polar Islam is but you only have to read the news and you will get my point.

Quoting the koran only exacerbates the situation, one can quote the very same koran and prove that Islam is polar, aggressive, combative towards anything other than Islam. There are more verses in the Koran that prove it to be aggressive. Try educating the Muslims of Pakistan NWFP that stoning people to death is not human neither is it pluralistic The verses are well known and familiar, it will do muslims a great service not quote the koran or what Mohammed (their prophet) did in his time spent on this planet to promote peace for there is no such thing in Islam.

BTW-Science proves that we were NOT created by one man and one woman - there were definately some apes and chimps mutating out there few milions of years ago; thats why I'm so hairy!

Re: Posting by Observer

The Aga Khan above all is Imam to his Jamat (community of Murids/followers), and his attention should be addressed first of all to the hopes and aspirations of his people, many of whom live in difficult conditions. However, as his actions show - not simply talk as you state -he reaches out to millions of other Muslims as well as non-Msulims in many parts of the world through his netwrok of development agencies. Please visit akdn.org.

In addition, his speeches help dispel the widespread misperceptions concerning Islam and Muslims.

The Palestinian issue and the refugee problem is a major concern which should first all be adddressed by a show of strength and unity by Arab/Muslim states that neighbour Palestine.

Increased unity amongst the Palestinians would also be of considerable help.

Where there is continuous violence, even within the same community, it is difficult for help to be provided and progress to be achieved.

The Ismaili Imam perhaps may contribute substantially in both the peace process and improving the plight of the Palestinian people if the Palestinians themselves want to seek out his assistance.

Tnank you

Re: Agha Khan
The most notable thing I remember about Ali Khan is that he was married to my favorite movie actress; Rita Haworth. His father, the Agha Khan of the time, boasted in 1948 that he would buy all of Palestine and grant it to the Arabs. That was the last we heard from this “dynasty“. I have not heard of a single school or clinic built by this family or its followers to the more than four million Palestinian refugees.Talk is cheap.

Ali Khan have any Jewish in his blood? From Palistinian territories by any chance?

mr patel didn't put the whole quote-
it's a very well known one to most muslims- since we know what follows- such a thought wouldn't have occurred to us-

i wouldn't read too much into english grammatical structures of a translation-
as you see these translation contain 3 different preopsitions- yet all convey the same meaning-

049.013
YUSUFALI: O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

PICKTHAL: O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.

SHAKIR: O you men! surely We have created you of a male and a female, and made you tribes and families that you may know each other; surely the most honorable of you with Allah is the one among you most careful (of his duty); surely Allah is Knowing, Aware.

and this is a paraphrase for explanation- and you see, there is no superiority of one over the other-

All mankind is created from one man and one woman, therefore, no one has superiority over another and noblest is he who is the most righteous

so you see, the distinction is not made on the basis of gender, or race or any group- but those who are righteous and noble-

which could be anyone from anywhere.

Re: Agha Khan

The most notable thing I remember about Ali Khan is that he was married to my favorite movie actress, Rita Haworth. His father, the Agha Khan of the time, boasted in 1948 that he would buy all of Palestine and grant it to the Arabs. That was the last we heard from this “dynasty“. I have not heard of a single school or clinic built by this family or its followers to the over four million Palestinian refugees. Talk is cheap.

Eboo - didn't Aga Khan break onto the international stage with
CHAKA KHAN?

"“God created you from male and female"

What a difference a preposition can make. :)

The juxtaposition between that and a certain translation from Genesis, reminds me of what I say when people ask why Wicca, which at first can seem as heterosexual as a religion can get, ..."Everyone has a father and mother."

It's definitely an interesting idea, there, different tribes so people can *know* each other, too. :)