They Spoke; We Listened and Learned
Several months ago “On Faith “(jointly published by the Washington Post and Newsweek) held a symposium at Georgetown University on "What it Means to be Muslim in America." During the discussion, panelists were asked why Muslim religious leaders around the world didn’t speak out against violence.
The Imam on the panel replied that they did. The problem was that nobody listened to them, that the press didn’t report about it because it wasn’t sensational.
So we decided to devote a week on our site to give Muslim leaders a chance to speak out. We posed three questions -- on violence, religious freedom and women’s issues -- and invited more than 50 Muslim leaders throughout the world to respond. Twenty-two people from 13 countries chose to reply to the questions. Others such as the Aga Khan wrote essays on the subject. Other contributions came from Jimmy Carter, Tony Blair, Kofi Annan and Queen Rania of Jordan. We also featured essays from Muslim scholars and journalists from around the world who have studied, taught or covered Islam.
At the same time Newsweek did a cover story on Muslims in America, the Washington Post’s Outlook (opinion) Section devoted their Sunday edition to the subject, and Post-owned Slate Magazine and Post-Newsweek TV stations all participated that week in the coverage as well. Our partners in this endeavor included Georgetown University and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
It was an unprecedented and ambitious undertaking, and we learned a lot. Overall we have received thousands of comments, some positive, some negative. Many of the comments affirmed that different cultures have a long way to go before reaching common ground. But many others suggested that if you reach out, others will reach back. A couple of examples: Ali Gomaa of Egypt and Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah of Lebanon, two controversial Muslim leaders often seen as radical, spoke out strongly against suicide bombings and killing women, children and non-combatants. Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, and others rejected the idea that apostasy is a punishable offense. In some Muslim countries, it is punishable by death.
At first we were concerned that fewer than half of those invited had responded. But when we began to talk to some of our Muslim colleagues and contributors privately, it became more clear why that was so.
Some felt that the questions were too negative, that they had a “When did you stop beating your wife?” tone to them. Others who were invited, we were told, were suspicious of an American owned media company and didn’t know whether they could trust us to print what they said accurately without being edited, or they feared that their remarks would be misused, opening themselves up to hostile comments. As it turned out, they were right about that second concern. There were a number of unacceptable and abusive comments.
Others of more moderate beliefs were afraid to speak out, either for political reasons or safety reasons. And interestingly, some who were known as moderates did not want to go on the record with their more controversial points of view. One of them said he writes his defenses of Islam under a false name. Two women accepted being on the panel and then dropped out with no explanation.
Some who have spoken out often against the violence said they were tired of explaining themselves.
We were told by our Muslim colleagues that even though most of the respondents were names that the average American or European may not have heard of, many of these people are hugely important in their own countries. They are constantly in demand and called upon to participate in so many things that they simply were too busy.
Off the record, many, including very high ranking Muslim leaders, were defensive. They couldn’t understand the problem with Muslim women wearing the headscarf. As one of them put it, “Grace Kelly wore a headscarf and everyone thought she looked fabulous!”
Fadlallah addressed the subject of the veil with a bit of humor. "I would like to add, jokingly, that all men in the world, especially civil servants and high officials, are committed to the veil, since they cover all their bodies except their heads," he wrote, "where as the women also veil their breasts and their sexual organs, depending on the concept of sexual excitation that is broader in the Islamic view than the western one."
These are just some of the issues that arose during the dialogue we have conducted in the past ten days. We have also invited our regular panelists to weigh in on what they have learned and what they thought about the responses to the Muslim leaders.
The most surprising thing we learned is how many Muslim organizations already are trying to combat violence and views that Islam is a violent religion. King Abdullah and Prince Ghazi of Jordan conducted a panel on “True Islam” in 2005 on this very subject and issued a report now referred to as the “Amman Message.” It became very clear that there is power in numbers. The more who speak out, the more others will do so, too.
We are pleased with the results of our “Muslims Speak Out” venture, but we realize that it is just one small step. There is so much to be done in interfaith dialogue, not just on Islam but among all faiths and nonbelievers as well. This is just a beginning for “On Faith.” We want our audience and our contributors to know that their thoughts and their comments will always be welcome.
As it says in the Qu’ran, “God made us different nations and tribes so that we may know one another."
By Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham |
July 31, 2007; 8:05 AM ET
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I think Jon and Sally were sincere and had good intentions. The West’s guilt-based culture makes them feel that if anything bad happens, including 9/11, it’s somehow their fault. They hear Muslims complain that no one listens to ‘moderates’ who condemn terrorism, and they wanted to reach out to them.
What Westerners do not understand is that the Muslim mindset does not accept kindness from kafirs as something they should reciprocate. On the contrary! Muslims see infidels’ kindness as a ‘weakness’. If a nonMuslim does something kind to a Muslim that makes practicing Islam easier in Infidel Land, Muslims interpret it as managing to subdue the kafir into more dhimmitude. This in turn encourages them to even demand more, because they feel they are winning the battle of Islam through demographics and politics.
Posted by: Faithfreedom.org | August 2, 2007 11:34 AM
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In contrast to your conclusion on what Islamic Spokesmen ( by the way I use MEN not the idiotic PC 'person' because you see in Islam MEN rule ) said I find not condemnation of violence by apologetics for violence. Muslims are forever crying 'Victim' the same people who blow up car bombs in market places killing scores of other MUSLIMS cry victim. It is a truism that 'Not ALL Muslims are Terrorists but ALL Terrorists are Muslims' . Please dont give me the old IRA,ETA apologetics either neither of these two groups do it in the name of their God and neither group has a Holy Book which states that their destiny is to Rule the World.
Posted by: Realist | August 2, 2007 3:30 AM
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If Islam is a "religion of peace" then why is 95% of all the worlds terrorism between 1960 and 2004 Islamic? Why are Jews not allowed in Saudi Arabia where the Mosques refer to the Jews as "pigs and dogs and monkeys". Why does the President of Iran threaten to "wipe Israel off the map". Why do Palestinians teach their own children so much hatred from the moment they are born and encourage their own children to turn themselves into human grenades? Why is it that Muslims react with threats and violence to free speech?
I do not like Islam because I can see what it is: It is a personality cult that encourages hatred and violence against the rest of humanity. One only has to look at Islamic countries or look at where groups of Muslims interface with non-Muslims to see that this is true.
Believing Islam is a "religion of peace" is a pleasant fiction, one for those who do not like to believe truth, the truth that a large number of 1.2 billion Muslims support the violence encouraged in the Qur'an.
If Muslims who are good human beings knew what I know they would leave Islam and not look back. The trouble is that under Shari'a law they would be called "apostates" for leaving and then subject to death, sometimes enacted by their own families when in Western countries.
It is established by polls in Western countries that about 50% of Muslims are good human beings and for them Islam is a private religion and they have no wish to force it upon anybody. About 40% of Muslims would like to see Shari'a law established in Western countries with all the stonings and amputations and hangings etc. About 10% of Muslims either are terrorists or help terrorists in some way, logistically or financially.
The 50% of Muslims who either believe in Shari'a law or support terrorism are a clear and present danger to the rest of humanity.
Posted by: Mark, UK | August 1, 2007 7:25 PM
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Gomaa did NOT say apostasy wasn't punishable at all.
Read his retraction.
Posted by: arildno | August 1, 2007 4:23 PM
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Sally & Jon:
1 The "Muslims Speak Out" event demonstrated the world-public-discourse usefulness of "On Faith," your creative & courageous innovation in journalism....
2 ....& I'll take the occasion to praise DAVID WATERS as a good shepherd of me & doubtless of all the other panelists. He's competent, prompt, patient, & (in the best sense) humble.
Posted by: Willis E. Elliott, panelist | August 1, 2007 11:03 AM
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Sally & Jon:
1 Your creativity produced "On Faith," a landmark in religious jounalism. Now, with "Muslims Speak Out," you have couraeously demonstrated your landmark's potential for advancing public discourse
on the essentials of human community. Bravo!
2 This panelist must add a good word about David Waters for his competent, patient, prompt, self-effacing shepherding.
Posted by: Willis E. Elliott | August 1, 2007 9:52 AM
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W O W! RL T U R N E R!
Posted by: Anonymous | July 31, 2007 10:54 PM
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This is all well and good, as any conversation would/should be, but the reality has been more poignantly stated by Pope Benedict XVI than by anyone else. You and others beat around the bush, but the two largest religions in the world: Catholicism and Islam are the only true forums for religious encounter. The Islamic world is secretive and arcane. Catholicism is the father of all religious off-shoots, who have been established on half the truth, just as the columnists in this series have spoken in half-truths. When it comes down to the Quaran, the fact is: If you go against the supremacy as stated in the Quaran, you are an infidel and therefore against Islam and its tenets, and unless you come over to Islam, you are its enemy--violence or not. I defy either of you to place a controversial cartoon on this site lampooning Islamic leaders as lack-luster men who hide from the violence of their people and try to pooh-pooh it by saying that Islam does not tolerate violence--nonsense. They don’t believe in equality. They lock their mosques in this country. They demand to do as they demand. I defy you to openly write that Islamics/Muslims live and have been living in the 7th Century and have no intention of vacating that archaic realm--where paternalistic dictatorships rule. Until Islam gets out of the 7th Century, the world is its target. Neither one of you has fought in a war over there, seen the terror foisted on women and children, and witnessed the vigorous intimidation that is so easily masked behind the soft talk of Imams in white garments. We worry about the Mexicans crossing our borders, but the truth be known, no Mexicans have blown up anything in the U.S., Israel, or England. The duty should be to put a stop to the flow of all Muslism, Islamics, Iranians, and Indians and H -1B visa-entrants into the U.S. until they all bring truth to what God is and accept Jesus Christ as the saviour of the world. They are not going anywhere in martyrdom, and they know it. Tribal people are not in the habit of exhibiting democratic principles. Without their oil money and the money fed to them by American-hating comrades, like the Arabs (who did blow up the WTC on 9/11), they be just so much dust in the dry world they inhabit. Stop feeding the egos of people who have many hidden agendas that lack a defined truth.
Posted by: RL Turner | July 31, 2007 9:49 PM
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This is all well and good, as any conversation would/should be, but the reality has been more poignantly stated by Pope Benedict XVI than by anyone else. You and others beat around the bush, but the two largest religions in the world: Catholicism and Islam are the only true forums for religious encounter. The Islamic world is secretive and arcane. Catholicism is the father of all religious off-shoots, who have been established on half the truth, just as the columnists in this series have spoken in half-truths. When it comes down to the Quaran, the fact is: If you go against the supremacy as stated in the Quaran, you are an infidel and therefore against Islam and its tenets, and unless you come over to Islam, you are its enemy--violence or not. I defy either of you to place a controversial cartoon on this site lampooning Islamic leaders as lack-luster men who hide from the violence of their people and try to pooh-pooh it by saying that Islam does not tolerate violence--nonsense. They don’t believe in equality. They lock their mosques in this country. They demand to do as they demand. I defy you to openly write that Islamics/Muslims live and have been living in the 7th Century and have no intention of vacating that archaic realm--where paternalistic dictatorships rule. Until Islam gets out of the 7th Century, the world is its target. Neither one of you has fought in a war over there, seen the terror foisted on women and children, and witnessed the vigorous intimidation that is so easily masked behind the soft talk of Imams in white garments. We worry about the Mexicans crossing our borders, but the truth be known, no Mexicans have blown up anything in the U.S., Israel, or England. The duty should be to put a stop to the flow of all Muslism, Islamics, Iranians, and Indians and H -1B visa-entrants into the U.S. until they all bring truth to what God is and accept Jesus Christ as the saviour of the world. They are not going anywhere in martyrdom, and they know it. Tribal people are not in the habit of exhibiting democratic principles. Without their oil money and the money fed to them by American-hating comrades, like the Arabs (who did blow up the WTC on 9/11), they be just so much dust in the dry world they inhabit. Stop feeding the egos of people who have many hidden agendas that lack a defined truth.
Posted by: RL Turner | July 31, 2007 9:48 PM
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This is all well and good, as any conversation would/should be, but the reality has been more poignantly stated by Pope Benedict XVI than by anyone else. You and others beat around the bush, but the two largest religions in the world: Catholicism and Islam are the only true forums for religious encounter. The Islamic world is secretive and arcane. Catholicism is the father of all religious off-shoots, who have been established on half the truth, just as the columnists in this series have spoken in half-truths. When it comes down to the Quaran, the fact is: If you go against the supremacy as stated in the Quaran, you are an infidel and therefore against Islam and its tenets, and unless you come over to Islam, you are its enemy--violence or not. I defy either of you to place a controversial cartoon on this site lampooning Islamic leaders as lack-luster men who hide from the violence of their people and try to pooh-pooh it by saying that Islam does not tolerate violence--nonsense. They don’t believe in equality. They lock their mosques in this country. They demand to do as they demand. I defy you to openly write that Islamics/Muslims live and have been living in the 7th Century and have no intention of vacating that archaic realm--where paternalistic dictatorships rule. Until Islam gets out of the 7th Century, the world is its target. Neither one of you has fought in a war over there, seen the terror foisted on women and children, and witnessed the vigorous intimidation that is so easily masked behind the soft talk of Imams in white garments. We worry about the Mexicans crossing our borders, but the truth be known, no Mexicans have blown up anything in the U.S., Israel, or England. The duty should be to put a stop to the flow of all Muslism, Islamics, Iranians, and Indians and H -1B visa-entrants into the U.S. until they all bring truth to what God is and accept Jesus Christ as the saviour of the world. They are not going anywhere in martyrdom, and they know it. Tribal people are not in the habit of exhibiting democratic principles. Without their oil money and the money fed to them by American-hating comrades, like the Arabs (who did blow up the WTC on 9/11), they be just so much dust in the dry world they inhabit. Stop feeding the egos of people who have many hidden agendas that lack a defined truth.
Posted by: RL Turner | July 31, 2007 9:48 PM
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Meacham and Quinn:
You've done more harm than good with this. Read these posts and tell me that your Muslim guests helped the readers of the Washington Post understand Islam better.
Every day on the front page of the Post, there is a report from the middle east providing a body count of Muslims killed by other Muslims over the preceding 24 hours. The death toll is countless thousands. The Americans killed in Iraq most often die trying to keep Muslims from slaughtering each other. What could any of your guests have written that could soften four years of your front page?
Arabs and Americans have taken each other's measure. And a reckoning is coming. Unhappily, your series makes it easier for each side to justify the inevitable excess.
Posted by: Darden Cavalcade | July 31, 2007 7:13 PM
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To Josephine K and the rest of the world: You may or may not know but the god of islam is satan but what a lot of people that call themselves christians do not know is that God is not the egomaniac that some of them think that He is and what I mean by that is knowing God's Name doesn't necessarily add up to a bucket of snot even the demons know who Jesus is, whereas the god of islam says that Jesus is a second-rate prophet. All of us are in this together and by that I mean ALL OF HUMANITY, the True, Living, Triune, Triumphant God is a searcher of hearts and minds, not of religious affiliations or lack thereof, it is not magic or anything like that where you can say some words and then treat others however you want no matter how condescending, condemning or judgemental and then say well I'm a Christian when so many people that call themselves christians don't have a clue. I am an American because I was born here and it is pretty obvious that a lot of Americans sure do like to bury their heads in the sand like an ostrich and pretend the rest of the world either doesn't exist or is there to provide us with more junk. Our attention span is about down to nil, just when it is about time to wake up, did anybody wake up after the 911 Call, if people remember there seemed to be a lot of people running to different churches, trying to appease God. At that time I lived near Fenwick Island, De. and I would travel the length of Ocean City, Md and all of these signs sprang up saying, "God Bless America" and at first I thought that's pretty neat but after awhile they disgusted me because they should have said, "Thank you God for Blessing America". This Country has been so Blessed by God and how many people are grateful at all, the rest of the world's people are all our brothers and sisters and so much of the rest of the world and quite a few in this country are living just barely and a lot of them are very grateful. Did you ever notice that sometimes, the more you have the less thankful you are? About all that anybody can do is the best that they can do and follow their consciences, I am not here to tell anyone what to do what I am here for is to proclaim beforehand that God wins, satan loses, a tie is totally unacceptable. Like it says even the forces of evil are inadvertently working toward the fulfillment of God's Plan. God always sends a messenger, I happen to be the scroll-eater from the book of revelations, it wasn't a literal scroll by the way. Dire times are coming just like it says, it doesn't matter whether people believe the bible is true or not, IT IS TRUE, very distorted and misinterpreted by plenty who give the impression that they know what they are talking about. God is Love, Pure Love, but from what a lot of people say, you would never know it. God's Plan covers all of His children but that does not mean that we are not responsible for what we do, we have free will, it does matter what you do and why you do it. Calling yourself a christian should mean carrying on the work that Jesus started, that means being a willing and active participant in GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION FOR ALL OF HIS CHILDREN. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus said, "I would rather you be hot or cold, lukewarm I will have to vomit you out of my mouth" these seem to be rather strong words, do they not? Something to think about, I would say. Jesus said to proclaim the gospel, the word gospel means "Good News" and when the angels announced Jesus's birth, they said, "This is GOOD NEWS for all people" and they also said, "Peace to whom God's favor rests", two separate statements, both true. Like I have said Jesus is the Saviour of ALL HUMANITY. Take care. Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.
Posted by: Thomas Baum | July 31, 2007 6:42 PM
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Meacham and Quinn
Thanks for the "Muslims Speak Out" initiative. We learn a lot too, from readers' responses, both non-Muslims and Muslims.
Best regards
J
Posted by: Jihadist | July 31, 2007 5:27 PM
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These forums have convinced me there is a healthy diversity of thought amongst muslim communities. I'm still not sure about proportions--which voices are the majority, and which the minority? But I have also become increasingly convinced that the "clash of cultures" or the "problem of islam" is a huge red herring... a diversion (as i said in another comment) to buttress the powerful and distract the populace. When I hear Americans speak hatred against muslims, I hear distracted minds, thrown off course by prejudices which are easy and convenient to exacerbate. I believe the same things are happening in the schools that teach hate in a religious context in the middle east. What the world needs is political solutions to political problems. The United States has acted as though it is an unimpedable super-power, and is being challenged by middle-eastern "free radicals" who fear the return of colonial ambitions and motives that hinder their automony and the drain their oil wealth. I cannot honestly believe that moderation within the islamic faith will change any of the violent realities of our world. The United States, however, is in the position to change its attitude and approach to the middle east. Political solutions may bring about peace, and only peace will create the atmostphere in which moderation and tolerance can occur.
Posted by: globo-mojo | July 31, 2007 4:07 PM
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On Faith has spent entirely too much time lately on things Islamic.
Most Americans, including me, aren't at all interested in Islam, its history, its false doctrines, its proponents and defenders, and its terrorists and abominations.
The American majority devoutly wishes that Islam and all its works would simply dry up and blow away.
Jon & Sally:
Please get back to interesting topics, and let the Defense Department take care of Islam.
Vaporizing the Kaabah would be a useful first step. It would cleanse the world, set things right, and give us all a fresh start.
Best wishes.
Posted by: Josephine K. | July 31, 2007 3:42 PM
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Jon and Sally,
I think that it is great that your questions have sought to find similarities between your readers and Islam.
If it is possible, I would propose that you ask of these same clerics their views on democracy. I believe that many of your readers live in democratic states, where the laws are created by the people, for the people. How do these clerics believe democracy can exist in a state that is predominately muslim?
Posted by: john | July 31, 2007 2:24 PM
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Never mind, I found Ms. Rosin's article. Sadly, her muted outrage over this piece of the hate education system still isn't enough for her to really understand the danger she, her family, and community face from islamism.
Posted by: dahozho | July 31, 2007 1:01 PM
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Right. "Islam is not a violent religion" So why were *actual* moderates afraid to be published on your site? Why are only those with ties to terrorist organizations (Muslim Brotherhood, Hezbollah, Hamas, etc.) submitting essays? Because they have established islamist creds, and are even now proclaiming the WP got what they said WRONG, albeit in the Middle Eastern press and to their own followers.
These guys know what pc Westerners want to hear. "Oh, we're so oppressed, so we HAVE to defend our honor" is the usual bs.
BTW, WHERE did you hide Hanna Rosin's piece today? Why is the story of the PA's hate indoctrination of their children being hidden? If you're spending so much time providing a platform to terrorist and their sympathizers (including un-indicted co-conspirators in various legal proceedings)-- why not give the same time to those committed to opposing terrorist islamism??
Oh yes, you might 'offend' muslims. Gosh, wouldn't want that.
Posted by: dahozho | July 31, 2007 12:47 PM
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I apologize for all the duplicate posts. Each time I tried to submit my comment, I used to get an error message so I tried again.
Again, my apologies.
Posted by: Faithfreedom.org | July 31, 2007 12:26 PM
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Dear Sally and Jon,
As journalists, you are obligated to tell the public the truth, no matter how inconvenient that truth is. You have done a good job portraying Islam’s ‘good points’ (most of which are exaggerations, cover-ups, and words of taqiyya made by Muslims so they can protect their religion), but why don’t you include the views that are critical of Islam?
Why not cover what Islamocritics like Robert Spencer, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Wafa Sultan, and Ali Sina say about Islam?
We are ex-Muslims, and we are growing exponentially. However our voices are not heard because (A) Speaking in public will have us killed by Muslims; and (B) Mainstream media is too politically correct to give us a voice.
I invite you both to visit www.faithfreedom.org, and even meet us in the forum. We are people who know Islam inside out. We know how Muslims lie to protect the image of Islam. We know the truth about Muhammad. We know he raped a 9-year-old, massacred and expelled Arab Jews, gave the pagans four months to convert or else face death, looted, raided caravans, and ordered the Islamic Nation to give Jews and Christians one of three choices: Convert to Islam, be subjugated as a dhimmi, or face war.
Why don’t you cover these critical and disturbing aspects of Islam? Do you know that the order to fight nonMuslims until they convert or pay Jizya is in Quran 9:29? Or that Pagans are not allowed to live as per 9:5? Or that Muhammad’s death wish was that nonMuslims be expelled from the Arabian Peninsula? Why don’t you ask these so-called moderates to show us their peaceful interpretations of all this?
You may worry that by covering our views, readers will think you support us. Not at all! When you cover Bin Laden, does that mean you support his views?
I look forward to your coverage of ex-Muslims and Islamocritics. We deserve a voice too. If our views are wrong, then the people of America are not stupid to listen to us.
Visit us at www.faithfreedom.org. We have decided to leave this cult of hate and embrace humanity with open arms. Please do not disappoint us.
Posted by: Faithfreedom.org | July 31, 2007 12:23 PM
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Dear Sally and Jon,
As journalists, you are obligated to tell the public the truth, no matter how inconvenient that truth is. You have done a good job portraying Islam’s ‘good points’ (most of which are exaggerations, cover-ups, and words of taqiyya made by Muslims so they can protect their religion), but why don’t you include the views that are critical of Islam?
Why not cover what Islamocritics like Robert Spencer, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Wafa Sultan, and Ali Sina say about Islam?
We are ex-Muslims, and we are growing exponentially. However our voices are not heard because (A) Speaking in public will have us killed by Muslims; and (B) Mainstream media is too politically correct to give us a voice.
I invite you both to visit www.faithfreedom.org, and even meet us in the forum. We are people who know Islam inside out. We know how Muslims lie to protect the image of Islam. We know the truth about Muhammad. We know he raped a 9-year-old, massacred and expelled Arab Jews, gave the pagans four months to convert or else face death, looted, raided caravans, and ordered the Islamic Nation to give Jews and Christians one of three choices: Convert to Islam, be subjugated as a dhimmi, or face war.
Why don’t you cover these critical and disturbing aspects of Islam? Do you know that the order to fight nonMuslims until they convert or pay Jizya is in Quran 9:29? Or that Pagans are not allowed to live as per 9:5? Or that Muhammad’s death wish was that nonMuslims be expelled from the Arabian Peninsula? Why don’t you ask these so-called moderates to show us their peaceful interpretations of all this?
You may worry that by covering our views, readers will think you support us. Not at all! When you cover Bin Laden, does that mean you support his views?
I look forward to your coverage of ex-Muslims and Islamocritics. We deserve a voice too. If our views are wrong, then the people of America are not stupid to listen to us.
Visit us at www.faithfreedom.org. We have decided to leave this cult of hate and embrace humanity with open arms. Please do not disappoint us.
Posted by: Faithfreedom.org | July 31, 2007 12:23 PM
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Dear Sally and Jon,
As journalists, you are obligated to tell the public the truth, no matter how inconvenient that truth is. You have done a good job portraying Islam’s ‘good points’ (most of which are exaggerations, cover-ups, and words of taqiyya made by Muslims so they can protect their religion), but why don’t you include the views that are critical of Islam?
Why not cover what Islamocritics like Robert Spencer, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Wafa Sultan, and Ali Sina say about Islam?
We are ex-Muslims, and we are growing exponentially. However our voices are not heard because (A) Speaking in public will have us killed by Muslims; and (B) Mainstream media is too politically correct to give us a voice.
I invite you both to visit www.faithfreedom.org, and even meet us in the forum. We are people who know Islam inside out. We know how Muslims lie to protect the image of Islam. We know the truth about Muhammad. We know he raped a 9-year-old, massacred and expelled Arab Jews, gave the pagans four months to convert or else face death, looted, raided caravans, and ordered the Islamic Nation to give Jews and Christians one of three choices: Convert to Islam, be subjugated as a dhimmi, or face war.
Why don’t you cover these critical and disturbing aspects of Islam? Do you know that the order to fight nonMuslims until they convert or pay Jizya is in Quran 9:29? Or that Pagans are not allowed to live as per 9:5? Or that Muhammad’s death wish was that nonMuslims be expelled from the Arabian Peninsula? Why don’t you ask these so-called moderates to show us their peaceful interpretations of all this?
You may worry that by covering our views, readers will think you support us. Not at all! When you cover Bin Laden, does that mean you support his views?
I look forward to your coverage of ex-Muslims and Islamocritics. We deserve a voice too. If our views are wrong, then the people of America are not stupid to listen to us.
Visit us at www.faithfreedom.org. We have decided to leave this cult of hate and embrace humanity with open arms. Please do not disappoint us.
Posted by: Faithfreedom.org | July 31, 2007 12:22 PM
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Dear Sally and Jon,
As journalists, you are obligated to tell the public the truth, no matter how inconvenient that truth is. You have done a good job portraying Islam’s ‘good points’ (most of which are exaggerations, cover-ups, and words of taqiyya made by Muslims so they can protect their religion), but why don’t you include the views that are critical of Islam?
Why not cover what Islamocritics like Robert Spencer, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Wafa Sultan, and Ali Sina say about Islam?
We are ex-Muslims, and we are growing exponentially. However our voices are not heard because (A) Speaking in public will have us killed by Muslims; and (B) Mainstream media is too politically correct to give us a voice.
I invite you both to visit www.faithfreedom.org, and even meet us in the forum. We are people who know Islam inside out. We know how Muslims lie to protect the image of Islam. We know the truth about Muhammad. We know he raped a 9-year-old, massacred and expelled Arab Jews, gave the pagans four months to convert or else face death, looted, raided caravans, and ordered the Islamic Nation to give Jews and Christians one of three choices: Convert to Islam, be subjugated as a dhimmi, or face war.
Why don’t you cover these critical and disturbing aspects of Islam? Do you know that the order to fight nonMuslims until they convert or pay Jizya is in Quran 9:29? Or that Pagans are not allowed to live as per 9:5? Or that Muhammad’s death wish was that nonMuslims be expelled from the Arabian Peninsula? Why don’t you ask these so-called moderates to show us their peaceful interpretations of all this?
You may worry that by covering our views, readers will think you support us. Not at all! When you cover Bin Laden, does that mean you support his views?
I look forward to your coverage of ex-Muslims and Islamocritics. We deserve a voice too. If our views are wrong, then the people of America are not stupid to listen to us.
Visit us at www.faithfreedom.org. We have decided to leave this cult of hate and embrace humanity with open arms. Please do not disappoint us.
Posted by: Faithfreedom.org | July 31, 2007 12:21 PM
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Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham wrote,
King Abdullah and Prince Ghazi of Jordan conducted a panel on “True Islam” in 2005 on this very subject and issued a report now referred to as the “Amman Message.”
Why do they not start with something simple like removing death/punishments for apostates in the islamic world or atleast in their own countries ?
Is death for apostasy any less violent ?
Islam is a cult of Injustice, Intolerance, Cruelty, Absurdities, discrimination, Contradictions and blind faith. A cult that advocates killing the non-Muslims and abuses the human rights of minorities and women. A cult that expanded mostly by Jihad and forced its way by killing the non-believers. A cult where apostasy is the biggest crime punishable by death.
Posted by: ross | July 31, 2007 11:58 AM
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Hewitt,
I see a hatred for ISLAM in Halozel's post, now that's different from hatred of MUSLIMS.
Posted by: ross | July 31, 2007 11:45 AM
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The only True Religion is, "Taking care of Widows and Orphans", which basically is taking care of everyone since we are all members of the human family. I am Catholic and I cherish my Catholic Faith, I have met God, Who is a Trinity of Pure Love and God has a Plan that includes His whole family, humanity, to be with Him in His Kingdom. I have also met satan and he is not nice even though he can try to come across as mister nice guy but he is a liar, and he is very upset since his time is very short even in human terms, of course I don't exactly how long that is, only God the Father knows, just like Jesus told us when He left. Jesus really is who He said He is and that is God-Incarnate, not a prophet and a mere second-rate prophet like the god of islam said. God is a searcher of hearts and minds, not of religious affiliations or lack thereof, it is important what you do and also why you do it, we all answer for what we do, what is the big deal about being resposible for our actions, I don't know about anyone else but I sure have done things wrong. God sure is a lot nicer that a lot of people that claim to be christians think that He is and that is one of the things that I am thankful for. If any people out there read this post that are Catholic, I recommend looking the word up in the dictionary, there just might be a reason for it's meaning, think about it, please. I repeat: God wins, satan loses, a tie is unacceptable. Take care. Hang in there, He hung in there for us, ALL OF US, remember what He said on the cross, "Father forgive them, they know not what they do", He did not say some of them. Thank You Father for Your Plan, Thank You Jesus for Your Obedience to The Plan and Thank You Holy Spirit for You bringing The Plan to Fruition. Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.
Posted by: Thomas Baum | July 31, 2007 11:45 AM
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HALOZCEL:
Can you understand some Muslims' hatred of the West, given your hatred of all Muslims?
Posted by: Hewitt | July 31, 2007 11:38 AM
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how can we access these conversations?
they seemed to have disappeared from this blog-
i would appreciate it if you would direct me as to how to et back to these posts.
i tried july, but it ends with unrelated blogs that even predate this muslims speak out blog-
i apologize in advance for my technical ineptitude.
peace and thanks for this opportunity
Posted by: victoria | July 31, 2007 11:20 AM
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Is there any Protestant Organization already trying to combat violence and view that Protestantism is a violent religion ?
Is there any Catholic or Buddhist Organization already trying to combat violence and view that Catholicism or Buddhism is a violent religion ?
Is there any Hindu or Shintoist Organization already trying to combat violence and view that Hinduism or Shintoism is a violent religion ?
WHY so many Muslims Organization(Alice in Wonderland Organization) already trying to do so ?
Answer is very simple,because,
Islam is violence.
Islam is compulsion and oppression.
Islam is backwardness,
Islam is brainwashing,nothing else.
Fairy Tales such as 'no compulsion in islam','Male and Female are equal','tolerance','social justice' and 'islam is religion of peace' can not change 'absolute reality'.
Posted by: halozcel | July 31, 2007 10:50 AM
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