Sunday, September 17, 2006

Pope's 'brusque' words on Islam anger Muslims

As reported here, "As Pope Benedict XVI arrived back home from Germany, Muslim leaders strongly criticized a speech he gave on his trip that used unflattering language about Islam and violence.", and what happens? Muslims resort to violence to protest something the Pope said, that they totally misunderstood!

Good grief! Get a grip, people! Jews are criticized, almost on a daily basis (and mainly by whom? Muslims), and you don't see them rioting, or strapping a bomb to themselves and blowing up busloads of innocent civilians, do you? Christians are criticized, as well, but you don't see them taking to the streets, throwing rocks, burning businesses, or blowing people up, do you?

""The pope's statement is highly irresponsible," said Javed Ahmed Ghamidi, an Islamic scholar. "The concept of jihad is not to spread Islam with sword."" That's not accurate. There are many meanings for the word 'jihad', one of which is to convert non-Muslims to Islam by any means necessary, including using weapons. Swords may not be the weapon of choice now, having been replaced with bombs and bullets.

My question to Mr. Ghamidi is this. If 'jihad' does not mean spreading Islam by sword, then why do so many of your adherents insist on using weapons to try to spread Islam, declaring 'jihad against the infidels'?

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