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Author: Alathea Faraday
Publication: FaithFreedom.org
Date: January 15, 2007
URL: http://www.news.faithfreedom.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=957
An Open Letter to All Representatives of the Religious, Cultural, and Political World of Islam.
Dear Muslim:
I have noticed in recent years many examples of Muslims being offended and asking for an apology or concessions from non-Muslims. That's fine; I'm happy and proud to live in a civilization in which all people can have their say and ask for what they believe is respectful treatment. At the same time, respect needs to be a two-way street. As it happens, there are a number of areas in which Muslim behavior has offended me, so I also wish to ask for an apology and/or concessions from Muslims. Although I am speaking for myself, I believe it would be fair to say that millions, if not hundreds of millions, if not a billion plus people would also appreciate the same signs of respect I am asking for. In fact, I believe that good, decent people who are Muslim by birth would agree with so me of my statements.
Below, I've listed the ten primary behaviors that offend my beliefs and values. I realize that some of this subject matter may cause offense to some people; for this I apologize. I mean no disrespect. At the same time, I also believe non-Muslims are equally entitled to an apology for disrespect to our values.
1. The Koran makes references to unbelievers as "kafir", which means "infidel" or "unbeliever". It is widely used today by Muslims as a derogatory term for non-Muslims, similar to calling a black person a "nigger" or a Jew a "kike". In modern Western society, use of derogatory words is unacceptably offensive. Any person who uses such a word one time is expected to publicly apologize, and they still lose respect. Any person who uses such a word on a frequent basis is considered a low-life, and has no chance of a career in public life. Some Muslims claim "kafir" is inoffensive; others acknowledge it is an insult. The Koran says this about unbelievers: Do not take unbelievers as friends or protectors (4:144), not even Jews or Christians (5:51). Unbelievers are the vilest of animals (8:55), and are cursed by Allah (33:64). Idolators are unclean (9:28). Abraham was correct to vow hatred and enmity forever towards his people, until they believed in Allah, but he was wrong to promise to ask Allah to forgive his father (60:4). This hate speech is just as offensive to me as "nigger" or "kike". So, I would like for you as a representative of Islam to apologize to me and all non-Muslims for endorsing a book which includes hate speech toward non-Muslims. If you cannot find it in your heart to apologize, then I ask that you at least concede that the Koran includes language which is offensive toward non-Muslims.
2. Islam has a term "dhimmi", which means a non-Muslim protected by Islam against Muslim Jihadists, living as a second-class citizen under Muslim rule. Originally only "people of the book" (Christians and Jews) could be dhimmis, as all others were not allowed to keep their religion. Later on other non-Muslims could also live in dhimmitude, so long as they agreed to conduct themselves as an inferior class. According to the Koran (9:29), dhimmis are required to pay a special "jizya" tax, which Muslims do not have to pay. The penalty for non-payment could be death, unless the dhimmi converts to Islam. The Koran requires them to "feel themselves subdued". Traditionally, dhimmis are forbidden from building new places of worship, or repairing places of worship that have been damaged by Muslims. They are forbidden from worshipping openly, or displaying religious symbols. They are forbidden from inviting Muslims to join their religion, although Muslims are free to convert them to Islam. They are required to provide hospitality to any traveling Muslim for three days, and longer if the Muslim gets sick. They may not prevent a Muslim traveler from staying in their place of worship. Their testimony in court is only worth half that of a Muslim. And, of course, they are forbidden from criticizing Islam. I am offended that non-Muslims are treated so shabbily under Muslim rule, and I'm offended that the Koran demands this. To show respect for my sensibilities, please apologize for this, or, if you cannot find it in your heart to apologize, then I ask that you at least concede that Islam treats members of other religions as inferior.
3. The Koran includes many verses which can easily be interpreted as incitement to violence. A few examples: "I will instill terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them" (8:12); "... fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war)...." (9:5); "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued." (9:29) Of course, there are also peaceful verses, such as "Let there be no compulsion in religion" (2:256). However, according to the Islamic doctrine of "naskh", or abrogation, verses written later cancel out any contradictory verses previously written. Unfortunately for world peace, the chapters written last are the most violent. (Note that the chapters of the Koran are published out of the sequence in which they were written; chapter 9 is among the last written.) I am aware that some Muslims believe these verses do not actually incite violence; however, they have been used by Muslims to justify violent conquest and conversions by the sword for centuries. According to the Washington Times, "a group calling itself al Qaeda in Iraq ... said in a posting on its Internet Web site....'Terrorizing enemies of God is our faith and religion, which is taught to us by our Koran.'" I am offended by the fact that Muslims venerate a book with so many verses that seem to incite violence and which have, in fact, been used to justify violence, and I ask for an apology. If you cannot find it in your heart to apologize, then I ask that you at least concede that the Koran has historically been used by Muslims to justify violence, and that this continues to this day.
4. According to many authoritative translations of the Koran (4:89), and according to Islamic traditions (Ahadith), everyone who leaves Islam (apostates) should be punished by death. This means that all people who convert to Islam henceforth lose their basic right to choose their religion. Additionally, everyone who is born into Islam never has the right to freely choose their religion, according to Islam. This is especially poignant considering that many, if not most Muslims by birth have had one or more ancestors who were converted by the sword (see #3 above) or by inability to pay the jizya tax (see #2 above). I am offended that currently over a billion people are denied this basic human right. It is true that in practice, few countries enforce this draconian practice officially. However, it is also true that some Muslim individuals take it upon themselves to enforce it, thus making other Muslims afraid to renounce their religion even where there's no official death penalty. In addition, I know of no nation in the world that kills apostates of any religion except the Muslim nations that kill apostates of Islam. So, I ask for an apology for this denial of freedom of religion. If you cannot find it in your heart to apologize, then I ask that you at least concede that Islam is the only religion in modern times which people are afraid for their lives to renounce.
5. During the time of the infamous cartoon riots, Muslims everywhere were demanding apologies for the publishing of cartoons depicting Mohammed, which they said offended them. That's fine-- everyone who is offended is entitled to ask for an apology. However, I notice that in Muslim countries, the press regularly prints the most vile, vulgar depictions of Christians and Jews imaginable. I am not offended that their press is allowed to print this offensive material; I believe in a free press which is allowed to criticize all religions. The material itself is offensive, but such filth says more about its authors than about Christians and Jews. Beyond that, however, I am offended by the hypocrisy of Muslims demanding an apology from the West on behalf of the Danish cartoonists without those Muslims also apologizing on behalf of the Muslim press. This violates my sense of fairness, a value which I hold sacred. I have seen this type of hypocrisy repeatedly from the Muslim world. So, I ask for an apology for this hypocrisy. If you cannot find it in your heart to apologize, then I ask that you at least concede that many Muslims characteristically take offense and ask for apologies and concessions, yet they seldom reciprocate.
6. According to the authenticated Ahadith, Mohammed had one or more of his critics assassinated. Some Muslims do not believe this really happened. However, since it was written by some of the earliest Muslim sources--in fact, by his most ardent followers--it is an inescapable part of Islamic tradition. Many Muslims do believe it happened, and this provides the justification for them to assassinate today's critics of Islam with a clear conscience. The assassination of Theo van Gogh in Holland, as well as the many death fatwas and death threats that critics of Islam receive attest to this. Most Muslims are peaceful people; yet, by venerating Mohammed, they unwittingly provide comfort and support to those who emulate the tradition of Mohammed's assassinations. So, I ask for an apology for venerating a man described as an assassin by his own most devout followers. If you cannot find it in your heart to apologize, then I ask that you at least concede that the traditions of Mohammed having his critics assassinated puts today's critics of Islam in mortal danger.
7. According to several authenticated Ahadith, Mohammed married a girl named Aisha when she was six years old, and consummated the marriage when she was nine. Mohammed was a middle-aged man at the time. Again, some Muslims do not believe this really happened, yet it was written by some of the earliest and most devoted Muslim sources. Many Muslims do believe it happened, and in fact, marriage to young girls is allowed and practiced in many Muslim countries. There are rulings in Islam about how to consummate such a marriage without causing physical harm to the child. There is a verse in the Koran (65:4) dealing with divorcing a girl who does not yet have menses. This offends me greatly, as I believe the innocence of childhood is sacred. I understand that most Muslims do not marry young girls, yet to believe that the Koran is the unaltered word of God is to condone such treatment of little children. So, I ask for an apology for the harm this practice has caused countless girls over the centuries, which continues to this day. If you cannot find it in your heart to apologize for this, then I ask that you at least concede that this harm is taking place under Muslim rule.
8. There is a Muslim tradition called "taqiyya", which means that lying is acceptable--or even required--in certain circumstances. According to Reliance of the Traveller and Tools of the Worshipper, a classical book of Sunni law, "When it is possible to achieve ....[a praiseworthy] aim by lying but not by telling the truth, it is permissible to lie if attaining the goal is permissible..., and obligatory to lie if the goal is obligatory...." Islam's praiseworthy or obligatory goals include: getting more people to submit to Allah; implementing legislation favorable to Islam; implementing Sharia law; and silencing critics of Islam. So, presumably, it would be acceptable to lie if necessary to attain these goals. Not all Muslims practice taqiyya. However, there are accounts in several authenticated Muslim Ahadith that lying is condoned in waging Jihad; in making peace; and in marital relations. There's strong evidence Mohammed himself broke treaties with other heads of state. There's support in the Koran for dishonesty in various circumstances. Unfortunately, there's enough evidence that deception is an integral part of Islam that it seems wise to be suspicious of the Islamic world's portrayal of itself. Because I value truth, it offends me for a religion to sanction lying under any circumstances, so I ask for an apology. If you cannot find it in your heart to apologize, then I ask that you at least concede that Islam's tradition of lying makes it understandably difficult for a non-Muslim to trust a Muslim, any time that Muslim may have a "permissible goal".
9. Various Muslims have claimed that Islam honors and elevates women. However, according to the Koran (2:282), the testimony of a woman regarding contracts is worth half that of a man. The Koran (4:11) also gives a male twice the inheritance of a female. In the Ahadith, Mohammed frequently says that women's intellect is deficient. He also claims that most of the inhabitants of hell are women. Under some forms of Sharia law, a woman can only prove rape if there are four pious male witnesses to testify on her behalf. If she alleges rape without having the witnesses, she will be flogged, and can even be prosecuted for illicit sex. According to the Koran (4:34), Allah made men to excel women, and men may hit their wives if they even fear rebellion from their wives. This offends my beliefs and values, since I believe that women and men are different yet equal, and deserve to be treated fairly. Even Muslims who do not believe women are inferior as Mohammed claimed are supporting a doctrine of inequality. So, I ask for an apology. If you cannot find it in your heart to apologize, then I ask that you at least concede that Islam treats men as being superior over women.
10. It is written in the Ahadith that Mohammed eliminated a conflict with a local Jewish tribe, the Banu Quraiza, by beheading all the adult males (about 700) and enslaving the women and children. The boys were examined, and all with pubic hair were executed as men. The Ahadith also say that the last hour will not come until Muslims kill Jews, and even the stones and trees will betray Jews hiding behind them, so the Jews can be killed. I notice that today, the president of Iran hints at a holocaust for Israel. It appears that he can find justification for such a horrendous act by Mohammed's example. Of course, there have been many warriors throughout history who have committed similar atrocities. However, none of these other warriors are venerated to this day as the founder of a religion. I know that many Muslims do not desire a holocaust, yet by venerating Mohammed and the Koran--which calls Mohammed a "good example" to follow (33:21)--they give support and comfort to those who would commit such atrocities. So, I ask for an apology for supporting a genocide. If you cannot find it in your heart to apologize, then I ask that you at least concede that Mohammed was inappropriately ruthless.
In closing, I anticipate that some Muslims will accuse me of misunderstanding their religion (and will probably ask me for an apology). However, I will point out that not only many non-Muslims, but also many ex-Muslims, current Muslims, and historical Muslims all share this same "misunderstanding" of Islam. My statements are backed up by Muslim, ex-Muslim and non-Muslim sources. So, if all of us are wrong about Islam, this indicates the Koran and other fundamental texts of Islam are written in an unclear and misleading way--despite the Koran's claim to be clear (10:61; 27:75). I am offended by this, as well. I value clear communication, especially when the topic is important and the consequences of misunderstanding are great. It is unconscionable to me that Islam can easily be interpreted as I've outlined it, whether or not that's the true meaning of the religion. It is irresponsible for a religion to put out a message that can be interpreted in such disastrous ways (as, indeed, it has been). So, I also ask for an apology from all those who claim I've misunderstood their religion, for supporting a religion that is irresponsibly unclear in its message. Thank you in advance for your kind reply.
References:
All quotes from the Koran can be looked up
at the following sources:
usc.edu
1. al-Islam
dhimniwathc
frontpage.com
usc.edu.hadith
2. dhimni.org
answering-islam
dhimnitude
3. washtimes.com
domini.org
islamreview.org
freedomhouse.org
4. al-islam.org
Islam-online
islamreview.org
muslim-canada
5. freecopts.blogspot.com
tomgrossmedia.com
adl.org
slapstickpolitics.blogspot.com
6.
usc.edu
frontpage.com
answeirng-islam.com
memri.org
7. muslimhope.com
aswering-islam.org
usc.edu
usc.edu
8. daielpipes.org
al-islam
answering-islam.org
usc.edu
9. debate.domini.org
usc.edu
usa.mediamentors
answering-islam.org
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