Author: Steven Shamrak
Publication:
Date: September 12, 2006
In a recently aired video, Al Qaida's second-in-command
Ayman al-Zawahri introduced a speaker, Azzam the American, who invited all
non-Muslims, especially in the United States, to convert to Islam and to abandon
their 'misguided' ways or suffer the consequences. He called for "...repent
and enter into the light of Islam and turn their swords against the enemies
of God..."
Not long ago Abu Bakar Bashir, the spiritual
leader of Indonesia based Jamal Islamia, also called on Bush and Prime Minister
of Australia John Howard to convert to Islam, saying it was "the only
way to save their souls".
I appreciate their concern for my soul, but
they forgot to give us the specific instructions: What brand of Islam are
we supposed to convert to? Do we put on suicide belts immediately after conversion
or wait for an order? If I become a Sunni Muslim, when and how many Shiites,
Infidels and Crusaders do I have to kill to secure my seat at the table with
Allah in the Haven? And what about female genital mutilation, breaking the
arms of the children for stealing a loaf of bread, keeping girls in a burning
school because they had no head covering, etc...? These are only few questions
of many I would like to hear answered to before I make such a life-defining
decision. I think we need clear explanations and specific instructions!
Global Islamic terrorism is not confined to
a few Islamic terrorist groups only. It has infested all the levels of society
in most of the Muslim countries, as well as communities in the Western countries.
For example: MUSLIM leaders, instead of condemning terrorism, have lashed
out in one voice at Peter Costello, the Australian Treasurer, after he called
on them to condemn terrorism "unequivocally" and speak out plainly
and clearly against radicals in their community. They did not express themselves
with such unequivocal clarity after 9/11, Bali, London and Madrid bombings,
so why has the call for clear condemnation of islamic terror bring such an
outburst from the Muslim leaders in Australia? Why are they looking for any
excuse or justification for Islamic terrorism and then blame the West for
their own ugliness?
