An American convert's experience of Islam.

[porus]

from http://www.faithfreedom.org/Testimonial ... Dhimmi.htm

Never a Dhimmi

After reading so may testimonials about those who have left Islam on this
and other websites I decided to describe for others how I became interested
in Islam but eventually became disillusioned and left. First I should let
you know I am an American and was raised in a secular family. I was raised
on scientific rationalism and never had any formal religious background.

When I was a teen I attended a catholic high school (only for one year) and
was required to read the New Testament. It was at this point that I became
fascinated with religion and spirituality. For me, coming from an agnostic
background where religion was generally ignored, the New Testament was an
inspiration and deeply moving. I never bought into the simplistic aspects of
Christianity, the creation of the world in seven days, Adam and Eve, etc.
but was drawn by the message of love, ethics and a sense of purpose for this
worldly existence. Interest in Christianity and religion in general led me
to investigate other religions and spiritual paths: Buddhism, Hinduism, Zen,
Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Native American spirituality, and ancient Greek and
Roman philosophy. I became a voracious reader of ancient religious and
spiritual scriptures of various different cultures. Eventually I came across
Islamic mysticism (Sufism). I read all the books I could find on the topic
and was particularly impressed with the works of Idries Shah

Sufism seemed to me to be the most sensible and relevant form of
spirituality for modern society. It appealed to my disdain of organized
religion and meaningless rituals, it stressed one should be "in the world
but not of the world" and the ultimate goal is not a location or reward,
i.e. "Heaven" but a reality: spiritual knowledge and enlightenment. Sufism
did not appear to be at odds with modern science and did not demand that one
reject sensible theories such as evolution and physics. Sufism in fact, was
presented as a science itself (tasawwuf). Sufism was described as the inner
meaning of Islam, the interior kernel, which was protected by an exterior
shell, composed of the formal laws and doctrine of Islam. Islamic poetry,
particularly Persian, was shown to be a vehicle in which Sufi mystics hid
spiritual knowledge in the worldly praise of love and pleasure. The Quran
was alleged to contain seven layers of understanding, each one more sublime,
which would become apparent as one progressed in spiritual understanding.
For me Sufism legitimized Islam.

The first time I read the Quran in translation I was disappointed, as it
seemed to lack the inspirational message of other religious scriptures. I
contented myself with the fact that I would probably need to read it in the
original Arabic to obtain its spiritual message. I undertook the daunting
task of learning classical Arabic. I studied Arabic for four years and I'll
admit I never became fluent in speaking the language but I was able to read
it (with some difficulty and the constant need of a dictionary!).

Shortly before the first Gulf war I was offered a job in Saudi Arabia. I had
recently graduated from college and felt this would be an excellent
opportunity to really learn Arabic fluently. I was told it would be best if
I became a Muslim to accept the position since the family that owned the
company lived in Mecca and if I didn't become a Muslim I would have to find
a place to live in Jeddah. To me it seemed a mere formality so I said I
would become Muslim. Fortunately, as it would turn out, I was unable to take
this job because of the war.

Though I didn't get the chance to work in Saudi Arabia, I became
increasingly interested in traditional Islam and decided to investigate a
local mosque close to where I lived. I went there several months to study
the Quran in Arabic and it was here that I first came across aspects of
Islam, which really troubled me. The members of the Mosque seemed genuinely
delighted that an American would be interested in Islam and were very
welcoming but they were less than enthusiastic about American culture. My
interest was to learn more about the Quran but instead I ended up listening
to sermons, which seemed to be primarily concerned with politics and
condemnation of perceived Western values. Though most of the Moslems at this
mosque were not Arabs they seemed to be obsessed with the
Israeli-Palestinian issue and yet I never heard them mention anything about
injustices done to Moslems by other fellow Muslims such as the massacre of
the Kurds in Iraq, civil war in Afghanistan or the slaughter of thousands of
Algerians by extremists. It was also there that I first heard such alarming
ideas as the consequences for apostasy and various other "enlightened"
aspects of the shari'a. These ideas seemed rather cult like. I found no
spirituality in the company of traditional Moslems. Eventually I decided to
leave and never returned.

I still did not make the connection that this was what Islam was really all
about because I rationalized that the "inner" message of Islam was about
spiritual knowledge and these people were obsessed with the outward forms of
religion, not it's true message. I began to read the Hadith and the
biography of the Prophet (Sirat-un-Nabi) to gain a better understanding of
Islam's message and to weigh it against the values I understood from the
perspective of Sufism. It was at this point that I began to have my doubts
about the spirituality of the Prophet Muhammad. The commandments of the
Quran and Hadith seemed to advocate a brutal, inflexible ethics lacking in
any redeeming values. The biography of Muhammad was filled with examples of
violence and questionable deeds for one who was supposedly guided by a God
of love and peace. The biography put into context many of the Suras of the
Quran and left the impression of a revelation whose purpose was to explain
and justify Muhammad's worldly deeds. The requirements for everyday conduct
seemed to be more of a burden than a guide for a meaningful life. What is
the true spiritual meaning of wiping the top of your feet before you pray?
Or the prohibition of wearing silk! Will your prayer from the heart not be
accepted because you didn't perform a proper Wudu? Why is Islam against
adoption? Is it a religious duty to hate and kill Jews and unbelievers? And
always, the primitive threat of Hell! Even the reward for a "righteous" life
seemed to lack any spiritual grace and refinement. Essentially an eternal
cosmic orgy!

I didn't reject Islam outright; rather, I slowly drifted away from it as the
realities became more and more unsavory. Increasingly I distanced myself
from the rigid views and doctrines espoused by Islam and tried to associate
with the more benign views of the religion, which I felt was its true
meaning. I clung to ideas such as "the true jihad in Islam is against one's
lower nature", and "there is no compunction in religion", which allowed me
to rationalize the notion that most Muslims in the world were simply not
following the real Islam. In fact it was I who was not following it!

I still believed that there were decent "moderate" Moslems although I was
always surprised that they were nowhere to be found or heard from after any
of the increasingly common Islamic atrocities were committed around the
world. Although most Moslems in the US stress that the actions of a "few"
extremists do not define the religion, I could see that almost the entire
Islamic world took great delight in the WTC tragedy. If there was ever a
time for the "real Islam" to show itself and denounce the "perversion" of it
's true teachings it was after this event. Instead Muslims seemed to
rationalize that it was justified because of all the terrible things America
is doing to the Muslim world (probably much worse than what the Mongols
did!) or they concocted fanciful conspiracy theories about how the Israelis
carried out the attacks to discredit Islam. I was stunned and appalled at
the primitive stupidity and barbarity of the Islamic world's reaction to
this outrage. Only Iranian people seemed to show any sympathy to the victims
and I'm sure it was mainly those who are fed up with Islam. I found myself
making excuses to others that this was not what Islam really teaches but it
began to sound less and less convincing. I became aware that my life was
based on contradictions. On the one hand my sense of right and wrong were
based on my upbringing and the society that had raised me, yet the Islamic
faith that I had embraced appeared to be the antithesis of these values.
After 9/11 I realized that I just couldn't make excuses for the outrages
being committed in the name of Islam. The religion itself is fatally flawed.
How could one have any affiliation whatsoever with such a doctrine?

For years now the books were gathering dust in the garage, as I have lost
all outward affiliation and interest in Islam. I guess I just became a "bad
Muslim". The final break for me was the sight of slaughtered school children
in the recent tragedy in Beslan, Russia carried out by Islamic "freedom
fighters". I grabbed my Yusuf Ali Quran, along with several other books
about Fiqh, prayer, Muhammad's life, etc., took them out back and shot them
full of holes. I then tossed the tattered remnants into the barbeque and
watched them burn to ashes. I felt a great sense of freedom and a final
purge from this barbaric creed as the pages and words twisted and
disappeared in the flames!

There may be a spiritual reality in Sufism but if there is it was not
derived from Islam or Muhammad. Islam teaches that the good that comes to
you is from God and the bad is from yourself (I wonder what the children of
Beslan did to earn their punishment?) I think it would be more appropriate
to say that any good in the Islamic world comes from somewhere else and the
bad is all from Islam!

I would conclude by saying that I'm very fortunate to live in a country,
which allows people the freedom to believe or not believe in any religion
they choose. I have the utmost respect for those who live in the tyranny of
Islamic countries and decide to think for themselves and live by their
conscience, often with the consequences of great personal hardships and
danger to their lives. To all such people everywhere I look forward to the
day when you can live your lives in freedom and peace.

Best Regards...

[anajmi]

Well, more fuel for the fire in hell.

[anajmi]

I am sure this moron also has respect for the people in Iraq who are living under the tyranny of the american forces.

[anajmi]

Well, at least one good thing coming out of 9/11 is that we now know the difference between the true muslims and that false ones like this idiot.

[anajmi]

Someone should ask him to take a look at http://www.911truth.org/

[anajmi]

What happened in the Fallujah mosque

Fools like this guy also believe that the Al-Qaida cell was found in Fallujah because outside there was a board which said "Al-Qaida Organization" in Arabic.

[Humsafar]

I would tend to agree with the disillusioned American but only partly. When I read the Quran for the first time (an English translating by Yusuf Ali) I too was highly disappointed. For what I was expecting was profound truths about life, universe and the purpose and meaning of human existence. But what I found instead was endless repetition of biblical stories, constant condemnation, threats of hellfire, eternal perdition, the imagery of unbelievers being consigned to boiling water and other such dire punishments. Contrary to claims of being compassionate and merciful, Allah at times seems petty, conceited and mean-spirited towards detractors and dissenters; He seeks to have absolute control over man and matter, and the Quran seeks to call people to Islam not by force of argument, logic and persuasion but by force of threats, emotional blackmail and primeval fear.

Having said that, let me hasten to add that the Quran has much that is good in it. It lays down general moral commandments which are the norm in the modern "civilised" world and can now be found, for example, in the UN charter of rights. No religious tract emphasis justice, equity, human dignity, charity and fairplay as the Quran does. It accorded rights to women much before any other society did, it passionately supports the weaker sections of society - the poor, downtrodden, prisoners of war, orphans and widows. On a more practical level, the Quran lays down general principles which any sensible person can adopt to lead a just, fulfilling life keeping to the "straight and narrow".

So, there are two aspects to the Quran: the good and the not-so-good. Not many will dispute the good part. The not-so-good part - the denunciation and condemnation etc. - can also be understood if you posit the quranic text in the context of the time it was revealed: a backward, tribal Arab culture where greed, infanticide, slavery and debauchery were the order of the day. To change these "jhahils" was a momentous task and no force of reason or argument would do the work - hence the threatening tone and language. The divine mandate that the Quran assumes is again part of a long tradition - this is how "divine" massage were brought to the people by Abraham, Noah, Moses Jesus and all the other prophets in between. This is how these great men wanted to bring about change in their times - by appealing to God and arrogating divine authority for their mission. Religions were social/political movements (equivalent of freedom struggles, environmental movements of our time). No one religion was/is better/superior than the other. Essentially, deep down at the core they say and aspire to the same things. Rituals, liturgy, practices and traditions are little more than accretions and detritus that got accumulated along the way.

So, the point is that the American's wholesale rejection of Islam is unwise and even stupid. But I can understand why one would react that way. And here I come to the main point of my argument: that the Quran is a dangerous book in the hands of people who take it literally. And unfortunately, this is what the majority of Muslims do - from the ordinary to the educated to the fanatics. This may also be true of the Bible and the Torah but I haven't read them and not qualified to comment on them. But I'm convinced that one of the main reasons for strife and unrest in Muslim societies down the ages is not that they don't follow the Quran, rather that they follow it too literally and too seriously. Of course, the Crusades, various geo-political factors and Western imperialism (right down to the latest American variety) have all played their part in keeping Muslims down (hence the rejoicing over 9/11 attacks), but Muslims too must own up to their own responsibility of turning an enlightened religion into an obscurantist, outdated creed.

To conclude, the Quran - and possibly other religious tracts too - are dangerous, even inflammatory, weapons in the hands of those who do not understand the context and background of their origin and take them literally as the word of God. The irony is that those who swear by Islam are as ignorant as those who swear at it. Look at wars, violence, bloodshed, pain and suffering around you - what a terrible testimony to the failure of imagination, of rationality, of spirituality - of Islam and other religions.

[anajmi]

Humsafar,

I absolutely disagree with your assessment of Islam or as it being the cause of everything that is happening around us. That is what the ignorant believe and the cunning want the ignorant to believe.

The cause of whatever is happening today is land that belongs to the Muslims and Oil that belongs to the Muslims.

The suffering all around is not caused by Muslims but by Americans in Iraq and Israelis in Palestine. Everything else is just bullshit.

[Humsafar]

Originally posted by anajmi:


I absolutely disagree with your assessment of Islam or as it being the cause of everything that is happening around us.

anajmi,
Pls do not distort my words. I never said or even implied that Islam is the cause of everything happening around us. Only a foolish person would say such a thing. But you cannot discount the fact that Muslims (with their orthodox, literalist interpretation of Islam) are as much responsible as the others.

The cause of whatever is happening today is land that belongs to the Muslims and Oil that belongs to the Muslims.

The suffering all around is not caused by Muslims but by Americans in Iraq and Israelis in Palestine. Everything else is just bullshit.

Correct. Israeli aggression and the unconditional American support is at the heart of the Middle East problems. And a resurgent American imperialism in the region only makes it worse. But look at the history of the Middle East - none of the colonial and imperial powers would have succeeded without the complicity of the so-called Islamic leaders and countries. Their betrayal, treachery and silence continues to this day. Look at Saudi Arabia (an abomination to everything Islam stands for) and other Gulf countries, look at Egypt (that shamelessly eats out of American hands), Jordan, Pakistan - they are all American protectorates. Their regimes would not survive for a single day without the American support. If these 'Islamic' leaders had real guts and believed in the Islamic tenets of justice and equity, they would not have allowed Israel to so violently occupy Palestine for more than 35 years, they would not have allowed immoral and inhuman sanctions to continue in Iraq for 10 years resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of children, and if that were not enough, they would not have allowed America to launch an illegal war after that against that unfortunate country. Where is the 'Islamic' conscience of these leaders when Muslims are butchered at every western imperialist whim. Why don't they make a scene in the UN? Why don't they issue ringing condemnation of American actions? Why don't they withdraw their billions of dollars of investments in American companies - and bring its economy down to its knees? Why don't they listen to their own people - the Arab street - and remove American military bases, form their own independent policies, have some national self-respect, allow for a little democracy and a little freedom.

The point is that American imperialist agenda is well know and deserves to be roundly condemned. But lets also admit that "Islamic" leaders are as much part of it as their American masters. Of course, their complicity in all this has nothing to do with Islam per se, what motivates them is greed, power and "geo-political compulsions" a euphemism for weakness and lack of political will.

The Muslim people have become the meat in the sandwich. They have no real, credible alternatives: on the one hand they have a corrupt, illegitimate and unislamic leadership (as represented by Saudi Arabia) which swears and justifies their rule by Islam, and on the other hand they've Taliban/bin Laden type of fundamentalists who think that Muslims leaders are not Islamic enough and seek to drive the Muslim world deeper into the bog of orthodoxy and intolerance.

My point is that much of the Muslim orthodoxy comes form the literal and narrow interpretation of the Quran - and has been so bred and entrenched by corrupt rulers, the so-called rebels, mullahs and of course the uneducated and unthinking Muslim masses.

To blame everything that's happening in the Muslim world on America and Israel is wrong. Muslims too share the blame. And a part of that blame can be laid at the door of Islamic orthodoxy.

[anajmi]

Pls do not distort my words. I never said or even implied that Islam is the cause of everything happening around us. Only a foolish person would say such a thing. But you cannot discount the fact that Muslims (with their orthodox, literalist interpretation of Islam) are as much responsible as the others.

No I did not distort your words. Anyways, I agree with everything you said about the Muslim leadership and again I disagree with you when you say that it is because of "the literal and narrow interpretation of the Quran ". The problem with the muslim leadership is that they are corrupt. Plain and Simple. It has nothing to do with the interpretation of the quran or Islam.

You do not want to blame America and Israel for what is happening, ok then let's talk about what the Muslims have done wrong.

Did Saddam develop weapons of Mass Destruction to destroy the world? Did the people of Iraq commit crimes which led to their punishment through sactions for 14 years? Did the palestinians steal land that belonged to the Israelis? What is the blame that you are trying to lay down at the door of the Muslims and Islam?

If not then what are they responsible for? Suicide bombings? Stop stealing their land and oil and the suicide bombings will stop.
Beheadings? Again stop stealing from them and the beheadings will stop.

[anajmi]

Video: Israeli Soldiers Going In For The Kill: A 13 year old Palestinian school girl is about to die

[anajmi]

Iraq Pipeline Watch

Attacks on Iraqi pipelines, oil installations, and oil personnel:
But the supposedly empty pipeline to Haifa, protected by three US military bases, is never touched.

As you may know the pipeline to Haifa supplied oil to Israel.

[anajmi]

US Iraq casualties near record levels

1600 fighters had been killed in Falluja --- 80% were civilians.

The Marines brought in bulldozers to cover up

Of course you would have us believe it is because of the literal interpretation of the quran.

[anajmi]

Iraqi people must be master of Iraq: Putin

Yeah, but the people of Chechnya have to suffer, I guess because they interpret the quran literally.

[anajmi]

Pentagon Report: Muslims See US as 'Two-Faced'

And why is that? Is it because of the way the muslims have interpreted the quran?

US 'alienating' world's Muslims

Again this is probably because of the way the idiots interpret the quran.

[anajmi]

Pssst. Wanna see some dirty pictures?

[Humsafar]

anajmi,

Pls get a grip on yourself - you are going out of control. Can you actually understand what you read? I said, only "a part of the blame lies at the door of Islamic orthodoxy".

Where did I say I "do not want to blame Americans and Israelis for what is happening." I said, Muslims too have to share the blame. And the blame is that the most "Islamic" countries are the biggest and most shameless bootlickers of America. If only these countries were "less Islamic" and had more freedom and democratic government the people would have forced their leaders to stand up to America. After all, it's people's culture, attitudes, values, history, religion etc. that shape the kind of society and politics they have. A society based on a strict, intolerant doctrine is going to have a humourless, intolerant society.

America is in the Middle East because of its oil. America's pursuit of power and wealth is indiscriminate and overwhelming. It has brought destruction and suffering to people all around the world - not just the Muslims; look at the Philippines, Vietnam, south and central America, Cambodia. All these people have resisted American aggression and the brave people of Vietnam won that impossible war but non of them turned them into a religious war - a "jihad" against the great Satan.

Arab resistance and suicide bombing is understandable, even a legitimate response under the circumstances. But then call it for what it is - a freedom struggle. Don't bring jihad into it. Don't invoke Islam and its most egregious aspects to the glorious war of resistance. Arab and Muslim resistance weaken their case greatly by giving undue importance to orthodoxies of Islam rather than focusing on freedom, democracy and human rights.

Until the Muslims are liberated from the clutches of Islamic orthodoxy they are doomed - imperialist powers from Britain to America to who know who else will continue to take advantage of them.

Look at the Islamic rule of Spain - it was the most glorious era of Islam. Why? Because it was one of the most liberal periods in Islamic history.
Saddam was a chum of the US when it suited him and used American weapons and money to kill Iranians.

[anajmi]

I am sorry for having misunderstood you. I didn't know that "the most "Islamic" countries are the biggest and most shameless bootlickers of America" because of the fact that they were Islamic.

And you seriously think that feedom and democratic governments do what the people want, just like in America where fear rules. Even hitler was democratically elected, but I am sure you knew that.

And your advise to the muslims is to fight but not call the fight a Jihad. Obviously you do not know what Jihad means. Tomorrow you will say that the muslims should pray but start facing Tel Aviv. Then you may say that the muslims should read the quran but do not claim that it is from Allah.

And yes, Spain was a glorious era because Muslims weren't ashamed of being Muslims.

I did not know that you were so apologetic for being a muslim. It is similar to what that American convert was saying ""I found myself
making excuses to others that this was not what Islam really teaches but it
began to sound less and less convincing. I became aware that my life was
based on contradictions."" I hope and pray that you do not go the same way.

[anajmi]

Brother Humsafar,

I have another question for you. Let us say that the Muslims stop using the term jihad for their struggle against the Americans and the Israelis, does that mean that like Vietnam they will win or does that mean that the Americans and Israelis will return their land back to them and leave them alone in peace?

I know it sounds completely ridiculous but I think that is what you are suggesting.

003.142
YUSUFALI: Did ye think that ye would enter Heaven without Allah testing those of you who fought hard ("Jihad" In His Cause) and remained steadfast?

002.218
YUSUFALI: Those who believed and those who suffered exile and fought ("Jihad") (and strove and struggled) in the path of Allah,- they have the hope of the Mercy of Allah: And Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

009.073
YUSUFALI: O Prophet! strive hard ("Jihad") against the unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell,- an evil refuge indeed.

025.052
YUSUFALI: Therefore listen not to the Unbelievers, but strive ("Jihad") against them with the utmost strenuousness, with the (Qur'an).

003.142
YUSUFALI: Did ye think that ye would enter Heaven without Allah testing those of you who fought hard (In His Cause) and remained steadfast?

004.095
YUSUFALI: Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight ("Jihad") in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight ("Jihad") with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward,-

Wherever you see the word "Jihad" that is my addition because in arabic that is the word used however in the translation it becomes "Strive" or "Fight"

If you look at the last verse I posted 4:95, it describes two kinds of people, you and I belong to one kind and the Iraqis and Palestinians belong to the other kind. Look at the fate of the muslims right now and then consider what their fate will be if they take your advise and even give up Jihad.

[anajmi]

And I do not think it will matter to the Americans if the Iraqis call it Jihad or call it just a freedom struggle. They will remain insurgents, but now the Iraqis will not have Allah on their side.

Of course I understand why you do not want to call it a Jihad, because you think they are not actually fighting for the cause of Allah. They are fighting for their own lives and property. I am afraid I do not have the energy to explain to you that they are one and the same. You may want to look at a certain book called the "Quran" which will give you the answers.

[anajmi]

Well, I was going back through your posts and I think you have already read the quran and come to your conclusions.

May Allah help us all and show us the right path.

[porus]

Let us separate two issues which appear to be mixed up in this debate. One is the issue of illegal predatory aggression by the USA and Israel against defenceless people. The second issue is the use of Quran to justify acts of retaliatory violence against all who happen to be around regardless of who they may be, Muslims and non-Muslims.

The first is an issue of colonialism. Unfortunately the USA has converted it against a war on Muslim civilization as a whole. This requires appropriate response from Muslims which can be justified purely on the basis of secular legal principles. Unfortunately, Muslims have been so numbed by the overwhelming might of the USA that the only recourse to shake them off emotionally is to appeal to Quran. Even that has not moved the Muslim masses.

The second issue is what the Quran actually says in those ayats quoted by Anajmi. The word 'jahadu' means to make an effort. It does not mean killing for any cause or making an aggressive war against enemies of Islam. Enemies of Islam are not those who follow other religions but those who made trouble for Islam in its early stages, the munafiqeen and kaafireen. Quran's suggestion against these people is for Muslims to be steadfast in their beliefs and trust God for outcome. And, only as a last resort, take up arms to defend themselves not defend Islam, which is God's business.

The word Jihad, a noun from 'jahadu', means 'Holy War' only if it is so declared by a Muslim Authority, which ceased to exist when Muhammad died and Imams and Khulafa disappeared.

The word for war is 'Harb' and the word for killing is 'qatl'. Those are not 'Jihad'.

Muslims may sense a satisfaction following 9/11 or Madrid bombing, but they cannot be supported by Quran.

It makes a great deal of sense for Muslims to oppose the USA on legal grounds; and they should harness enormous groundswell both in the USA and Europe against their govenments' policies.

[Average Bohra]

The political [not religious] struggle of the Palestenians is the only issue that unites Islam and Muslims, and is [ab]used by all of Islam. It has been successfully used for decades to throw Muslim attention off their own corrupt leaders, failure of the Islamic system ,and its so-called scholars. It is equally ironic that Arafat was used to unite Mulsims; he was secular [and corrupt].

" if the Iraqis call it Jihad or call it just a freedom struggle. They will remain insurgents, but now the Iraqis will not have Allah on their side."

It is this simplistic and naive view that is so prevalent among the masses ["the Arab Street"]. Somehow, regardless of your cause, if you call it Jihad then somehow Allah is holding your hand while you slaughter civilians.

As long as Muslims continue to blame others {America) for their plight, and refuse to accept responsiblity, there is no solution in sight and "modern" Islam will remain mired in a deep malaise.

[anajmi]

porus,

"Muslims may sense a satisfaction following 9/11 or Madrid bombing, but they cannot be supported by Quran."

Are you assuming that these were carried out by Muslims? Based on what proof?

Average moron,

"It is this simplistic and naive view that is so prevalent among the masses ["the Arab Street"]. Somehow, regardless of your cause, if you call it Jihad then somehow Allah is holding your hand while you slaughter civilians."

You know, I am glad you are still a moron.

I am not asking people to call it jihad and mean something else so as to fool Allah into supporting us. Only a moron like you could think of something like that. Humsafar is actually suggesting for calling it something other than Jihad to change the outcome.

[anajmi]

All,

Please listen to the average moron and do not blame Israel or America for what is happening in Iraq or Palestine. All they have to do is blame themselves, give up their oil and land Islam will be saved from the "deep malaise".

[anajmi]

And the only people slaughtering civilians in iraq are the americans, but since you are a moron, you will not understand the difference.

[anajmi]

Falluja: The 21st Century Guernica

'Unusual Weapons' Used in Fallujah

But please do not blame America. After all the world is a much better place now that Saddam is gone!!

[anajmi]

U.S. Admits Using Napalm Bombs In Iraq: Report

US has established three bases to guard the Mosul-Haifa pipeline

But please do not blame America or Israel. Why did the lord give the Israeli land to the muslims or how could american oil get under the muslim sand!! The world is a much better place now that Saddam is gone.

[anajmi]

You know, they say that in the hereafter the people in the heaven will be able to see the people in hell and laugh at them and the people in hell will see the people in heaven and cry for their fate. I can't wait to get there if you know what I mean

[anajmi]

The first is an issue of colonialism. Unfortunately the USA has converted it against a war on Muslim civilization as a whole. This requires appropriate response from Muslims which can be justified purely on the basis of secular legal principles. Unfortunately, Muslims have been so numbed by the overwhelming might of the USA that the only recourse to shake them off emotionally is to appeal to Quran. Even that has not moved the Muslim masses.

You want the muslim response to be such that it can be justified purely on the basis of secular legal principles. I am not sure what you mean by that. Would that include sending a letter of protest of Bush? or sending a letter to the internation court of justice?

As far as the might of the USA is concerned, a lot of people who considered the USA to be that kind of mighty are now having second thoughts. Two of the most powerful nations in the world are being fought by two of the most ill-equipped people in the world, alone without an iota of support from other so called muslim nations. Now imagine what would happen if they were to recieve this support. The problem is that this conflict is not wide enough right now which will change in the coming months or years.

And you are correct about the fact that the only recourse the muslims have is the quran and Allah. That has enabled the weak to fight against the mighty and that too without any help. Now imagine what they will do when the help finally arrives.

As Jesus Christ has said, the weak shall inherit the earth.

Of course I will not blame America for anything that is happening