Omar Ahad, the board chairman for the Council
on American-Islamic Relations, urged President George W. Bush
in 2002 to " ... repudiate anti-Islamic rhetoric." He
stated, "It's time for the President to step up to the plate
on the issue of Islamophobia in America." (AP, November
13, 2002). (Islamophobia may be defined as "the fear
of Islam.")
The President, who has stated since September
11, 2001, that he believes "most Muslims" are a peaceful
people, seems to have felt obliged to make even stronger statements
since Omar Ahad's urging for a repudiation of "anti-Islamic
rhetoric." Mr. Bush has said, "Islam, as practiced by
the vast majority of people, is a peaceful religion, a religion
that respects others ... There are millions of peaceful-loving
Muslim Americans."
Reporters are saying that the President did not
want to call the names of those like Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell,
and Franklin Graham; for these are seen in the United States as
"Christian conservatives" and political allies of Mr.
Bush. In fact, Graham preached at Mr. Bush's inaugural ceremony
and has been an outspoken critic of the Muslim faith since September
11, 2001. Pat Robertson has said, "Adolf Hitler was bad,
but what the Muslims want to do to the Jews is worse." He
cited several Muslim articles as proof. Jerry Falwell called Mohammad
" ... a terrorist ... a violent man, a man of war."
Muslims around the world were outraged at Falwell's candid comments.
One Iranian Muslim cleric called for his death! A general strike
was called in Bombay to protest Jerry Falwell's statements, and
it turned into a riot resulting in five people being killed! (AP,
November 13, 2002).
It seems to me that some of these sectarians are
bolder than most Christians concerning the false religion of Islam!
The fact is, any reputable encyclopedia will portray Mohammed's
rise to power through violence. Just read the Qu'ran (Koran) to
see how bloody Mohammed was. If Mohammed lived in the 21st Century,
ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox News, etc. would all style him
a "terrorist." Their "holy book" is riddled
with references to physical violence and subduing the enemies
of Islam with the sword!
Brother Wayne Jackson refers to Mohammed as the
" ... Arabian bully who hijacked the name of God as cover
for his self-glorifying maneuvers." ("Islam and the
Enemy," Christian Courier: "Penpoints,"
Monday, November 5, 2001). In another article brother Jackson
contrasts the Bible with the Qu'ran (Koran) and states, "Before
us we have two books ... one encourages us to love our enemies;
the other promotes conversion by force and jihad holy war."
("Ishmael or Isaac? The Koran or the Bible?" Christian
Courier: "Penpoints," Monday, December 17, 2001.)
You can gain access to many excellent articles concerning Islam
and Mohammed by brother Wayne Jackson (as well as articles on
various other topics) by simply searching for Christian Courier
on the Internet.
It seems to me that members of the churches of
Christ should be able to understand the fundamental Muslims better
than anyone else does. They, like we, are people of a "restoration
spirit." We seek to restore the New Testament church of Christ
and to instill in society the fundamental teachings of Jesus the
Christ as they are revealed in the New Testament. They, on the
other hand, seek to restore Islam as it was meant to be: violent
and consuming, as it is revealed in the Qu'ran (Koran). There
are modern, "denominational" Muslims who have
drifted from Mohammed's teachings concerning the subduing of the
"infidel" through violence, but the "restorationist"
Muslims are bent toward that goal.
As we consider the references in the Qu'ran (Koran)
concerning this purpose of Islam, should we have a fear of them
("Islamophobia")? I am reminded of our Lord's words,
"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able
to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy
both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28). -P.O. Box 285,
Crum, WV 25669.