Category: Middle East, World Affairs Topics: California, Conflicts And War, Government And Politics, Iraq, United States Of America Views: 2479
2479
Failings of Arabs - as Representative of Muslims
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Reps. David Bonior, D-Mich., Jim McDermott, D-Wash., and Mike Thompson, D-Calif., leave today for a five-day trip to Iraq to see first-hand the toll that war and economic sanctions have taken on the country.
The trip is aimed at gaining insight into the humanitarian challenges another war on Iraq would have on innocent Iraqis and the dangerous implications of a unilateral, preemptive strike on U.S. national security.
McDermott, Bonior and Thompson will be part of a delegation organized by the Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq, a project of the Church Council of Greater Seattle, and LIFE for Relief and Development, a Michigan charity organization licensed by the United States and the United Nations to administer aid in Iraq.
"I tend to think there are other ways to deal with the disarmament of Iraq, and we should exhaust every single possibility to do that before the United States takes the absolutely unprecedented step of a preemptive strike," McDermott said. "The day the United States starts saying, 'We don't like this leader; we're going to take him out no matter what the human cost is,' we have crossed a major line in international behavior. And I am very worried about that."
Bonior said a better understanding of the humanitarian problem in Iraq and its national security implications are crucial to the United States' decision whether to launch another war.
"We continue to rattle sabers and pound war drums, and yet we have very little idea of challenges we could face afterwards. What happens to our standing on the world stage if we act alone? Will our men and women in the military be required to occupy Iraq and for how long?" Bonior said. "The question is do we want to put our military personnel and Iraqi civilians in harm's way in an action that is dangerous to our national security priority - the war against terror? We have assembled an important coalition to fight the terrorism of Al Qaeda and this war will threaten that."
The group will leave today and arrive in Baghdad on Friday. They will visit many sites, including a hospital, a water filtration plant and an oil-for-food distribution site. The group will return on Tuesday.
Thompson said gaining firsthand knowledge about Iraq will better help him and Congress work with our regional allies to address the humanitarian challenges faced by Iraqi citizens who may not be responsible for their leaders' actions.
"The classified briefings Congress has been presented to date have fallen short of bridging the current chasm between a rush to war and evidence of an immediate threat," Thompson said. "The more we can learn, the better our ability will be to bring long-term stability to this region."
Category: Middle East, World Affairs
Topics: California, Conflicts And War, Government And Politics, Iraq, United States Of America
Views: 2479
Topics: California, Conflicts And War, Government And Politics, Iraq, United States Of America
Views: 2479
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Older Comments:
S.KHAJA MOINUDIN FROM INDIA said:
I have often seen arabs praising US as super power, in televsion interviews and pleading for the US to spare them. It is a highly discouraging scene to see people born in Mohd nabi's soil are talking of such SHIRK. It is high time they realise the commandements of NABI and stick to what ALLAH has given to them and make the worls bow in front rather then dancing to the tunes of western hypocrites and fascist like Blair.
I hope arabs will unite and not succum to the wesstern evil designs
I hope arabs will unite and not succum to the wesstern evil designs
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ZARINAH AWAD-DROMGOOLE FROM USA said:
ASA: BRAVO! VERY WELL PUT.I REALLY ENJOYED THIS TRUTHFUL ARTICLE.AND TO THINK,THIS IS WHO WE HAVE IN THE FOREFRONT OF ALL OUR MASJIDS IN AMERICA.NO WONDER WE HAVE GONE BACKWARDS.......
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OPEN ATTITUDE OF WOMEN AND MEN THAT ONCE EXISTED IN BAGDAD,THE WONDERFUL HISTORY OF GREAT ACCOMPLISEMENTS AND THINK TANKS?REALLY BROTHER I'M SO TIRED OF ALL THIS CULTURAL STUFF,THAT SEEMS TO CREEP IN THE MASJIDS AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT ,YOU CAN'T EVEN SPEAK AS A WOMEN .I HAVE ALWAYS FELT MORE COMFORTABLE IN PRACTICING MY DEEN AS A CONCERNED HUMAN BEING WORKING FOR ALLAH ,A FREE AGENT.IN ORDER TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO MOVE FOREWORD,GROW,ECT. IT IS BETTER NOT TO ATTACH YOURSELF TO ANY PARTICULAR GROUP OR ORGANISATION.THIS WORKS BEST FOR ME,BECAUSE I FIND THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE WITH A NEW FATWAH OR OPPRESSIVE IDEA ABOUT WHAT WOMEN CAN OR CAN'T DO .AN ELDERLY BROTHER ONCE TOLD ME MANY YEARS AGO ,"IF YOU OPPRESS THE WOMEN YOU SUPPRESS A NATION". SO BE IT,ALLAH (SWA) GUIDED ME TO THIS DEEN AND I DIDN'T GET ANY MAN OR ALIM'S PERMISSION TO SPEAK OR WORK FOR THIS DEEN. IT CAME FROM ALLAH AND THAT IS WHO WILL GUIDE MY TONGE AND MY LIFE, LIBERTY,AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THIS DEEN.
YOUR SISTER IN ISLAM
ZARINAH AWAD-DROMGOOLE
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OPEN ATTITUDE OF WOMEN AND MEN THAT ONCE EXISTED IN BAGDAD,THE WONDERFUL HISTORY OF GREAT ACCOMPLISEMENTS AND THINK TANKS?REALLY BROTHER I'M SO TIRED OF ALL THIS CULTURAL STUFF,THAT SEEMS TO CREEP IN THE MASJIDS AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT ,YOU CAN'T EVEN SPEAK AS A WOMEN .I HAVE ALWAYS FELT MORE COMFORTABLE IN PRACTICING MY DEEN AS A CONCERNED HUMAN BEING WORKING FOR ALLAH ,A FREE AGENT.IN ORDER TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO MOVE FOREWORD,GROW,ECT. IT IS BETTER NOT TO ATTACH YOURSELF TO ANY PARTICULAR GROUP OR ORGANISATION.THIS WORKS BEST FOR ME,BECAUSE I FIND THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE WITH A NEW FATWAH OR OPPRESSIVE IDEA ABOUT WHAT WOMEN CAN OR CAN'T DO .AN ELDERLY BROTHER ONCE TOLD ME MANY YEARS AGO ,"IF YOU OPPRESS THE WOMEN YOU SUPPRESS A NATION". SO BE IT,ALLAH (SWA) GUIDED ME TO THIS DEEN AND I DIDN'T GET ANY MAN OR ALIM'S PERMISSION TO SPEAK OR WORK FOR THIS DEEN. IT CAME FROM ALLAH AND THAT IS WHO WILL GUIDE MY TONGE AND MY LIFE, LIBERTY,AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THIS DEEN.
YOUR SISTER IN ISLAM
ZARINAH AWAD-DROMGOOLE
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AMINA FROM US said:
A comment to "Muslim (comment #6036)":
People (Muslim and non-muslim) should learn about Islam NOT only from the Quran and Sunnah, but from history. You MUST put the Quran in historic context. This is NOT to argue that some of it is no longer applicable, but rather that most of it is in response to the society of that day. Much serves as an example of how to behave in the ideal -- examples are timeless, but to understand the point, you ahve to consider the context.
As an example, there are verses indicating divorce is final after a man indicates 4 times that divorce is desired. Aside from the fact that this is about the need for a separation period between husband and wife, it is a RESTRICTION on men, rather than a liberty. At the time there was a huge problem with familial abandonment by men -- this verse is in response to that. Also, if I'm not mistaken, women were allowed to divorce at the time, and one can conclude that in the absense of a restriction placed on them, that they continue to have this right. Too many Muslims are too afraid to study the Quran in this manner as they confuse thoughtful examination and critical reinterpretation with criticsm of God's word.
And one final point worth noting, I believe it was sadly very unreligious, brutal so-called Muslim leaders that happened to appreciate the sciences and the arts that are responsible for most of the advances attributable to the Muslim world.
People (Muslim and non-muslim) should learn about Islam NOT only from the Quran and Sunnah, but from history. You MUST put the Quran in historic context. This is NOT to argue that some of it is no longer applicable, but rather that most of it is in response to the society of that day. Much serves as an example of how to behave in the ideal -- examples are timeless, but to understand the point, you ahve to consider the context.
As an example, there are verses indicating divorce is final after a man indicates 4 times that divorce is desired. Aside from the fact that this is about the need for a separation period between husband and wife, it is a RESTRICTION on men, rather than a liberty. At the time there was a huge problem with familial abandonment by men -- this verse is in response to that. Also, if I'm not mistaken, women were allowed to divorce at the time, and one can conclude that in the absense of a restriction placed on them, that they continue to have this right. Too many Muslims are too afraid to study the Quran in this manner as they confuse thoughtful examination and critical reinterpretation with criticsm of God's word.
And one final point worth noting, I believe it was sadly very unreligious, brutal so-called Muslim leaders that happened to appreciate the sciences and the arts that are responsible for most of the advances attributable to the Muslim world.
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LIAQUAT ALI FROM USA said:
Please read QAIU at http://www.qaiu.org
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WILLIAM A. HALL FROM USA said:
An interesting article. I think few European Americans realize that the renaissance of science, mathematics, astronomy and medicine were due to the flourishing of these disciplines under Islam - after being supressed by Christendom.
Intellectual freedom and governments controlled by the people, are the key to the sort of ferment that leads to cultural growth. We in the west have an extremely narrow and historically perverse view of Islam and its intellectual contributions, and conveniently forget the horrors inflicted on Christians and non Christians alike by the Church in an effort to assure political and religious hegemony, and the subsequent wars and bloodshed committed in the name of God by Europeans against each other as various religious factions vied for supremacy, certainly ironic given Christ's admonition to "Love God and Love thy neighbor as thyself"
As Christian with a deep and abiding mistrust in any religion that seeks to use oppression and violence to spread its message, we must all acknowledge that we all have blood on our hands, and look for ways to end hostilities, not exacerbate them.
Bill
Intellectual freedom and governments controlled by the people, are the key to the sort of ferment that leads to cultural growth. We in the west have an extremely narrow and historically perverse view of Islam and its intellectual contributions, and conveniently forget the horrors inflicted on Christians and non Christians alike by the Church in an effort to assure political and religious hegemony, and the subsequent wars and bloodshed committed in the name of God by Europeans against each other as various religious factions vied for supremacy, certainly ironic given Christ's admonition to "Love God and Love thy neighbor as thyself"
As Christian with a deep and abiding mistrust in any religion that seeks to use oppression and violence to spread its message, we must all acknowledge that we all have blood on our hands, and look for ways to end hostilities, not exacerbate them.
Bill
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UMMU FROM USA said:
This comment is for Cindy. Cindy why do you have so much hatered going around? Life is too short.
If you put all that negetive energy in to reading the facts and really understanding the Quran itself, believe me you will regret the comments you have made.May Allah help you see the light
insha-allahu.
If you put all that negetive energy in to reading the facts and really understanding the Quran itself, believe me you will regret the comments you have made.May Allah help you see the light
insha-allahu.
()
MANJIT SINGH FROM INDIA said:
Dear Sir,
Excellent article but alas known to any educated observer for decades. It is frightening to read the comments of some of the readers. The problems faced by Islamic world are not new and certainly not unique to islam. For example:
1) Chruch did not allow interest on capital lent to be charged until Medici in Rome deiced to go againt;
2) Women did not vote in the Switzerland till 1971;
3) Church leaders ordained civil policies till 1400; and many more examples like this.
The question however is that why the islamic world failed its people. I submit three hypothesis:
1) Islamic world is governed by clerics/their derivatives like pre rennaissance Europe and as Europe was week and poor than Islamic world is weak and poor now. The Islamic religion must go through its rennaissance like in Europe, Meiji revolution in Japan, Deng's revolution in China, democratisation of India etc. If the religion is not separated from governance the problems will continue. A tolerant civil society must give rights to everybody (eg Mosques are allowed in Hindu India, Christian Italy, Orthodox Russia, Buddhist Sri Lanka etc) but as a Sikh my people cannot build a Sikh place of Worship in Saudi Arabia etc.
2) In most Islamic states 50% of its population is not allowed by religion to participate to their fullest potential. One can imagine what would happen to any economy if women who make up 50% of the population cannot particpate fully. Empowerment and freedom for women must be a central issue.
3) Basic human rights need to built into the Islamic world. Whether this is done by democracy or common civil law is upto islamic scholars. As a sikh I would not like to be goverened by Sharia (muslims in India are governed under sharia and not under civil law) Islamic contries need to have something similar (Malaysia is an eg.)
Islamic society has itself to blame for its problems and thus it needs to solve them in its own way blaming US, Israel, West etc will solve
Excellent article but alas known to any educated observer for decades. It is frightening to read the comments of some of the readers. The problems faced by Islamic world are not new and certainly not unique to islam. For example:
1) Chruch did not allow interest on capital lent to be charged until Medici in Rome deiced to go againt;
2) Women did not vote in the Switzerland till 1971;
3) Church leaders ordained civil policies till 1400; and many more examples like this.
The question however is that why the islamic world failed its people. I submit three hypothesis:
1) Islamic world is governed by clerics/their derivatives like pre rennaissance Europe and as Europe was week and poor than Islamic world is weak and poor now. The Islamic religion must go through its rennaissance like in Europe, Meiji revolution in Japan, Deng's revolution in China, democratisation of India etc. If the religion is not separated from governance the problems will continue. A tolerant civil society must give rights to everybody (eg Mosques are allowed in Hindu India, Christian Italy, Orthodox Russia, Buddhist Sri Lanka etc) but as a Sikh my people cannot build a Sikh place of Worship in Saudi Arabia etc.
2) In most Islamic states 50% of its population is not allowed by religion to participate to their fullest potential. One can imagine what would happen to any economy if women who make up 50% of the population cannot particpate fully. Empowerment and freedom for women must be a central issue.
3) Basic human rights need to built into the Islamic world. Whether this is done by democracy or common civil law is upto islamic scholars. As a sikh I would not like to be goverened by Sharia (muslims in India are governed under sharia and not under civil law) Islamic contries need to have something similar (Malaysia is an eg.)
Islamic society has itself to blame for its problems and thus it needs to solve them in its own way blaming US, Israel, West etc will solve
()
MUSLIM, THANK ALLAH SWT FROM EARTH said:
Cindy,
I know that people living in USA pay about 27% of their income to the goverment as TAXES. I said USA not some other country because it is considered the best country in the world by non muslims now.
Cindy, do you know that the non-muslims living under Islamic rule were ordered to pay LESS than what muslims used to pay as Zakat (charity).
Zakat is 2.5% (two point five percent) of the wealth that stayed with one for one year. (wealth other than your first house, first car...). So if you had one house and nothing else, then you would pay NOTHING at the end of the year...
So please compare what people have to pay now to the US government VERSUS what non muslim people had to pay to the Islamic government back then.
You will find out that people nowadays are oppressed. They are oppressed because they are ruled by man made laws, not GOD made just and merciful laws.
Read the Koranic verse: 5-47:
"Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel/ go astray from God's path (and thus cause harm and destruction). "
The same thing applies to Muslims. If they do not follow Allah's words that are just and merciful to muslims and non muslims then Muslims themselves will be cursed by Allah. See Koran:7-44
"The Curse of Allah (name of God) is on the wrong doers/ oppressors".
The oppressors can claim to be Muslims, Jews, Christians, non-believers. The bottom line is that if you are an oppressor then God will curse/ hurt/ destroy you/ make you suffer.
So I ask our creator to guide all of us more to His way of life.
note: verse plucking will not help you-Cindy or any one else- in understanding what is wanted by that verse. One has to understand the entire Koran and Sunnah at least, then speak up. Learn Islam from God (His book), not Islam from Muslims (because these Muslims may be on the wrong path due to lack of k
I know that people living in USA pay about 27% of their income to the goverment as TAXES. I said USA not some other country because it is considered the best country in the world by non muslims now.
Cindy, do you know that the non-muslims living under Islamic rule were ordered to pay LESS than what muslims used to pay as Zakat (charity).
Zakat is 2.5% (two point five percent) of the wealth that stayed with one for one year. (wealth other than your first house, first car...). So if you had one house and nothing else, then you would pay NOTHING at the end of the year...
So please compare what people have to pay now to the US government VERSUS what non muslim people had to pay to the Islamic government back then.
You will find out that people nowadays are oppressed. They are oppressed because they are ruled by man made laws, not GOD made just and merciful laws.
Read the Koranic verse: 5-47:
"Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel/ go astray from God's path (and thus cause harm and destruction). "
The same thing applies to Muslims. If they do not follow Allah's words that are just and merciful to muslims and non muslims then Muslims themselves will be cursed by Allah. See Koran:7-44
"The Curse of Allah (name of God) is on the wrong doers/ oppressors".
The oppressors can claim to be Muslims, Jews, Christians, non-believers. The bottom line is that if you are an oppressor then God will curse/ hurt/ destroy you/ make you suffer.
So I ask our creator to guide all of us more to His way of life.
note: verse plucking will not help you-Cindy or any one else- in understanding what is wanted by that verse. One has to understand the entire Koran and Sunnah at least, then speak up. Learn Islam from God (His book), not Islam from Muslims (because these Muslims may be on the wrong path due to lack of k
()
ABU BAKR FROM USA said:
As strange as it may seem, Islamism is just another western ideology, a type of pseudo-religious "liberation theology".
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NURU MUHAMMAD FROM NIGERIA said:
To Adam Ibrahim,
Assalamu alaikum,
I think you have missed two things. First, the UN Report was targeted specifically to the "Arab World" and not the Ummah. Second, the conclusions were (as the author says)more or less apoplicable to all the muslim countries.
The article was very commendable and the UN Report was down to earth. There is hardly any muslim country that is not having one or more of the three deficits (i.e. freedom, knowledge and woman power). The issue now is how do we get out of this mess?
My humble suggestion is that each and every one of us MUST make a committment to put in some efforts no matter how small in enhancing freedom, knowledge and woman power. This, after all is one of the teachings of Islam.
We thank the UN for the report."Wisdom is the lost property of the Muslim. Whenever he finds it he is more entittle to it".
Bissalam.
Assalamu alaikum,
I think you have missed two things. First, the UN Report was targeted specifically to the "Arab World" and not the Ummah. Second, the conclusions were (as the author says)more or less apoplicable to all the muslim countries.
The article was very commendable and the UN Report was down to earth. There is hardly any muslim country that is not having one or more of the three deficits (i.e. freedom, knowledge and woman power). The issue now is how do we get out of this mess?
My humble suggestion is that each and every one of us MUST make a committment to put in some efforts no matter how small in enhancing freedom, knowledge and woman power. This, after all is one of the teachings of Islam.
We thank the UN for the report."Wisdom is the lost property of the Muslim. Whenever he finds it he is more entittle to it".
Bissalam.
()
ADEEB FROM INDIA said:
Cindy, go by the facts.
Please refer:
Muslim Contribution to Human Civilization
www.khwarzimic.org/contribution-muslim/facts.html
Please refer:
Muslim Contribution to Human Civilization
www.khwarzimic.org/contribution-muslim/facts.html
()
TANWIR AHMAD FROM USA said:
AOA, your article truely represents the faults in muslim world and major causes of misery in muslim society.I would also like to say that we can actually get rid of all these troubled issues if we are honest about them. First of all, all muslim nation has to be only "one Nation" if we want to be successful. Secondly hold fast to the words of Allah and Mohummad (PBUH). thirdly, we should use our mind in all ways to improve our conditions whether that be in medical field, engineering, or defense field.
And May Allah give us waking power that we shake ourself from this ignorance and live like Muslim Ummah.
And May Allah give us waking power that we shake ourself from this ignorance and live like Muslim Ummah.
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MUHAMMAD AL-ASSAD IQBAL FROM U.S.A. said:
As a Muslim youth living in America, i can't help but feel the same sense of sadness about the deterioration of the Muslim World as others feel who live their and as those Western Historians even feel. For many years, i have believed, after reading the history of my Islamic ancestors that the Muslim World must re-unite under the veil of re-vitalization and reconstruction. Such a rich history of unity seems to be the real evidence of glory and success and i hate the fact that today, in the present situation, the Muslim people suffer by having been boxed up behind imaginary geo-political borders. Borders that secure the survival of rulers who contradict the Islamic concept of rule by assuming false titles of kingship and presidencies. As Bernard Lewis states in his book " What Went Wrong," regarding the Middle East, " If they[the muslims] joined their talents under a common, creative endeavor...then they can make the Middle East...as it was in antiquity...a major center of civilization..." Why won't they listen??? They is referred to the so called Muslim rulers who don't care about the hard work their ancestors put in creating a civilization. I believe that an event like 9/11 should have opened their eyes and the only solution remaining in securing a new era of Islamic glory would be for these rulers to set aside their differences, set aside their pride and their imaginary borders and join in presenting to thr world, the beauty that once was the Islamic World.
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FARUQ FROM CANADA said:
I understand what Adam Ibrahim means when he says that we should not engage in nationalism, but I don't understand why he objects to the term "the Arab world". It is descriptive of the region, and isn't nationality recognized in Islam?
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SALAH FROM MORICCO said:
To have again self confidence we have to remove some of the arab leaders.
To have again self confidence we have to remove some of the arab leaders.
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LOUYIS FINK FROM USA said:
This is an excellent article. Suggest you make it possible for readers to forward it to others in order that it can be more widespread.
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ADAM IBRAHIM FROM NIGERIA said:
Salamu Alaikum,
By the use of the misnomer "The Arab World" you have spoiled your efforts in the sight of Allah. When will our so called intellectuals in Islam begin to understand that there is no place for NATIONALISM in Islam!!! Allah has said " Oh you who believe enter the religion of Islam totally....."
We will remain in utter squalor forever if we think we will use ethnic or Nationalist ideas to achieve the needed peace with Allah and ourselves. Allah does not mince words, when He commands you either follow or you are doomed. No two ways about it. I am only praying with tears in my eyes that Allah will continue to protect His three holy places till the day of resurrection even if we will witness the return of the Jahilliyah period, Allah forbids, Ameen.
Bissalam.
By the use of the misnomer "The Arab World" you have spoiled your efforts in the sight of Allah. When will our so called intellectuals in Islam begin to understand that there is no place for NATIONALISM in Islam!!! Allah has said " Oh you who believe enter the religion of Islam totally....."
We will remain in utter squalor forever if we think we will use ethnic or Nationalist ideas to achieve the needed peace with Allah and ourselves. Allah does not mince words, when He commands you either follow or you are doomed. No two ways about it. I am only praying with tears in my eyes that Allah will continue to protect His three holy places till the day of resurrection even if we will witness the return of the Jahilliyah period, Allah forbids, Ameen.
Bissalam.
()
BASHIIR ABDULMU'MIN FROM SEATTLE said:
Assalamu,Alaykum. First of all I would have to disagree with Ms. Charleston's statement. The early Muslims were motivated by a deep and profound faith in Allah, and had firsthand experience of the Phrophet's living example. Because of their understanding of Allah's revelation,they perceived the world from a Quranic perspective, which in turn encouraged them to study and reflect over the creation of Allah. Thier dynamic faith led them to make significant breakthroughs in art, Mathamatics science, medicine, and the likes. Islam places high value on seeking knowledge, as well practicing the knowledge that one has attained. Wether the Muslims conquered foreign lands or stayed in their own vicinites,their advacements were due to belief in Allah, not because they conqured other cultures. In fact people of other cultures would send their children to learn from the Muslims in Spain as well as diffrent parts of the Middle East. There are several books that document these facts. One book in particular is called: Science and midevel Islam.Read it learn the facts. Secondd: Being an Arab has nothing to do with Islam. Although Muhammad(pbuh)was born in Arabia, His teaching are universal. In fact if you study the history of Islam you will find that most of the Prominent thinkers and scholars of Islam werent Arabs at all. For example, Imam Ghazzalli, Salman Farsi, this list goes on. The revival of the spirit of Islam will come by Allah's grace and mercy, our understanding and relationship with Allah, as well as an understanding of ourselves and a sense of purpose in life. All this is done by intense study, truly seeking knowledge. I hope that my point is clear. May Allah allow us to move forward in our faith, put the love and light of knowledge in our hearts. Wassalam.
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KYLE FROM USA said:
I think a better understanding of the history of the mediterranean areas might clear things up for you, Mrs. Charleston. It's one thing to get your 'history lessons' from the pulpit, but a solid secular understanding of the regions history would make it clear that the Muslim world of that time was very urbane and advanced in medicine, sciences, philosophy, textiles, and a number of other fields of study. It was not a vast 'enslavement' of other peoples, and it was not an 'Arab' empire, either. In fact, one region of note, in the area of Iraq/Iran, the muslim nation there was actually conquered by the Mongol armies. The Mongols, once they seized control, turned to Islam themselves and spread the faith Northward through their territories. A relatively small portion of the Muslim world, both ancient and modern, was actually converted by conquest. As a comparison, you may want to brush up on your history of the Christian Empires as well.
It's very discouraging to see open comment boards used for hate messages and baseless ranting. It seems that a person who visits a site simply to spew venom and unfounded insults at an entire people might have better ways of spending their time.
It's very discouraging to see open comment boards used for hate messages and baseless ranting. It seems that a person who visits a site simply to spew venom and unfounded insults at an entire people might have better ways of spending their time.
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MOHAMMED FROM USA said:
>
As did the Romans. And like Rome, the Muslim empire took these tecknoledgies and developed further from them.
In the meanwhile, Christiandom produced no science whatsoever. Even as late as the Renaissance Era, innovators like Galileo and Giordano Bruno faced brutal treatment from the Church, often resulting in public execution or life imprisonment.
Only when Church power fell did science manage to take firm root in Christiandom, which by then had learned to work against Church teachings.
Peace be with you.
As did the Romans. And like Rome, the Muslim empire took these tecknoledgies and developed further from them.
In the meanwhile, Christiandom produced no science whatsoever. Even as late as the Renaissance Era, innovators like Galileo and Giordano Bruno faced brutal treatment from the Church, often resulting in public execution or life imprisonment.
Only when Church power fell did science manage to take firm root in Christiandom, which by then had learned to work against Church teachings.
Peace be with you.
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K2 FROM USA said:
Muslims are in the same state as the pre-Islamic Arabs were. But we can correct this by realising our errors and going back to the Koran and example of the prophet Muhammad PBUH. We have to first accept that the leaders of Muslim countries are among the most corrupt and evil people around. We must take a stand against these rulers. In the USA we have the freedom to do this without having to face their oppression and injustice.
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DINO DEMARS FROM BOTSWANA said:
The conclusion of this article is a typical 'poor me' response that is endemic in this type of literature.
The study says that the Arab world has practically no freedoms, a collective GDP of less than Spain, economic growth rate of effectively 0, real population problems which are rapidly getting worse, high illiteracy, not enough in practical education, and women are treated as second class citizens. But somehow, this would all go away if the Palestinians were in better shape, and the Western media would treat them better. Where is the ownership of the problems that plague the Arab world? Where are the recommendations for home-grown solutions to these home-grown problems? Whatever wrongs the 'Arab street' thinks were committed by the US, countries like Korea have had worse, and Korea has turned itself into a manufacturing powerhouse in the last 30 years. They did it through the sweat of their collective brows, not by trying to blame someone else for their shortcomings.
The study says that the Arab world has practically no freedoms, a collective GDP of less than Spain, economic growth rate of effectively 0, real population problems which are rapidly getting worse, high illiteracy, not enough in practical education, and women are treated as second class citizens. But somehow, this would all go away if the Palestinians were in better shape, and the Western media would treat them better. Where is the ownership of the problems that plague the Arab world? Where are the recommendations for home-grown solutions to these home-grown problems? Whatever wrongs the 'Arab street' thinks were committed by the US, countries like Korea have had worse, and Korea has turned itself into a manufacturing powerhouse in the last 30 years. They did it through the sweat of their collective brows, not by trying to blame someone else for their shortcomings.
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ADENEKAN ABDULMUIZZ FROM NIGERIA said:
Failings of Arabs - as Representative of Muslims
1. The type of leadership being practiced by most of these Arab nations (A King as a Ruler, Ruling family etc)is not the type prescribed by the Holy Profect(PBUH). This could be the reason for the problems being faced by these countries and indeed the Muslim comminity. We should however not yield to the western promotion of democracy as this also has its own disadvantages. If we want a change in the lives of the Arabs and indeed the lives of Muslims. Our nations, Countries should be gorverned as prescribed by the Holy Profect and our leaders should be selected according to the Sunah of the Holy Profect. Any thing short of these is not devine and is bound to fail.
2.We should not underestimate the influece of the West. This is a very difficult thing for people to belive but it is the truth. Islam civilization is the only civilization that questions the inadequacies of the Western Civilization. They don't like it as a people. We should realize this. We have to exercise our freedom. Not because some people sat down and gave us freedom as stated in the Foudamental Human Rights Postulates but because all Muslims are free and are servants Allah and Allah alone.
We can not accept the fact that some people feel democratic ruled governance is the best form of ruling. What we know as Muslims is that for us to chose a leader a Govern, we must follow the Sunah of the Holy Prophet.
1. The type of leadership being practiced by most of these Arab nations (A King as a Ruler, Ruling family etc)is not the type prescribed by the Holy Profect(PBUH). This could be the reason for the problems being faced by these countries and indeed the Muslim comminity. We should however not yield to the western promotion of democracy as this also has its own disadvantages. If we want a change in the lives of the Arabs and indeed the lives of Muslims. Our nations, Countries should be gorverned as prescribed by the Holy Profect and our leaders should be selected according to the Sunah of the Holy Profect. Any thing short of these is not devine and is bound to fail.
2.We should not underestimate the influece of the West. This is a very difficult thing for people to belive but it is the truth. Islam civilization is the only civilization that questions the inadequacies of the Western Civilization. They don't like it as a people. We should realize this. We have to exercise our freedom. Not because some people sat down and gave us freedom as stated in the Foudamental Human Rights Postulates but because all Muslims are free and are servants Allah and Allah alone.
We can not accept the fact that some people feel democratic ruled governance is the best form of ruling. What we know as Muslims is that for us to chose a leader a Govern, we must follow the Sunah of the Holy Prophet.
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KAREN LIVINGSTON FROM USA said:
Excellant article. I pray for peace in the Middle East and for the American people to educate themselves on the truths of Arab history. My father is Syrian and I have grown up understanding, but to see intelligent Americans make such ignorant statements and decisions is apalling and hurtfull to me. I pray everyday that God change the hearts of all people.
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RONNIE FROM U.S.A. said:
A'Salam,
I cannot say enough to congratulate you on such a fine article. You have nailed it!! It's not just the Arabs (as you noted) rather the entire Muslim world that is in complete shambles. The question is why? Again, as you wisely noted that it's not appropriate for us to only blame the West (although they bear a heavy burden) it is our fault who became mesmerized by the Occident. We forgot our past, our present and never thought about the future. Our people, as whole, have an ailment and it's called INFERIORITY!! Some may disagree but that is one of our major problems; our inferiority complex on global and individual levels. We have left what elvated our status to one of the greatest civilizations for that which debased us to a bunch of imitating monkeys without focus, destination or clear concept of who we are. Now the few who try to revitalize what we had from the original sources are being maligned. Even the religion itself is attacked at every opportunity. It's hunting season and the target is Islam. You spoke of frustration but that word does not begin to articulate the absolute despair some of us feel. We are going through our own mental Palestine, India, Kashmir, Chechnya, etc... There is light beaming through all this darkness though. The conversion of Muslims at a faster rate than ever. The likes of you, Dr. Jeffery Lang, Dr. Jeremiah D. McAuliffe, Jr. Ph.D., Dr. Jamal Badawi, the brothers at Islamic City and Moiz Amjad at www.understanding-islam.com are all who have contributed to a better understanding of that which will bring us out of the depths of this abyss. They are not the only ones, there are many more. Thank you for such an eye opening article, I just wish there were more. We need to be educated and I wish we would collectively raise ourselves back to the knowledge we once wielded mightier than any sword we have so wrongly been famed for. If we would only, "Read in the name of your God..."
I cannot say enough to congratulate you on such a fine article. You have nailed it!! It's not just the Arabs (as you noted) rather the entire Muslim world that is in complete shambles. The question is why? Again, as you wisely noted that it's not appropriate for us to only blame the West (although they bear a heavy burden) it is our fault who became mesmerized by the Occident. We forgot our past, our present and never thought about the future. Our people, as whole, have an ailment and it's called INFERIORITY!! Some may disagree but that is one of our major problems; our inferiority complex on global and individual levels. We have left what elvated our status to one of the greatest civilizations for that which debased us to a bunch of imitating monkeys without focus, destination or clear concept of who we are. Now the few who try to revitalize what we had from the original sources are being maligned. Even the religion itself is attacked at every opportunity. It's hunting season and the target is Islam. You spoke of frustration but that word does not begin to articulate the absolute despair some of us feel. We are going through our own mental Palestine, India, Kashmir, Chechnya, etc... There is light beaming through all this darkness though. The conversion of Muslims at a faster rate than ever. The likes of you, Dr. Jeffery Lang, Dr. Jeremiah D. McAuliffe, Jr. Ph.D., Dr. Jamal Badawi, the brothers at Islamic City and Moiz Amjad at www.understanding-islam.com are all who have contributed to a better understanding of that which will bring us out of the depths of this abyss. They are not the only ones, there are many more. Thank you for such an eye opening article, I just wish there were more. We need to be educated and I wish we would collectively raise ourselves back to the knowledge we once wielded mightier than any sword we have so wrongly been famed for. If we would only, "Read in the name of your God..."
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OSSAMA I. I. YOUSIF P. GEOL. M.SC. FROM CANADA said:
The writer is 'failing' to see the reasons.It is, as such, a discriptive attempt at playing
'research'. After graduation, it took seven years
for me to figure it out, and leave my country and
The Middle East. Every time I returned to visit or do haj, I was reassured that I did the right thing. The arabic saying goes: 'knowing the reason eleminates the wondering'.
'research'. After graduation, it took seven years
for me to figure it out, and leave my country and
The Middle East. Every time I returned to visit or do haj, I was reassured that I did the right thing. The arabic saying goes: 'knowing the reason eleminates the wondering'.
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JOHN MEAD FROM CANADA said:
Asalamu alaikum, not much to say, well said really and only with this kind of self effacing honesty can real healing occur. When all of us can do this we will be well on the road to renewal and recovery. Sometimes we can search back and back but cannot find the exact point in time where this decline began or even why it happened. Change is difficult,sometimes we are challenged to take up the path of healing and reconcilliation,only with the tool of "honesty" is there a clear path to true peace.
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QUIAH FROM MALAYSIA said:
Cindy, it was not arabs who dominated science, it was Muslims whether Arabs or Non-Arabs. More later
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HASSAN FROM UNITED STATES said:
No Matter what others may say, I beleive this article is a great article and very frank. I commend the author for writing this. No Muslim who is honest, denies this and the overwhelming majority agrees with this article.
Some commentators hate Islam as a religion and anyone who practices it. They will never be content until we do what they want us to do, which is leave Islam altogether. This is also mentioned in the Quraan. Most of them were fed false info about Islam so I don't really blame them for their views. The condition of where most of us came from don't help to change their distorted views. I don't mind if they go bad mouthing other countries, but when someone bad mouths Islam it irritates and offends me.
Some commentators hate Islam as a religion and anyone who practices it. They will never be content until we do what they want us to do, which is leave Islam altogether. This is also mentioned in the Quraan. Most of them were fed false info about Islam so I don't really blame them for their views. The condition of where most of us came from don't help to change their distorted views. I don't mind if they go bad mouthing other countries, but when someone bad mouths Islam it irritates and offends me.
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AISHANOOR FROM CANADA said:
Sadly, the report could also be describing many of our Muslim communities here in North America. The immigrant Muslims as a whole aren't lacking in wealth or prestigious degrees--however, the youth are too often at loose ends, too many Islamic institutions are autocracies with toothless boards of directors, and there is no shortage of women who are discouraged, often in the name of Islam, from working or getting active in the community. Given all the problems of Muslim countries, which many immigrants came here to get away from (even if they don't want to openly admit it), why on earth do we have to replicate so many of these mistakes here? I've met university students who don't like to chair meetings or speak up too much in Muslim student events lest the word get around that they're too forward,and their chances of marriage will be compromised. I've heard speakers make women feel guilty for wanting to do anything with their talents other than stay home. One mosque I visited recently has a separate sisters section in the basement--sisters follow the imam or hear talks via the speaker system and the closed circuit TV--and saw a sign posted prohibiting the entrance of children under seven for jumu'ah, taraweeh and talks. No baby-sitting was provided, either. Since men hardly stay home to take care of the small kids while their wives go to prayers or talks, that means that an awful lot of women are excluded from the most important events of that mosque.
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CINDY CHARLESTON FROM USA said:
re: Thus the Arabs, that once led the world in science, are now most backwards in their pursuit.
the Arabs NEVER led the world in anything..During the days of the Muslim Empire, the Muslims enslaved the genius of the Byzantines, the Persians, the Assyrians, the Egyptians, the Kurds and this Hindus......and claimed all the knowlege and accomplishments for themselves. The reason that Christians and Jews were allowed to live, as humiliated dhimmis for sure, was that the Arab/Muslims conquerers and colonizers WERE so primitive and ignorant, that they needed this class of educated literate people, who created under the threat of death, the "glory" that Islam claims.
As soon as the Arabs/Muslims stopped conquering more advanced civilizations, the true face of Arab/Islamic civilization became prominent....and we see it now.
Islam and Arabia is today, what it has always been...WITHOUT THE INDUSTRY AND GENIUS OF NON MUSLIM PEOPLES AND CULTURES.......nothing.....living off violence and theft....and in some cases oil...
And while the illusion of zakat is brought out to show the magnanimity of the muslims, the real absence of justice and civic participation in governance is obscured. Natural resorces of the country belong (personally) to the most brutal, and not as a public trust, to benefit the people.
The failure of Arabs/Muslims is a symptom of the thinking disorder that allows this culture to understand "peace", as non muslims living UNDER Islam in a state of subjugation and humiliation. Koran 9:29.
and thats just the beginning....
the Arabs NEVER led the world in anything..During the days of the Muslim Empire, the Muslims enslaved the genius of the Byzantines, the Persians, the Assyrians, the Egyptians, the Kurds and this Hindus......and claimed all the knowlege and accomplishments for themselves. The reason that Christians and Jews were allowed to live, as humiliated dhimmis for sure, was that the Arab/Muslims conquerers and colonizers WERE so primitive and ignorant, that they needed this class of educated literate people, who created under the threat of death, the "glory" that Islam claims.
As soon as the Arabs/Muslims stopped conquering more advanced civilizations, the true face of Arab/Islamic civilization became prominent....and we see it now.
Islam and Arabia is today, what it has always been...WITHOUT THE INDUSTRY AND GENIUS OF NON MUSLIM PEOPLES AND CULTURES.......nothing.....living off violence and theft....and in some cases oil...
And while the illusion of zakat is brought out to show the magnanimity of the muslims, the real absence of justice and civic participation in governance is obscured. Natural resorces of the country belong (personally) to the most brutal, and not as a public trust, to benefit the people.
The failure of Arabs/Muslims is a symptom of the thinking disorder that allows this culture to understand "peace", as non muslims living UNDER Islam in a state of subjugation and humiliation. Koran 9:29.
and thats just the beginning....
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