est. 2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

Is Islam A Religion Of Conquest?

The remembrance of the 911 tragedy in September and the  shooting by Army Doctor Nidal Malik Hasan has brought the suspicion of the Islam religion back on the front burner. As a people BU subscribes to the view that civilized human beings must be tolerant of others despite differences. Christianity is the dominant religion in…

, , , , ,

The remembrance of the 911 tragedy in September and the  shooting by Army Doctor Nidal Malik Hasan has brought the suspicion of the Islam religion back on the front burner. As a people BU subscribes to the view that civilized human beings must be tolerant of others despite differences. Christianity is the dominant religion in Barbados and has obviously influenced our values and laws through the years. More and more as globalization takes root it is in our interest to understand the doctrines of other religions  tossed  out by the diversity of our world. We are cognizant of the rights given to ALL to freely practice their religions under our constitution.

BU senses a fear of Islam by many in our neck of the woods. All religions have the fundamentalists who occupy the fringes of their respective religions. BU’s focus on Islam is driven by the knowledge it is said to be the fastest growing religion in the world. Of further interest is the adherence to Sharia Laws by Islam countries.

41 responses to “Is Islam A Religion Of Conquest?”

  1. dreamstarworld Avatar
    dreamstarworld

    If you ask the average Muslim this question – the answer would be an emphatic “NO”…

    No matter how we milk this topic for all its worth, (Christians and others) remain blindsided by the real issues and will continue be lost in the mist of postmodern misinformation, conjecture and ambivalence.

    Ideologies come and go. Religions on the other hand bear a different kind of insignia.

    The hard and fast lessons of the past should tell us that there will never be common ground, now or in the future…

    Men will continue to believe that the “WRATH OF MAN CAN WORK THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD”…

  2. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Again, the Arabs/Muslims had NOTHING to do with the blowing up of buildings in New York, NOTHING…!

  3. kiki Avatar
    kiki

    Equal Rights and Justice for all.
    A peaceful revolution can only happen when tens or hundreds of thousands of citizens are all saying the same thing.

    Are we all singing from the same hymn sheet

    Poverty
    http://555dubstreet.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/poverty/

    Away With You Fussing And Fighting / Selassie I Veranda
    http://555dubstreet.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/away-with-you-fussing-and-fighting-selassie-i-veranda/

    Buffalo soldier
    http://555dubstreet.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/buffalo-soldier/

    Run Run
    http://555dubstreet.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/run-run/

  4. Technician Avatar
    Technician

    Well said dreamstarworld !!

  5. John Walcott Avatar
    John Walcott

    David,

    Very informative article.

    Islam is no differnent now to what it was 1000 years ago: Imperialist in its world objectives and bloody!

  6. Gays and Islam Avatar
    Gays and Islam

    Execution? Certainly not!
    Flogging? Yes!

  7. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    Many think of the anti christ as a man. Maybe so and now it is time to consider that Mohammed is that man. More important is that it is not just a man but a whole movement.

    Note that Islam is constructed just like christianity. It embodies all the principles: one god; one prophet which is the son (figurative or literally) of god; the unwavering loyalty to their god and his strict rules; the masculination of the god; the use of fear to control people by demonstrating the dreadness of the god fire and brimstone – of course, the christians talk about god-fearing.

    The anti-christ is not about an opposition to christ but on a new domination by a new man/prophet/god; even if the god is the same god – Allah/Jahwe. Note that this is not anti-god, but anti christ.

    Of all the prophesies, this is the easiest to forecast, given a knowledge of man’s behaviour, which is that one set of people will not continue to allow another set of people to control them, without them trying to find a way to control the dominant group.

    It is therefore about appeal. Ceratinly the Muslim doctrine is far more appealing than christianity in terms of how it rationalises and resolves differences in relationship between human beings: family, business, entertainment, morality, etc.

    Given the other fact that Islam is a new religion, it still has some way to go in order to get rid of its fundamentalism. With christianity, even today what I would call modern fundamentalism has crept in in the form of discrimination, stigmatisation and damnation. In this case the word is as mighty as the sword, but have no fear, the muslims will get rid of the sword just as christianity got rid of an eye for an eye.

    The dreadness of the justice is an appeal to baser instincts of punishment, retribution and avenging the wrong. That is why today many would suggest hideous sentences for rape for example, even more hideous than castration but which would be against the principles of our constitution. This, however, does not stop the thought.

    Don’t think either that the muslims will not be without its “illuminati” dictating the law and manipulating behaviours. As I said, Islam is not without its trappings which has to be mirroring christianity if it is to be as effective as christianity. It’s just a name change with different people calling the shots. No more than a change of government. Well at least now there are two parties rather than the one party state of existence with only christianity at the helm.

    Therefore, the anti-christ speaks to the ushering in of a new world order.

  8. Alex Fergusson Avatar
    Alex Fergusson

    Having said that he wants to win all 30 seats – is that why Prime Minister Thompson traveled to LA and Miami to address Barbadians about voting, but missed a national independence service in Barbados?

  9. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    Well, most have recently taken the ‘new world order’ to mean the consolidation of western and European political social and financial structures, ostensibly towards the purpose of a more mutually beneficial ‘system’, but probably moreso towards the consolidation of power into the hands of ‘those few’.

    Interesting that ROK has pointed to the possibility that Islam could be taken as the ‘New World Order’.

    However, personally I disagree. I agree that the New World Order is the former, with Islam and any other religion or ‘interpretation of life’ as a humbug to those who would wish to see the New World Order, as interpreted.

    For example, such statements as ‘if you are not with us, then you are against us’ lead to pushing the agenda of ostracism and ‘labelling’ anyone who disagrees with current trends with a ‘mark’.

    Ostracism of anyone who disagrees is in itself an automatic policing of the system, by social indoctrination.

    Therefore, I would say that it is coming to pass, a time when major beliefs and power structures are preparing to clash.

    Note that China is marked in Revelations, as a major player in the ‘end days’.

    Note also, that China is in a position to be such a player, whereas it was not twenty years ago.

    Interesting.

  10. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    @Crusoe

    Interesting analysis. Means that there are more players than we think? What about the infancy of the Chinese being seen as a world player? Are the Chinese aggressive enough on the world stage to be seriously regarded as being in the race?

    Of course, part of the principle of dominance is having a strong diaspora presence which the Chinese are only now exploring. There are many more aspects of Chinese relations which need exploring but certainly they have mastered the art of using the idea of development to facilitate the export of Chinese culture and their ultimate expansionism (in terms of the Chinese economy).

    Critical and key.

  11. Simple Enough Avatar
    Simple Enough

    After all that has been posted over the months by those few who obviously have studied both Christianity and Islam in much depth, giving us on BU an extremely clear and incisive look at the historic facts of Islam, with some of its most deadly, hate filled Hadiths (a body of tradition) relating to Muhammad, and specific quotes from the Quran, expilcitly stating the militant desire and agenda of Islam, confirmed by Radical Islamists, in recent decades, to then have to read some of the nonsense written above, shows the fragile understanding of what the world is up against, re Islam.

    Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinions, this is their right, but, to then write ‘shite’ presented as some kind of intellectual discourse on a subject matter that they clearly do not understand, is something else!

    At least BU gives vent to all, the informed, intelligent, ignorant and otherwise!

  12. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    @Simple enough

    Yes, even the ones who so extensively quoted the koran so subjectively and one-sided are entitled to their own opinions. You would say that such an exercise is well informed? Too one-sided and parochial.

  13. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    OFF TOPIC

    Anyone remember this?

    “Senator Peter Millington issued the prophecy, I am sensing something very terrible. Whether it be a 7.5 earthquake, a Category 3 hurricane or a tsunami, I don’t know but Barbados is no longer considered a godly country”

    It is almost the end of the year and nothing has happen as yet.

    http://bajan.wordpress.com/2009/07/18/barbados-no-longer-considered-a-godly-country-despite-having-many-churches/

  14. David Avatar
    David

    Apologies to the BU family but we are likely not to be able to update the blog with normal frequency through the next week.

  15. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    @Simple Enough,

    Which Islamic nation is currently occupying a western or ‘Christian’ Nation???

    Now reverse the question and the answer becomes affirmative, in multiples.

    Yet, you attack one religion based on those who ‘ studied both Christianity and Islam in much depth’?

    Anlaysis and explanations are all developed within the parameters of our own understanding. Yes, we all have our opinions and agendas, even yourself.

    Just go and ask the one hundred thousand dead Iraqi civilians.

    Conquest in the name of religion and power has never gone away, just been mired in political godbbledegook.

    Your posting is a perfect example of what people must be careful of, criticised for daring to have a differing view to the common ‘good western citizen’ outlook, as epitomised by Fox News etc.

    You and others of your ilk would prefer that we bow and scrape to the northern economic and power influences.

    For what reason?

    Independence of thought is under attack by those who wish otherwise.

    @ROK,

    Yes, it China is still in the relatively early stages of spreading its wings, relatively.

    But it has been at it for a while and one advantage is that it ‘owns’ economic America.

    One issue that people really need to watch more, is the tie between the northern economic collapse, oil and political and military actions.

    The north is in deep, deep trouble, however you look at it and that is what has their politicans in a state, in spite of the cool surface displays.

    China is massive in all respects, a strong economic power, volume of people, a tradionally strong and purposeful focus in individual and collective attitude and a long, long tradition.

    Certainly not one to underestimate.

    Overall, the world is all about balance, so this strengthening of China is actually a good thing.

    We have the ‘Great North’, we have the Islamic East, We have the ‘friends of the west’ i.e. India, Israel, we have the now very strong China, Russia still finding its ‘new calling’ and we have what some may see as small ‘rogue nations’, such as Venezuela.

    I am not praising or siding with any one ‘force’, I have no bones or candles for anyone, but merely showing that all have a right to beliefs and their own traditional ways.

    Those who say otherwise, by definition, must have an agenda, of their own choosing.

    Funnily enough, those who say otherwise also go against the greatest law, that of the Almighty and the law of nature.

    All of us have a right here, all of us will be continue to have that right.

  16. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    @ simple enough, by the way ‘Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinions, this is their right, but..’

    That phrase says all that you needed to write for readers to understand your position.

    That everyone has a right to opinions …as long as they agree with your own view.

  17. Simple Enough Avatar
    Simple Enough

    @Crusoe, opinions, and the right to express them, is one matter, for the most part, these opinions are void of any objective, coherent sense, lacking any depth of knowledge and understanding of the subject, just like bovine excrement, which renders opinons like yours, nothing more than a voiceless void of nonsense!

  18. Technician Avatar
    Technician

    @ Simple Enough…

    Zoe???

  19. Simple Enough Avatar
    Simple Enough

    @Crusoe, I have no intention of engaging such an imperceptible ‘nimcompoop’ like you and Rok.

    But, just to expose your trivial mind, which is already done so by the your immaterial, insolent opinions and ‘stupid’ questions, I’ll briefly respond to your asinine question:

    “Which Islamic nation is currently occupying a western or ‘Christian Nation???”

    My question to you, is, how many innocent people, citizens of Kurdistan, (contiguous area of Iraq) Kurds, did Dictator, Tyrant, and mass muderer Saddam Hussien slaughter???

    Was it in excess of over 100,000? And had them buried in mass graves! Not to mention how he ruled the Iraqi people like ‘rats’ who lived in destitute *fear* morning, noon and night, not knowing when this evil Dictator would send in his henchmen to kill them, if anyone even expressed a thought against him.

    Oh, have you forgotten how Hussien invaded Kuwait, with his soldiers raping and killing innocent women and girls, as he sought to take over a soveriegn state? Had Hussien not been stopped then, he was heading for Saudi Arabia next!

    Name one Western nation in our lifetime, that has EVER committed such heinous, atrocious, vicious, barbarous crimes against their own citizens, and invaded their neighbouring State, to overthrow them, viciously, as Hussien did?

    Crusoe, you are nothing but a raucous, squawky, Leftist! You couldn’t think objectively, if you were paid to do so!

  20. Technician Avatar
    Technician

    Well well…..look at the ‘christian’ Zoe getting on like a 2cent whore because someone has a different opinion….shame.

    It is amazing how clowns like Zoe call Saddam a tyrant (which is true) but conveniently look the other way when in comes to their ‘allies’.
    Take a look at the Royal family in Saudi Arabia, look at how they live and compare it to how the average Saudi citizen lives…but hey ….they are our ‘allies’.

  21. Technician Avatar
    Technician

    oh….BTW the same tyrant also had
    the blessing and support from who again???
    Who was it that created this monster??

    Convenient truths!!

  22. Straight talk Avatar
    Straight talk

    Simple:

    Name one Western state…?
    Germany

  23. Not Saved Avatar
    Not Saved

    @Simple

    The USA.

    Invaded neighboring Canada, Haiti Panama, Cuba, etc

    Invaded not so neighboring Vietnam, Cambodia, Iraq etc

    Bombed Libya, Sudan etc

    CIA supported coup in Guatemala, Iran, Chile etc

    Supported terrorists in Nicaragua, El Salvador etc

    Supplied weapons used on civilians in Israel

    Supplied WMD to Iraq to use on Iranian civilians

    etc

    etc

    etc

    etc

    etc

    Shall we talk about Britain or France next?

  24. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Simple Enough

    Yes Saddam Hussein was a terrible dictator. He was aided and abetted by none other than the USA. His weapons were supplied by the USA and the west in their attempt to use Iraq as a proxy against Iran.

    Please do some studying about Iran. The west can take credit for the existence of the Islamic republic. The support for the Shah by the west, in particular Britain and the USA, so antagonized and alienated the Iranians from the west that they welcomed Ayatollah Khomeini with open arms.

    Read up on the support of France and the US for Mobutu of Zaire. With his over throw and death, Central Africa was left in a state of chaos that has left more dead than in any war since World War 2.

    Even here in the C’bean, the hand of the CIA has left Jamaica and Guyana in a state of instability. It has been documented that the CIA helped to get Burnham elected in Guyana and to weaken Manley in Jamaica. In Jamaica, the flood of guns from the US into the island at the time of the election of Seaga has left an indelible mark in the violence experienced daily to this day.

    It is also a matter of documented fact that US agencies sold cocaine to its own citizens in California to raise money to finance the contras fighting in Nicaragua. This particularly nasty war has set Nicaragua back at least 40 years leaving ports mined and large areas of land booby trapped with land mines.

    Like Diogenes the Cynic who went around the sunlit streets of Athens, lantern in hand, looking for an honest man, I can only ask who among nations is virtuous?

  25. victor Avatar
    victor

    Before the advent of IsIam Christianity was widespread throughout the MiddIe East. Christians did not spontaneousIy convert to IsIam, did they?

  26. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    @David

    I would again urge you to start dealing with those who come here to abuse contributors. As I said it is a threat to freedom of speech. They need to understand that they have no monopoly on degrading words or comments simply because others have a different view. So shall we start trading some insults? You think it will help? You t6hink it is becoming? You think it will not deter people from visiting BU?

    My problem with people like Zoe is that if they had to use their real names and identities, they would not behave that way. They are hiding behind the cloak of anonymity to spread their venom. They ought to be exposed if they behave that way. Let us know who they really are and this kind of thing would stop.

    Note that if you expose them they have no recourse because they come here abusing people. They must come to equity with clean hands.

  27. Simple Enough Avatar
    Simple Enough

    Not one of you answered my ‘specific’ question in its proper intended *context* but, rather, rambled on about other extraneous matters, outside of my specific question, as it related to Iraq and Saddam Hussien.

    My question was asked in the context, first, in response to Crusoe’s foolish question, “Which Islamic nation is currently occupying a Western or ‘Christian’ nation?”

    Secondly, using Iraq and Hussien as a prime example, to ‘Name one Western nation (Christian) who have done to their own people (citizens) what Hussien did to his own people, AND then attempted to overthrow, by invasion, a neighbouring state, as Hussien did to Kuwait.

    Germany, though a western nation, was under the Satanic rule of that mad-man Hitler, an alien to western democracy, freedom, etc, etc., and slaughtered 8 million Jews, and viciously attempted to run through other European nations, to impose his dictatorial regime on others; thank God the allied forces, in the name and cause of freedom for all, overcame this demonic tyrant.

    As for that other deranged ‘Leftist’ and his list… exemplifies his radical dysfunctional mind-set!

    And Saudi Arabia is an Islamic nation, depending on America, to provide some degree of assistance in protecting her from some of its very own radical Islamic brothers in the Middle East neighbourhood!

  28. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    @ Simple Enough

    While ROK is actually quite right with reference to the insults, that said, there was also a humorous side to your last post.

    Obviously I am now enlightened by yourself that I am a ‘sqwaky leftist’….where did that one come from, an inspiration from your wall picture of Senator McCarthy?

    Actually, you have brought an important point to bear, that Saddam Hussein caused the deaths of so many, thus USA intervened.

    Just one question that befuddles ‘nincompoops’as you say, like me.

    Saddam was summarily executed (sorry, er…brought to justice), in December 2006, after his two sons were brutally murdered (oops again, also brought to justice).

    But, three years on, after he was dispensed with, foreign troops are still on Iraq soil.

    Strange that, eh?

    Definitely NOT, a conquest.

    Having said that, evenings on the verandah, firing a drink with you must be a real riot.

    Y’know, you going on about A-rabs, commies, Chinese etc…

    Your rants must have neighbours rolling on the floor in kinks.

    I mean really. Nothing else to do, but laugh.

    One more thing.

    Your spelling of Saddam Hussein is wrong.

  29. Crusoe Avatar
    Crusoe

    @ Simple Enough,

    You get better and better. By the way, your ‘insolent opinions’ was priceless.

    Every statement you make digs you deeper.

    As for your reverence of Saudi Arabia, as per your last post, you have just blatantly exhibited your ignorance of Middle Eastern politics.

    Who do you think provides the most funds to Islamic Fundamentalists???

    You are one riot.

    Anyway, I gotta go, I will leave you to rant.

    Have a great night. Every thought of stand up comedy?

  30. Simple Enough Avatar
    Simple Enough

    @Crusoe, I’m glad for you, that at least, I make you laugh, laughter is good for the soul, ya know!

    While Noah was righteously in obedience preparing for what God commissioned him to do, in preperation for His judgment on wicked, evil, unrighteous mankind, soon to be wiped off the earth, they were ALL drinking, marrying, having a ball, ‘laughing’ at poor old Noah, carrying on just like most people in today’s world!

    Cru, laugh hard man, fire a grog, but, don’t forget the old saying, ‘He who laughs last, laughs the hardest and the longest’!

  31. David Avatar
    David

    Read your concern ROK. Do you want BU to ban Zoe? Zoe do you register ROK’s concern and if so are you willing to to be less colourful?

  32. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    As a proponent of free speech, it would be totally out of character to ask that somebody be banned and render me no better than the said person who I am asking to be banned.

    Free speech is not a gift, it is a responsibility and any laws that we have protecting free speech should be a reminder of that responsibility.

    We have had to fight for free speech against the Government but if christianity is all that it says it is, why do we have to fight for free speech against it, when the religion itself has fought for and won not only free speech but the right to propagate its teachings.

    Therefore, this type of behaviour coming from christians is nothing short of hypocrisy. It seems to suggest that christianity is no better than communism or dictatorship; something for the society to steer clear of and banish. This type of vile arrogance may very well be the reason the faith was persecuted in the first place, so what does that tell you? That they have not learned any lessons? What a shame.

  33. kiki Avatar
    kiki

    Which version of the book of rules do you think is the best
    http://555dubstreet.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/book-of-rules/
    http://555dubstreet.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/heptones/

  34. kiki BSc (Tech)(Hons) Avatar
    kiki BSc (Tech)(Hons)

    Website Wikileaks publishes ‘9/11 messages’
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8379960.stm

    They include messages such as
    * President has been rerouted won’t be returning to Washington but not sure where he will go

    * Bomb detonated in World Trade Ctr. Pls get back to Mike Brady w/a quick assessment of your areas and contact us if anything is needed

  35. ac Avatar
    ac

    @Rok

    Unfortunately Zoe is a poor example oa a Christian .The bible refers to people like him as Zealots.
    His teachers{ Jesus Christ ] also dealt with people like him and was quick to tell them” Unless your righteouness exceeds the righteouness the righteouness of others you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
    Zoe is a very self righteous person.

  36. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    @ All Moslems and their friends in the BU Family:

    Wishing you and yours a Happy Eid tomorrow. Please go easy on the sweets.

  37. Hopi Avatar
    Hopi

    If Islam is a religion of conquest its no different from Judaism nor Christianity and this would be nothing new. They all treat their women bad simply because they hate women. That’s why they give you a Trinity without the woman. Damnable Heresy! Our foreparents honoured the WOMAN, because they were WISE. Unlike these imposters. Black folk don’t have a dog in this fight!

    DAMNABLE HERESY!

    CARLOS, zoe, SIMPLE ENOUGH……I smell a multiple personality disorder going on here. Or is this christianity at work here?

  38. dreamstarworld Avatar
    dreamstarworld

    IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
    November 30, 2009

    CONTACT: Akbar Muhammad
    Africanliteracy@msn.com

    AFRICA AND THE WORLD

    “Fighting for the Soul of Islam”

    By A. Akbar Muhammad

    In recent days, there have been a number of articles centered on the tragic killing of 13 military personnel at Fort Hood in Texas allegedly by an Army major and psychiatrist. This tragedy brought pain, hurt, and shame to the American people and in particular the military establishment. My heart goes out for those families who suffered through this tragedy and buried their loved ones. Everyone, including the president, is searching for a reason, behind Major Nidal Malik Hasan’s action. Critics have blamed Major Hasan’s religion for the crime he is accused of committing.

    But in order to understand what is, we must draw from the lessons of history and look back at how we arrived to where we are today. We are in a time when Muslims are Fighting for The Soul of Their Faith as they are being demoralized from every corner of the world. This has put many Muslims in the fight mode to intellectually defend their faith.

    According to scholars, there are 1.4 to 1.6 billion Muslims in the world with nearly 10 million Muslims in America.

    On President Barack Obama’s recent trip to the far-east, it is interesting that he didn’t visit Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population; Nor did he travel to the Philippines where there are 7 to 10 million Muslims who have struggled for nearly 40 years, to receive their due recognition, which includes political and economic attention to Mindanao, which is located in the southern Philippines.

    I am sure that President Obama desired to visit Indonesia, where he grew up as a boy, but because of the present climate, he may have seen it necessary to avoid those two countries. I, as millions of other Muslims, also feel the prevailing poisonous atmosphere against Islam as some Muslims are sticking their heads in the sand and dismissing what is happening in the Muslim world maintaining the problem are the extremists.

    These extremists do not represent what we are about as Muslims, but we must be honest with ourselves, and not turn a blind eye to what we see.

    From the time President George Bush decided to launch his wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – arguing that we must wipe out the terrorists there or we will be fighting them at home – the Muslims in America have been under suspicion and persecution.

    Leading up to Bush’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, he dispatched a team to Hollywood, soliciting its help to shape public opinion of the wars. Several movies were made such as, “The Last King of Scotland,” starring Forrest Whitaker. This movie would take a whole article to analyze, but I will briefly say it was one of the worst distortions of history and the image of former Uganda president Idi Amin. Then adding insult to injury, Forrest Whitaker won an Academy award.

    Most people who sat through the movie didn’t see it as a fictionalized account of Amin’s life. He was presented as uneducated, ruthless and a barbaric leader of an African nation who not only killed his own people, but murdered his wives as well. However, it was a fact that Amin was loved and respected by millions of his people as evident that when he died, the masses showed up at his funeral when he was brought back to Uganda to be buried.

    Though Hollywood never mentioned Amin was a Muslim, it threw another dagger in the heart of Muslims and how people perceive Islam in a second movie entitled “The Kingdom”, featuring actor, Jamie Foxx. It was a propaganda film designed to criminalize Muslims by depicting the tragedy of American residents being bombed in Saudi Arabia. However, more painful was the ending of the picture, when the grandson of Hamza the bomb maker, was asked by his mother, what did your grandfather say to you when he was dying, after being shot? The grandson responded, “He said, kill them all.”

    As this propaganda continues, it is interesting three years before 9/11, there was the picture, “Siege”, featuring, Denzel Washington. This particular movie is a prime example of what kind of thinking is floating in America on how to possibly handle Muslims by repeating the history of World War II where an estimated 120,000 innocent Japanese people were detained in American concentration camps because of their nationality. They were seen as a threat to America who was engaging in a war against Japan. Many people denied this was possible in America. It is probable that this is what many Jews said in 1933 when Hitler emerged as the Chancellor of Germany.

    There was a debate on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) concerning whether America should let Muslims remain in the military as part of their forces. The debate asked can Muslims be trusted. The Obama administration realized they have this dilemma on their hands and have appointed Farah Pandith as the U.S. Special Representative to Muslim Communities.

    I surmised that President Obama understood when he assumed office, one of the greatest tasks before him was to redirect the American public’s misperception about Muslims. I have not heard on the right wing stations the debate I recently heard in London on BBC.

    The debate questioned whether Muslims can serve in the U.S. military, and be deployed in Islamic countries to kill other Muslims whether they are Al-Qaeda, the Taliban or seen as extremists and worthy of death.

    The U.S. military bombed Muslim villages in order to destroy the compound of extremists, killing innocent men, women and children, and used rape as a way to interrogate suspected terrorists as was done in Iraq.

    Young men and women, who are not politically astute in the military, are sent into a war zone having no knowledge of the customs and belief systems of the people and then committing heinous acts such as the rape of a 15-year old Iraqi girl. This young soldier raped her, killed her and then burned her body.

    Another example is Fallujah, where the soldiers attacked a mosque. Upon entering the mosque found an old man wounded-it is the custom in the Muslim world that the older Muslims spend time in the mosque praying. The American soldier said “this one is still alive” and proceeded with killing the old man, which was caught on video tape and played to the world. These attitudes and problems are what President Obama inherited.

    I must give President Obama respect, because he began his administration trying to reach out to the Muslim world and changing America’s image. In his inauguration speech, he mentioned Muslims. He went to Turkey and reached out to the Muslim world, he gave a major speech in Cairo directed to the Muslim world, and he delivered a major speech in Accra, Ghana where he also acknowledged Muslims.

    As Muslims in America, we must band together over the issues we are challenged with. Many of us are profiled, singled out and even abused but we keep quiet. The abuse is also in the form of right wing publications such as “Muslim Mafia”, a book that attacks the character of Imam Siraj Wahhaj, the Amir of the Muslim Alliance in North America.

    Furthermore, these distorted books are purposely being printed and distributed-as pointed out by the Libyan leader, Brother Muammar Gadhafi who addressed the World Islamic Peoples Leadership Conference, where Minister Farrakhan and his delegation were present. These publications have altered facts about Islam and some are also printing portions of the Holy Quran while leaving other portions out; such as “Furquan Al-Haqq” and “The Prophet of Doom”, referring to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

    Instead of Muslims spending time talking about our differences or arguing over who is the better Muslim, we should come together and lift our voices in unity against those who attack us with distorted facts and misinformation about our faith.

    When we travel in and out of America on a business trip, a vacation, or a religious conference, we are singled out and questioned. Our privacy is violated as if we have no rights. Our computers are examined, chips are taken out of our cell phones to be downloaded, our business cards are copied, our mail is opened, and we are interrogated as if we are enemies of America.

    As I wrote in one of my past articles, how is it that these officers, who are still carrying out the policies implemented by the Bush administration, have become specialists in how to lose friends and make enemies? This is an area that the Obama administration must focus on otherwise many of the Muslims in America will become alienated from the country of their birth, and trying to live a decent life in.

    The killing of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah outside of Detroit is a prime example of how things can go completely wrong and deadly force was used, when in my opinion there was another way to handle those circumstances. The largest group of converts to Islam remains the African-American community and many of our brothers and sisters, who are introduced to Islam in correctional facilities, are beginning to suffer for their acceptance of Islam.

    Perhaps what is needed, in the penal institutions, police forces, correctional office, FBI, Homeland Security and the military, is sensitivity training and general educational classes about Muslim beliefs and culture. If not, the popular belief will be that all Muslims are potential enemies of America and dangerous. There are many Islamic groups and organizations that are trying to educate the public about what Muslims believe and what their faith represents.

    Because of the internet, Twitter, Face-Book, My Space and other social networks, many Muslims now get their information through these mediums without meeting one another.

    It has reached the point that the enemies of Islam are saying you don’t have to go the mosque, you can pray at home. However in our tradition, Muslims seek to be together – it is a part of our faith.

    Many Muslims, Imams, Sheikhs and Ministers are so concerned about the government agents in their mosques that they compromise the freedom to speak what is on their mind and the truth of what we believe.

    Some Muslims have backed away from practicing charity from fear of being accused of contributing to “so-called” terrorist organizations. We have enough cases of entrapment that caused distrust and suspicion in the Muslim communities across America.

    But we must be strong enough to Fight for The Soul of Islam and not allow the enemies of Islam to use a tactic as old as warfare itself, called divide and conquer.

    Akbar Muhammad can be reached for all comments and questions at Africanliteracy@msn.com.

  39. ROK Avatar
    ROK

    @Crusoe

    An Interesting article below. If China continues to champion people’s causes, they sure will gain great popularity rather swiftly. You can also access at:
    http://www.southcentre.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1119&Itemid=289

    ———————————————–

    In a few days the Copenhagen climate conference will begin. By now all the preparations should have been completed – most of all, a draft of the final outcome.

    Instead, it seems the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change are further apart than they had been, two years ago when the Bali Action Plan, was launched.

    Now, there is little prospect that the talks on the BAP will be completed in time at Copenha gen. Politica l leaders and the UN Secretary General have warned that only a political statement or a framework, not a full agreement, can be done at Copenhagen.

    Although the rhetoric remains good and clear, and more countries are pledging climate actions, in reality the mood in the UNFCCC talks has turned gloomy in the two months October and November.

    The main reason is the astonishing and unfortunate turn of events, that the developed countries appear to have decided they do not want to continue with the Kyoto Protocol, and thus have dragged their feet in discussing their commitments to cut emissions.

    By now, the developed countries should have come up with numbers on how much they commit to cut their greenhouse gas emissions after 2012, when the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (KP) ends, so that a second period can begin in 2013.

    But in Bangkok, in October, the developed countries signalled they are quite unwilling to do a second period under the KP and, worse, that they are likely to abandon the Protocol altogether.

    This has sent shock waves around the world, and raised the prospect of utter failure in Copenhagen. Not only is Copenhagen’s success in jeopardy, but the international climate regime itself, a turn of events that was hardly imagined before.

    The Group of 77 and China has reacted furiously to the apparent ditching of the Protocol. “We call on the developed countries that are members of the Kyoto Protocol to stand firmly in the KP and to engage seriously in negotiations for a second commitment period,” it said in a statement on 9 October. “We will also consider the Copenhagen meeting to be a disastrous failure if there is no outcome for the commitments of developed countries for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.”

    The KP had firmly bound the developed countries internationally to commitments to cut their emissions. It was agreed their emissions would be cut by 5% collectively by 2012 (compared to 1990) in the first period. The new cut after 2012 was expected to bring the emission levels down by 25 to 40 per cent by 2020 (compared to 1990). And the talks on this have gone on for three years.

    One problem is that the United States pulled out of the KP some years ago. The Bali climate meeting in December 2007 envisaged that if the US did not return to the KP, it could be dealt with as a special case by binding its commitment inside the Climate Convention, of which it is a member.

    Instead of working out this plan, it appears that the other developed countries now want to jump ship from the Kyoto Protocol to join the US in a new agreement.

    Unfortunately, this new agreement looks inferior to Kyoto. Countries would inscribe their national climate plans in an appendix to the agreement. They would later report on progress made, which would then be reviewed by other countries.

    This is a kind of “pledge and review” approach, and much more lenient than the KP model with an internationally-set overall target for developed countries, with specific and binding targets for each country, and a compliance system.

    The developing countries see this as a lowering of the nature of the developed nations’ commitments, from internationally binding to nationally determined. “This is an attempt for a great escape,” remarked China’s Ambassador Yu Qingtai caustically.

    The G77 and China’s demand is for the developed countries which are KP members to commit to their cuts inside the KP, while the US would make its commitment for a comparable emission cut in a special decision inside the Convention. This was after all envisaged in Bali.

    There are other worrying trends, such as the attempt to confuse or do away with the distinction between the “differentiated responsibilities” of developed and developing countries.

    But the major issue, as the train moves to Copenhagen, is whether the Kyoto Protocol will survive. At the climate talks in Barcelona in November, the Africa Group supported by other developing countries insisted that the KP group should focus first on finalising the “numbers” for emission cuts and later to discuss subsidiary issues. For a day the talks froze until a compromise was agreed to.

    At Copenhagen, the developing countries are likely to put the survival of the Kyoto Protocol as their top priority. They will await the final answer from the developed countries on their intended fate for the KP. The fate of the Copenhagen Conference may well depend on this issue. This would have been inconceivable just months ago, when the continuation of KP into a second commitment period was a “given.”

    The fight to save the Kyoto Protocol is thus the focus of this issue of South Bulletin. It covers the UNFCCC talks in Bangkok (October) and Barcelona (November), presenting the views of the developing countries.

    We hope the Bulletin will enable readers to understand some of the underlying tensions in the global climate talks.

  40. Luqman Abdurahman Diab Avatar
    Luqman Abdurahman Diab

    IS ISLAM A RELIGION OF CONQUEST? Islam differs from other religious. Muslims should read and study Al-Qur’an because through this holy book people can learn about different things, and especially in the field of science. Al-Qur’an also organize human life in a variety of problems. Both Muslims and non-Muslims would not know much about Islam before they were studying in earnest Al-Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) behavior. Islamic ordered peace among mankind. Islam never teaches to do the act of terror or suicide to kill others. Those who conduct terror in the name of Islam, none other than the people who used to political interest, not the interest of Islam. For example Saudia Arabian businessman Osama Bin Laden is C.I.A. lackey, also Al-Qaeda is a terrorist organization funded by C.I.A. Islam is not a conqueror. It is unfortunate that Western societies now always equate Islam with terrorism. And instead of Western countries who did the conquest and terrorism in Muslim countries. Obvious example is the attack of NATO forces led by the United States to Iraq and Afghanistan.These countries occupied by NATO’s troops, their people oppressed, plundered state wealth-out, not up there, beside tortured they also raped Muslim women are not helpless. Even the people of Iraq and Afghanistan everyday have been killed. What for they occupied those countries? DEMOCRACY ? NO!! They are LIAR and KILLERS!!! The number of Muslims who were killed by NATO forces increased and not counted. Are they not act as CONQUERORS OR TERRORISTS ? According to the West, they are terrorist! If they are brown and Muslim, they are TERRORISTS !!. If they are white and Jewish, then they are FREEDOM FIGHTERS. If they fight against enemy of Washington, of course they are Mujahiddin. How could I have been that ignorant??? Please open and read my Blog. http://www.muammargadhafi.wordpress.com

  41. Terence M. Blackett Avatar
    Terence M. Blackett

    @ Luqman Abdurahman Diab

    YOUR QURAN ALSO STATES:

    “The followers of JESUS* will prove superior to all others who reject FAITH”….

    Why are my Muslim brothers still denying the DEITY* of Jesus and rejecting faith given that according to your own QURAN & The HADITHS – Jesus & the Mahdi will return at the end of the age…

The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.

Trending

Discover more from Barbados Underground

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading