Amein,
I think the discussion here (and on the "other" thread) is missing the point. I agree with Duke that anyone can dig into the Qur'an and/or the Bible and find anything they want in there, especially when things are taken out of context (and by "context" I mean not just the verses themselves but also the socioeconomics of the time).
The important issues to discuss imho are what is happening today with the 1 Billion Muslims of the world, and how a good number of them is interpreting the meaning of Islam.
I would like to bring back the question stated below:
I understand there is a big controversy in the Islamic world these days about the legitimacy of suicide bombers. The grand Mufti of Egypt, Sheich Al Azhar, and the Imam of the Great Mosque in Mecca, apparently are in the opinion that it is forbidden to act against innocent people. The Sheich Yusuf Al-Kardawi, considered by most Muslims to be the greatest authority on Islamic matters, says that Suicide Bombings are allowed (in Israel) because they are a legitimate defense by the Palestinians.
Now, I would be interested to hear from you or from Duke: How is it possible that an Imam like Al-Kardawi, widely accepted as The authority in Islam by many millions of Muslims, can hold such a view? Didn't you both state that killing of innocent people is strictly forbidden in Islam?
To be honest, this is what bothers me most about Islam. |
