Recently in the news, we have seen many Americans speaking out against building a community center and Mosque near Ground Zero, but now comes an even greater form of ignorance that just might cause an international crisis. Pastor Terry Jones from Gainesville, Fla., is holding a burn a Quran day on the anniversary of 9/11. Does this make any sense?
As an American Muslim, just the thought of burning the Quran or any holy book makes me furious. I don’t know how much respect Christians give to their Bible, but Muslims are not supposed to sit or stand on, throw, and definitely not burn the Quran, and that actually goes for any book with words in it.
This act not only makes Muslims from around the world angry, but it makes us all, as members of society, ask the more important question — why would someone do such a thing? How much backlash would there be if some Muslims got together to burn the Bible? What makes Pastor Jones and his congregation different from any other radical regime? .
Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan, issued a strict warning that “images of the burning of a Quran would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan — and around the world — to inflame public opinion and incite violence.” Patraeus also believes this act of burning the Quran “could cause significant problems for American troops overseas.”
The viewpoint of the Founding Fathers did not mean one should dishonor another religion, but just the opposite. We must respect all religions that coincide within our borders, and as we move to a more global economic world, we must respect all forms of religion.
The ultimate question then is will the burning of the Quran cause more hatred and negative feelings regarding the U.S. and its government? With a doubt, yes it will. We as Americans believe we live in the most civil society on the planet, but we forget to mention the fact that this country had years of slavery. The burning of books is nothing new to us, and maybe this is the problem. The problem is that racism has evolved past skin color and reached a new plateau which includes religion.
As a Muslim, it would be a humiliation to watch someone desecrate the Quran or any word of God. As an American, it would be an embarrassment to see this. And as a global citizen, it would only confirm the fact that we have yet to find any kind of honor in our own belief systems.
Omar Mohammad is a finance senior and may be reached at [email protected].
People such as this pastor are deeply confused and are easily bound to do something truly senseless. Apparently the good reverend is not smart enough to understand the division between extremist and an entire religion. The irony is that Muslims must not strike out in anger against this preacher despite what he is doing. It will only continue the cycle of violence, and bring further destruction.
This nation is becoming further and further divided everyday. You have those who think that they are better then everyone else, and those who are systematically discriminated against on a nearly daily and never ending basis. There will come a time when this nation is called to defend itself, and because of the continued stupidity, the majority (those who are discriminated against for no reason other than their gender, race, religion) will simply say no. This is not the 1900's and threats are about as immediate as the air you breathe. If we do not have a united front, America will very easily be destroyed within the next couple of years.
It may not be through outright war, it could quite easily be through other means. Education, economics, social status could all be taken (and are being taken). We have obese children, we have some of the most dimwitted children, and we have large majorities of people who are still being oppressed because they are not ideal
Omar I really have to call you on this one:
“…but Muslims are not supposed to sit or stand on, throw, and definitely not burn the Quran, and that actually goes for any book with words in it.”
This is plain silly and you know it. Omar, you come across as nothing more than another Muslim apologist. Not as a person the least interested in being objective or honest.
It is illegal to have a Bible in Iran. There are very few western books even allowed in many Islamic countries. Anything positive written about Jews or gays is strictly forbidden. Freedom of press is unheard of in most parts of the Islamic world. Try setting up a business exporting Western novels to any Muslim country, but only do so if you enjoy filing for bankruptcy.
Omar is simply doing what it appears all Muslims do, i.e., casting the blame everywhere except where it belongs, but refusing to lift the veil showing the truth about Islam.
How do you really expect anyone to take you seriously, Omar?
With all due respect, Arafat, WHY IS HE AT FAULT for the long list of woes you listed in your comment? How the hell is he supposed to change things?
“And as a global citizen, it would only confirm the fact that we have yet to find any kind of honor in our own belief systems.”
Omar, I’m just curious…when do you plan to write an editorial explaining why Mein Kampf is the second bestselling book in Turkey? (It goes without saying, the Koran is the bestselling book in Turkey.) Omar, what does this say about Turkey’s “belief systems”?
Meanwhile it would also be interesting to do some research about in which Islamic countries one can find any Robert Spencer books. You tell us how sacred the written word is to Muslims. Maybe they should set aside their brain-washing copies of the Koran and Mein Kampf and try some of Spencer’s books for a change.
• The Complete Infidel’s Guide to the Koran
•Stealth Jihad
•Religion of Peace? Why Christianity is and Islam is Not
•The Myth about Islamic Tolerance
I am a Christian and am profoundly sorry for the stupid acts of this moron. You are right in that Islam and its followers deserve more respect than this. I can tell you that the Christians are ashamed and embarrassed by this moron's behavior. I can also tell you that he is NOT a Christian. Rather he is masquerading as a Christian. Since there doesn't seem to be any legal way that we can stop him, we are praying that the good Lord may strike him down or somehow prevent this activity. And if that does not happen, we pray that the Muslims of the world can find room in their hearts to forgive this heinous and offensive stupidity.
Why does Mein Kampf appeal to Muslims?
http://www.crethiplethi.com/mein-kampf-best-selle…
The good and kind Rev. Jones of Gainsville's Based Dove World Outreach Center and his flock aren't especially high tech it seems.
Be much simpler to download a copy of the Quran for the Kindel and then angrily delete it.
I think I will do that for Rev. Jones' online application for 'church' membership.
::
GP
"Quran burning is bad for America" ? huh? But when others burn the US flag, the Christian Bible, our emassies, ships, planes and people – thats OK? Screw that.
Burn the book. More people should express their FREEDOM. The US government has NO RIGHT to tell law abiding people what they can and cant do or what they should or should not do. This man is breaking no laws and we need our so-called "leaders" to stop whimpering around these extremist pigs.
What we really need to do is dip all of our ammunition, ordinance and such in pigs blood before we use it against terrorists.
@VoiceOfReason
You only read the title of the article.
@ARAFAT your info seems a little bias. just a little.
‘ROBERT SPENCER is the director of Jihad Watch, a program of the David Horowitz Freedom Center’ + he’s catholic.
you shouldn’t ride his johnson.
the ‘Mein Kampf’ is better than half the books on the American best-seller list, at least you can learn from it.
‘$hit my dad says’
Maybe you & Rev. Jones can sit down before that bring fire & decide to read all them there books.