Tag: Muslims

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Court Order Curtails Residents 1st Amendment Free Speech Rights in New Jersey

freedom of speech 1st amendment

Pj Blogger at Constitution Hall at the 1st Amendment

Court: Residents Can’t Mention “Islam” or “Muslim” At Public Hearing on Mosque Construction; Thomas More Law Center Files Federal Lawsuit

August 24, 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog and the Thomas More Law Center

Bernards Township NJ,  In a settlement agreement, which reads more like an instrument of surrender, Bernards Township (“Township”), New Jersey officials agreed that, in addition to a $3.5 million payment to Islamic Society of Basking Ridge (“ISBR”), residents and citizens of the Township are prohibited from commenting on “Islam” or “Muslims.” at the upcoming public hearing to approve the settlement.  Astonishingly, a federal judge approved the prohibition as a fully enforceable Order of the Court.

As a result of this suppression of speech, the Thomas More Law Center (“TMLC”), a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, yesterday, filed a lawsuit in the New Jersey Federal District Court on behalf of Christopher and Loretta Quick. The lawsuit was filed by TMLC affiliated New Jersey attorney, Michael Hrycak. Mr. Hrycak was assisted by TMLC staff attorney, Tyler Brooks. The TMLC is representing the Quicks without charge.

TMLC’s lawsuit alleges that Bernards Township’s settlement agreement constitutes a prior restraint on speech based on content, as well as, a violation of the Establishment Clause because it prefers Islam over other religions.  The lawsuit asks the court to: declare that the settlement agreement is unconstitutional; and to enter a preliminary and permanent injunction against its enforcement.

Read TMLC’s entire Federal Complaint here.

The Quicks reside within 200 feet of the proposed mosque construction in a zoned residential area.  Yet, the settlement agreement prohibits them from describing the many unique features of Islamic worship which will impact design of the building, traffic density, water and sewage, traffic control problems, road construction, and parking arrangements. According to the settlement agreement, ISBR is permitted to make statements concerning Christians and Jews and their places of worship, but in contrast, the Agreement prohibits commentary relating to Islam or Muslims. In fact, ISBR has previously discussed the Christian and Jewish religions and their places of worship.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented: “As we have previously documented, ISBR has taken the extraordinary step of concealing significant links on their website to a radical group named by the federal government as an unindicted co-conspirator in the largest terrorism financing trial in America history, the Islamic Society of North America (“ISNA”).  ISNA is claimed by the Muslim Brotherhood as one of “our organizations.” According to internal documents seized by the FBI, the Muslim Brotherhood’s strategy is to engage in a “grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying Western civilization from within . . .”

Thompson continued, “While claiming that the Township had a religious animus against Muslims, ISBR hid from the public view its animus toward Christians and Jews, by not only hiding anti-Christian and anti-Semitic verses published on its website, but also hiding its significant ties to ISNA. Instead of standing up to defend its citizens against ISBR’s hate-filled anti-Semitic and anti-Christian bias, the Township colluded with ISBR’s “Civilization Jihad” by capitulating to payment of millions of dollars to ISBR, allowing the construction of the new mosque and Islamic center in violation of zoning codes, and now even suppressing speech concerning Islam or Muslims at a public meeting.”

In March 2016, ISBR filed a lawsuit in the New Jersey Federal District Court alleging that Bernards Township had discriminated against the Islamic Society when it declined to approve the construction of a large mosque on a lot that was far too small to handle the contemplated structure.  And in November 2016, the United States represented by the U. S. Justice Department filed a second lawsuit against the Township on similar grounds. The settlement agreement covers both lawsuits.

Read the entire Settlement Agreement and Court Order here.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

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Meanwhile, Rioting Breaks Out In Sweden

Rioting Breaks Out In Sweden

by Tyler Durden
Feb 21, 2017 5:19 AM

It would appear the mainstream media (along with several celebrities and Swedish politicians) is going to be apologizing to President Trump once again.

Having spent the entire new cycle trying to ignore the immigrant crisis facing Sweden, and pin the ignorant tail on Trump, both Dagbladet and Expressen reports riots breaking out in the highly immigrant concentrated Stockholdm borough of Rinkeby, Sweden with police firing warning shots as 100s of young people throw stones and burn cars.

During the evening hundreds of young people gathered in the center of Rinkeby, well known for its high concentration of immigrants and people with immigrant ancestry.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-02-20/meanwhile-rioting-breaks-out-sweden?utm_content=buffer1646f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

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Bashing liberals, Muslims and millennials: Has this pro-Trump priest gone too far?

The Rev

By Mark Mueller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on February 08, 2017 at 8:38 AM, updated February 08, 2017 at 10:18 AM

Peter West, an avowed supporter of President Donald Trump, doesn’t shrink from calling it as he sees it.

Posting on Facebook and Twitter up to a dozen times a day, he has repeatedly railed against Muslims, calling moderate Islam “a myth” and voicing strong support for the president’s travel ban, which temporarily barred immigrants from seven majority-Muslim countries before a judge issued a stay last week.

West has assailed millennials as “snowflakes” who attend “cry-ins” and described liberals as “smug and arrogant” people who find solace in puppies and Play-Doh.

He has called Hillary Clinton an “evil witch” and former President Barack Obama a “bum,” at one point sharing a post that challenged Obama’s authenticity as an African-American because he wasn’t raised by a poor single mother in the inner city.

Were West some random internet flamethrower, his posts might garner a shrug in an age of intense political division and social media rancor.
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2017/02/bashing_liberals_muslims_and_millennials_has_this.html

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Outspoken Bayonne Paster Has Home Vandalized

HOME OF PASTOR OUTSPOKEN AGAINST PROPOSED BAYONNE MOSQUE VANDALIZED

PASTOR SPOKE OUT AGAINST PROPOSED BAYONNE MOSQUE

January 23,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Bayonne, NJ according to WABC news a Controversy over building a mosque in New Jersey appears to be linked to vandalism.
A pastor opposing the plan was the target of a graffiti attack at his home in Bayonne.

Signs read, “Save Bayonne, Stop the Mosque,” at the home of Evangelist Pastor Joseph Basile. According to Pastor Basile ,
“Someone came and threatened us if we did not take the signs down,” That culprit was later arrested, but this past Saturday
expletives were spray painted on the pastor’s home.

All this comes as a year old controversy simmers. Bayonne’s Muslim community wants to build a mosque at a shuttered warehouse on East 24th Street at a dead end. The pastor agrees along with many of the neighbors that worry about traffic.

“It should be somewhere else in the center of town , this is a dead end, lots of traffic,” said Surinder Kumar, a resident, but other neighbors don’t seem to mind “If someone wants to build something where people gather, I have no problem with it,” said Sarah Ulm

Pastor Basile admits there is a lot of concern also about what will be taught at the proposed mosque and community center. Paster Basile said he has attended meetings and says he asked pointed questions.”My first question was, do you believe in Sharia Law. His lawyer jumped up and would not answer,” Basile said.

The attack on the Pastors home has gotten the attention of Joseph Rudy Rullo who is running for Governor of New Jersey , Rullo said ,” I condemn the recent attack on a Bayonne religious leaders home who recently questioned whether a proposed mosque would include the teaching of Sharia law. Sharia law clearly violates the US constitution!”

Waheed Akbar of Bayonne Muslims, first denounced the vandalism at the pastor’s home, and says the group has reached out to the community, offering a look at who they are, in the midst of their temporary home being vandalized with hate messages.

CAIR-NJ has asked the Feds to probe “Pro-Trump” hate graffiti targeting Bayonne Mosque.

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info from (https://abc7ny.com/religion/home-of-pastor-outspoken-against-proposed-bayonne-mosque-vandalized/1697818/)

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The untold side of the Bernards’ mosque story

Feds Sue Bernards After Township Denies Mosque Zoning Approval

By Mark Di Ionno | The Star-Ledger
on December 18, 2016 at 8:45 AM

On Friday afternoons, about 70 Muslims arrive at a municipal center for weekly prayers. They include an African-American disabled veteran and an Italian octogenarian, but most are men in their 30s and 40s, wearing ID badges from local companies.

Blue rugs are laid out, wall to wall, in two meeting rooms. Worshipers face the direction of Mecca.

On Sunday mornings, in the same town, Muslim families arrive at a public grammar school, where the cafeteria is used for Islamic religious study. On this day, three dozen children are given treats to celebrate Mawlid al-Nabi, the birthday of the prophet Mohammad. They recite poems about his teachings.

This community is not Jersey City or Paterson, both known for large Muslim populations.

It’s Bernards Township, the community recently sued by the federal Department of Justice for denying a local Islamic society’s request to build a mosque in the Liberty Corner section of town.

And while the use of town-owned buildings by Muslims demonstrates the need for a local mosque, it also suggests the town might not be as bigoted as outsiders think.

What follows is a story filled with such nuances because facts are what people make them. Let’s compare two cases that came before the town by religious organizations on the same stretch of road in the Liberty Corner section of the township.

Mohammad Ali Chaudry, president of the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge (ISBR), submitted his first application to build the mosque on April 20, 2012. It was denied last December after 39 hearings.

The Presbyterian Church down the street filed an application for a property improvement in 2011. It was denied after two hearings, and church did not appeal.

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/12/the_untold_side_of_the_bernards_mosque_story_di_io.html#incart_river_home

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Time to Call Captain Obvious : Bergen Record Runs “Motive a Mystery” headline after alleged terror suspect 28-year-old Ahmad Khan Rahami was captured

Captain Obvious

September 20,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , a day after alleged terror suspect 28-year-old Ahmad Khan Rahami was captured in Linden New Jersey ,the Bergen Record runs the headline ,”Motive a Mystery” .

We didn’t know if we should laugh or cry . Within minutes of the recent NYC terror attack the usual list of excuses was rolled out ; work place violence, beware of Islamophobia , talk radio, gun control ,NRA , climate change ,Donald Trump and a new one anti gay gays .

po·lit·i·cal cor·rect·ness
noun

the avoidance, often considered as taken to extremes, of forms of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against.

While it has already been well documented that the New York bombing Suspect Ahmad Rahami ‘may have been radicalised after visiting Afghanistan’. Even the New York Times even reported ,”Ahmad Khan Rahami’s father told Police in 2014 his son was a terrorist,”

The Washington Post reported that ,”After Rahami was captured, investigators found blood-spattered papers on him that included a reference to Anwar al-Awlaki, according to a federal law enforcement official who asked not to be identified discussing the ongoing investigation.

Awlaki, an American-born cleric who was a top leader for al-Qaeda in Yemen, was killed in a 2011 drone strike, but his rhetoric continue to resonate online. His teachings have been implicated in numerous terrorist attacks, including the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, and authorities say the gunman in Orlando earlier this year and one of the attackers in San Bernardino, Calif., last year had viewed Awlaki’s lectures.”

Maybe its time to call Captain Obvious ; Radical Islam . Many in the mainstream media continue to denie the obvious links that certain elements of the Muslim Religion have with Islamic Fundamentalism .

According to Hillel Gray, who Teaches at Miami Univ, Comparative Religion department, “Islam began in the 7th century, spread rapidly, and — already during medieval and early modern periods — splintered into various forms & communities. However, scholars consider fundamentalist Islam to have emerged in the modern era, especially in (post-)colonial contexts. Radical Islam can claim to have roots in earlier traditions, but it is viewed as a modern phenomenon (along with other religious fundamentalisms).”

The media and many to the left object to saying Muslim terrorist , or Islamic terrorist because for them it implies all Muslims are terrorist . Which begs the question , did Irish Republican Army (IRA)  imply all Irish are terrorist?

The Irish Republican Army (IRA), also called Provisional Irish Republican Army, a republicanparamilitary organization seeking the establishment of a republic, the end of British rule in Northern Ireland, and the reunification of Ireland.

The reality is that calling someone a Muslim Terrorist ,no more implies all Muslims are terrorist than calling someone an IRA member say’s all Irish are terrorist.

Folks its time to face fact ; it is what it is . A Muslim who is radicalised is a Muslim Terrorist!

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DONALD J. TRUMP ADDRESSES RADICAL ISLAM AND THE AGE OF TERROR

-donald-trump-candidacy-speech-thridgewoodblog

Donald Trump delivered remarks today on Radical Islam which can be read with footnotes here:

Thank you. It is great to be with you this afternoon. Today we begin a conversation about how to Make America Safe Again. In the 20th Century, the United States defeated Fascism, Nazism, and Communism. Now, a different threat challenges our world: Radical Islamic Terrorism. This summer, there has been an ISIS attack launched outside the war zones of the Middle East every 84 hours. 1 2 Here, in America, we have seen one brutal attack after another. 13 were murdered, and 38 wounded, in the assault on Ft. Hood. 3 4 The Boston Marathon Bombing wounded and maimed 264 people, 5 and ultimately left five dead – including 2 police officers. 6 In Chattanooga, Tennessee, five unarmed marines were shot and killed at a military recruiting center. 7 Last December, 14 innocent Americans were gunned down at an office party in San Bernardino, another 22 were injured. 8
Understanding The Threat: Radical Islam and the Age of Terror

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N.J. taking in more Syrian refugees as U.S. increases resettlements

muslim rape culture

 

Ignoring objections by Governor Christie and presidential nominee Donald Trump that refugees from Syria pose a security risk, the Obama administration has sharply increased resettlements, with New Jersey taking in almost as many people in the past month as it did in 2014 and 2015 combined. Herb Jackson, The Record Read more

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Amidst Rising Islamophobia, Thousands of American Muslims Unite for Annual Convention

Koran

American Muslims gather to erase extremism and rejuvenate spirituality

July 17,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, the nation’s largest and oldest Muslim organization, will host the 68th annual 3-day conference to spiritually rejuvenate Muslim Americans, young and old.  As the longest running American Muslim conference, it aims to reach into Islam’s fundamentals as practiced by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to teach how to be a model Muslim in today’s world.

The recent attacks in San Bernardino, Orlando, Istanbul, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh and Iraq show that much of the world is in the dark about Islam’s true teachings. Distorted teachings by extremists have promoted fear and Islamophobia worldwide.  In response, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has spearheaded a campaign entitled “True Islam and the Extremists” to educate the masses on Islam’s true teachings. Its aim is to enhance the country’s national security through a proven model that saves people from the path of extremism.

“We are at a critical point in a conflict-ridden world.” said Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, National Vice President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. “The world cries for a solution and we are here to offer that solution through dialogue, education, and community.”

The conference will be held at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA from July 29-July 31st.  Thousands of American Muslims from across the country are expected in attendance to participate in the conference, which is also open to the public.

About Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans over 200 nation with membership exceeding tens of million. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is among the oldest American-Muslim organizations.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.

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Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA Invites nation to act and endorse the True Islam campaign

Koran

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA Applauds President Obama’s Remarks At Mosque Visit

Invites nation to act on President’s remarks and endorse the True Islam campaign

February 4,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA applauds President Obama’s historic mosque visit. President Obama’s visit comes at a time of rising Islamophobia and anti-Muslim violence. The President championed freedom of religion for all faiths, our collective responsibility to speak up against discrimination in a unified voice, and reassured American Muslim youth that they belong here. “As President of the United States, let me clear, you fit in right here,” said President Obama, “You belong here. You’re part of America. You’re not Muslim or American. You’re Muslim and American. Stay engaged in your community.  Help move our country, your country, forward.”

“This speech and visit is a reassurance for all American Muslims and indeed all Americans,” said Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, National Vice President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, “We must act on President Obama’s remarks about setting aside sectarian differences, remaining united, and teaching our youth to be proud American Muslims. We invite all our fellow Americans, regardless of faith, to embrace this unity by endorsing the True Islam campaign.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA launched the “True Islam and the Extremists” campaign in December 2015 to unite Muslims and non-Muslims. To date, thousands have endorsed the True Islam campaign, including several members of Congress, police chiefs, and community activists. The True Islam campaign educates all Americans about true Islam, distinguish it from extremism, and to promote national security. We invite all Americans to visit www.TrueIslam.comand endorse the eleven points.

About Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans over 200 nations with membership exceeding tens of millions. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is among the oldest American-Muslim organizations.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.

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The ‘Refugee’ Flood And The Rape Of Europe

europe rape victims

01/06/2016 06:40 PM ET

Borders: The savage behavior of “migrant” revelers on New Year’s Eve in Germany should remind Europe that borders matter. But decades of political correctness and moral relativism have brainwashed a generation.

The mostly Muslim migrants from North Africa and the Mideast who have swarmed Europe over the past year have strained welfare resources and frayed social ties in nations such as Greece, Hungary, Italy, Germany and France.

The challenge faced by Europe in integrating the masses of newcomers was underscored in Cologne, Germany, last weekend. There, more than 1,000 newly arrived men committed some 90 serious crimes, including assault, rape and robbery, near the city’s train station and right next to its landmark cathedral.

The outrageous criminality has finally set off angry debate across the EU over leaders’ failure to protect citizens from those who come from nations that do not share Western values, morals and codes of behavior.

Liberal notions of seamlessly integrating hordes of immigrants into an advanced, post-industrial society have been shown to be naive and dangerous.

The Eurocrats and leftists who govern the European Union are starting to panic. “We’re willing to do more than anyone else,” said Swedish Migration Minister Morgan Johansson. “But even we have our limits.”

A lot of countries, it seems, are reaching their limits. Hungary has erected border fences to keep migrants out. Sweden and Denmark are fortifying their borders, setting up checkpoints to catch troublemakers. The New York Times cites growing “fears that terrorists are seeking to enter Europe masquerading as refugees.”

Read More At Investor’s Business Daily: https://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/010616-788428-refugee-flood-europe-germany.htm#ixzz3wZPecQyD

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Islamic Convention to Define True Islam

Koran

Islamic Convention to Define True Islam

Oldest American Muslim organization responds to President Obama’s call to root out extremist ideology

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, the nation’s oldest Muslim organization, will gather Muslims from across the U.S. in the largest Mosque in San Bernardino County at the end of the month for its 30th annual Jalsa Salana Convention. In the wake of the San Bernardino attack, anti-Muslim backlash felt all across the country and anti-Muslim rhetoric gaining popularity in the presidential campaigns, this convention will confront the fear many have of Islam and delineate between True Islam and extremism.

At the weekend-long convention, Muslim leaders will answer President Obama’s call to decisively and unequivocally reject the hateful ideology of groups like ISIS and those interpretations of Islam that are incompatible with the values of religious tolerance, mutual respect, and human dignity.  In the spirit of partnership, the convention’s doors are open to all guests, Muslim and non-Muslim alike.

The event will take place December 26th-28th at the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino, California. The three-day conference will include presentations on the following topics, for which subject matter experts are available for interviews:

True Islam – Message of Peace or Extremism

Shariah and Governance in Islam

Role of a Woman in leading the future generation to follow the righteous path

Khilafat (Caliphate) leads to success

Praying to God

Prophet Muhammad as a Mercy for Mankind

Finding Ease after Hardship

Blessings in Serving Mankind

Domestic Harmony

Overcoming impediments that take away from congregational prayer

“We educate our members about true Islam throughout the year, and this will culminate with a strong and unified message at this annual convention,” said Dr. Hamidur Rehman, National Vice President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. “The world is in a state of turmoil, crying for a solution. We are here to offer that solution and pave a path to its implementation.”

About Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans 206 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is among the first American-Muslim organizations.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.

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Muhammad Ali seeks understanding of Islam

Muhammad Ali

“True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so called Islamic Jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion,” said boxing legendMuhammad Ali.

Muhammad Ali seeks understanding of Islam
December 09, 2015, 06:59 pm
By Bradford Richardson

Muhammad Ali called Wednesday for political leaders to use their positions to bring about a better understanding of Islam, which he said had been distorted by terrorist groups.

“I am a Muslim and there is nothing Islamic about killing innocent people in Paris, San Bernardino, or anywhere else in the world,” Ali said in a statement to NBC News “regarding presidential candidates proposing to ban Muslim immigration to the US.”

“True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so called Islamic Jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion,” Ali added.

“Speaking as someone who has never been accused of political correctness, I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people’s views on what Islam really is,” Ali said.

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/262731-muhammad-ali-seeks-understanding-of-islam

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Violence fuels debate among Muslims over interpreting faith

lawrence

Violence fuels debate among Muslims over interpreting faith
Jan 10, 2:17 PM (ET)
By LEE KEATH

CAIRO (AP) — After gunmen in Paris killed 12 people, Saudi Arabia’s top body of Muslim clerics quickly condemned the attack and said it could have no acceptable justification. It was a signal from some of the Islamic world’s strictest voices that cartoons lampooning the Prophet Muhammad in the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo were not a reason to kill the artists.

Only days later, Saudi Arabia sent an opposing message: On Friday, a young Saudi was whipped 50 times in a public square in the city of Jiddah, the first of what will be 20 such weekly rounds of lashes. That, along with 10 years in prison, is his sentence from the kingdom’s religious-based courts for insulting Islam, based on posts on his blog criticizing prominent clerics close to the monarchy.

The contradiction points to the difficulties at a time of a growing debate within Islam about whether and how to reject a radical minority that some fear is dragging them into conflict and wrecking the faith.

Western critics are increasingly brazen about suggesting there is something inherent in Islam that is sparking violence by some of its adherents. Most Muslims reject this, arguing that the tumult of the post-colonial Middle East has created fertile ground for radicalism among people whose faith is fundamentally one of peace.

Nonetheless, the past year has seen increasing voices among Muslims saying their community must re-examine their faith to modernize its interpretations and sideline extremists. As much as recent attacks in the West, the rise of startlingly vicious violence by Sunni Muslim militants in the name of Islam against fellow Muslims, including Sunnis, brought it home for many Muslims that something must change in religious discourse.

In Syria and Iraq, the Islamic State group has butchered entire families of Sunnis and beheaded Sunni soldiers, as well as Western hostages. In Pakistan, a Dec. 16 militant attack on a school that killed 150 people, mostly children, stunned the country. It made many Pakistanis question any empathy they felt in the past toward militant groups — the attitude of “even if they’re wrong, they’re still fellow Muslims.”

“Now I hear more people talking openly against extremism and militancy,” said Hasan-Askari Rizvi, an independent political analyst in Pakistan.

https://apnews.myway.com/article/20150110/ml–the_debate_in_islam-14f24c654f.html

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Reader asks Can Muslims Ever Be Good Americans?

411929847

Reader asks Can Muslims Ever Be Good Americans?

This is very interesting and we all need to read it from start to finish. And send it on to everyone. Maybe this is why our American Muslims are so quiet and not speaking out about any atrocities.

Can a good Muslim be a good American?

This question was forwarded to a friend who worked in Saudi Arabia for 20 years.The following is his reply:

Theologically – No, Because his allegiance is to Allah, The moon god of Arabia .

Religiously – No. Because no other religion is accepted by His Allah except Islam. (Quran, 2:256)(Koran)

Scripturally – No, Because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of Islam and the Quran.

Geographically – No, Because his allegiance is to Mecca , to which he turns in prayer five times a day.

Socially – No, Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews.

Politically – No, Because he must submit to the mullahs (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America , the great Satan.

Domestically – No, Because he is instructed to marry four Women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him. (Quran 4:34 )

Intellectually – No, Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.

Philosophically – No, Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran does not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic.

Spiritually – No, Because when we declare ‘one nation under God,’ The Christian’s God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to as Heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in the Quran’s 99 excellent names.

Therefore, after much study and deliberation, perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. They obviously cannot be both ‘good’ Muslims and ‘good’ Americans. Call it what you wish it’s still the truth. You had better believe it. The more of us that understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future.
The religious war is bigger than we know or understand!

Footnote: The Muslims have said they will destroy us from within. SO FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.