President Barak Obama told the Muslim world in a speech on Monday the United States was not at war with Islam, using his first international tour to try to repair the United States' damaged image abroad.
Mr. Obama told the Turkish Parliament on Monday that: “America’s relationship with the Muslim community, the Muslim world, cannot and will not just be based upon opposition to terrorism,” he said. “We seek broader engagement based upon mutual interest and mutual respect.”
In his speech he said: “The United States has been enriched by Muslim-Americans,” he said. “Many other Americans have Muslims in their family, or have lived in a Muslim-majority country. “I know,” he said, “because I am one of them.”
The line was a bold one for Mr. Obama, who has been falsely described as a Muslim. The claim persists on some right-wing Web sites, which may try to interpret his remarks as proof of that view.
Consider this view from the American Daily Review - News, politics and conservative commentary without compromise, in response to Obama’s Turkey speech: “Radical Islam’s desire, whether or not the Left, President Obama, or the touchy-feely crowd are willing to admit it, is to conquer the world. Their goals are to eliminate Israel, kill every Jew walking the Earth, and to bring down the West, transforming the Great Satan into Islamic Nations operating under the thumb of Sharia Law. Radical Islam will not ever be at peace with non-Muslim nations not to mention Muslims who do not share a belief in Sharia Law.”
In Lake County, as is the case throughout the nation, the conservative view and mistrust of Islam prevails for two reasons. The first is simply an inherent fear which can be described as “Islamophobia.”
The second is that American Muslims have failed to change irrational perceptions of Islam. Muslim voices who say “Islam means peace” have been drowned out a long time ago by radical clerics who support jihad and promote hatred in the name of Islam. The time has come for reasonable, peace-loving Muslims to step forward. And it's time for the rest of us to listen to them.
Muslims have migrated to America in an almost stealthlike manner, building mosques, praying in airports and demanding religious freedom that most Christians could never enjoy in their respective countries. And many have slipped into the America in flagrant violation of its immigration laws to pursue a better life while at the same time watching nightly news of mullahs, sheiks screaming for blood in the name of Islam.
According to the Holy Qur’an, such actions create disorder and injustice which is considered in Islam to be worse than murder. “Those who love that immorality should spread among the believers, will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows, and you know not.” (24:20)
A Washington Post-ABC News poll released this month points out that Americans think President Obama's outreach to the Muslim world is an important goal, but nearly half hold negative views about Islam and a "sizable" number believe that even "mainstream" members of Islam encourage violence against people of other religions.
And while a majority of those polled think that Islam is a peaceful religion, a substantial minority—nearly 3 in 10—said they see mainstream Islam as advocating violence against non-Muslims. About half, 48 percent, said they have an unfavorable view of Islam—the highest in polls since late 2001, in the weeks following the September 11 attacks.
The data also show that a majority of those polled said they do not have a basic understanding of the Muslim faith, nor do they know anyone who is Muslim.
As the president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, we have continued to advocate and encourage interfaith dialogue, and diligently defends Islam and tries to correct isunderstandings about Islam in the West. It advocates peace, tolerance, love and understanding among followers of different faiths.
Our motto simply states: Love For All. Hatred For None. So, let’s get together and meet Muslims who will explain basic teachings and the philosophy of Islam in a spirit of American goodfellowship.
We are holding a public meeting on “Islamophobia – Everything You Wanted to Know About Islam, But You Were Afraid to Ask,” Saturday April 18th at the Park Place Senior Center, 412 Lewis Ave., Waukegan, from 3 to 5 PM. The public is invited to attend this free event.
We have invited the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Hate Task Force to make a presentation on hate crimes. In addition, Zahir M. Ahmad, a national board member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will speak on Islam and the beliefs of Muslims.
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