Do you remember Jyllandsposten? The newspaper that published cartoons of the prophet (PBUH)? Representatives of the paper refused to meet with the BBC, CNN or the Danish TV, but agreed to meet Manal!!
Yes, Manal is a student-doctor who blogs and wants to make a difference. Her blog Manal Carpe Diem (fr) is a very special one with original posts that show authenticity but also boldness. I was curious to know more about her trip to Denmark (fr), so I asked her some questions. Her answers were so simple yet so inspiring that I decided to share this interview with you.
I read in your blog that you went to Denmark to make a difference, tell me more about it..
I went to Denmark to participate in a week of dialogue between Muslim and Danish youth. I wanted to give them an other image about Islam rather than burned flags and embassies, because this is not Islam. Unfortunately, the image conveyed by the media is totally wrong, and I’m happy that I could change some of the prejudices about my religion and I could prove to the Danes that Islam calls for peace and tolerance, calls for respect and freedom not for violence and terrorism. Thanks to God, I could read in the eyes of many of them a lot of amazement and surprise, and I’m sure that they won’t be influenced anymore by the wrong ideas spread about Islam.
Was it a personal initiative ?
Well, the week in Denmark was an initiative taken by Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke , to deepen the relationships between Danes and The Muslim world. The program was a combination of cultural meetings and exchanges of views with politicians, media and opinion makers. There were about 42 young Muslims from different countries, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Pakistan, Kenya, Iran, Syria, Jordan, Palestine… The experience was really great, and the Danes showed a real will to mend this big wound that is still bleeding, and to repair this big mistake. Of course, no official apologies have been made, but all of those who were with our group, politicians and the average Joe citizens were sorry about what happened. They were all preaching the freedom of speech but they also realized that publishing such cartoons was a big mistake. I believe that respect should be a rule if we really want to live peacefully.
What about the visit you paid to Jyllandsposten?
One of the most important steps of the week was the visit to Jyllandsposten, the newspaper that published the cartoons. They refused to see the BBC, the CNN, the Danish TV, but they agreed to meet us. It was a good point, even if we had a unilateral dialogue. The media convey some of the truth but not the whole truth. The media didn’t show to the Muslim world that there are some Danes who protested against the publication of the cartoons, and they showed to Danes that Muslims only burned flags and embassies… this is not the whole truth…
Fortunately, they’re some Danes who took some concrete initiatives like creating a website anotherdenmark or inviting some young people to get to know more about the Danish culture and promote dialogue, I believe that misunderstanding is the result of ignorance.
Now, let's try to know more about you. Why do you blog?
My blog is a space where I can express myself freely and spontaneously. It’s a great experience since it allows youto meet people from different backgrounds. It also gives you the opportunity to talk about many issues and share your opinions with the whole world without censorship and with only “a click”. I don’t like to share my intimate life with the others, I prefer to talk more about my daily life in the hospital or about my different experiences with NGO’s but from time to time I do post about private matters.
What do you think about the Moroccan blogosphere?
I see it as an extraordinary melting pot, exactly the way the Moroccan society is. Every day, we “witness the birth” of more and more , from different backgrounds and fields. Each space is unique and each blog brings a fresh air to the blogosphere. I had the opportunity to meet many bloggers and I was really amazed, some became very close friends…
How do you explain the fact that most of the Moroccan blogs are in French instead of Arabic or Moroccan dialect?
Most of the Moroccan bloggers have a high educational level, there are a lot of university students. The Moroccan universities teach in French, then the majority find it easier to express themselves in this language. One other reason that can explain this fact, is that we blog to transmit a message, and the choice of the language shouldn't really be an issue, it is only a tool! The most important thing is that my readers get my messages..
What do you “hope” from your blogging experience?
Learn more and more, meet new people and enjoy the experience of sharing…
Who reads your blog?
Lots of people (laughing) bloggers and non bloggers. Actually many readers send me e-mails to encourage me and congratulate me for the choice of my subjects, or sometimes to express their disagreement. I know trough the statistics that a lot of visitors come to see me…
—–
Well, I do know that I am a regular visitor of “Carpe Diem”, and she amazes me everyday for the choice of her subjects, and many times, for her boldness. So good luck Manal and thank you.
That's it for today. See you next Wednesday, Inshallah.
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Excellent interview! I am very impressed with Manal’s proactive involvement in bridging the gap of understanding between the Danes and the Muslims.
Also I would like to comment on Manal’s answer regarding the use of the French language in Moroccan blogs– my preferred subject ;-)
I think the language of the message is as important as the message itself. When you blog in a foreign language you automatically exclude a large chunk of the population from your audience.
In Morocco, the French language is not as widely mastered as the Arabic language. Even at the university level, liberal arts and law students use Arabic most.
Larbi, the famous Moroccan blogger, recognized this fact and started writing some of his posts in Arabic since last week.
Don’t know what to say to thank you sweetie.
It was a great pleasure working with you lady. Another interview? Hahaha.
Ahmed (blafrancia) >> Thanks a lot for your words :-), I’m happy that I could change some of the wrong ideas about Islam.
I would like also to comment your point about the language, ;-). Actually I do agree with you, when you blog in a foreign language, there is a big audience excluded, but that’s not my aim at all!!
You said that French is not well mastered as Arabic, do you think this theory concerns internet users in Morocco?
I read with big pride the Arabic post of Larbi, and I’m conscious about the importance of the language in conveying messages, but I still consider it as a tool.
I’ve already posted in Arabic, and I’m planning to do it again…
The most important thing is to communicate…
Thanks a lot for your words…
You can prove that “Islam calls for peace and tolerance, calls for respect and freedom not for violence and terrorism”?
Well, that is strange, because I can take the Quran and prove to you that Islam calls for war and oppression, teaches hate and anger, and promotes violence and terrorism. Of course, I have current events on my side, so I guess my understanding is the more accepted.
Furthermore, I can take the hadiths and show you that Islam’s great prophet did so many vile and dispicable things.
The fact is that Muslims such as Manal are in denial about their religion. Yes, Morroco is one of the more tolerant (or better, less repressive) of the Muslim nations, but it still limits freedom of conscience and Islam in that country still persecutes other religions.
Things will not get better (if ever) until Muslims take a good hard look at their faith. They cannot continue to make excuses and blame others. If there is a “gap” in understanding, it is on the Muslim side. Would not it be better if Muslims learned “respect” and “tolerance” from the West instead of the West having to learn to “understand” Muslim sensitivities? How dare Muslims demand others not speak their opinions because it hurts Muslim feelings. How dare they criticize the Danes when so many Islamic societies are built on repression? How dare they criticize the media about cartoons that show disrespect when Muhammad himself committed so many evil deeds. I will not go into details, but you can be sure that I know what I am talking about. Perhaps this is the key to what makes Islam so violent - it is just a matter of Muslims doing the same things their great leader and moral example did. Think about that.
Bad times are coming. I blame our leaders for not having the courage to speak up and say the things that need to be said. I even blame people like Manal - obviously a kind, sweet well intentioned soul - for closing her eyes to the reality that surrounds her and not asking the questions that need to be asked. Manal, please think about these things. Your idea of ‘understanding’ is basically one group imposing their ideals on another - and, worst of all, those ideals promote intolerance, hate, and even violence.
I wish I could have written something nicer, but somebody has to be honest about these things.
John Kactuz
Thank you Farah, this is really a good initiative.
Soumiaz
Wawwwwwwww
En plus la photo est superbe !
Ce n’est que justice rendue à notre adorable Manal ! Franchement une fille qui parcours le monde pour prêcher la bonne parole, qui s’engagent dans l’associatif, qui trouve du temps pour faire un million de choses et qui est belle et charmante en plus … ce n’est pas une déesse ?
J’avais l’honneur de rencontrer Manal à Paris. Tout ça n’est que la face visible de son personnage. Mais il y a quelque chose en plus : sa sensibilité et son grand cœur, son sens d’écoute, son sourire … (la liste est longue et je trouve pas les mots) ! Mon Dieu Manal je te lance pas des fleurs, mais vraiment rien à dire parfaite et adorable.
Maaah aalik à Manal
Et merci à notre cheville ouvrière celle qui fait tant de choses en toute discrétion j’ai nommé la fée Foulla.
Hi from Malaysia. I’m very far away from Europe and Global Voices Online has been quite a pleasant discovery. Only found out about it from http://freeexpressionasia.wordpress.com/. Great testimony to the borderless nature of the Internet.
Congratulations to Manal and all the others who’re forging ties with the Europeans and educating them on the true nature of Islam. The violence that now plague us has nothing to do religion — Islam or any other — The violence is the result of world politics and the disenfranchisement of the Palestinian people. Only when there is peace between the Palestinians and Israelis, will the violence stop. Unfortunately the US in particular have no understanding of this.
Hi from Malaysia. Good work in forging understanding Manal.
>>Manal, the number of non-French speaking who are using the internet is growing due to the adoption of ADSL by many households of the middle class. I saw people using the internet who have never finished the their Chahada (fifth grade).
However, you always have the right to choose the audience and the language you like ;-)
Keep up the good work!
>>John Kactuz/Arthur:
You are just repeating blunt accusations heard in racist media of Islam as being a violent religion. I doubt that you have ever read the Quran or any authentic Islamic text. Because if you did, you would know that Islam is much greater than the two misquoted verses that Islamophobics are spreading.
Muslims are angry because of what some of the Western countries are doing, namely in the Middle East.
In addition, modern history shows that more wars and violence came from the West through colonization of America, Africa, and Asia; the two great wars (I & II) have left tens of millions of people dead or wounded; slavery and the holocaust; these all were products of western ideologies of white supremacy (mixed with some religion).
I am not saying Muslims are all good. People are people; they can do bad and they can do good regardless of what their religion says.
Finally, I hope you will take time and read the Quran for your self to find out why a fifth of the world’s population adheres to the religion of Islam.
God says: “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).” [Quran 49:13]
Peace
John>> Of course I can prove that Islam calls for peace not for violence…You know, the first thing you should say in Islam when you meet someone is: Assalamou Alaikoum, which means “Peace be upon you”. This is only a start…
Reading the Quran, I can also prove that Islam calls for peace and not for War! How come the religion that asks people to treat the others as they treat themselves, how come the religion that calls for loving and respecting each other can be considered as a religion that calls for hate and anger! This is not true.
When I was in Denmark, one of the things that really shocked me is the fact that Danes have a lot of misunderstandings about Islam. Let me give you a concert example; one politician told me that they can not accept Muslims in their country because they can not accepted to see women forced to marry men they don’t wanna. He said, Denmark is a free country, and such a behavior is against their democratic spirit. I was really surprised to hear that, because Islam can never allow something so! Islam gives the woman and the man the right to chose their partners. Unfortunately, some Muslims don’t behave as they should do, and do that in the name of Islam.
When I talked about peace, I wanted to share with the Danes – especially concerning the cartoons issue- that reactions such as burning embassies and burning flags are not acceptable at all in the religion. I don’t know if you know much about our Prophet, but he never called for violence, he never riposted to violence violently and history can prove that. These behaviors are made by some Muslims in the name of Islam and unfortunately this is the image conveyed by the media about the religion, a false image.
Back to the point about Morocco! You said: “Islam in that country still persecutes other religions.” How dare you say that about a country where all religions live harmoniously? What do you know about Moroccan history to say something so! I’m sorry to tell you that it’s totally wrong. And there are a lot of Moroccan Jews who can prove the opposite of what you said.
You talk about tolerance in the West? Do you think that the French law asking Muslim women not to put their scarves is a tolerant law?! Do you think persecuting and humiliating people only because they’re Muslims is respect?? Do you think, making fun of the emblem of Islam and showing him as a terrorist is respect? Do you think refusing to give equal chances for people to get a job only because they’re Arabs or Muslims is tolerance!!
The West is not the perfect example to follow, have a look at what’s happening in Palestine and in Iraq and you will see what’s Violence and what’s War!! If murdering babies and innocent children is what you call Democracy and Tolerance, then we must be speaking different languages…
If there are some people to blame, then it must be those who are against dialogue and openness, be it in the Muslim or non-muslim side! As you’re asking me not to close my eyes, and I do thank you for your advice, I ask you to open yours and discover the real face of Islam. Religion is a choice, a personal choice. Everybody is this world must be treated as a human being, no matter if he is Jewish, black, atheist, tall, fat or whatever…we’re all the same, and we must all have the same right to live in peace in a respectful world.
You may know a lot of Muslims, but I don’t think you know much about Islam. Think about that.
You said: “Your idea of ‘understanding’ is basically one group imposing their ideals on another - and, worst of all, those ideals promote intolerance, hate, and even violence” My idea of ‘understanding’ is one peaceful world, where every one has the right to live decently, where respect and tolerance would be the light that will guide all human beings.
I don’t know whether you’re John Arthur or John Kactuz, but anyway, thank you for your words.
Shufiyan Shukur>> thank you so much for your words, I’m so touched to hear such encouraging words from far away…hope to hear from you soon.
Ahmed (Blafrancia) >> deal ;-), I hope then you will come to read my Arabic posts…
Thanks for answering my comment. Keep up struggling ;-)
Very good interview Manal.
For the one who saw that islam presh violence, I ask him to do some research on the internet rather than say what tv remain all the time.
So Islam is a religion of peace!
Thanks for this ;)
Muslim
f/U on john’s comment post 3:
Hey John! I think your comment deserves a rebottle! Allow me take a shot at it without spelling the beans and get edited out. If U can read French better than you can read Koran check a post of mine in a Moroccan Blog here http://weblog.lejournal-hebdo.com/index.php?2006/04/10/57-gold-vision#c3804 U may pick up a pearl or 2.
U said-> “I can take the Quran and prove to you that Islam calls for war and oppression, teaches hate and anger,
Moh-> I may just take U up on that one! Why don’t U to tell us where-how and when? That’ll enlighten all of us for at least we’d understand where the muslims got it all wrong and maybe we all can do something to fix it! Are U sure you are not reading from some OBL manifesto? Or just another fellow abducted by the propaganda crap with an agenda and a media who can’t stand it if it can’t or won’t bleed just because the more we bleed, the more we panic and more money they make!
U said-> “.. promotes violence and terrorism. Of course, I have current events on my side, so I guess my understanding is the more accepted.”
Moh-> Well U may just have to take another guess John!
To stay current as U said, (no further than 50-60 years ago) I’d like to remind U of all those Muslim Nazis who killed so many Jews among others, There sure have been lots of killings going on throughout the last half century all because of Koran teachings! all those Muslim bombs which nuked the living yolk out the Japs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.. all the machete chopping in Rwanda by the millions for the last 12 years and all of the killers were Muslims! Kosovo.. How about all the bombs which are still blowing the manor out the Afghans, the Irakis, the Palestinian kids, by tens in not hundreds of thousands, with no end insight. Of course anyone who says that the invasion of Iraq was a war crime or Afghanistan is occupied, will probably be dismissed as a member of the loony «Radical islamism».
While we are at it why don’t we blame the Koran and the Muslims for the melting poles, the green house emissions and the ozone depletions all because of the so much farting going on by a billion plus Muslims who just happen to read the Koran and understand it just like you do john!
In your opinion, how many genocidal wars were initiated by Muslims for the last 50 years before you were born John? Who’s killing who and what does Koran has to do with all the crap?
U said-> Furthermore, I can take the hadiths and show you that Islam’s great prophet did so many vile and dispicable things.
Moh-> Really! Tell us about that too! Any idea what “Hadith” means?
U said-> Things will not get better (if ever) until Muslims take a good hard look at their faith. They cannot continue to make excuses and blame others.
Moh->Are U looking at the mirror John? As I understand you already subscribed to the them/us, good/evil with/against evangelical illuminates and alikes who succeeded in polarizing our world to the brink of disintegration just because they can no longer wait for their bloody Armageddon and can not pass on the opportunity of finally owning the White House with all the power and the nukes that come with it!.. Welcome to the club.. “club 700” that is.
U said-> If there is a “gap” in understanding, it is on the Muslim side.
Moh-> Right!
U said-> Would not it be better if Muslims learned “respect” and “tolerance” from the West instead of the West having to learn to “understand” Muslim sensitivities?
Moh-> God bless the respectful and tolerant “west” their Muslims excluded. The hell with all these dumb stupid and hopeless Muslims.. Every single one of the billion plus of them.. No need to blush John!
U said-> “How dare Muslims demand … but you can be sure that I know what I am talking about”.
Moh->I’m sure U do John! Pat Robertson too.
U said-> Think about that.
Moh->U 2 John! As U said.. Bad times are coming.. so said Pat
U said-> “I wish I could have written something nicer.. but somebody has to be honest about these things.
Moh->Me too John.. However honesty is no substitute for knowledge!
John Kactuz nice meeting U.
Surat “Arrahman” easy reading and relaxing anyway you chose understand it. Try it. :)
Moh
Manal tu m’épatera toujours!!! bosse ta médecine daba…
c’était vraiment top!!
je suis vraiment fiére d’être représentée,en tant que marocaine, musulmane et medecin, par notre adorable manal.
tu as bien defendu notre religion,avec des arguments objectifs!o ne peut pas critiquer une religio alors qu’on ne connait même pas les bases sur lesquelles elle est fondée!!
le fait qu’il n’y ait pas eu d’excuses officielles importe peu,le plus important c’est les danois qui vous ont écouté, et qui ont changé d’avis a propos de l’islam,qui fait l’objet d’acharnement et d’attaques médiatiques incessantes.
il est de notre devoir,a tous,de repondre à ces attaques, en éclairant le monde sur la réalité de l’islam:paix et tolérance,comme le dis notre prophéte.
pour clore,je m’adresse a manal, restes comme tu es, notre petite fée, adorable,serviable,dévouée…y a trop de choses a dire, je ne finirai pas, bref ne changes surtout pas, car on t’aime comme cà!!
mimi
vraiment manal, tu ne m’as pas deçue!
je suis trés fiére,en tant que marocaine,musulmane et médecin, d’être représentée par quelqu’un comme toi
tu as trés bien défendu notre religion,qui fait l’objet ces derniéres années,d’un acharnement médiatique sans précedent.ces caricatures obsénes de notre prophéte démontrent une profonde méconnaissance de l’islam,et de ses principes fondamentaux que le prophéte a longuement préché dans ses discours:”paix et tolérance”.
nous devons combattre cette mauvaise image que les médiats esayent e véhiculer,comme le fait si bien manal;nous pouvons y arriver si chacun d’entre nous essaie d’expliquer le vrai islam, l’islam de du grand coeur,de la générosité,de la tolérance,de l’entraide,de l’amour de l’autre, ne dit-on pas que “Dieu est amour”? alors comment peut-on commettre des actes terroristes au nom de dieu? je voudrais quand même préciser que les actions militantes de la résistance des peuples face à un occupant ne doivent pas être considérées comme du térrorisme,ce sont des réactions normales des peuples vis à vis d’une réaction d’agression extérieure!
bref, je suis trés contente de savoir qu’il y a des danois qui ne sont pas tombés dans le paneau de la manipulation médiatique, et ceci en grande partie, grâce au DIALOGUE!!c’est le maître-mot de cette interview.
pour clore, je m’adresse a manal, notre petite fée adorable,belle,douce,qui fait beaucoup d’effort en silence pour faire bouger les choses, qui est toujours là pour les autres,et qui en plus de toutes ces qualités,est super marrante! restes comme tu es , manal, ne changes surtout pas, car on t’adore comme cà!
mimi
Ayhaaaaaaay::: Bravo manal!!! Good luck!!
Excellent, tous simplement excellent
This is John Kactuz… Its been a while and I see that my honesty knowledge of Islam has been challenged. Oh well. So I don’t know anything, do I? Well, I am not the smartest guy on earth, but I do understand most of what I read – which may be more than most of you.
The facts are simple. The Quran and hadiths are fill of hate and anger. Mohammad, Islam’s great prophet and the man that Musklims admire so much, did many vile, evil things. Who says so? Islam’s own sacred writings!
As a non-Muslim, I am offended by the hate and anger towards unbelievers in the Quran. I am offended by verses like “So, fight them till all opposition ends and the only religion is Islam” (8:39) and Koran “Muhammad is the apostle of Allah. Those who follow him are merciful to one another, but ruthless to unbelievers” (48:29) or even the famous “kill them wherever you find them I am offended by the constant denials and arguments that these passages are poorly translated or out of context (So you are saying the Allah doesn’t know how to write clear , simple verses?)
I am deeply offended that Muslims admire a man that did so many vile things. I am offended that Muslims call me a liar a racist when I tell them what is in their own scriptures, so not to have to face the ugly reality of their religion (or, “way of life,” as they are so fond of saying!)
Well, let’s take a look at a few Islamic sources…
Quote: Mohammed says… “Why is it, O ‘A’isha (his 9 year old wife!) that you are out of breath? I said: There is nothing. He said: Tell me or the Subtle and the Aware would inform me. I said: Messenger of Allah, may my father and mother be ransom for you, and then I told him (the whole story)… He struck me on the chest which caused me pain……. ,” Muslim 4:2127.
(http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/004.smt.html#004.2127)
Quote: Then the Prophet was informed by a shouter for help, he sent some men in their pursuit, and before the sun rose high, they were brought, and he had their hands and feet cut off. Then he ordered for nails which were heated and passed over their eyes, and whey were left in the Harra. They asked for water, and nobody provided them with water till they died…” (http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/052.sbt.html)
Read verse 261 Yes, they were murderers and thieves, but….
Quote: “The women asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?” He said, “Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?” They replied in the affirmative. He said, “This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn’t it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?” The women replied in the affirmative. He said, “This is the deficiency in her religion.” Bukhari Volume 1, Book 6, Number 301. (http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/006.sbt.html#001.006.301)
Not to mention the verse that says most people in hell are women…
Quote : “The military expeditions (Ghazawat, literally raid) in which the Messenger personally participated were twenty-six. Some say there were twenty-seven.” Tabari IX:118 “The armies and raiding parties sent by the Messenger of Allah between the time he came to Medina and his death (ten years) was forty-eight.” Tabari IX:115. The accounts tell of the plunder and taking slaves, of giving captured women to the Prophet’s men. The writer was especially proud of the raids where the caravans and villages were taken by surprise.
Quote: “And all married women are forbidden unto you save those captives whom your right hand possess (your slaves). It is a decree of Allah for you.” (The Koran, Muslim 4:24) Can anybody justify this?
Consider the cases of Raihana Bint Amr and Safiya / Safiyyah, slave women taken by Mohammed. I don’t know about you, but taking women to his bed after just killing their husbands might be considered rape. What do you think? Also don’t the traditions say that Mohammed had also killed Safiya’s father and brother? How about the guard that was worried about Mohammed’s safety with his new ‘bride’?
There are dozens of verses that tell of unprovoked attacks, horrible torture (like building a fire on a man’s chest, for example), wife beatings, slavery, rape of married women, disrespect for women, murders for petty reasons and so on.. The list goes on and on. Notice the references and the links to Islamic sites. This is the man Muslims consider to be a “great” example.
Please do not pretend that the Hadiths are not accepted as sacred by almost all Muslims: May I quote: “Both sources are indispensable; one cannot practice Islam without consulting both of them (Quran and Sunnah). Bukhari’s collection is recognized by the overwhelming majority of the Muslim world to be one of the most authentic collections of the Sunnah of the Prophet…” (http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/sbtintro.html)
“This thorough authentication process ensures that these accounts (the Hadiths) are real, validated narrations of the sayings, actions, and tacit approvals of the Prophet Muhammad.
(http://thetruereligion.org/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=106)
The Shareeah, which is embodied (in) the Quran and Sunnah, are the proclamations of Allah and His Messenger (…) …it is obligatory for every Muslim to obey any command that he hears from Allah or His Messenger (…), even if the command should go against his own desires, opinion or against popular opinion. (http://www.iisca.org/articles/document.jsp?id=65)
From the start to finish, from the Quran to the hadiths, Islamic writings are full of hate, anger, oppression, and murder. From Ibn Ishaq and al-Tabari to Bukhari and Ibn Hisham the early stories of Muhammad and Islam are full of vile, evil events. It is not one, two or ten verses, or one or two sources. It is hundreds of verses and many different writers, including Islam’s most respected authors. In fact, Ibn Hisham wrote in his biograpgy of Mohammud that that he “omitted things which are disgraceful to discuss and matters which would distress certain people.” (Ishaq: 691).
Am I really uninformed? Finally, please consider this incident: http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/abudawud/038.sat.html#038.4348.
Note that it is from a Muslim site at the University of California. I really don’t need to comment on the content of the link. Read it! And you say that a cartoon is offensive?
Muslims have a big problem and it is not the people who criticize their religion. Islam always attempts to silence its critics. Note this source that proudly lists the people killed by Islam’s prophet: http://www.masud.co.uk/ISLAM/misc/alshifa/pt4ch1sec1.htm. Their crime? Criticizing murder and oppression – for this they were killed.
Note that I have selected sources from Muslim sites, with easy links. Please check them out. Better yet, read all the hadiths and put yourself in the place of the victims, or pretend that the man that did these things was named ‘Joe.’ From these traditions we find that Mohammud and his followers were haters, murderers, torturers, slavers, wife-beaters and so on… Was Joe a good person?
My experience is that Muslims are characterized by: a. hate and anger, and/or b. denial. The hate and anger occurs at different levels, often it is subconscious and a product of a deep internal frustration and resentment. Because, by definition, Islam is perfect, they must place the blame elsewhere, and so, it is the Crusaders fault, the imperialists, Israel,. The Jews, America, Bush, Feminism, Liberalism, democracy, the corrupting influence of Western society, Hollywood, Bugs Bunny, racism, Christianity, and so on. You may not know it, but these all are waging war on Islam. Everybody is at fault but hardly ever Muslims and never Islam. On another level the hate is open; it is preached in the Quran, Hadiths, in Islamic literature, and by Imams in the Mosques.
The teachings of Islam provide the intellectual and moral basis for the hate and alienation found in Muslims, which lead to events of intolerance and violence that are characteristic of Islam.
As I have pointed out so often, Muslims cannot be honest about their religion and their dear prophet. To get along with Muslims and “respect” them, you must also be dishonest about these things. You must ignore the hate and anger in their writings and you must ignore the many vile acts and often vulgar life of Mohammed.
To get along with Muslims you must be willing to apply different (inferior) standards to their speech and conduct; and pretend that their faith, laws, customs and practices (particularly in Muslim dominated countries) are admirable and deserving of respect. You must be willing to make excuses and accept generalized, gross violations of human rights as minor aberrations by a few insignificant individuals. You must be willing to accept words and actions that, if practiced by individuals of western culture, would be resoundingly condemned in a minute. This is a form of cultural racism in a way - a bigotry of low expectations and double standards if you wish.
Manal, Ahmed, Moh, - all of you. Understand that I am not saying that all Muslims are good, bad or even worse then other people. I am saying that there is an evil aspect in Islam that has to be recognized and resolved. But Muslims are in denial, and so things will not change, but get worse. Innocent blood will flow. Morrocos is, of course, a “moderate” Islamic country, but it too is changing. Like all Islamic countries, it is becoming less tolerant. The radicals will become stronger, because they understand Islam much better the moderates do. Sorry, that is the way it is.
The only important question now is: Are these things true or not?
So there you have it. Will this make any difference? Will things change? Can Muslims be honest? Will Muslims consider the implications of these words? I am pessimistic, I think bad times are coming. There is nothing any of us can do to stop it. You people think about these things and take care.
John
well done Manal…i also hope you willm reply soon to mr. john.
keep it up. May Allah bless all humanity.
If you are trying to flood the forest by pissing on the tree U have a long way to go John!
Here’s a good one for ya:
The scene:
Big Dog leaking his balls in the shade and apparently enjoying it.
Two guys watching:
first guy: I wish I could do that!
The other: U can’t
- Why not?
- He’ll bite U!
The moral: Same scene, different perspectives!
All the metaphysics in the world won’t change the scene!
One can only find what one is looking for. What are you looking for John?
I did recommend Surat Ar-rahman (S:55). Try to read it with a open mind if U have any spared by the apocalyptic propaganda. As you get to “ALMIZAN” (balance) Verses 7&8 take a look around U and think.
Some basics101:
-Islam is a religion.
-Islamism is politics. And there are more shades of Islamism than you may think.
-Muslims (different than Islamists) believe Quran is the word of god and Hadith is the word of men.
-Muslims believe Mohammad, Jesus, Moses, are among god’s prophets.
-To understand Quran you must first be “clean” minded (unbiased). 56:79
KAFIR is translated as “non believer”, “disbeliever”, “infidel”.. If you can’t yard stick the linguistic differences in the translations of this one word, try the Arabic dictionary where KAFIR is also translated as “the one who hides the truth” ..
Yes there are lots of truth hiders among Muslims (surprised?), just as there are in any other faiths. Here’s what Quran says (Surat 109).
I wish I had more time to explain to you why the dog is leaking his balls, and why it would be a bad idea for you to do it for him.
There are no bad days coming john, only bad people.
Have a peaceful mind and the rest will follow.. It’s in the holy Quran.
Moh
keaking=liking sorry about the leak! :)
Moh
..licking that is.. got it? LOL.. sorry moderator!
Moh
well, first of all i hail our Sister, Manal for the great work she’s done :)
i wish you all the best, and glad you could make it to Denmark in the time that things needed clarifying, and as i’ve recently heared, “Next Stop Denmark” might be having some good effect afterall :)
and in a reply to John Arthur, and to all of you… we just cannot deny what the man has said… there’re many flaws in the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad’s “Ahadith”… and as i always know.. NONE is perfect… and afterall Muhammad is a MAN… and YOU ALL remember from “Al-Seera Al-Nabauyia” that the prophet has made mistakes, which we had some “A’iyat” from the Quran clarifyiing the mistakes he made… and don’t start flaming me… i am a Muslim from Syria… i “WAS” a sunni, i used to pray and “Asoum” in Ramadhan… and i held a blind belief in God and Muhammad to the point that i was going to KILL both of my prents and my brothers cus they were “Kafereen”…. i was blinded by what i read and what our Religion teacher at school (which was -btw- the Imam of Dara’a Mosque) has planted in our heads… i was an excellent “Chanter/Murattel”… and i saved the words of the Holy Quran very deep in my heart, but then i made a mistake…. I USED MY HEAD… I USED THE SO CALLED “BRAIN” that lies inside that big ball we hold between our shoulders…. and i saw that i was nothing but an ANIMAL… all i believed was in no way related to “Humanity”…
just remember one thing all of you…
God.. when gave us “Religions”… he brought them to us so we might get a better way for organising our lives and relations between eachother, a HomoSapiens is YOUR BROTHER either you like it or NOT, it doesn’t matter if they had the same religion or if they held NO RELIGION AT ALL… infact, from the people i knew (and you really can’t imagine how varied they are, and from how many countries they come from) i always had a better understanding and deeper trust from those Non-believers… at least, when an Atheist loves you, he knows that there’s no Heaven or Hell, so… you know he’s loving you for what you really are… and NOT to grant a place in Heaven with a bunch of Virgins… or “Holy Whores”…. for God sake!!! haven’t just got sick of ur OWN SELVES!!! who the hell cares if ur a muslim or a Communist (and by the way… 20%-30%of Communists are Muslims.. so SHUT UP!!!).. as long as the man/woman cares about you.. and is ready to give his/her life voluntary to save you while they’re knowing that there’s NO LIFE AFTER DEATH!!!
if u say u’ve never met such people… then ur damned blinded by ur own hands… I AM one of them… i was gonna kill my own parents for my stupid beliefs!! and i now thank God that i had such loyal and devoted parents, eventhough they don’t believe in anything… don’t believe that God exists… and say that Muahammad has written the Quran with help… but at least… when they think like that, they give a chance to hold faith to what great mind the Prophet has had, and at the same time, forgive him for the errors he had in his writings… as no one is Perfect…. and that’s what made them (esp. my father) a well known man, he held respect to all, respect to what they believe, but at the same time, kept himself the right to use that brain he held up there… as i’m sure that if God has gave us brains… he surely gave it to be used… as if it wasn’t… it would’ve been such an unwise act… which u can’t claim that God can make… or else, he should’ve put a bigger stomach instead of the head!?
USE IT… YOU’RE LOSING NOTHING BUT UR NARROWED VIEW AND BLINDNESS!!!
and John… i can say nothing but… u could’ve used a calmer way for discusion… u brought urself nothing but some blind flamings and a headache…
truly waiting for a day where all religions DISAPPEAR as they were the source of all evil… Man used it only to get to his objectives… and if u only believe ur Holy books… then u just know NOTHING about God….
God is WISER… MORE PEACEFUL… and inspite of what u calaim… IMPERFECT…
None is perfect… Not even God Himself… that’s the only reason why he created us… that shouldn’t mean we’re of any importance… we’re just a variation of a Genetic error that brought evolution to where it is now…
i only feel sympathy to what we’ve done with what we have… we’re none but a virus that keeps on destructing the place it lives in…
and hopefully… our end is near…
i’ve never cried for heaven… i’ve always wished that God may take my soul to burn in the deep pits of Hell, but let all other Humanes live in a eternal heaven…
just don’t let me think i was wrong…
Peace… be upon YOU..
H.Q.
all my greetings to manal for her great job
Hussan Kamal. Yes I should be calmer and less agressive. You are right. I stand by everything I said, however. I do this because somebody has to tell people what they don’t want to hear.
All of you here, please think about these things. Most of you are probably a lot younger than I so it is your world and you are going to have to live with it. I do what I have to do and I don’t lose any sleep at night.
And Moh, so what if you don’t like what I say. The world will not end because of either what you believe or what I say.
You all take care…….
John Kactuz
Hello from Vermont, U.S.
I am taking a history class for my Bachelor’s Degree and a requirement for this class is that we are all assigned a different country in which we must report on a newspaper article, write papers, and analyze the country. Guess what? I was assigned Morocco. After much searching on the internet for a newspaper article relating to something interesting happening in Morocco that could keep my attention long enough to report on it, I found you!!
I was hoping you could help me out, point me in the right direction, send me on my ways of learning the most I can about Morocco. I have to write two 6-8 page papers over the next couple of weeks, and then in 6 weeks a 12-15 page paper is due, along with the newspaper articles (1 a week for 6 weeks). If you could show me where to go on the internet, or send me information, I would be so appreciative. My email is montanasmommie@yahoo.com if you so feel the need. Teach me, teach me, teach me - show me all there is to know!!!
Thank You!!
Hey Manal,
I have read all this, and I am really amazed to do so!
I am helping to organise a conference about 4 topics: Media and Democracy, civil society, Political participation and Blogging in Morocco. I have learned that you are involved with many NGOs and I wonder if you would like to be one of our speakers in the panel of civil society.
This conference will bring 25 young Moroccans and 25 Americans and it will take place 25 and 26 April 28, Farah Hotel.
Please if you are interested contact me as soon as possible: fairouz@thaqafat.org.ma
Best,
Fairouz