What's Wrong With Islam?

The above question is appropriate. Why?

A US Democratic presidential hopeful was asked whether he once belonged to a radical Islamic sect. He denied it vehemently!

Another Republican presidential candidate said he would never have Muslims in his cabinet if elected.

Westerners are quick to brand Muslims as terrorists and suicide bombers.

A British MP banned veiled Muslim women from visiting him in his office.

And the “university pope” quotes a medieval emperor as lambasting Prophet Muhammad.

The offensive statement: “Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.”

Now the questions Muslims should be asking are: “Why do they hate us?” “What’s wrong with Islam?”

Arthur Zulu is a writer and publisher

http://www.arthurbookhouse.com/
info@arthurbookhouse.com

Is there a Conspiracy Against Islam?

Yes, is the world ganging up against Islam? It all started with the 9 / 11 terrorist attack in New York. After that and related incidents, everyone is labeling Islam and provoking the Muslim community.

First, there were the Muhammad cartoons in Denmark--the most offensive of all had the prophet carrying a bomb on his head!

And then someone went out of the way and decorated a toilet seat with a Koran verse.

As if that was not enough, a university student in Nigeria cleaned up with pages of the holy book after using the toilet!

Writers like Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasrem are making fame anf fortune satirizing Islam.

And this: A 54-year-old female British teacher in Sudan named a class teddy bear Muhammad, after 20 out of her 23 six and seven-year-old pupils voted in favor.

Now, there is "Fitna," the 15-minute movie by Dutch far-right MP Geert Wilders featuring violent imagery of terrorist attacks intertwined with Koranic texts!

In each of the above cases, the Muslim world has asked for the heads of the "infidels."

The question then arises: Has this "ungodly" world conspired against the holy faith? If so, should the "blasphemers" have the fatwa? Or do you think that Prophet Muhammad should be left alone to contend for himself? Are they instances of freedom of expression? Some say writers have written worse things about Jesus Christ without Christians starting a "crusade." Is that a justification? What do you think?

Arthur Zulu is a writer and publisher.
http://www.arthurbookhouse.com
E-mail: info@arthurbookhouse.com

Gillian Gibbons' Teddy Bear

It seems that ever since the controversy of Gillian Gibbons started, not many people have come to understand the full story. For even in Sudan many do not know what happened. So my aim here is to give you the story in brief.
Who she is:
British female teacher, 54, in Sudan.
Her Class:
A total of 23 children, 6-7 years old.
Genesis of her travails:
She sought a name from among her class pupils for a teddy bear to be used for a writing project. A seven-year-old boy suggested Muhammad and 20 out of the 23 pupils voted in favor of the name.
The Whistle Blowers:
Some fellow school teachers reported the matter to the ministry of education in Sudan. The Aftermath
The school was closed and the teacher was suspended, arrested, and charged to court on three counts: insulting of religion, inciting hatred, and showing contempt for religious belief.
Protests:
There were worldwide protests by individuals and organizations in favor and against. The British government condemned the arrest and trial and summoned the Sudanese ambassador in London for questioning. The US government also opposed the treatment.
What the law says:
There is no Sharia or Islamic law in Sudan. But the criminal law forbids contempt for religion.
Punishment:
If found guilty, she would get one year in jail, or 40 strokes of the cane, or fine.
What people say:
:"Storm in a tea cup."
"Trivialities."
"Insult against Islam and the prophet."
"Commonsense is lacking."
:"Punish the teacher."
"It's all madness!"
Court Verdict:
Found guilty on one count charge of insulting religion. Jailed 15 days with deportation after sentence.
What her British MP said:
"It's very disappointing."
What the Archbishop of Canterbury said:
"Disproportionate reponse."
Muslims' problems:
Terrorism, inequality, discrimination, labeling.
Sudan's problems:
Wars, genocide, refugees, poverty.
Last Word:
When standing with his friend, Abubakir, Muhammad kept mum when a man came and mounted a barrage of insults at him, but spoke and cautioned his friend when he came to his defense. Lesson: Why not solve your multifaceted problems and leave the prophet to fight for himself.
Arthur Zulu is a writer and publisher.
For more of his works, go to:
http://www.arthurbookhouse.com/
E-mail: info@arthurbookhouse.com