Received: with LISTAR (v1.0.0; list 9-11peace); Wed, 28 Nov 2001 10:19:14 -0500 (EST) Return-Path: <bulletin@9-11peace.org> Delivered-To: 9-11peace@complete.org Received: from c009.snv.cp.net (c009-h018.c009.snv.cp.net [209.228.34.131]) by pi.glockenspiel.complete.org (Postfix) with SMTP id 2560C3B822 for <9-11peace@complete.org>; Wed, 28 Nov 2001 10:17:09 -0500 (EST) Received: (cpmta 420 invoked from network); 28 Nov 2001 07:17:03 -0800 Received: from 209.6.25.32 (HELO sylvester) by smtp.surfree.com (209.228.34.131) with SMTP; 28 Nov 2001 07:17:03 -0800 X-Sent: 28 Nov 2001 15:17:03 GMT From: "Eli Pariser" <bulletin@9-11peace.org> To: <9-11peace@complete.org> Subject: 9-11Peace: Islam Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 10:18:19 -0500 Message-ID: <NFBBILDICDMBFNGCLHNEIEJDCLAA.bulletin@9-11peace.org> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0) X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3 Importance: Normal X-Sent: 28 Nov 2001 14:52:26 GMT X-archive-position: 10 X-Approved-By: eli@morethanmoney.org X-listar-version: Listar v1.0.0 Sender: 9-11peace-bounce@complete.org Errors-to: 9-11peace-bounce@complete.org X-original-sender: bulletin@9-11peace.org Precedence: bulk Reply-to: bulletin@9-11peace.org X-list: 9-11peace

9-11PEACE.ORG BULLETIN: ISLAM Read online, subscribe, or unsubscribe at: http://www.9-11peace.org/bulletin.php3

CONTENTS --------- 1. Introduction: A Call for Understanding 2. Islam for Non-Muslims 3. Ramadan 4. Islam and the "War on Terror" 5. Discrimination Against Muslims 6. Featured Actions 7. Get Involved 8. About the Bulletin

INTRODUCTION: A CALL FOR UNDERSTANDING ------------------------------------------------------- At a traditional Ramadan dinner President Bush recently hosted at the White House, Bush told his guests that it's "a good time for people of different faiths to learn more about each other." Ramadan is the holiest month on the Islamic calendar, and Bush's celebration, the first ever held in the White House, was intended to underscore his repeated statements that the war on terror is not a war on Islam. Meanwhile, the US and its allies have continued to bomb Afghanistan, despite calls from Pakistan's President, humanitarian groups, and many Muslims to stop this bombing out of respect for this holy month. And at the very same dinner, President Bush stated that "evil has no holy days."

The words "jihad", "Islamic" and "Ramadan" have been making frequent appearances in the media since Sept. 11, but it seems that little effort has been made to educate the general public about the context of these terms, or even to make a strong distinction between Islam, a religion practiced in some 50 countries, and Islam as it is interpreted by Osama bin Laden and the Taliban (and indeed, although you won't hear it mentioned, the Northern Alliance). This sad fact is testified to by the hate crimes perpetrated against American mosques, people wearing turbans, and even Islamic websites such as Islam.com, almost all of which have spoken out against the terrorist acts of Sept. 11. A great number of people still equate Islam with terrorism. And the only way to fight this critical misunderstanding, and the hatred that goes with it, is through education.

This week, we try to jump-start the educational process by providing some introductory information on Islam, and giving some Islamic perspectives on the current war in Afghanistan. We will try and briefly describe some of the major aspects of this religion, as well as pointing you to some great Islamic websites where you can get more in-depth information.

During this holy month of Ramadan, and in light of the events of September 11, understanding and tolerance are vital, especially if we ever hope to have peace.

Ramadan Mubarak. (Happy Ramadan)

Next week: Afghanistan and oil

ISLAM FOR NON-MUSLIMS -------------------- Much like Judaism and Christianity, Islam is a monotheistic religion that arose in the Middle East. "Islam" is an Arabic word which means submission, or surrender. According to Mahmoud M. Ayoub's chapter on Islam in "World Religions: Western Traditions" (Ed. by Willard G. Oxtoby), the consonants in the word, s-l-m, connote peace (salaam), soundness, and safety. The word, then, means a total submission to the will of God, which results in inner peace and soundness of spirit in this life, as well as safety from divine retribution in the life to come.

People who practice the Islamic faith are called Muslims. Muslims believe that Allah is the one true God and that Muhammed is his prophet. Profession of this belief (shahadah) is the first of the five pillars of Islam, which also include regular worship, paying the zakat alms, observing the fast on Ramadan, and performing the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

While Muslims do not worship Muhammed, they do believe that he was a prophet and messenger much like Moses. However, Muhammed was Allah's last prophet, or the "seal" of the prophets. (Muslims also greatly respect the message of Jesus, and venerate him as another one of God's prophets). Muhammed was also the prophet who received and transmitted the Muslim scriptures, called the Qur'an. This happened miraculously, since Muhammed could neither read nor write. According to the Qur'an, Muhammed received the scriptures as a revelation from the angel Gabriel, who told him to "Recite!"

There are many mentions of Biblical figures such as Adam, Moses, Jesus, and Abraham in the Qur'an. For example, Muslims believe that Abraham was a true Muslim, because he had faith in the one true God long before the Jewish and Christian scriptures were revealed. They also believe that they are physically descended from him through his son Ishmael. Obviously, there is a close relationship between Islam and the biblical heritage of the Jewish and Christian religions.

You don't have to take our word on all this, however. To hear about the Islamic faith, it is of course best to hear from Muslims.

Islam.com's succinct intro to Islam. http://www.islam.com/introislam.htm

If you have the time to do a little reading, you may also want to check out these excellent links:

Islam 101's "Intro to Islam". http://www.islam101.com/dawah/index.htm

Al-Islam's "Discover Islam" articles: http://www.al-islam.com/articles/articles-e.asp

The sacred scripture of Islam is the Qur'an. If you are interested, you can download and read the Qur'an here: http://www.submission.org/quran/

For a short glossary of Islamic terms click here: http://www.islam.com/Glossary.htm

Does the Qur'an really justify terrorism? For an article on terrorism and Islam click here: http://www.submission.org/terrorism.html

RAMADAN --------- The Islamic holy month of Ramadan began on Nov. 17. Unfortunately, the American government did not discontinue bombing during Ramadan. It is quite likely that the continued bombing will help justify Islamic fanatics who believe that the "war on terror" is really a war on Islam, and will strain relations with peaceful Muslims as well.

Click here for a short, clear explanation of what Ramadan is. http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=30

Ramadan around the world: view online video of representatives from different countries (the Philippines, Morocco, the U.S., etc.) talking about Ramadan. http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=31

What can Muslims learn from fasting on Ramadan? http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=32

ISLAM AND THE "WAR ON TERROR" ------------------------ Now, a look at the controversy surrounding America's war and this holy month.

Read President Bush's message for Ramadan, which is short but sounds very nice. http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=33

Unfortunately, his other statements are not as diplomatic. Click here to read CNN's article on Bush's Ramadan dinner, the one during which he stated that "evil has no holy days". http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/11/19/rec.bush.ramadan/index.html

Read this article for some Muslim perspectives on the American refusal to stop bombing during Ramadan (Ramzan): http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=34

This article argues some Muslims feel that the bombing shouldn't be stopped only because of Ramadan, but because it is causing the unjustified deaths of innocent people. http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=35

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MUSLIMS -------------------------------------------- Unfortunately, Sept. 11 and the war have caused an increase in the discrimination against Muslims.

Read this article to begin to get an idea of what it's like to be a Muslim in America during this war. http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=36

Discrimination against Muslims is not only occurring in America. This article notes that China has been using Sept. 11 as an excuse to crack down on Muslims. http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=37

Taliban fundamentalism extends even to banning crooked turbans. It seems difficult to understand how this sort of interpretation of Islam could be confused with Islam as a whole. http://www.9-11peace.org/r.php3?redir=38

And finally, the Newsweek special article called "Why they hate us". Fareed Zakaria argues that "The problem is not that Osama bin Laden believes that this is a religious war against America. It’s that millions of people across the Islamic world seem to agree." Read the article and decide for yourself whether you agree with this position. http://www.msnbc.com/news/639057.asp#BODY

FEATURED ACTIONS ----------------- Our main action this week is to educate yourself about Islam, and try to help spread the message of tolerance and understanding to others. It is important to fight racism in your community and express support for Muslims everywhere. You could send feedback through Islamic websites expressing your understanding that all Muslims are not terrorists. You could visit a mosque, a simple but direct action that we've mentioned before. You could partner with Muslims and help bring information to the people in your community, through acts such as speaking at a local school. It is important to be creative and help foster understanding, rather than discrimination and racism, in any way you can.

If you are a woman you may want to wear the hijab (veil) that Muslim women wear, to show your solidarity with them. This could be dangerous, so please be careful, but this act could also start some interesting and important discussions with people that may give you the opportunity to express your views.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you may want to volunteer to provide non-violent protective accompaniment to Muslims or people of Arabic descent in the area where you live. Contact the local mosque or an Arabic group and offer your services. By acting as a buddy, you can help prevent violence and hate crimes just through your presence (this will work even better if you carry a camera or video camera to document events if something happens). You will be helping people of Arabic descent and Muslims feel safer, and also demonstrate to others that non-Muslims stand in solidarity with Muslims and Arabic peoples in our communities. This type of grassroots action has worked very well for Peace Brigades International in other countries, and we could use the same techniques very effectively in our own country.

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