“Allahu Akbar” has been hijacked by terrorists

Feb 20

Florida Times Union, Nov 8, 2017 Terrorists who act in the name of Islam, have misappropriated many legitimate and peaceful actions of Islam. The latest kerfuffle is over the New York terrorist saying “Allahu Akbar” soon after he killed eight and wounded 11, running them over with his rented truck. The phrase “Allahu Akbar” is not found in Islam’s holy...

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The Hubris of the Islamic Label

Mar 02

The Hubris of the Islamic Label

Posted on Huffington Post on Feb 25, 2015. Islamists, defined by AP as those who favor, “reordering government and society in accordance with laws prescribed by Islam,” view their interpretation of Islam as Islamic, often to the exclusion of other point of views. In the West, an amalgam of ideologues, from the far-right conservatives to the libertarian...

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Je Suis Charlie: In Defense of Free Speech

Jan 09

Je Suis Charlie: In Defense of Free Speech

Posted on Huffington Post, January 9, 2015. I admire Charlie Hebdo for standing up against threats to free speech, but I am saddened to see them pay such a heavy price for their beliefs. Cartoons and satire, even the most provocative ones, remain vital for a healthy civil society. Only the deranged are threatened by them. Charlie Hebdo wanted to spread a little...

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Early Roots of Extremists

Oct 17

Question – On what basis do today’s terrorists justify their actions as Islamic? Justifying acts of violence in the name of religion has been part of human history since the dawn of civilization. The history of Muslims is no exception. In contemporary times we find al-Qaeda, in general, and Osama bin Laden, in particular, conflating political rhetoric...

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“Kill the Infidels”

Sep 26

Question – What is the basis of Islamic extremists belief that they must “kill the infidels”? Is it based on the Quran or their interpretations? Chapter 9 Verse 5 of the Quran reads, “But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans (or idolators) wherever you find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for...

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Muslims Condemn Terrorism

Sep 26

Question – Why have Muslims not condemned terrorism? Muslims have condemned terrorism. CLICK HERE to read some of the “Islamic Statements Against Terrorism” CLICK HERE to read Prof. Juan Cole’s response to Tom Friedman: CLICK HERE to see a listing of condemnations of terrorist attacks by individuals and organizations: See below the statement...

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