HUFFINGTON POST, Feb 27, 2012 As it was in 2008, the campaign for the Presidency of the United States has turned ugly over the question of religion. Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum has attacked President Obama over his “phony theology,” which he later said was in reference to President Obama’s “radical environmentalist” agenda....

HUFFINGTON POST, Feb 14, 2012. Even though private equity funds have been around since the early twentieth century and today manage over one trillion dollars’ worth of capital worldwide, most people may not have paid attention to them until Mitt Romney chose to make his experience at Bain Capital an issue for his bid to be the next President of the United...

ALTMUSLIM and HUFFINGTON POST Guess where in the world candidates for political office are pandering to religious conservatives, using religious imagery in political advertisement and participating in political forums in houses of worship? Where some voters are unwilling to support candidates because they do not belong to the majority faith, dismissing a candidate...

Question - I have an impression that Islam, like Judaism, is a bit legalistic.  Even though I consider myself a rationalist, I am convinced that Christianity is an emotional response to God and Christ.  Christ’s great teaching is “to love your lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and to love your neighbor as...

Question – What is the origin of polygamy in Islam? Was it a “revelation” or economic necessity or a result of Muhammad’s lifestyle? Is it common about Arab tribes? The sacred texts of Islam, Christianity and Judaism do not explicitly prohibit polygamy or polygyny (a man married to more than one woman at a time). Biblical prophets, like Muhammad, practiced...

Question – What is Islamic Law composed of? žShariah: —Quran —Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad Sunnah, literally means path. The Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad consists of his sayings, actions, approval and disapprovals. žFiqh: —Collection of juridical opinions given by various jurists as they pondered over the day-to-day application of...

Question – What is Shariah? Shariah is an Arabic word meaning “a road to the watering place.” In a religious context, it means “the righteous path.” Shariah consists of broad principles, which are derived from the Quran and the traditions (teachings, sayings, actions, approvals and disapproval) of Muhammad during the 23 years of his...

Question – What is the difference between Islam and Muslims? Islam is a religion or faith. Muslims are the people who follow the religion or faith of Islam. As an analogy consider this – Christianity is the faith. Christians are the people who follow the religion of Christianity. Judaism is the faith. Jews are the people who follow the religion of...

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...

Question – What is the global distribution of Muslim population? The Pew Forum has completed an interesting study on the Muslim population worldwide. Muslims make up 1.57 billion of the 6.8 billion people worldwide. Muslims make-up 1 in 5 people in the world. More than 300 million Muslims live in countries where Islam is not the majority religion. In India...

Question – Is it possible to practice Islam without knowing Arabic? People who speak Arabic as their primary language make up fewer than 20% of the Muslim population worldwide. The adjacent map shows, in green, places around the world where Arabic is spoken as the primary language. A person is regarded as an Arab if they meet one of the following three...

Question – Provide an overall summary of the message of Islam. The last sermon of Prophet Muhammad was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul-Hijjah, 10 A.H. (632 CE) in the ‘Uranah valley of Mount Arafat in Makkah. After praising, and thanking God the Prophet began with the words: “O People! lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year...

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...

Question – Can you explain the Muslim interpretation of the divine birth of Jesus? Muslims consider Jesus (in Arabic Isaa or Esaa) a Prophet and Messenger of God. Jesus is mentioned about 25 times by name in the Quran. Muslims believe in the following aspects of Jesus, which are common to Christian beliefs: 1. Miraculous birth: Muslims like Christians believe...

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...