This entry will be somewhat of a rant. I am sick and tired of people branding me and my religion as satanic. I understand that right now it is very hard to view the good aspects of Islam and Muslims. However it just is not fair to blame the millions of Muslims who live around the world for the actions of a few horrible fundamentalists.
I recently posted a comment under the name Hazel on Big Pharoah’s site. I was saying that Saudi’s do not take the good values of Islam at heart. This prompted comments from 2 people. One is Abu Kufr and the other called Tantor. Now these two gentlemen (and I use this term very loosely) have branded Islam as a satanic religion and all Muslims as terrorists. How ignorant. They know nothing about what really goes on in the Muslim/Arab communities. They are using information which is false and which have no basis at all in Islam.
Tantor had the guts to say that there are hatred inciting comments written on the pillars of Mina. I wonder if he has ever been to Mina to see these comments. Ignorant claims, generalization and racism is only going to cause more problems in relations between the Western and Muslim world. I do feel that to hate all Muslims based on the actions of a small group is racism, even if Islam is a religion not a race. Call it whatever you want, but basically hating people who have never done anything to you and are not even interested in you is wrong. Hate those awful people who did these terrible acts, not everyone else who happens to share the same religion they do. These horrible terrorists do not understand Islam and are just hiding behind it and using it. They are giving Islam a bad name. Should we hate all Christians in the world because of Timothy McVeigh? Most Muslims are disgusted and horrified with the horrible terrorist acts that are being done in the name of Islam. People need to see Muslims as normal human beings who are just trying to live in this world like anyone else.
Fed up of being branded as Satanic Wednesday, Nov 8 2006
Uncategorized 4:57 am
November 9, 2006 at 4:44 pm
Tantor and Abu Kufr are going by what current published material on Islamic practice as written by many reactionary clerics, both Sunni and Shia; I am sorry to say that they have a very good point. While most Muslims living in the West have, generally speaking excellent experience & understanding of modernity this as well as better education, the same cannot be said of their counterparts in the ME and other Muslim enclaves in Asia.
I feel very badly for the many law-abiding Muslim all good people who live among us, who have to live with the suspicion engendered over the terrorist agenda. And you cannot deny that the interpretation of the holy Kuran often leaves a lot to be desired, as well as the mainly awful applications of Sharia law in Muslim countries such as Iran, Pakistan, KSA, Somalia, Nigeria etc…
I am not a practionner of any religion, but have an intense devotion to God and do meditate everyday, never asking ANYTHING as most people use prayer in all religions for, instead I am thankful for the multidinous graces, mercies and beauty of life and Creation. What turns me off all religions is that they are instruments of discrimination: ‘My God is the only one, anybody not following my path is an INFIDEL!’ That is a disgusting premise on which to claim religiousness, and my dear that is what these gentlemen also object to.
I am sorry if this offends you, but this is what I believe: we are all creatures of God and he does not discriminate at all, being perfect! Should we all strive to be truly wothy of his many graces?
November 9, 2006 at 6:59 pm
Yes I am aware they are going by the current material on Islamic practice as written by these reactionary clerics.
However, most moderate Muslims do not abide or even consider this material whatsoever. So for people to judge us using these fundamentalist materials is wrong.
Also there are many people who live in the Middle East who are very well educated and who are very moderate. The only problem is that the media focuses on the people who are extreme as this is what makes news. Who wants to hear about the Muslims who do not agree with all the hatred and the violence? No one.
It does not offend me at all for anyone to live freely and practice whatever religion they please.This is everyone’s God given right. Moderate Islam allows everyone to have their own religion and practice it. The Quran clearly states that to each his/her own religion.
What actually happens by these fundamentalists is not the fault of Islam. They are only using Islam as something to hide behind and to justify their horrible actions.
You said it yourself when you said ” the interpretation of the holy Kuran often leaves a lot to be desired”. Anyone can interpret the Quran the way they want to make it fit their agenda. Should I be judged on how they interpret it? Absolutely not!
What does offend me is being called satanic just for being a Muslim. What offends me more is to call the entire religion satanic based on the interpretation of those fundamentalists.
November 9, 2006 at 7:21 pm
Northern Shewolf,
I just wanted to make it clear that I am not offended by anything you said.
Thank you for your comment
November 9, 2006 at 8:24 pm
My dear Hazel, so where the heck are they these ‘moderates’?? Last year on the heels of the stupid assinine cartoon controversy, some of them organized a super well-advertised demo in London, this in the written press, BBC 1 & 2 and the worldwide web, and barely 1000 folks showed up…casting grave doubts in the mind of westerners everywhere as to whether or not there truly is such large numbers of ‘moderates’… And I have yet to see Muslims taking to the street in real meaningful protest against extremists who tar the whole worldwide community with their wanton disregard for human life. One rather remembers vividly the dancing in the street in the ME on 9/11, an image that is very hard to forget in light of the anomie displayed by Muslims everywhere; contrast this with the sympathy expressed by all westerners towards the Lebanese last summer. So please do explain the deafening silence.
As to your very own pain at this, I truly do sympatize, but by the same token shouldn’t you be working actively towards gathering these moderates and harnessing their disapproval into action? This instead of being offended, which does noone any good, least of all you does it?
I am just stating things as I see them, having been paying EXTRA attention as you probably have realized being clearly an open-minded wellread person.
November 9, 2006 at 8:29 pm
Actually I am totally wrong here the demo I was refering to was after the London subway bombing, wich makes my point even more salient re:silence.
I got my wire crossed because there also was a very small one re: the cartoon thingy, just as unsuccessful.
It is a good thing I keep a journal, isn’t it?
November 11, 2006 at 6:05 am
Ok first of all, sympathy towards the Lebanese? I didn’t see anything of the sort. Plus you are losing track of what I am arguing about here. My point is that not all Muslims should be thought of as satanic. Period. You should not judge a whole group of people based on what a few of them did. Muslims in the Middle East may not go out into the street to protest but that is only because it isn’t as free as it in the West. Most countries have restrictions on demonstrations, and a demonstrator can be subject to all sorts of harrassment, torture and humiliation. I have every right to be offended and whether I harness people’s disapproval into action or not should not alter the fact that every person should be judged on his/her worth.
November 11, 2006 at 5:05 pm
My dear Hazel, haven’t I judged you fairly on the gist of your intelligent thoughful posts?
As to the sympathy shown the Lebanese people: in my home town throughout the ‘war’ a 40 to 50 mixed group of people laid siege, 24hrs daily, in front of the Israeli consulate, plus 3 large demos (10 to 20 thousand folks of all stripes, background, religion etc..& held on Sundays), which my husband and I attended, comprising members of all ethnicities and faiths including Orthodox Jews walking at the head of the march hand in hand with members of the Lebanese community!!! The same happened in all our large cities , although on a smaller scale: my home town is regarded as the most well-integrated city in Canada probably because of our double mixed heritage dating back to the 18th century.
Canada is truly a multi-cultural society, this being at the core of our constitution, unlike most other western nations who clearly adhere to a stated firm cultural conceit.
I can also tell you that large demos were held in Paris, Milano, Sidney (Australia), Frankfurt-am-Mein, (all cities I can talk about with utmost certainty) and in which we have family and close friends who sent us press clippings, so please I would not lower myself to dissembling as you seem to insinuate!…
On the heels of both the Madrid and London bombings outside of press conferences held by leaders of the Canadian Muslim communities, (and at that the press conferences while rightly condemning the violence, were mostly concerned that Canadians would not hold this against their coreligionists, a very reasonable concern) and inter-faith prayer meetings, also very well-attended (we did attend 2 in my hometown). Outside of these I have yet to see a real groundswell of righteous outrage making moderate Muslims take ‘en masse’ to the streets to denounce the horror commited in their names.
Offended as you may justifiably be, doesn’t it behoove devout reasonable people like you to take a stance and show the world that there is indeed a majority of Muslims who are in total opposition to this despicable agenda? And I do not mean ME Muslims either: no, no, no! I mean the large communities all over the free world who have the right to demonstrate like any other groups do.
Should this ever happen, you would see an easing of tension and you personnaly would certainly be able to take comfort in the fact that you are as same-minded Muslims SEEN and COUNTED as righteous people. Being a remarkably bright and sensible woman, surely you know that images matter. Thousands of Muslims marching against extremism would certainly be a step forward, don’t you think?
You have not answered my question at all, as to why this has not ever happened, why?
November 11, 2006 at 6:13 pm
I am not saying you haven’t been fair, I am only saying you are going off track. You are not answering the question of whether or not someone should be judged on his or her own value, rather than creed, race or religion. I was not questioning the fact that demonstrations were held in Canada. I was there at that time. However worldwide support I do question that. I know you are not trying to dissemble and I am not insinuating that, but I did not hear anything of the sort in the rest of the world.
Even though you have not answered my question, I will tell you that my answer to your question is I do not know.Of course thousands of Muslims marching against extremism would be a big step forward. Maybe these people do not want to draw any attention to themselves. I do not live in the Western world right now, I live in the Middle East. That is why I can only tell you why such demonstrations do not happen in the Middle East.
November 11, 2006 at 8:34 pm
I thought I had answered this quite clearly: I do judge anyone I encounter on an individual basis as I did in your case; after all we are having an ongoing conversation via the disembodied internet and as far as I am concerned, you could be a green-eyed extra-terrestrial being and that would not make any bloody difference to me, so long as your heart and mind as geared to peace and better understanding in between us.
Being of a truly mixed background myself and having had to put-up with all sorts of varied prejudices in my own life, you can believe me that race, colour, religion or whatever, matters not one wit to me, all that is of import is the open-mindedness and generosity of spirit a person displys in his/her daily life.
God bless you for having the good sense to express yourself with intelligence and respect.
November 12, 2006 at 11:48 pm
Thank you for your kind words and God bless you too
I really enjoyed this discussion with you, may it be the start of many more 
November 13, 2006 at 3:55 pm
Yes we will, you can count on it! {;-)
November 30, 2006 at 3:29 pm
Dear Hazel,
A quick word to ask you if all is well with you. Three weeks without a post makes me nervous now that I know that you live in the ME…
Mind you I saw your comments on the B.P., so I do hope you are okay…
God bless, Assalamu aleikum!
December 2, 2006 at 4:29 pm
The Muslims all over the world need to unite. The moderates are not united, they just go about complaining and minding their own business. They are not organized… and even if they are, the organization isn’t doing much for the betterment of Muslims around the world. They’re not as enthusiastic and enterprising as the terrorists!
People living in the west should at least try to understand that Islam is a religion of peace. The word Islam itself means peace. Times are changing, and the Muslims of the world really need to adjust themselves with these times. Trying to move away from the west is not the solution, that would make matters worse. Instead, they should do what the Good Prophet (PBUH) himself and his followers did a long time ago. People willingly embraced Islam by those Muslim’s good character! If only we could realizes that, and try to be more tolerant and loving towards even our enemies, only then would the Muslims be able to tell the world what their religion, one of the greatest philosophies and the perfect way of living, is all about.
December 7, 2006 at 8:13 am
Dear Northern Shewolf,
What do you think of BP’s last post? I thought it was very interesting 
Do you ever think of having your own blog? I think it would be very interesting. Let me know your thoughts on that idea.
Thank you so much for your concern! I am fine but a lot is going on in my life right now
God bless you too
December 7, 2006 at 8:16 am
Hello Farhan,
Thank you for your interest in my blog and I do hope that you will continue to find it interesting. I agree with what you are saying. Muslims do need to become more tolerant of ideas that do not agree with their own. If everyone just respects everyone else’s ideas and beliefs even if they do not agree witht them, the world would be a much better place.
December 7, 2006 at 5:21 pm
My dear Hazel,
Glad to hear you are doing well, I am a worrier by nature, and since I know where you are I did let my fertile imagination get the best of me…
The B.P. is a gift onto Islam! This post brought back such fond memories of the Religious Policeman whom I admire so and miss awfully. The pleasure of a strong ironic but rational disquisition is like savouring a favorite dish, isn’t it?
Although I am probably the most liberal of all the visitors to his blog, that is judging by the general views of most western commenters, I do really enjoy the very lively debates and have a paticular appreciation of André, Methinks, Tantor, Raccoon, Ella and Egypter. I sometimes feel that whenever American policies are discussed the only viewpoint expressed is that of conservatives, but that fine with me.
Have you checked out the Saudi Debate Society?
This is an incredibly rich ground insofar as ideas about Islamic reforms are concerned. The posts are by mostly Saudi and Islamic scholars and can be absolutely fascinating in their forwardness. I recommend it highly****.
As to having my own blogspot, I am afraid that the demands on my my all too precious time would be forbiding. You see my husband and I own and run a bookstore, and on the more personal front I am not a well person healthwise, this and my only son who is much handicapped by Multiple Sclerosis, his general condition is daily worsening have put a limit on my leisure time. So I need to keep my agenda open always for the never-ending emergencies that keep plaguing my life. Mind you I am not complaining at all, as I have so much love and support in my life from family and friends, that no matter what painful realities I have to deal with, I always find comfort in the simple joys and mercies that brighten each day.
I do believe strongly in the power of meditation and despise organized religions as practiced by most: always praying God for the obtention of graces, or the relief of griefs. God in my humble view should be ONLY and ALWAYS praised and thanked for the glory of Creation as well as the small and greater graces in each of our lives. It is a simple belief that has seen me through very difficult times and kept me from soiling my spirit with negativity(or egregious sins, if you like).
That the B.P. would use his satirical gift to say what I so believe: humans cannot speak for God, that is so close to my own mindset that I could have hugged the man had he been in front of me!!! It was a wonderful post, by far the best he has written so far.
I do deplore the occasional verbal ‘fisticuffs’ and the lack of restraint of certain commenters, insults do not help anyone to a better understanding… No matter how much one is angered and disapprove of some stated views, the dismebodied internet does not give one a license to abuse. If you feel that something said is worthy of ridicule, you can certainly use witticisms and humour to express yourself as did Voltaire who lived in exile like so many good Muslims of our day. Respect of others, no matter how wrong or idiotic they may be to you, is key in all walks of life to endow others and yourself with due dignity.
This is what I love about you, you would never debase yourself to the level of a street thug. You are a Lady in my book!
Again, so glad you are posting again, be well my dear girl and God bless!