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Islam and terrorism are not the issue
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Posted on Feb 24 2006
I do not condone the violent protests that some Muslims have mounted against the cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. However, I cannot tolerate and accept in my heart the cartoons. Any drawing, cartoon or symbol depicting the Prophet is forbidden by Islamic law since this is tantamount to promoting idolatry.
Israel and Palestine have been at war since God knows when, but they never crossed the line of insulting each other’s religious belief. Such is the unwritten law that even the freedom of expression must not violate.
You do not disgrace Buddha, Jesus Christ (also considered by Islam as one of its prophets), Moses or the Pope in the same way that you do not disgrace the Prophet of Islam.
The issue here is not about terrorism or Islamic fundamentalism, but about respect and human co-existence. Although there is disparity in the manner of expressing their anger and outrage, the Muslims around the world have been unified by the cartoon issue.
Instead of contributing to peace, the controversial newspaper has put to waste whatever achievements had been made to promote peace in the world.
To all Muslims in the world, let us pray that Allah may give us the patience and tolerance that the Prophet Mohammed would have displayed in this most difficult time in our lives.
Normina Musor-Datudacula
via e-mail
