Talking about religion after Norway

Talking about religion after Norway means not letting fear define what faith is all about. Deliberate attempts to understand religion, uncomfortable as it may be, must be part of the path forward.

BY JULIE CLAWSON, AUGUST 3, 2011

	Killing Norway's PM (with kindness)

AUSTIN, TX

The recent tragedy in Norway, the worst attack the country has experienced since WWII, shocked and pained the world. It has also forced us as a global community to look more closely at religion, identity, and how we see the “other” – as well as ourselves.

In the West, religion is often an uncomfortable topic of discussion, and the recent terror attacks in Norway have forced many of us, especially in the United States and Europe, to re-examine issues of religion and identity.

So, how do we talk about religion after Norway?

In the early responses to terror attacks, blame was quickly assigned to Muslims. Once it was revealed that the perpetrator, Anders Breivik, was actually an anti-Muslim right-wing extremist who self-identified as Christian, the proclivity to blame his actions on religious fundamentalism quickly vanished. It’s easy to point to the hypocrisy – to call people out on their inclination to assume Islam promotes violence while at the same time being quick to wash Christianity’s collective hands of any hint of wrongdoing.

Pointing fingers merely addresses the symptoms and not the actual problem of a worldview that chooses to view the other from a position of fear instead of love. And to address this problem, no matter how uncomfortable, religion must be part of the conversation.

Our religion, or lack thereof, shapes who each of us are and how we function in the world. When we believe in an idea, faith expression, or sacred text, these beliefs form our very identity – influencing everything from our politics to our relationships. For many, these beliefs are what give us hope that a better world is possible – a world where fear does not reign, and where compassion and service drive our actions instead.

Yet religious identity can also influence people to commit acts of violence and hatred. Common to fundamentalists of any religion are fear-based attempts at control. By insisting upon being right at all costs they reject the Christian discipline of trusting in God, or the Muslim call to submit to Him.

But for those who allow themselves to be formed in ways that respond to the other with love instead of fear, religion grants the means to build a better world. Orienting oneself around the needs of others strengthens the common good instead of selfish individual desires. Reclaiming love of neighbour as a religious and not merely a political mandate is therefore a necessary step in addressing the corruption of religion by fundamentalisms.

As a person of faith, I see this “lived out” faith looking like the response of Hege Dalen and her partner, Toril Hansen, to the attacks. When they heard screams and gunshots from their campsite opposite Utöyan Island, they immediately hopped in their boat and dodged bullets in order to save some 40 people. We can’t all be heroes, but choosing a life of helping those in need, no matter who they are, is the basis of any religion that would rather build than destroy. Speaking up about the religious values that motivate us to reach out, and being willing to listen to those who do the same but who come from other traditions can help change the way our cultures view religion.

Talking about religion after Norway means not letting fear define what faith is all about. Examining our own beliefs and living out our faith through selfless acts of love can move the conversation past the toxicity of fear.

Deliberate attempts to understand religion, uncomfortable as it may be, must be part of the path forward. Engage in conversation or read a book by someone who is “other” than yourself. Partner with people of other beliefs on relief or community development projects to understand how our different faiths motivate the same generous actions. And join in honest discussions about our differences to discover what we can learn from each other.

Living in secular societies does not mean ignoring our religion. Instead, we can choose to use that part of our identities to build a better world.

Julie Clawson is the author of Everyday Justice: The Global Impact of Our Daily Choices. This article was written for the Common Ground News Service (CGNews).

Malaysia to succeed through unity

Muslims condemn the disgusting acts of intolerance displayed by the reckless in Malaysia by parading with a bull's head and hatred for the other.
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2009/08/festivities-soured-by-race.html

Two more articles addressing the issues

Mike Ghouse
# #

Ong: We succeed through unity

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/1/nation/4627739&sec=nation

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has earned a reputation as a nation whose people are deeply respectful and concerned about one another.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said while other nations struggled with their diversity, Malaysians embraced their multi-racial and multi-cultural society.

“Our rights are defined by wider obligations, such as respecting each other’s choices and beliefs.

“The spirit of mutual concern and respect – not just mere tolerance – guarantees our freedom as enshrined in our Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara,” he said.

“This is the foundation of our Malaysian democracy and defines a Malaysia that is civilised and decent,” Ong said in his Merdeka message posted on his blog yesterday.

He added that a united and courageous MCA would be fearless in speaking out and acting for this interest and freedom.

“We will champion the rights of not only the Chinese community but those of all Malaysians. We are committed to the spirit of 1Malaysia.

“It is our belief that Barisan Nasional exemplifies this mission.”

Ong said a strong Barisan did not only champion 1Malaysia but it reflected the ethos of working together by treating each of its component party members as equals.

“Make no mistake. We may be passionate when we dissent – and sometimes fiery too – but it does not mean that we are disloyal.

“Barisan Nasional embraces pluralism of views. There are forces that pull us apart but we respond as one, pulling together and working for all Malaysians,” said Ong, who is also Transport Minister.

He said the common agenda for all Malaysians, such as maintaining jobs, fighting crime and creating educational opportunities, formed part of MCA’s three thrusts.

The thrusts are tackling the economy, being involved in mainstream policy-making and ensuring inter-ethnic harmony.

“This unity is the core of our success in many fields and should be harnessed. It is the key to becoming one people, one nation and 1Malaysia.”

Ong said that during Tun Tan Cheng Lock’s time, the spirit of Merdeka meant that the Chinese were no longer “passengers” but were in Malaysia to build their homes and the nation.

“Thence, Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, fought, built the economy and the country together,” he said, adding however that the nation still has room for improvement and efforts must continue amid the economic liberalisation.


# # #

We must be seen to do the right thing —
Ong Tee Keat

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/breaking-views/36458-we-must-be-seen-to-do-the-right-thing--ong-tee-keat

AUG 31 — Malaysia has experienced a stormy year. However, we are a resilient people and have weathered the challenges well. The Barisan Nasional government, of which MCA is a key partner, manifests this quality by bravely steering our ship through the choppy waters. The two economic stimulus packages have shown its effects to counter the global economic gloom.

We are now in a stronger position in the face of a more stable global economy. Although still in a technical recession, results have shown that our economy has shrunk at a slower rate. Despite being tied to the global economic grid, unemployment rates are manageable and relatively low.

During these trying times, leaders should exercise prudence in carrying out the obligations entrusted upon them. The Malaysian people no longer accept what the government says in toto. As trustees of the people’s hopes and aspirations, we must not only do things in the right way but must be seen to be doing so.

MCA, and the government, must usher in a new era of values, with accountability and transparency being the cornerstones of our administration. Leakages, be they a trickle or gushing, as exemplified by Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) problems, will not be tolerated. We must always be mindful that at the end of the day, it is the people’s money that we have been entrusted with.

This is not the mission of Ong Tee Keat alone but by anyone or party that is committed to integrity and accountability for these are the keys to unlock the minds and hearts of Malaysians.

There is still room for improvement. We must think out of the box and look for new and innovative ways to do things to ensure that we turn the corner, and then grow and prosper.

But we should ask ourselves: are we ready to take on the challenges of moving in uncharted waters? Are we, as Malaysians, competitive enough? It is time we gradually do away with artificial "crutches" as we become stronger.

Tangible efforts must be put in following the liberalisation of the economy so that it achieves its objective. More competition can only mean a more competitive Malaysia.

One is to intensify efforts to attract the best Malaysian brains and professionals to contribute to nation-building, either by coming back to or staying put in Malaysia.

This brings me to the point of celebrating Merdeka and the unique force that compels us to, at the end of the day, come back to our own country — Malaysia.

We did not start with 1 Malaysia. Our forefathers came from difference places to seek better lives for themselves and their children. They yearned for freedom to choose the lives they want to lead.

This freedom was the motive behind the paradigm shift in the psyche of the Chinese, popularly championed by Sir Tun Tan Cheng Lock, from allegiance to China to allegiance to the then-Malaya. The spirit of Merdeka to them means Malaysian Chinese were no longer passengers in this country. We are here to build a nation, in our home here in Malaysia.

Malaysians from then onwards, regardless of race or religion, fought together, built the economy and the country together. We have earned a reputation as a nation deeply respectful and concerned about one another. Whilst other nations struggle with their diversity, we embrace it.

Fifty-two years later, we recount this very spirit of Merdeka and how we should further build a nation where the shared histories and shared hopes of all Malaysians help shape our common destiny as one nation.

We know that liberty that comes with independence isn’t about replacing white people with Malaysians of browner or darker shades in positions of power, or in the judiciary or the civil service. Neither is it about cosmetic changes, be it in our architecture or languages on the signages that adorn them.

Merdeka or liberty essentially guarantees the right of every single Malaysian to effectively choose their leaders and the freedom to choose the lives they aspire to live.

Our rights are defined by wider obligations such as respecting each other’s choices and beliefs. The spirit of mutual concern and respect — not just mere tolerance — guarantees our freedom as enshrined in our federal constitution and the Rukunegara. This is the foundation of our Malaysian democracy and defines a Malaysia that is civilised and decent.

A united and courageous MCA will be fearless in speaking out and acting for this equal interest and freedom. We will champion the rights not only for the Chinese community but for all Malaysians.

We are committed to this very spirit of 1 Malaysia. It is our belief that Barisan Nasional exemplifies this mission. A strong Barisan Nasional does not only champion 1 Malaysia but reflects that very ethos of working together by treating each and every one of its component party members as equals despite our differences in size, colour and shape.

Make no mistake. We may be passionate when we dissent — and sometimes fiery too — but it does not mean that we are disloyal. Barisan Nasional embraces pluralism of views.

There are forces that pull us apart but we respond as one, pulling together and working for all Malaysians.

Keeping our jobs, creating more opportunities for education, healthcare, fighting crime and upholding law and order, improving our environment, these are the common agenda of all Malaysians that forms part of MCA’s core three thrusts of tackling the economy, being involved in mainstream policy making and ensuring inter-ethnic harmony.

This unity is the core of our success in many fields and should be harnessed. It is the key to becoming one people, one nation and 1 Malaysia.

I wish all Malaysians, Selamat Hari Merdeka!

Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is MCA president and Transport Minister.

# # #

Festivities soured by race

Muslims condemn the disgusting acts of intolerance. Two reports appended below

Evil persists not necessarily because of evil men, but because good men don't do anything about it. I hope the Muslims in Malaysia condemn these extremists who displayed the most disgusting, revolting act of belligerence towards their fellow countrymen; Hindus. I hope they did not have any connivance or permission from the majority of Malaysian Muslims.

The act of carrying a head of a bull is un-acceptable and we urge the Malaysian Government to punish these loonies as criminals bent on disturbing peace of the state. They should not be cited as Muslims and their religion does not permit them to do that, they are criminals and must be cited as such.

This act should not be a reflection on the Nation of Malaysia or her Muslims. The idea is if I commit a crime, I should be the one to be thrown in the Jail, no one but me should be resonsible for my acts, not my family, not my parents, kids, nationality, race or religion.

This is how nations can check extremism by singling out bad guys and taking them out one at a time, in this case, we hope every Muslim in Malaysia will support the government for knocking these hoodlums out as criminals and nothing but criminals.

To be a Muslim is to be a peacemaker, one who seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence. God wants us to live in peace and harmony with his creation; that is indeed the purpose of religion, any religion. Mission statement

www.WorldMuslimCongress.org

##
Festivities soured by race
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/SE%2BAsia/Story/STIStory_423266.html

Malaysia's National Day celebrations this week have been soured by new racial troubles as minority ethnic Chinese and Indians fear Muslim Malay nationalists are gaining power. --PHOTO: AP

KUALA LUMPUR -MALAYSIA'S National Day celebrations this week have been soured by new racial troubles as minority ethnic Chinese and Indians fear Muslim Malay nationalists are gaining power.

In a rare overt display of the tensions, dozens of Muslims paraded on Friday with the bloodied head of a cow, a sacred animal in Hinduism, to protest the proposed construction of a Hindu temple in their neighborhood.

The intolerance cast a shadow over Malaysia's nation-building efforts as it celebrates 52 years of independence from British rule on Monday.

'Increasingly after 52 years, Malaysia is at a crossroad,' James Chin, a political science professor at Monash University in Kuala Lumpur, said Sunday. 'We are heading toward an intolerant society where fundamentalists and extremists are hijacking the national agenda to become a prosperous multiracial Malaysia.'

In a recent case, a Muslim woman was sentenced to caning by an Islamic court for drinking beer in public. Authorities last week agreed to review the penalty after many Malaysians said it damaged the country's reputation as a moderate Muslim-majority nation.

Also this month, officials curbed the retail sale of liquor in a central state and barred Muslims from a concert next month by the US group the Black Eyed Peas because it is sponsored by Irish beer giant Guinness.

Although these examples involve actions by Muslims toward other Muslims, many Malaysians worry they are a reflection of the growing clout of Islamic hard-liners that will eventually effect other minorities.

The inter-religious discord is a particular concern for Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is trying to promote racial equality.

Malaysia has carefully nurtured harmony among its three main ethnic groups - Malays, Chinese and Indians who are Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Sikh - since 1969, when the country suffered its worst racial riots. But racial tensions have increased in recent years amid complaints by minorities that their rights are being eroded as the influence of Islamic hard-liners grows.

Lim Kit Siang, an opposition leader, said the cow head protest in central Selangor was a slap to Mr Najib's racial equality campaign known as '1Malaysia.'

'The cow-head sacrilege must serve as an ominous warning that Mr Najib's first National Day celebration as prime minister will go down as a black National Day if the genies of racism and religious chicanery are allowed to get out of the bottle,' Mr Lim said.

Mr Najib hasn't made any public comment so far on the protest. Human Resource Minister S. Subramaniam said the incident infuriated the prime minister, who asked the national police chief to investigate. -- AP

#

Protesters threaten bloodshed over Hindu temple

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/36272-protesters-threaten-bloodshed-over-hindu-temple

The group making their way to the Selangor secretariat building after their prayers. - Picture by Choo Choy May

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

SHAH ALAM, Aug 28 — A group of Malay-Muslim protesters claiming to be residents of Section 23 have threatened bloodshed unless the state government stopped the construction of a Hindu Temple.

Amid chants of "Allahuakbar," the group also left the severed head of a cow at the entrance of the State Secretariat here as a warning to Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

The "residents" said that the construction of a Hindu temple in a 90 per cent Malay- Muslim neighbourhood was insensitive because activities there would disrupt their lives.

They claimed that the "noise" from the temple would disturb their own praying, and that they would not be able to function properly as Muslims.

The group of 50 over protestors marched shortly after Friday prayers from the Shah Alam State mosque to the State Secretariat.

“I challenge YB Khalid, YB Rodziah and Xavier Jeyakumar to go on with the temple construction. I guarantee bloodshed and racial tension will happen if this goes on, and the state will be held responsible,” shouted Ibrahim Haji Sabri amid strong chants of “Allahu Akbar!”

Ibrahim identified himself as the Deputy Chairman of the Resident’s Committee against the building of the temple in S23 here, which is perceived by some as being a Muslim majority area.

He told the press that the state should move the temple to Section 22 as ‘originally planned’, and also labelled Khalid a “traitor to the Malay race and Islam”.

It is understood that the protest is an immediate reaction towards the Selangor MB’s visit to the Hindu temple site yesterday, an act seen by the "residents" as disrespectful to the Muslims of the community.

Mohd. Zurit Bin Ramli, who claims to be the secretary of the "Coalition of Malaysian NGOs" echoed Ibrahim’s stand on the matter, saying that it was irresponsible on the part of the state government to approve the construction as there was apparently a “90 per cent” majority Muslim population in Section 23.

“With a temple on our residential area, we cannot function properly as Muslims. The temple will disrupt our daily activities like prayers in the Surau. We cannot concentrate with the sounds coming from the temple,” stated Zurit.

When asked whether members of the protest were affiliated with any organisations or movements, Ibrahim claimed that the people present today were members of PAS, PKR as well as Umno who are “united in the name of Islam and the Malay spirit.”

The state government was also accused of lying to the people of Selangor.

The Chairman of the Residents Committee, Mahyuddin Manaf excitedly proclaimed that the committee would uncover “the lies” and find proof of the state’s misconduct.

“Khalid Ibrahim wears a mask of a Muslim, but in truth he is a liberal. PAS stands to lose out as a result. I voted for PAS as well as Khalid in the past elections,” Mahyuddin claimed.

The issue first cropped up when the Selangor government proposed that the Sri Mariamman temple be relocated from Section 19 to Section 23.

You may post your solutions by clicking this link: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2009/08/festivities-soured-by-race.html#comments

##

Saudi, no respect for others?

Saudi Arabia rejects pact to respect religions.

(ANSAmed) - NAPLES, MARCH 20 - A resolution calling for the enactment of an international pact to forbid religions from being defamed or insulted as well as their symbols, leaders and prophets has been voted out by the Saudi Shoura (Consultative Council). A total of 77 members opposed the recommendation while 33 voted in favour, online newspaper Gulf News reports. According to the opponents, such a pact would force people to recognise religions, which advocate idol worship, and that "would be unacceptable." The rejected resolution stated that "the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall work in coordination with Arab and Islamic groups and others at the United Nations to draft an international pact for respecting religions, their symbols and leaders." "This recommendation is creating 'much ado'", said Khaleel Al Khaleel, a member of the Shoura.

The recommendation would create a dangerous precedent that may produce a negative impact on Muslims rather than followers of other religions, he added. "Some consider Buddhism and Qadianism as religions. Can we make it obligatory for Muslims to respect these faiths and avoid criticising them?," he asked. Mohammad Al Quwaihes, who presented the resolution, told reporters that he had not expected that his move would be defeated in such a way as the overwhelming majority of members were in favour of introducing the resolution for deliberations. (ANSAmed).

http://www.ansamed.info/en/news/ME03.YAM14401.html

Mike Ghouse : The Shoura council of Saudi Arabia is utterly selfish group of people, they do not care about Islam or Muslims. They want to live in an Island where no one but them live. Let them call it a Saudi Law and not paint Islam on their canvas. Respecting other religions does not mean that you worship, accepting other faiths simply means that you acknowledge their God given life.

They will paint it as Allah's will, no, it is not. Allah wills calls for all of us to get along with all. Qur'an, Al-Hujurat, Surah 49:13: "O mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware."

To you is your faith as mine is to me.

Stopping Islam bashing

Stopping Islam bashing
MikeGhouse

We cannot expect people to have a favorable opinion of us, if we have never given one. The one the public receives is negative through the media, it will not go away, unless we change it. We are good people just like every one else, but they do not know it.

It is time to change our perception. Muslims in general do not participate in public affairs, you can barely spot them in civic affairs. Last night I had a successful Obama event, no Muslim around was to be seen, those who confirmed did not show up either. Please do your part at least, and quit being selfish. Volunteer and participate in public events.

Here is my response to a posting on the subject of
"Man beheads 15 month old in Saudi Arabia"

It is a shame what is happening with the 15 month old baby in the report below, and every one should condemn it.

In the United States, we have the rules to follow the constitution, it does not mean every one will. 1% of our population is in Jails. Who is bad, America or those individuals? I encourage you to post information about what goes on daily in the US And Canada with common people, so we can learn that bad people exist no matter what religion they wear. Did you know in Texas a woman drowned her three kids in bath tub and killed them, it was water boarding. She was not a Muslim. Just look up a week's newspaper in your city, you will find disgusting stories.

For the heck of it, I just Googled for "man kills his son", and this came up: along with hundred others

I did not post the gory story where a Texas man bangs his 15 months old baby's skull on the rock several times to crush it. He was not a Muslim either. Check it out, it is on google just last month.
..............................

http://www.local6.com/news/15027996/detail.html

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- A Winter Haven man was charged with murder, accused of fatally beating his 4-month-old daughter Christmas Day because he wanted a son, authorities said.

Marcos Gomez-Romero, 28, told investigators that he beat Ariana Rodriguez Romero to death because he wanted a son instead of a daughter, according to a Polk County Sheriff's Office report.
According to deputy interviews, Gomez-Romero said he became angry every time he saw the girl. He also said that abusing his daughter became a habit, a sheriff's report showed. "

..............................

You will find every human category you can imagine in the wrong doers list, Google it every time some one wants to slam a Muslim, you will find 100 more others who do the same. If you want to categorize, you will find Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Jews and every one else...No one can cast the first stone. Thanks to Google. Let's learn to be fair.

Religion is supposed to make people better humans, most people do, and do the right thing, however some don't. Bad people are in every faith in the same percentage, they are not exclusive to Islam. We have bad presidents, bad clergy, bad kids, bad dads and bad moms... but not all of them are bad. Islam is no different.

We need to stop Islam bashing, if we do, we need to look in our own pants for a change, it is equally uglier there. Let's not slap religion on the bad acts of people.

To make peace, we have to mitigate conflicts in our words and action.

Mike Ghouse
....................................................

In a message dated 3/3/2008 3:20:57 P.M. Central Standard Time writes:
To be a Muslim is to be a peace maker; one who ... seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill.

It's just too bad, isn't it, Mike, that life gets in the way.

Here's an item for you -- from TODAY'S file:

Man beheads 15 month old Nephew in Saudi Supermarket
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=107428&d=3&m=3&y=2008&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

RIYADH (AFP) ?A man beheaded his 15-month-old nephew in front of his mother in a supermarket in Saudi Arabia apparently after a family dispute, newspapers reported Monday.

The 25-year-old Syrian national picked up a knife from the store in the Red Sea city of Jeddah on Sunday and decapitated the little boy in full view of shoppers, Arab News said.

The man apparently killed him following a dispute with his sister and brother-in-law, the English-language daily said.
"He chopped off the boy's head in front of the mother to get back at her," a police officer was quoted as saying. The mother fainted and was taken to hospital.

Murder is punishable by death in ultra-conservative Muslim Saudi Arabia, where the death sentence is usually carried out by beheading.

Mike Ghouse www.WorldMuslimCongress.com http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com WorldMuslimCongress@yahoogroups.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAIR : Hate Hurts America

CAIR - Hate Hurts America Campaign - Sam's club drops savage nation radio spots/

Mike Ghouse :: I am pleased to see that the corporations understand the social responsibility and encourage those who promote peace. Something must be done to discourage hate speech without curbing the freedom of speech. The Muslims in Canada and the United States have done well in self-regulating the hate sermons from their pulpits and hope Muslims around the globe realize their own faith and that hate should have no place in religion or religious activity. I commend CAIR's efforts in contributing to peace in America.

Hate Hurts America Campaign

SAM'S CLUB DROPS 'SAVAGE NATION' RADIO SPOTS
Growing list of companies reject host's rhetoric

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/15/08) - The Hate Hurts America Community and Interfaith Coalition (HHA) today announced that Sam's Club, a division of Wal-Mart and one of the nation's largest warehouse clubs, has joined a growing list of companies that have stopped advertising or refuse to place their ads on Michael Savage's "Savage Nation" radio program.

HHA, a group of religious and civic organizations seeking to challenge hate speech on talk radio, was formed as a result of Savage's rhetorical attacks on religious and ethnic minorities. Coalition members are calling on advertisers nationwide to stop airing commercials on his nationally-syndicated program.

SEE: Hate Hurts America


Advertisers that have already stopped airing or refuse to air commercials on "Savage Nation" include ITT Technical Institute, Chattem, Inc. (owners of Gold Bond, Icy Hot, and Selsun Blue), Union Bank of California, Intuit (parent company of TurboTax and QuickBooks), and GEICO Insurance, US Cellular, Sprint Nextel, Sears, Universal Orlando Resorts, AutoZone, Citrix, TrustedID, JCPenney, OfficeMax, Wal-Mart, and AT&T.

Late last year, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called on radio listeners of all faiths to contact Savage's advertisers to express their concerns about the host's anti-Muslim bigotry. CAIR is a member of the Hate Hurts America Community and Interfaith Coalition.

SEE ALSO: National Radio Host Goes on Anti-Muslim Tirade (CAIR)


Savage has a long history of rhetorical attacks on a variety of minority groups. He says he has lost at least $1 million in revenue because of the advertiser campaign.

For example, last month Savage said on air: "Bring them in by the millions. Bring in 10 million more from Africa. Bring them in with AIDS. Show how multicultural you are. They can't reason, but bring them in with a machete in their head. Go ahead. Bring them in with machetes in their mind."

SEE: Michael Savage (Media Matters)


The Hate Hurts America Community and Interfaith Coalition includes public officials and civil rights advocates, as well as representatives of the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Latino, and Asian communities.

Saudi Cleric -Shia infidels

THE BIGOTS AMONG US
Saudi cleric issues religious edict declaring Shiites to be infidels

The article below is inciting and ridiculous. No Muslim will subscribe to this non-sense unless they are paid to do it.

Whatever City you live in, you do have the traffic rules. If every Citizen follows it, then there is no need for the Traffic police writing the tickets, Lawyers defending them, Sign makers posting the signs, Judges making the decision and a whole department to handle the issues.

Whatever nation you live in, you do have the business laws to keep every one honest.
Whichever democracy you live, you do have the laws that are built in with checks and balances to keep the governance accountable.

Whatever Religion you belong to, you do have the Religion laws to discourage individuals from doing bad things. Every key representative of religion has abused that power from Pope down right to the Imams and every one in between.

In this group of articles, we will present stupidities a few Muslim Spiritual leaders make. For other religions, we will handle in the Pluralism group - www.FoundationforPluralism.com and this one is Muslim focused. This piece will also be repeated at the Shia-Sunni dialogue we are about to start.

I urge every Muslim to condemn this non-sense. Every word of it is idiotic and un-Islamic. If we don't condemn this non-sense, it may be perceived as we are a part of it. We are not. No Muslim will subscribe to this unless they are paid to do it. After reading the piece below you can make your comments at the link given below. Insha Allah, when the website is done, it will remain in the website.
I urge every Muslim to condemn this non-sense. Every word of it is idiotic and un-Islamic.

Mike Ghouse

Saudi cleric issues religious edict declaring Shiites to be infidels

The Associated Press Published: December 29, 2006

CAIRO, Egypt: A top Saudi Arabian Sunni cleric on Friday declared Shiites around the world to be infidels who should be considered worse than Jews or Christians, the latest sign of increasing sectarianism in the Middle East.

Abdul Rahman al-Barak, one of the top several Wahhabi clerics in Saudi Arabia and considered close to the Kingdom's royal family, also urged Sunnis worldwide to oppose reconciliation with Shiites. The Wahhabi stream of Sunni Islam that is followed in Saudi Arabia is conservative and views Shiites as heretics.

"By and large, rejectionists (Shiites) are the most evil sect of the nation and they have all the ingredients of the infidels," Abdul Rahman wrote in a fatwa, or religious edict, that was posted on his web site Friday.

"The general ruling is that they are infidels, apostates and hypocrites," he wrote. "They are more dangerous than Jews and Christians," he wrote in the edict, which Abdul Rahman said was in response to a question from a follower.

Like most hardline Sunnis, Abdul Rahman employed the word "rejectionists," used as a derogatory term to describe Shiites because they opted out of the Sunni school of Islamic theology.
Healsosaid the sect was the work of a Jewish conspiracy.
Abdul Rahman's remarks comes amid concern by many Sunni Arabs about what they perceive as a Shiite revival following the 2003 war that toppled Saddam Hussein in Iraq. They include Jordan's King Abdullah and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Earlier this month, Nawaf Obeid, an adviser to the Saudi embassy in Washington, spoke of "massive Saudi intervention to stop Iranian-backed Shiite militias from butchering Iraqi Sunnis" if the United States withdraws from the country. Saudi citizens are also reportedly raising funds for Sunni insurgents in Iraq.

Earlier this month, about 30 prominent Saudi Wahhabi clerics called on Sunni Muslims around the Middle East to support their brethren in Iraq against Shiites and praised the anti-American insurgency.

Thousands of Iraqis have been killed this year in sectarian bloodshed between the majority Shiites and the Sunni Arab minority, who lost their dominance after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Saudi Arabia, like most Arab countries, is predominantly Sunni but has a significant Shiite minority.

Please make your comments at: http://mikeghouse.blogspot.com/2006/12/bigotary-in-islam.html

TOP