Muslim Teen Converts

This appeared in headlines of AOL home page this morning. What is amazing at this moment (votes change every second) was of the 32, 027 votes casted, 45% of them had someone in the family converted and 7% actually converted. i.e., 52% converts within the friendhip circle. Of the 40, 330 respondents, 64% said the girl should stay in Florida and not sent to her parents. What about your circle?

As a Muslim what would you do? i) Get angry ii) Demand that the girl return to her parents and iii) demand that she converts back.

Think about this from a religious point of view; God imparts his wisdom through Qur'aan that there is no compulsion in religion, simply put; no one can force anyone to believe what one does not want to believe. Islam is about human nature, Prophet Muhammad understood human behavior and communicated that faith is about free will. "Kill the apostate" was an idea cooked by the Kings, rulers and dictators to muffle down dissent and force people to behave. The punishement for treason is death in most places, we should clearly distinguish between treason and apostasy, they are not the same thing.

This phenomon of conversion will become common among Muslims, particularly among the second generation, at this time in the western nations eventually but every where. It is a teen thing to rebel, and only through love and freedom you can retain your child in your faith or you are going to run them off. No one should interfere in your life, it is your choice, seeking freedom is human fitra (nature) and it will continue.

Mike Ghouse
http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/

ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 15) - An investigation by Florida authorities has found that there were no credible threats to a teenager who ran away from her Ohio home because she says she feared for her life after converting to Christianity from Islam.

A summary of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation into Rifqa Bary's allegations was unsealed Monday. The probe found no reports of threats against Bary in Florida or Ohio.

'We Want Her Back'Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda, Orlando Sentinel / MCT6 photos An investigation by Florida police found no credible threat to an Ohio teen who ran away from home. Rifqa Bary said she fled to Florida because she feared her Muslim parents would kill her for converting to Christianity. The 17-year-old has been placed temporarily in a Florida foster home.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=692110&pid=692109&uts=1250262551
http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf

'We Want Her Back' Rifqa Bary, 17, is at the center of a dispute that stretches from Ohio to Florida. She ran away from her Ohio home in July, fearing her parents would harm her for converting to Christianity. She was raised in the Islam faith. Her parent say they love their daughter and would never hurt her.

The 17-year-old girl is in foster care in Orlando, where a judge is deciding whether she should be returned to Ohio. The girl ran away from her parents' suburban Columbus home in July, saying she feared being killed for changing religions.


You are welcome to write your comments below;

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Is Dawah Obligatory?

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/06/is-dawah-obligatory-dawah-i.html

“Dawah” (Proselytization) i.e., invitation to others to follow our system of connecting with the divine, is not part of the agenda of World Muslim Congress. We are focused on co-existence, how we create a better world for every human being, regardless of their faith.

Dawah, an invitation to be a good human being ought to be practiced by every one, and it should not be a condition to one’s spirituality. God reserves the right to shower his grace on whomever he chooses, but he has guaranteed paradise to every good human being regardless of their race, religion or any other uniqueness.

The article below highlights a few good points that I am pleased to address;

OUR MISSION is to work for a World of co-existence through inclusiveness and participation. As a member of diverse family of faiths, our efforts will be directed toward justice and equity to attain sustainable peace for the humankind with a firm grounding in truth. We believe what is good for Muslims has got to be good for the World and vice-versa to sustain the good. We have to remember the World is a two way street. We have a monumental task to repair the World, and we will do our part in working towards a World of co-existence, one community at a time. We are committed, and now help us God. Amen

With all due respect to Dr. Zakir Naik, his “apparent” declaration that “if one does not invite Non-Muslims to Islam, he or she will not get a pass to enter Janna (paradise)” is a statement that is fully debatable, but I do not believe it is the full truth.

Submitting to the will of God is the bottom line to be a Muslim and what is that will?

Qur'aan, 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."

There is a good response in the following piece. “ If one simply submits his will to Allah Subhana Tala and strives to abide by all the laws of Allah and His Messenger (saws), and gives each human being his due rights in full;” and this, “Dear and Beloved Brother in Islam, the truth is that a believer is a walking-talking ‘dai’ (propagator of the Truth) to all he meets….his name, his choice of food, his talk, his morals, his honesty, his character, his dealings, his prayers, his charity, his fasts, his abstinence from all things unlawful, (wine, illegal women, gambling, etc),…… his whole life manifests to all who meet him one thing and one thing only: that he has submitted his will to the Will of his Creator. Man is created a social creature, and it is neither possible nor conceivable that a non-Muslim who meets a true Muslim is not affected by him in some way or the other; and this effect the life of a believer has on a non-Muslim is part of ‘Dawa’, albeit at its lowest level. “

Although a few use the word “Muslim” selectively to include every one from Abraham down to Prophet Muhammad, they choose to exclude those who are not ritually Muslims. Even though a Hindu, a Christian, Jew or Parsee may be a Muslim by being a good human who cares about others, who stands up for justice and truth.

To be religious (Muslim) is to be peace maker, one who constantly seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for God’s creation to live in peace and harmony.

Dawah, an invitation to be a good human being ought to be practiced by every one, and it should not be a condition to one’s spirituality. God reserves the right to shower his grace on whomever he chooses, but he has guaranteed paradise to every good human being regardless of their race, religion or any other uniqueness.

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker and a Writer. He is president of the Foundation for Pluralism and is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing interfaith, political and civic issues. He is the founding president of World Muslim Congress with a simple theme: Good for Muslims and good for the world. His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website http://www.mikeghouse.net/. Mike is a Dallasite for nearly three decades and Carrollton is his home town. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@aol.com

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IS DAWAH OBLIGATORY?

Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:
As Salaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

I have a question about DAWAH. Few days back I was watching a question answer session with Dr. Naik from India. I do not know what the question was but the answer Dr. Naik gave, makes me worried and think about myself. He said that to enter Jana every body has to be judged on four criteria’s.

1. Shahada
2.Good deeds (include prayer, hajj, charity, Zakat etc)
3.DA` WAAH
4.4. I did not remember.

According to him if any body who is not doing any DA` WAAH to no Muslims he will not be able to enter JANA do not matter how good he is in other things like praying, charity, Zakat etc.

Now I am very much worried about my self after listening to him as I lack very much in that area. I am not saying that I am very good in other area but at least I tried in those areas. But for DAWA I did talk to my family, friends and relatives if I saw that they are doing some thing not according to Islamic laws. But I did not give DA` WAAH to non-Muslims.

I hope you understand my question. I want to know your opinion in this regard. Please help me as I am too much worried about my self hereafter on the day of JUDGMENT when every body have stand in front OF ALL MIGHTY ALLAHA.

JAZAK ALLAH

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Is Dawa Tablig Obligatory
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Qur’aan Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imran verse 110:
110 Ye (believers) are the best of peoples evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right forbidding what is wrong and believing in Allah.

Allah Says in the Holy Qur’aan Chapter 22 Surah Hajj verse 78:
78 And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive (with sincerity and under discipline): He has chosen you and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (Qur’aan); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer give regular Charity and hold fast to Allah! He is your Protector, the Best to protect and the Best to help!

Dear and Beloved brother in Islam, there is absolutely no doubt that ‘Dawa’ or the propagation of the Truth to mankind is an obligatory duty and responsibility that the Lord Most Merciful has laid upon every person who sincerely believes in Him and the Last Day.

If one has been blessed and honored by the Merciful Lord to be guided to the Truth of Al-Islam, it would indeed be extremely selfish or rather unnatural for him to keep this Truth to himself! Once true ‘emaan’ or faith in the Truth of Allah Subhana and His Message has entered one’s heart, it is not possible for the person to contain or hide this within himself; but his condition will be that he would go out of his way to invite all who care to listen to good caution to the Truth.

Allah says in the Holy Qur’aan Chapter 66 Surah Tahreem verse 6:
O you who have believed, save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel shall be men and stones; over which shall be appointed fierce and stern angels, who never disobey Allah’s Command, and they only do as they are commanded!

In the above Ayah of the Glorious Qur’aan, Allah Subhana commands the believers to first and foremost save oneself and their families from the Eternal Fire of Hell by submitting to Him. That would be an obligatory (Fard) duty on each and every individual who believes.

Furthermore, Allah has guided the whole Ummah or nation of believers to invite all mankind to the Truth of Al-Islam in the best and most polite manner; and named it amongst the best deeds one can do.

Allah says in the Holy Qur’aan: Chapter 16, Surah An-Nahl Ayah 125:
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and excellent admonition and argue with people in the best manner. Your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Way and who is rightly guided.

Allah Says in the Holy Qur’aan Chapter 41 Surah Fussilat verse 33:
Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says "I am of those who bow in Islam?”

Doing ‘Dawah’ does not necessarily mean that every person has to go give a speech, or write books, or stand in the streets and invite everyone who passes by! If one simply submits his will to Allah Subhana and strives to abide by all the laws of Allah and His Messenger (saws), and gives each human being his due rights in full; it would indeed be considered a great source of Dawah. For nothing melts the hearts of a human being than the interaction of another human being; and when one who does not believe realizes that a person who calls himself a Muslim has such high morals, and character, and manners, and integrity…he will automatically be attracted to the way of life that is followed by the true believer; and that in itself would fulfill the obligatory duty of ‘Dawa’; albeit at it lowest level.

Your Question: I have a question about DAWA. Few days back I was watching a question answer session with Dr. Naik from India. I do not know what the question was but the answer Dr. Naik gave, makes me worried and think about myself. He said that to enter Jana every body has to be judged on four criteria’s.
1. Shahada
2.Good deeds (include prayer, hajj, charity, Zakat etc)
3. DA` WAAH
4.4. I did not remember.

According to him if any body who is not doing any DA` WAAH to no Muslims he will not be able to enter JANA do not matter how good he is in other things like praying, charity, Zakat etc.
I want to know your opinion in this regard.
First and foremost we would like to declare that Dr. Brother Zakir Naik is not only our brother, mentor, and teacher but he is indeed arguably amongst the best scholars of comparative religion of our times. We have immense respect for his knowledge, his dedication, and his untiring efforts he so selflessly provides in the Cause of Allah Subhana and the propagation of the Truth. May Allah bless our teacher and our brother, Dr. Zakir Naik in his continuing works in Islam, increase his zest, zeal, knowledge, and dedication to continue the Dawah; and grant him a long and healthy life to enable him to spread the Glorious Word of Allah to all who are willing to listen to good caution. May Allah Subhana accept his efforts in the Cause of His Deen, and grant him the best in this world, and honor him with the highest grade in Paradise in the life hereafter. Ameen.

Beloved Brother in Islam, Allah Alone knows in what context the question was asked to Dr. Brother Zakir Naik and in what context our respected and beloved brother answered that question; and it may also be a possibility that you did not hear or comprehend the answer in the context in which it was given.

Dear and Beloved Brother in Islam, the truth is that a believer is a walking-talking ‘dai’ (propagator of the Truth) to all he meets….his name, his choice of food, his talk, his morals, his honesty, his character, his dealings, his prayers, his charity, his fasts, his abstinence from all things unlawful, (wine, illegal women, gambling, etc),…… his whole life manifests to all who meet him one thing and one thing only: that he has submitted his will to the Will of his Creator. Man is created a social creature, and it is neither possible nor conceivable that a non-Muslim who meets a true Muslim is not affected by him in some way or the other; and this effect the life of a believer has on a non-Muslim is part of ‘Dawa’, albeit at its lowest level.

Tala ibn 'Ubaidullah narrated that a Bedouin with unkempt hair came to the Messenger of Allah (saws) and said, "O Messenger of Allah (saws), inform me of what Allah has made obligatory on me as regards praying." He said, "Five prayers, unless you do others voluntarily." He asked the Prophet (saws) to inform him about fasting, and he said, "The fast of Ramadan, unless you do others voluntarily." Then he asked him about charity...and the Messenger of Allah (saws) informed him of the Islamic legislations on Zakat. The Bedouin then said, "By the One who has honored you, I shall not voluntarily add anything to it, nor shall I be deficient in what Allah has ordered me to do." The Messenger of Allah (saws) then said, "He will enter Paradise if he is truthful (to what he said)." (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.480 Narrated by Abu Huraira
A desert Arab came to the Prophet (saws) and said, "Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter Paradise, if I do it." The Prophet (saws) said, "Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five) prescribed compulsory prayers perfectly, pay the compulsory Zakat, and fast the month of Ramadan." The Bedouin said, "By Him, in Whose Hands my life is, I will not do more than this." When he (the Bedouin) left, the Prophet (saws) said, "Whoever likes to see a man of Paradise, and then he may look at this man."

The acts that automatically render all ones deeds vain and fruitless in the Sight of Allah as listed in the Qur’aan are the acts of ‘shirk’ (associating other gods with Allah Subhana), ‘kufr’ (disbelief), ‘nifaaq’ (hypocrisy), and apostasy (declaring disbelief after accepting faith).

Allah says in the Holy Qur’aan Chapter 39 Surah Zumar verse 65-66:
If you commit ‘shirk’ all your works will be rendered vain and you will be among the losers. Therefore, you should worship Allah Alone, and be among His grateful servants.

Allah Says in the Holy Qur’aan Chapter 47 Surah Muhammad verses 8-9:
8 But those who reject (Allah) for them is destruction and (Allah) will render their deeds astray (from their mark).
9 That is because they hate the Revelation of Allah; so He has made their deeds fruitless.

Allah Says in the Holy Qur’aan Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verses 18-19:
18 Verily Allah knows those (hypocrites) among you who keep back (men) and those who say to their brethren "Come along to us" but come not to the fight except for just a little while.
19 Covetous over you. Then when fear comes thou wilt sees them looking to thee their eyes revolving like (those of) one over whom hovers death: but when the fear is past they will smite you with sharp tongues covetous of goods. Such men have no faith and so Allah has made their deeds of none effect: and that is easy for Allah.

Allah Says in the Holy Qur’aan Chapter 47 Surah Muhammad verses 28:
28 This because they (the apostates) followed that which called forth the Wrath of Allah and they hated Allah's good pleasure; so He made their deeds of no effect.

Thus in conclusion my beloved brother, it would be prudent if you could revisit and recheck in what context our respected brother did and teacher Dr. Zakir Naik said this statement, if indeed he did say it as understood by you. Brother Dr. Zakir Naik is a personal friend and we assure you that I will discuss this topic with him when I am blessed with the opportunity to meet with him Insha Allah; and if there is anything to add we will write back to you again, if Allah Wills.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.


Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan

Source: www.q&a@islamhelpline.com

Pope Baptizes a Muslim

Pope baptizes prominent Italian Muslim

Article follows moderators comments;

Alhamdu Lillahi, praise the lord, (الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ 1:2) he knows and he is aware of every thing we do. He is the Malik-i-Yom-iddin, (مَـالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ 1:4) master of the day of the judgment.

We have several choices, and we need to evaluate the consequence of each choice.

i) We should not let his action have the capacity to irritate the weakest amongst us by reacting with vengeance. He wanted to choose another faith, let him. You cannot force any one to believe what one does not feel - Attempts to push him violates two basics - no oppression and no compulsion.

ii) Proclaim he is a bad guy - what good will it do?

iii) Issue a fatwa to kill him - This is where Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) wanted us to struggle (jihaad) against our base emotions of avenge and anger and win over them. Let's listen to the prophet and follow his guidance.

iv) Just do nothing, there are so many things happening in the world that needs our attention.

v) The more we re-act, the more they will be tempted to irritate us. I hope that is not what we want.

vi) Write in your own solution, solution must not create havoc, destruction and bad blood but bring peace - that is the name of our religion.

vii) Ignore and just live on your life.

Mike Ghouse
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Pope baptizes prominent Italian Muslim
By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press Writer http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080322/ap_on_re_eu/pope_muslim_convert;_ylt=An.N8vVqFLLdc1KsIIjk5fBbbBAF

VATICAN CITY - Italy's most prominent Muslim, an iconoclastic writer who condemned Islamic extremism and defended Israel, converted to Catholicism Saturday in a baptism by the pope at a Vatican Easter service.

An Egyptian-born, non-practicing Muslim who is married to a Catholic, Magdi Allam infuriated some Muslims with his books and columns in the newspaper Corriere della Sera newspaper, where he is a deputy editor. He titled one book "Long Live Israel."

As a choir sang, Pope Benedict XVI poured holy water over Allam's head and said a brief prayer in Latin.

"We no longer stand alongside or in opposition to one another," Benedict said in a homily reflecting on the meaning of baptism. "Thus faith is a force for peace and reconciliation in the world: distances between people are overcome, in the Lord we have become close."

Vatican Television zoomed in on Allam, who sat in the front row of the basilica along with six other candidates for baptism. He later received his first Communion.

Allam, 55, told the newspaper Il Giornale in a December interview that his criticism of Palestinian suicide bombing provoked threats on his life in 2003, prompting the Italian government to provide him with a sizable security detail.

The Union of Islamic Communities in Italy — which Allam has frequently criticized as having links to Hamas — said the baptism was his own decision.

"He is an adult, free to make his personal choice," the Apcom news agency quoted the group's spokesman, Issedin El Zir, as saying.

Yahya Pallavicini, vice president of Coreis, the Islamic religious community in Italy, said he respected Allam's choice but said he was "perplexed" by the symbolic and high-profile way in which he chose to convert.

"If Allam truly was compelled by a strong spiritual inspiration, perhaps it would have been better to do it delicately, maybe with a priest from Viterbo where he lives," the ANSA news agency quoted Pallavicini as saying.

The nighttime Easter vigil service at St. Peter's Basilica marked the period between Good Friday, which commemorates Jesus' crucifixion, and Easter Sunday, which marks his resurrection.

Benedict opened by blessing a white candle, which he then carried down the main aisle of the darkened basilica. Slowly, the pews began to light up as his flame was shared with candles carried by the faithful, until the whole basilica twinkled and the main lights came on.

The pope administers baptism "without making any 'difference of people,' that is, considering all equally important before the love of God and welcoming all in the community of the Church," said the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi.

Allam, who has a young son with his Catholic wife and two adult children from a previous relationship, indicated in the Il Giornale interview that he would have no problem converting to Christianity. He said he had even received Communion once — when he was 13 or 14 — "even though I knew it was an act of blasphemy, not having been baptized."

He did not speak to the press Saturday and his newspaper said it had no information about his conversion.

Allam said in the interview that he had made a pilgrimage to Mecca, as is required of all Muslims, with his deeply religious mother in 1991, although he was not otherwise observant.

"I was never practicing," he was quoted as saying. "I never prayed five times a day, facing Mecca. I never fasted during Ramadan."

Allam also explained his decision to title a recent book "Viva Israele" by saying he wrote it after he received death threats from Hamas.

"Having been condemned to death, I have reflected a long time on the value of life. And I discovered that behind the origin of the ideology of hatred, violence and death is the discrimination against Israel. Everyone has the right to exist except for the Jewish state and its inhabitants," he said. "Today, Israel is the paradigm of the right to life."

In 2006, Allam was a co-winner, with three other journalists, of the $1 million Dan David prize, named for an Israeli entrepreneur. Allam was cited for "his ceaseless work in fostering understanding and tolerance between cultures."

There is no overarching Muslim law on conversion. But under a widespread interpretation of Islamic legal doctrine, converting from Islam is apostasy and punishable by death — though killings are rare.

Egypt's highest Islamic cleric, the Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa, wrote last year against the killing of apostates, saying there is no worldly retribution for Muslims who abandon their religion and that punishment would come in the afterlife.

On Wednesday, a new audio message from Osama bin Laden accused the pope of playing a "large and lengthy role" in a "new Crusade" against Islam that included the publication of drawings of the Prophet Muhammad that many Muslims found insulting.

Lombardi said Thursday that bin Laden's accusation was baseless. He said Benedict repeatedly criticized the Muhammad cartoons, first published in some European newspapers in 2006 and republished by Danish papers in February.

CONVERSIONS

Conversions and our attitudes

Islam forbids compulsion, both internal and external, as it recognizes human nature. Let people have the freedom to choose what is good for them.

To live a healthy life, we need to think healthy. Hate, anger, fear, and jealousy are the bacteria that eat our attitudes alive. Let's keep away from them and earn our salvation.

There is no compulsion in Religion

Mike Ghouse

Qur'aan could not be clearer, " there is no compulsion in faith". There should not be any compulsion either external or internal. "To them is their way as my way is to me". Yes, there have been forced conversions by zealots, but seldom the converted want to re-convert, they have grown accustomed to the adopted way.

The issue comes with the happy customers of religion, who are eager to share their joy with others to the point of pushing. If you find a great buy - like Armani's suit for $100.00 at J.C. Penney, there is no way that you would remain silent about it, you will call all your friends and even the one's you simply know, you will call them to go buy the suit. You will go to great lengths to call your buddies. It is your joy that is making you do that and it is infectious.

Essentially there is no missionizing or conversion mechanism in most faiths except Christianity and Islam and occasionally a few other faiths. It happened by sharing what sounds right to you with the others and the others joining you. You can see the results. They are # 1 and # 2 in demographics. The leading non-Muslim scholars of Islam like John Esposito, Dr. Chapman (Dallas), Karen Armstrong and several others have attested that conversions through sword is a myth.

In the United States alone, thousands of people convert to Islam of their own volition. I will add the names as we go by, but for now Michael Wolfe, Sheikh Hamza Yousuf, Yusuf Estes come to my mind, who have converted to Islam and have taken up the work of explaining why Islam appealed to them.

On conversions some people are willing to kill others, “ why? Here are a few points to ponder to develop a healthy attitude towards life. The problems with conversions are not religious in nature. If all paths lead to God and all rivers go to the same ocean. What is the problem if some one wants to take a different path?

[2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.

[18:29] Proclaim: "This is the truth from your Lord," then whoever wills let him believe, and whoever wills let him disbelieve....

Political

The problem is political and is born out of fear and insecurity, that our faith is coming to an end, and the fear brings out the animal in us to act for security and frighten and scare every one else. Let people convert to whatever faith they want to. Faith is internal, what one believes inside is for them.

Food & Religion

If you happen to love Peach Cobbler and your friend loves Apple pie. Neither of you could explain why one is better than the other. No scientist, nutritionist, dietician, aesthetician, food connoisseur or any one can ever prove that one is better than the other. Your taste buds don't care any explanation, you will continue to enjoy what you have enjoyed. That is the general rule, however, some are willing to expand their horizons and some are willing to change and might find the other desserts more appealing to them. So be it. What is it to me or you if one becomes a Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Bahai, Buddhist or an atheist?

[49:13] O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of God is the most righteous. God is omniscient, Cognizant.

Beauty is in the eyes of beholder, as faith is in the heart of the believer.

[3:195] Their Lord responded to them: "I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female - you are equal to one another.

Arrogance is the root cause of all evil. The # 1Requirement in any faith is to ‘bow’ to the creator. It is a sure method of jettisoning our ‘Arrogance”. Every religion is designed*(by the divine equalizing energy) to just do that.

Our arrogance makes us denigrate others, when we do that we have bombed our own spirituality, which comes from humility. Spirituality is being in peace with oneself, and with one's surroundings.

Spiritual

Personally I would urge every one to take time to learn about their own faith, or the faith that has been taught to them. Every faith is beautiful and there is no need for any one to convert. Conversion assumes the inadequacy of the faith one follows currently. In that case, let them have the freedom to seek what unionizes their hearts and souls. Why should we mess someone's spirituality or some one's taste buds. Let them enjoy their Apple pie and let me enjoy my peach Cobbler . We should learn to mind our own religion.

Bottom line

Let people chose what they want to believe. The market should be free to ideas, go ahead and compete with pleasantness, offer the incentives, give the needy a job, provide food and shelter. Let it be open and competitive. How does it affect me? It will affect me if they are bad guys, they will be bad guys no matter what religion they wear. Why blame religion? Let's take religion as a conflict item out of our lives and we will be fine. Let religion make us hunger for the knowledge of unknown. Let religion make us search and seek the truth in all the holy books. Let no one own any religion, let any one choose what ever faith they want. Let us be God like, with an expansive mind to enjoy the beauty of every holy book.

Accusing Islam or Christianity that they made forced conversion will not do any good now other than frustrating oneself. Neither the people nor their progeny will revert back by force today. We are living in a different era and we need to spend our energies in building a better world. How does it matter if you want to enjoy peach cobbler or an apple pie? There is no compulsion on taste buds, if you don't like Broccoli that is your choice, I enjoy Broccoli even if the former President did not like it.
You and I are responsible for creating a better world, not the Government, not the Clergy and not even God*. It is you and I who would create a world where we feel safe to walk home to, to go to work, to be with our family to enjoy our vacation without any fear. It starts with a civilized dialogue in our own neighborhood and in our own City. It is our responsibility

I chose to be a Muslim and I am content and happy with it and I enjoy peach Cobbler.

Peace and blessings
Mike Ghouse

God* - I don't mean in the sense of arrogance. God's grace is always ahead of every happening.
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