@ CCNL1
For me to make an innocent person disable for life is equivalent to killing him, leaving him jobless and burden on his family, in the process. Please try to imagine how many children would have been affected directly or indirectly during the sanctions by UN sponsored by the US and subsequently after the invasion on Iraq, Afghanistan. Not to talk about Isreal's open war on Palestinians. So the count would be more than half a million. Have we ever asked Bush administration where are the "Weapons of Mass Destruction", the reason for attacking Iraq? What about other references in the list I provided??
I am frustrated with the way terrorism is described by the Western media and politicians with words like Muslim terrorists or Muslim fundamentalists and by people who know very little or nothing about the teaching of Islam. By the way I do not condone terrorism from any quarter. I strongly believe that life is sacrosanct and should not be taken away from innocent people. I am also puzzled about how the entire search for world terrorists has been going. The thing that gets to me the most is that the Western media has been focusing on "Muslim terrorists" for quite sometimes. Yes, those who committed the heinous crime against the United States on September 11 were Arabs from the Middle East (none of them was a Somali national). And by the way, not all Arabs are Muslims.

@ CCNL1
For me to make an innocent person disable for life is equivalent to killing him, leaving him jobless and burden on his family, in the process. Please try to imagine how many children would have been affected directly or indirectly during the sanctions by UN sponsored by the US and subsequently after the invasion on Iraq, Afghanistan. Not to talk about Isreal's open war on Palestinians. So the count would be more than half a million. Have we ever asked Bush administration where are the "Weapons of Mass Destruction", the reason for attacking Iraq? What about other references in the list I provided??
I am frustrated with the way terrorism is described by the Western media and politicians with words like Muslim terrorists or Muslim fundamentalists and by people who know very little or nothing about the teaching of Islam. By the way I do not condone terrorism from any quarter. I strongly believe that life is sacrosanct and should not be taken away from innocent people. I am also puzzled about how the entire search for world terrorists has been going. The thing that gets to me the most is that the Western media has been focusing on "Muslim terrorists" for quite sometimes. Yes, those who committed the heinous crime against the United States on September 11 were Arabs from the Middle East (none of them was a Somali national). And by the way, not all Arabs are Muslims.

@ CCNL1
For me to make an innocent person disable for life is equivalent to killing him, leaving him jobless and burden on his family, in the process. Please try to imagine how many children would have been affected directly or indirectly during the sanctions by UN sponsored by the US and subsequently after the invasion on Iraq, Afghanistan. Not to talk about Isreal's open war on Palestinians. So the count would be more than half a million. Have we ever asked Bush administration where are the "Weapons of Mass Destruction", the reason for attacking Iraq? What about other references in the list I provided??
I am frustrated with the way terrorism is described by the Western media and politicians with words like Muslim terrorists or Muslim fundamentalists and by people who know very little or nothing about the teaching of Islam. By the way I do not condone terrorism from any quarter. I strongly believe that life is sacrosanct and should not be taken away from innocent people. I am also puzzled about how the entire search for world terrorists has been going. The thing that gets to me the most is that the Western media has been focusing on "Muslim terrorists" for quite sometimes. Yes, those who committed the heinous crime against the United States on September 11 were Arabs from the Middle East (none of them was a Somali national). And by the way, not all Arabs are Muslims.
How about back in 1998 when a Jewish-American settler opened fire on Muslim worshippers inside the Ibrahim (Abraham) Mosque? What about back in 1998 when an Israeli citizen in Tel Aviv assassinated Yitzhak Rabin, the Israeli Prime Minister? Who destroyed the Ayodhia Mosque in India? Those responsible were described as Hindu Fundamentalists and mentally deranged people, rather than terrorists. The mob was openly encouraged by leaders of India's main opposition party, who were present during the whole episode.

@ CCNL1
For me to make an innocent person disable for life is equivalent to killing him, leaving him jobless and burden on his family, in the process. Please try to imagine how many children would have been affected directly or indirectly during the sanctions by UN sponsored by the US and subsequently after the invasion on Iraq, Afghanistan. Not to talk about Isreal's open war on Palestinians. So the count would be more than half a million. Have we ever asked Bush administration where are the "Weapons of Mass Destruction", the reason for attacking Iraq? What about other references in the list I provided??
I am frustrated with the way terrorism is described by the Western media and politicians with words like Muslim terrorists or Muslim fundamentalists and by people who know very little or nothing about the teaching of Islam. By the way I do not condone terrorism from any quarter. I strongly believe that life is sacrosanct and should not be taken away from innocent people. I am also puzzled about how the entire search for world terrorists has been going. The thing that gets to me the most is that the Western media has been focusing on "Muslim terrorists" for quite sometimes. Yes, those who committed the heinous crime against the United States on September 11 were Arabs from the Middle East (none of them was a Somali national). And by the way, not all Arabs are Muslims.
How about back in 1998 when a Jewish-American settler opened fire on Muslim worshippers inside the Ibrahim (Abraham) Mosque? What about back in 1998 when an Israeli citizen in Tel Aviv assassinated Yitzhak Rabin, the Israeli Prime Minister? Who destroyed the Ayodhia Mosque in India? Those responsible were described as Hindu Fundamentalists and mentally deranged people, rather than terrorists. The mob was openly encouraged by leaders of India's main opposition party, who were present during the whole episode.

-CCNL1
For me to make an innocent person disable for life is equivalent to killing him, leaving him jobless and burden on his family, in the process. Please try to imagine how many children would have been affected directly or indirectly during the sanctions by UN sponsored by the US and subsequently after the invasion on Iraq, Afghanistan. Not to talk about Isreal's open war on Palestinians. So the count would be more than half a million. Have we ever asked Bush administration where are the "Weapons of Mass Destruction", the reason for attacking Iraq? What about other references in the list I provided??
I am frustrated with the way terrorism is described by the Western media and politicians with words like Muslim terrorists or Muslim fundamentalists and by people who know very little or nothing about the teaching of Islam. By the way I do not condone terrorism from any quarter. I strongly believe that life is sacrosanct and should not be taken away from innocent people.
How about back in 1998 when a Jewish-American settler opened fire on Muslim worshippers inside the Ibrahim (Abraham) Mosque? What about back in 1998 when an Israeli citizen in Tel Aviv assassinated Yitzhak Rabin, the Israeli Prime Minister? Who destroyed the Ayodhia Mosque in India? Those responsible were described as Hindu Fundamentalists and mentally deranged people, rather than terrorists. The mob was openly encouraged by leaders of India's main opposition party, who were present during the whole episode.
Dwelling on Indian history, the man who assassinated the revered Mahatma Gandhi was never described as Hindu terrorist. Likewise, non-Muslims assassinated Indian Prime Minister, Mrs. Indhira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi who was also a Prime Minister. The list of non-Muslim terrorists and assassins goes on and on and it leaves a bad taste in my soul to think that Muslims are being victimized for the crime of few others. For example, a country like Somalia is now being targeted for giving shelters to members of "fleeing" Al-Qaeda network. International journalists who visited the country during the last ten years or so, maintain that the Somali people have been living in a yo yo of agony. But a humiliated US intelligence agencies on September 11 have decided to make Somalia an escape goat and that it should be the next target for B52s and "Daisy Cutters".
Common sense precaution and reliable information (not a tip-off by people with vested interests) are needed to root out international terrorists who sought shelters in war-torn, chaos-ridden countries like Somalia. Officials of the shaky government in Mogadishu repeatedly said they needed a helping hand to combat terrorism at home and abroad. But the vexing question is are there Al-Qaeda training bases in Somalia? I do not know. On to you, Mr. Obama.

@ CCNL1
For me to make an innocent person disable for life is equivalent to killing him, leaving him jobless and burden on his family, in the process. Please try to imagine how many children would have been affected directly or indirectly during the sanctions by UN sponsored by the US and subsequently after the invasion on Iraq, Afghanistan. Not to talk about Isreal's open war on Palestinians. So the count would be more than half a million. Have we ever asked Bush administration where are the "Weapons of Mass Destruction", the reason for attacking Iraq? What about other references in the list I provided??
I am frustrated with the way terrorism is described by the Western media and politicians with words like Muslim terrorists or Muslim fundamentalists and by people who know very little or nothing about the teaching of Islam. By the way I do not condone terrorism from any quarter. I strongly believe that life is sacrosanct and should not be taken away from innocent people.
How about back in 1998 when a Jewish-American settler opened fire on Muslim worshippers inside the Ibrahim (Abraham) Mosque? What about back in 1998 when an Israeli citizen in Tel Aviv assassinated Yitzhak Rabin, the Israeli Prime Minister? Who destroyed the Ayodhia Mosque in India? Those responsible were described as Hindu Fundamentalists and mentally deranged people, rather than terrorists. The mob was openly encouraged by leaders of India's main opposition party, who were present during the whole episode.
Dwelling on Indian history, the man who assassinated the revered Mahatma Gandhi was never described as Hindu terrorist. Likewise, non-Muslims assassinated Indian Prime Minister, Mrs. Indhira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi who was also a Prime Minister. The list of non-Muslim terrorists and assassins goes on and on and it leaves a bad taste in my soul to think that Muslims are being victimized for the crime of few others. For example, a country like Somalia is now being targeted for giving shelters to members of "fleeing" Al-Qaeda network. International journalists who visited the country during the last ten years or so, maintain that the Somali people have been living in a yo yo of agony. But a humiliated US intelligence agencies on September 11 have decided to make Somalia an escape goat and that it should be the next target for B52s and "Daisy Cutters".
Common sense precaution and reliable information (not a tip-off by people with vested interests) are needed to root out international terrorists who sought shelters in war-torn, chaos-ridden countries like Somalia. Officials of the shaky government in Mogadishu repeatedly said they needed a helping hand to combat terrorism at home and abroad. But the vexing question is are there Al-Qaeda training bases in Somalia? I do not know. On to you, Mr. Obama.

@ CCNL1
For me to make an innocent person disable for life is equivalent to killing him, leaving him jobless and burden on his family, in the process. Please try to imagine how many children would have been affected directly or indirectly by the US invasion on Iraq, Afghanistan. Not to talk about Isreal's open war on Palestinians. So the count would be more than half a million. What about other references in the list I provided???
I am frustrated with the way terrorism is described by the Western media and politicians with words like Muslim terrorists or Muslim fundamentalists and by people who know very little or nothing about the teaching of Islam. By the way I do not condone terrorism from any quarter. I strongly believe that life is sacrosanct and should not be taken away from innocent people.
How about back in 1998 when a Jewish-American settler opened fire on Muslim worshippers inside the Ibrahim (Abraham) Mosque? What about back in 1998 when an Israeli citizen in Tel Aviv assassinated Yitzhak Rabin, the Israeli Prime Minister? Who destroyed the Ayodhia Mosque in India? Those responsible were described as Hindu Fundamentalists and mentally deranged people, rather than terrorists. The mob was openly encouraged by leaders of India's main opposition party, who were present during the whole episode.
Dwelling on Indian history, the man who assassinated the revered Mahatma Gandhi was never described as Hindu terrorist. Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated because of his straightforward answer to a question put to him about his faith. He said, "I am a Hindu, but I am also a Muslim, a Christian and a Jew". He strongly believed in religious co-existence and to worship the same God in harmony. Likewise, non-Muslims assassinated Indian Prime Minister, Mrs. Indhira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi who was also a Prime Minister.
The list of non-Muslim terrorists and assassins goes on and on and it leaves a bad taste in my soul to think that Muslims are being victimized for the crime of few others.
For example, a country like Somalia is now being targeted for giving shelters to members of "fleeing" Al-Qaeda network. International journalists who visited the country during the last ten years or so, maintain that the Somali people have been living in a yo yo of agony. But a humiliated US intelligence agencies on September 11 have decided to make Somalia an escape goat and that it should be the next target for B52s and "Daisy Cutters".
Common sense precaution and reliable information (not a tip-off by people with vested interests) are needed to root out international terrorists who sought shelters in war-torn, chaos-ridden countries like Somalia. Officials of the shaky government in Mogadishu repeatedly said they needed a helping hand to combat terrorism at home and abroad. But the vexing question is are there Al-Qaeda training bases in Somalia? I do not know. On to you, Mr. Obama.

Another killing!
The world does not know much.
From the Sundarlal Report
To:
(1) The Honourable the Prime Minister, Government of India, New Delhi.
(2) The Honourable the States Minister, Government of India, New Delhi.

(1) The delegation consisting of Pandit Sundarlal, Kazi Abdul Ghaffar and Moulana Abdulla Misri arrived at Hyderabad on the 29th of November and returned to Delhi on the 21st of December 1948. During this period we toured through 9 out of the 16 district s of the state, visiting 7 district headquarters, 21 towns and 23 important villages. In addition we interviewed over 500 people from 109 such villages as we did not visit
In another four districts the trouble had been more serious but nothing like the havoc that overtook the remaining eight. Out of these again the worst sufferers have been the districts of Osmanabad, Gulburga, Bidar and Nanded, in which four the number of people killed during and after the police action was not less, if not more than 18,000. In the other four districts viz. Aurangabad, Bir, Nalgunda and Medak those who lost their lives num bered at least 5 thousand.
We can say at a very conservative estimate that in the whole state at least 27 thousand to 40 thousand people lost their lives during and after the police action.
http://www.thehindu.com/fline/fl1805/18051140.htm

Truechristian,

You noted:

"But the embargo put by George Bush and the USA alone killed more than half a million Iraqi children."

You might want to check your references and please share them with us. Most appear to be unsubstantiated numbers promulgated by anti-war, anti-Bush Democrats with possibly some Arab money supporting said individuals.

With respect to the history of atrocities, please review one of the better studies at
http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat0.htm

And we do have the followers of Judaism and some of the other ancient religions as "shining" examples of how to deal with "non-believers":

to wit:

Exodus 32: 3,000 Israelites killed by Moses for worshipping the golden calf.

Numbers 31: After killing all men, boys and married women among the Midianites, 32,000 virgins remain as booty for the Israelites. (If unmarried girls are a quarter of the population, then 96,000 people were killed.)

Joshua:

Joshua 8: 12,000 men and women, all the people of Ai, killed.

Joshua 10: Joshua completely destroys Gibeon ("larger than Ai"), Makeddah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, Debir. "He left no survivors."

Joshua 11: Hazor destroyed. [Paul Johnson, A History of the Jews (1987), estimates the population of Hazor at ?> 50,000]
TOTAL: if Ai is average, 12,000 x 9 = 108,000 killed.

Judges 1: 10,000 Canaanites k. at Battle of Bezek. Jerusalem and Zephath destroyed.
Judges 3: ca. 10,000 Moabites k. at Jordan River.

Judges 8: 120,000 Midianite soldiers k. by Gideon

Judges 20: Benjamin attacked by other tribes. 25,000 killed.

1 Samuel 4: 4,000 Isrealites killed at 1st Battle of Ebenezer/Aphek. 30,000 Isr. k. at 2nd battle.

David:
2 Samuel 8: 22,000 Arameans of Damascus and 18,000 Edomites killed in 2 battles.
2 Samuel 10: 40,000 Aramean footsoldiers and 7,000 charioteers killed at Helam.
2 Samuel 18: 20,000 Israelites under Absalom killed at Ephraim.

1 Kings 20: 100,000 Arameans killed by Israelites at Battle of Aphek. Another 27,000 killed by collapsing wall.

2 Chron 13: Judah beat Israel and inflicted 500,000 casualties.

2 Chron 25: Amaziah, king of Judah, k. 10,000 from Seir in battle and executed 10,000 POWs. Discharged Judean soldiers pillaged and killed 3,000.

2 Chron 28: Pekah, king of Israel, slew 120,000 Judeans

TOTAL: That comes to about 1,283,000 mass killings specifically enumerated in the Bible

Recently in July 2009, Marwa al-Sherbini, a 32-year-old Egyptian-German pregnant Muslim woman was stabbed to death 18 times as she prepared to testify against her assailant, who was in court to appeal a previous defamation conviction against her. The assailant, knonw only as Alex W., had been convicted and fined €750 ($1,050) last year for calling Sherbini a "terrorist," "b*tch" and "Islamist" after she asked him to leave a swing for her three-year-old son Mustafa. Alex also stabbed Sherbini's husband, Elwi Ali Okaz while he was trying to save his wife. And adding further insult to injury, a security guard shot Okaz in the leg because he mistook the husband for the attacker because of his ethnic looks according to German prosecutors.

Unfortunately not a single word from the western media about this senseless racist crime. It simply proved anti-Muslim sentiment in Europe "Just imagine if the situation was reversed and the victim was a Westerner who was stabbed anywhere in the world or in any Middle Eastern country by Muslim extremists?

Remember Iran and that young girl that was supposedly killed in the streets. This was before MJ's death. She was all over the news. Now, I don't like the regime in Iran, but one has to think of the Western media's double standard and the Western led Shah-protesters in Iran. The media was quick to cover her "tragic death," but poor Marwa al-Sherbini is stabbed 18 times-18 times in a courtroom--what do the authorities do they shoot her husband. Where is the Western media? In Palestine we see the same thing everyday; the Israelis kill innocent women and children and the Western media makes it appear it was the Palestinians fault.

The human being who has killed the maximum people is Adolf Hitler. Hitler incinerated 6 million Jews. He was Christian. Joseph Stalin (Uncle Joe) killed 20 million human beings; including 14.5 million were starved to death. Mao Tse Tsung of China killed 14 to 20 million human beings. He was Non Muslim. Benito Mussolini of Italy killed 400,000 human beings. Maximilin Robespierre during the French revolution starved and tortured 200,000 people to death and executed 40,000 people. Ashoka in one battle of Kalinga alone killed more than 100,000 people. He was a Hindu. Saddam Hussein killed a few 100 thousands people. But the embargo put by George Bush and the USA alone killed more than half a million Iraqi children. In Indonesia, Muhammad Suharto killed 500,000 people.

This is nothing compared to Hitler or uncle Joe nothing compare to Mao TSE sung each individual will put the Muslims to shame. I am not trying to say that these individual they were religious. If they would have religious then they would not have committed such acts. But yet we find in the international media that the Muslims are called as fundamentalist, extremists and terrorists. The American Revolution took place in the 19th century. According to the British Government the terrorist No. 1 that time was Benjamin Franklin and George Washington.

..Contd..
The maximum terrorist attacks, which have been done in India, are done by the Maoists. Only in Nepal, in the past 7 years they have conducted 99 terrorist attacks. According to the Indian Government out of 600 districts in India Maoists are present in 150 districts of India. They have done terrorist attacks in one-third part of India. The Maoists are the biggest dangers to India but yet the Indian Government is afraid of the Muslim terrorist. Why? The reason is George Bush. The Times of India, edition dated 9 September, 2006, reported that 875 rockets and 30 launchers were confiscated by the police. It is the biggest haul in the history of India that the government has confiscated.

From all these things we can surely say that Terrorism is not a Muslim Monopoly. Not a Muslim monopoly, it is not even a specialty of the Muslims. It is not even encouraged by Islam. The Quran says in chp.5, verse.32, that “If anyone kills any human being, except as a punishment for murder or creating mischief in the land, it will as though he had killed the entire humanity”. Most of the religions don’t preach that you should kill innocent human being. Terrorism is not the monopoly of any religion.

..Contd...
In Spain and France ETA conducted 36 terrorist attacks. In Africa there are many terrorist organisations. But the most notorious is the ‘Lord’s Salvation Army’; a Christian terrorist organisation in Uganda. They train young childrens to commit terrorist attacks.

In Sri Lanka, the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam) is the most notorious. It is the most violent terrorist organisation in the world. They are experts in suicide bombings and they even train children to take part in suicide bombings.

Normally people know Palestinian suicide bombings, Iranian suicide bombing, but they don’t know that LITTE are people who have popularized to suicide bombings. The LTTE i.e. Tamil tigers, they are Hindus.

In India majority of the terrorist attacks are talked about the Kashmiri militants. In India there are terrorist organization belonging to almost all different religions. They have Sikh terrorist, the ‘Bhindranwala’ in Punjab. If you go to South Asian Terrorism portal run by Non-Muslims, and if you see the list of terrorist attacks done by all the people, you will find the Muslims in a minority. But that is never highlighted in the media.

On 5 June, 1984, the Indian Security Forces took over the Golden Temple in which 100 people were killed. In retaliation on 31 October, 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh security guard. In Tripura there are Christian terrorist organizations called ATTF (All Tripura Tiger Force) and NLFT (National Liberation Front of Tripura). On the 2 October, 44 Hindus were killed by these Christian terrorists.

Also in India, in Assam state they have ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam). ULFA in the 16 years from 1990 to 2006 has conducted successfully 749 confirmed terrorist attacks. The ULFA will put the Kashmiri militants to shame. But in the newspapers we only hear of Kashmiri militant. Why? The ULFA are trained to kill the Muslims, they are Hindus. How many times do we hear about them?
..Contd...

..Contd...
•Hitler killed 6 million Jews. The Palestinians welcome the Jews. Later on the Jews kick the Palestinians out of their own land and when the Palestinians are fighting to get their land back they are labeled as Terrorists. It is like I welcome a stranger in my house. After a few days that person throws me out of my house and when I shout out side my house that I want my house back, you call me a Terrorist.
•In Germany from 1968 – 1992, Baader Meinhoff Gang killed several innocent human beings.
•In Italy, Red Brigades kidnapped and killed Aldo Moro, the former Prime Minister of Italy.
•20 March 1995 - Aum Shinrikyo a Buddhist Cult used Nerve Gas in the Tokyo Subway in which 12 people were killed and 5700 were wounded and injured.
IRA (The Irish Republican Army)

•In UK since hundred years IRA (The Irish Republican Army) is conducting Terrorist attacks against UK. They are Catholics. But are never called as Catholic Terrorist. In 1972 IRA conducted 3 bomb blasts. In the first blast 7 were killed, in second blast 11 were killed and in the third 9 were killed.
•In 1974 IRA conducted two bomb blasts. First at Guildford Pub in which 5 were killed and 44 injured; second at the Birmingham Pub which killed 21 and injured 182.
•In 1996 IRA conducted bomb blast in London in which 2 persons were killed and more than were 100 injured. In the same year IRA conducted bomb blast in Manchester shopping center in which 206 people were injured.
•On 1 August, 1998, the ‘Banbridge’ bomb blast took place. The IRA planted 500 pound of bomb, which was loaded in a car where 35 people were injured.
•On 15 August, 1998, ‘Omagh’ bomb blast took place. IRA planted 500 pound of bomb in a car where 29 people were killed and 330 injured.
•On the 4 March, 2001, the BBC was bombed by IRA.
•The IRA is never called as Catholic Terrorist. Today the UK government is more afraid of Muslim terrorist. Today Tony Blair is more afraid of the ‘Muslim terrorists’ than IRA who is conducting terrorist attacks for more than a hundred years. Why?
..Contd..

...Contd..
•1 May 1961 – First US plane to be hijacked was not done by a Muslim. It was done by Ramierez Ortiz.
•28 August 1968 – The US Ambassador to Guatemala was assassinated by a non-Muslim.
•30 July 1969 – The US Ambassador to Japan was knifed by a Japanese non-Muslim.
•3 September 1969 – US Ambassador to Brazil was kidnapped by a non-Muslim.
•19 April 1995 - The famous attack of the Oklahoma Bombing in which a truck loaded with bombs ran into the federal building of Oklahoma, in which 166 were killed and 100 were injured. Initially in the press it came as ‘Middle East Conspiracy’. Later on they came to know that it was done by two Christians named Timothy and Terry.

After World War II

•After World War II from 1941 to 1948, the Jewish Terrorists conducted 259 terrorist attacks.
•22 July 1946 – The famous bombing of King David Hotel was conducted under the leadership of Menachem Begin. 91 were killed, out of which 28 were British, 41 Arabs, 17 Jews and 5 others. The Ignun group dressed up as Arabs to show as though the Muslims did this bombing. Menachem Begin was called terrorist number one by the British government. Later on after a few years Menachem Begin the terrorist number one became the Prime Minister of Israel & got a Noble Prize for Peace. Imagine a person who was a terrorist number getting a Noble Prize for Peace. Menachem Begin and others were fighting to get a Jewish state. Before 1945 Israel did not exist in the World Map. These Jewish group were fighting for a Jewish state and later on with the power they kick the Palestinian out and now the same people are calling the same Palestinian who are fighting for a more just cause for getting their land back. And the Israelis label them today as Terrorist.
...Contd...

@CCNL1 Here is my list:

The word terrorism was first coined in 1790’s during the French Revolution. The years 1793 and 1794 were called as ‘The Reign of Terror’ or ‘Years of Terror.’

During these years Maximilin Robespierre guillotined thousands of innocents. He arrested more than 500,000 out of which he executed 40,000. More than 200,000 were deported and more than 200,000 were starved and tortured to death in the prisons.

Today there is a statement, which is being repeatedly bombarded, especially in the western media and that statement is, ‘All Muslims are not Terrorist, but all Terrorist are Muslims.’ But here are the historical records on terrorist attacks that speak a different picture:

19th century – We hardly find any terrorist attacks done by Muslims.

•1881 – Tsar Alexander was assassinated in a Bomb Blast. He was traveling in a bulletproof carriage in St. Pietersburg Street. The first bomb kills innocent 21 bystanders. The second bomb killed him while he was stepping out of the car. He was killed by Ignacy Hryniewiecki. He was Anarchists.
•1886 – Bomb Blast at Haymarket Square, Chicago, during a labour rally. 12 people were killed; one among them was a policeman. Seven policemen were injured and they died in the hospital. The people responsible were 8 Anarchists all of them were non-Muslims.
•6 September 1901 – The US President, William McKinley, was shot twice by an Anarchist named Leon Czolgosz. He was a non-Muslim.
•1 October 1910 – Bomb blast in Los Angeles at Times newspaper building. 21 were killed. The blast was done by 2 Christians named James and Joseph. They were union leaders.
•28 June 1914 – Archduke of Austria and his wife were assassinated which precipitated the World War I. The members of Young Bosnia assassinated them - most of them were Serbs. They were non-Muslims.
•16 April 1925 – Bomb Blast in St. Nedelya Church in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. 10,050 were killed and 500 injured. This was the biggest terrorist attack that was done on the soil of Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Communist Party did it. They were non-Muslims.
•9 October 1934 – King Alexander I of Yugoslavia was assassinated by a gunman by the name of Vlada Georgieff. He was a non-Muslim.
..Contd....

Dear Washngton Post;

Please do all humanity a favor and do not publish any more articles on Islam or Moslem beliefs unless the author has "stein" or "berger" in his/her last name. Than the article will be well received or atleast people will not have negative comments as they will be frightened of lawsuit or uproar from AIPAC or JDL or being labelled "anti-Semite"

As it is 8 years of Bush and the Neocons have done enough to truly label all Muslims as terrorists. So please do not publish any article about Islam in the future. Its ok when the 7th Day Adventist guys knock on my door every Saturday with Bible in their hands and waving Come to the Lord brochures in my face. Its ok when we are hammered about Jewish this and Jewish that in most American sitcoms and tv programs but its not ok writing even a bit positive about Islam in US. And talking about democracy and secularism and "freedom" in US.... we see the hatred right here for non-Christian, non-Jews. Talk about Arab countries? Well, they never call or claim themselves to be democratic or secular but Americans just pretend to be liberal and tolerant.

PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF FASTING AND GUIDE TO FASTING:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_078408.pdf

..contd...
Regarding women, I thought I had hit on the weak spot of Islam until I discovered that women enjoyed inheritance and divorce rights 1,400 years before the West discovered "Women's Lib." A wife even keeps her own name after marriage. Some of the richest people in the Muslim world are women. Contrary to my image of Muslim women being "oppressed," my personal observation was that women were not simply equal to men but in some ways held in a distinguished, almost reverential position in society. They didn't behave a bit oppressed. On the contrary, I personally cannot recall ever hearing a disparaging or sexist remark from a Muslim man regarding any woman.

We harbour so much of hatred and prejudice against muslims just because of the government sponsored media. YVONNE Ridley made headlines when, following the September 11th attacks, she was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Freed after ten days of captivity, she returned home a public figure. Almost two years after that, the multiple award-winning journalist and author again made news. On June 30, 2003, Yvonne accepted the faith of her captors -- she became a Muslim. We need to ask, if muslims treat their women badly how come this learned woman embraced Islam, the faith of Taliban? Now who is intolerent We or They?
----END----

..contd..

I often felt Islam was dogmatic, loaded with tough restrictions and regulations. Was it all necessary? Can't we just go out and have a good time and do what we want? But upon closer examination, I saw that those who "suffer" most by such restrictions are the strongest of society. Who are these? The wealthy, young, healthy, usually male. Who are vulnerable? Women, the poor, the sick, the very young and the very old. All are strongly protected by Islamic Law, centuries before the welfare state was dreamed of. For example

Who drinks and enjoys alcohol the most? Men. However, who actually suffers most from alcoholism? Battered wives and abused children, not to mention the thousands killed or maimed by drunk drivers.

Who's restricted most by the prohibition of sexual promiscuity? A man can walk away from pregnancy. Women are biologically inclined to monogamy. So who pays the real price of promiscuity? The unwanted baby born to a single mother left to fend for herself.

Who benefits from the clothing restriction on women? Hardly the men. Women are protected and respected from predatory males, rape, and pregnancy.

Who enjoys and profits financially from pornography? Throughout history this has always been a male thing. Not many magazines seem to be owned or bought by women. It's well known that rapists and child abusers (men again, I'm afraid) are often driven and seduced by explicit pornography.

Who suffers by giving obligatory charity? The rich.

Who wants to care about the elderly in a society that worships youth? It's such a nuisance to hedonistic young people. Muslims are obliged to look after their parents and all the elderly. Again the weak are given security.

The list goes on.

It's clear that "harsh" Islamic rules actually protect the weak and those without a voice in society. It's not surprising, then, that the abhorrence against Islam, even from the very beginning at the time of Muhammad, came from the high and mighty of society. The entertainment moguls of Hollywood and elsewhere today see Islam as a severe threat to their profit margins. It's not so surprising, then, that the vast majority of those reverting to Islam are women. Also, I noticed that it was the under-trodden of society, such as the destitute Hindus of India and blacks in racist America, who feel that only Islam's ideals can address their problems.
..contd...

...contd...
So, contrary to Christianity, Islam appeared (to me anyway) simple and clear. Today Christianity is all but dead in the West — this is scary and probably precedes an era of spiritual nihilism. The only growth area is in evangelism — where emotions are let rip. It is known by anyone who has had to reason with someone in an ecstatic or angry state, that logic and emotion do not make good bedfellows — any rational thought is thrown out the window. Some churches hire discos in a desperate attempt to attract the punters; others are becoming bingo halls. Good Christians are staying at home in droves on Sunday: for many of them, cutting the grass seems more meaningful.

I remember a Christian friend of mine complained that the Mass never seemed the same when they switched over from Latin to English — it was better when you couldn't understand it.

So, this is the sorry state to Christianity today. Therefore the result: http://www.usislam.org/converts/converts.htm

My hunches that these were man-made doctrines were finally proven right. It was quite a relief. Whatever issue I examined in Islam, I could not find error nor did I have to stretch my credibility. Surely then it cannot be of human origin? No wonder the monks at school kept it all well hidden.
I tried to read the Qur'an, which initially I found heavy and intense. I soon realized that this was because it was so concise and concentrated — there was no padding out. It appeared strangely succinct, like a telegraph message. Surely, I wondered, if written by Muhammad, it would be full of the narrow stories of the times, not to mention mistaken scientific beliefs of the time.

In comparison, the Bible goes in great detail regarding local events, internal wars, what so-and-so did, and local politics. All very fascinating at the time, but hardly an eternal guide for all mankind. The Bible was, of course, composed by men — and reads like a diary of the times. For example, the Gospel according to Saint… . I long wondered how that makes it divine. There are few grand concepts. The text is addressed to the small tribes of Judea. The statements authentically attributed to Christ himself are but a few dozen, and even those are colored by St. Paul and others. Also, the version we read today is translated through from Aramaic to Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English. What text could possibly have survived unchanged —especially when so many had a vested interest in the content? The many conspicuous contradictions are well known, even by Christians.
...contd...

...contd..
As I said, I had an extensive religious education. These are a few of the creeds of Catholicism that I had always found difficult:

The Christian clergy of priests, bishops, archbishops, cardinals, etc. Why do we need a hierarchy? Could a religion operate without one?
Divinity of Christ. Did he actually claim divinity? What was that first commandment again?
Doctrine of the Trinity. Sorry, I just don't get it. Anyway, some prominent Christian leaders now openly doubt it, as do some Christian sects, for example, the Unitarians.
Church statues. Idols are breakable. Anyway, what was that second commandment again?
Infallibility of the Pope. But he did make errors, for example when condemning Copernicus for saying the Earth revolved around the sun.
Original sin. A newborn baby has inherent sin and needs forgiveness (baptism)? Again, somehow difficult to understand.
Worshiping "saints." Do we need an agent to reach God?
Transubstantiation. Where bread and wine are transformed (literally) into the flesh and blood of Christ during the Mass. Are there elements of paganism here?
Christ died on the cross for the "sins of the world." If Christ died for our sins in advance, then why bother trying to be good? Anyway, did he really claim this?

And there's more, but I'll spare you.

Islam graciously cut through this ideological nightmare. One by one these muddled dogmas were clearly debunked as I dug deeper in my research. I was interested to learn that the central Christian tenets above were trashed out by a conference 300 years after Christ died. The conference was heavily prejudiced by the powerful Roman emperor of the time: not exactly divine. The monks must have forgotten to mention all that. Surprisingly, in Islam, Christ is a highly revered prophet. Also, like Muhammad, he would never be termed divine. In fact many Muslims are named `Isa (Arabic for Jesus), and Christ and Mary are mentioned in the Qur'an more times than Muhammad.

Position of Jesus in Islam:

Islam is the only non-Christian faith, which makes it an article of faith to believe in Jesus. No Muslim is a Muslim if he does not believe in Jesus.
Muslims believe that Jesus was one of the mightiest Messengers of God.
Muslims believe that Jesus was born miraculously, without any male intervention, which many modern day Christians do not believe.
Muslims believe Jesus was the Messiah translated Christ.
Muslims believe that Jesus gave life to the dead with God’s permission.
Jesus believe that he healed those born blind, and the lepers with God’s permission.

Btw, imagine the hatred we have for Islam and everything related to Islam and muslims just because media is too biased against them for their vested interested.
..Contd...

Being brought up from the age of 4 at a Catholic school run by nuns, then from 11 to 18 at a school run mainly by Benedictine monks, I had undergone years of formal religious education. However, except for some various stories from the Bible, I felt I hadn't a clue as to the relationship between Christianity and real life. Also, there were just so many inherent contradictions and "mysteries" that our school teachers veered away from — so long as you had faith.

So on the one hand at school we were taught to analyze and question the rationale behind biology, chemistry, and so on, but religion was above such earthly proofs. Not surprisingly, my fellow pupils did their best to escape from compulsory church services and ceremonies. I found hymns particularly dreary; saintly statues made me queasy rather than comforted. Priestly vestments and church ornamentation alienated rather than satisfied.

I too had embarked on a refutation of Islam through reading. I searched for the weak spot — so then I could triumph over these Arabs! I only read booklets and books that I carefully chose myself, looking only for those that were as impartial and frank as possible, written by both Muslims and non-Muslims.

I began to realize the astonishing range of issues Islam deals with, particularly on the social side. From hygiene to education, from war time and economics, to racism, to nationalism. No matter is too small to escape its rational instruction. Throughout, the Qur'an addresses mankind, not just the bickering Arab tribes of the time. It is not limited to the period of revelation but appears to speak down the ages. I found the tone consistently serious and majestic but always simple and crystal clear. It all seemed rather practical and sensible. Religion was just not supposed to be like this. Could all this be thought up by an illiterate man 1,400 years ago? Well, maybe.

Christianity directs to turn the other cheek; whereas Islam says fight for your rights, but only when you are oppressed. Christianity says that a rich man will never enter heaven. Islam says that there is nothing intrinsically wrong with wealth; it is good so long as it is acquired legally and a portion (2.5 percent) given yearly to the poor. Wealth is distinguished from greed. The noble ideals of Christianity break down in the real world.

It is very sad that you accomodate comments full of hate but you are chosy about the comments which try to bridge gaps. I still wonder why my earlier comment was not displayed.
Thanks

And again Homeland1 "blesses" us with his/her gibberish. What drives this "gibberisher"? Instigation, obfuscation and/or simple blog hogging??

The Ramadan Health Guide. a publication from U.K. and supported by the Dept. of Health, is given below:

http://www.communitiesinaction.org/Ramadan%20Health%20and%20Spirituality%20Guide.pdf

This may be helpful to many.

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And again Homeland1 "blesses" us with his/her gibberish. What drives this "gibberisher"? Obfuscation and/or simple blog hogging??

I can't believe it! Once again the people of the world are fighting among each other, offending, defending and basically just dividing the world based on religion, again!
And for what?? An article which says that fasting is good if done properly?!!

It's shameful that God's finest creation, humans have become the the most vilest, pathetic and evil of all.
There is just one God (with many many names), lets face that fact first. Even his or her existence is doubtful sometimes when you see evil events happening around.
We all are educated, smart people. We should know that while we may believe in different religions, which basically divides us all, we have the intelligence today to decide what good to take from it and what bad to leave untouched. Centuries ago people were led blindly by fanatics because they couldn't decide for themselves what was good or bad.
WE all can!

Humanity is the only religion I believe in - respect humans and their existence. And that is what God wants us to do.

Committing a grave sin against another human being will definitely bar our souls from entry into any heaven regardless of how many baths we take in the holy ganga or how many trips we make to mecca or confess to a priest.

Although I am not Muslim, regular fasting does help me also. I feel that when I do it properly, I am closer to the Spirit of the Lord - more sensitive to God's influence.

The health benefits are a bonus, but I appreciate more the fact that through combined fasting and prayer, I have personally experienced the reality of the healing power available through the atonement of Jesus Christ. He's not just a story figure to me, but a real friend.

I hope people of all faiths discover the spiritual benefits of fasting and prayer. We may differ in our understanding of God, but I'm convinced he loves us all. Let's all live our religions, and do our best to draw closer to God (Allah). And things will work out well.

hello everybody
peace to everybody
it is very disturbing to see so many comments that are full of hatred animosity bigotry.
it is also ironic that those who profess to be followers of jesus who was a prince of peace can have so much venom inside them yet they claim to be christians and they are pointing fingers at muslims who are fanatical and the same time they dont realize they are in the same boat with the other fanatics.
now my only argument is this if you profess christianity then you have to believe that the whole human race came from adam and eve,so in that case we all humans on earth are from one father and mother then we are all related somehow or the other,then why this hatred and despising of each other ,to me it is because either you are ignorant or you are afraid of the truth,or you are so narrow minded that you are not willing to give space to other humans who dont look like you or who dont dress like you or talk like you or speak the same language etc.
my advice is this if you believe in jesus the prince of peace then you should carry his mission of showing the other cheek if you dont have that kind of approach then the least you can do is think twice about what jesus would do if he was you at that particular moment,also think where we all came from and where we all end up in 2feex6feetx6feet under the ground to be eaten away by some small creatures and only the bones are left.
so please my fellow humans brothers and sisters think about it reflect on it.
may the lord of the heavens and the earth GUIDE us all to the TRUE FAITH that is that there is one humanity

While I think fasting is fine, it really doesn't make us holier. Jesus said, "I desire mercy not sacrifice." Jesus was saying, for example that instead of fasting occasionally, we should care about others and therefore not be gluttons any part of the time but rather eat wisely so we have money to help the poor. If we focus on showing mercy to others all the time then we don't need to make self-sacrifices to feel holy. Jesus was saying the way you score points with God - the way to be holy, is by living a life of showing mercy to others - not by making occasional self-sacrifices.

Fasting is healthy, no doubt. It purges the body- cleanses the mind too, specially if it is done with jeal of religious fervor.

I grew up in a country where more than 90% are muslim. I saw all my friends from childhood fasted during ramadan. The kind of fasting they did was less than healthy. Muslims in Bangladesh- eat a big (over the capacity they can) meaty meal (laden with all kinds of food which excites the body) just before the sunrise. After that they go to bed and sleep almost half a day to save time (not to mention the whole country paralizes during ramadan- very productive indeed!!!). After getting up during noon, even after noon- they start preparing for the food they will eat to break the fast. Their mind remains in the food all the day.

A soft liquid food or very mild food after fasting would be very congenial for body- commonsense suggest. I saw the foods that are eaten during breaking of fast is everything but mild. And as cosequece whatever should happen- it happens- they routinely throw up after breaking fast.

Statistics does not substantiate that the poeple in the islamic country is any healthier than others. This is not a proof that "fasting is not healthy" but the way muslims do it is definitely not.

'I have heard it said that war is a necessary Evil. I would contend that it is not necessary, but it is evil.
We will never have peace as long as we are trying to kill each others children'
A Christian American said this.
Our Father, (who art in heaven), is intent on us living in peace. If we are going to do something in God's name, we should probably make sure He's OK with it first!
'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the Sons of God'
Jesus told us this truth; we should listen.
RP

As an honorary Dr. of Divinity, I have studied and/or practiced most of the major World religions at points in my life. One year I actually went through the Ramadan fast, while reading the Koran cover - to - cover, and found the experience very revealing, worthwhile to ANY person of faith. I would recommend any Christian and Jewish practitioner to read the Koran - the teachings are timeless, with numerous ways of understanding that can only encourage one in leading a pious life.

In all religions there are zealots, sometimes defined as fundamentalist radicals, that often do not share favorable examples for the vast majority of people in those faiths. People need to have an "open mind" to treat all as their relatives, each having a right to life.

Causing harm to others really should not be part of ANY religious or spiritual practice. This is the only way to true peace. http://www.HealingNews.com

I'm not religious at all, and I do think in many cases religion can cause more harm than good. However, this article is written in a way that doesn't shove any religion down anyone's throat, so I think anyone with a really nasty reaction to it probably has issues around religion they're not admitting to themselves. We all need to figure this stuff out for ourselves first, and I know that's not easy by any measure.

No religion is all bad though. Like this article points out most of them have practices that are actually good for you and that's usually by design. Maybe the people who cooked them up knew it's easier to get people to take care of themselves and each other if it's for some imaginary unquestionable deity rather than just for its own sake, which is sad but often true.

If there's anything an atheist (or anyone, really) should take from this, it's to value life, love, happiness, freedom and justice as worthy and essential goals in themselves. If we don't, we have no right to criticize any religious person, even ones who proselytize (which this author doesn't, even). For all the ways religions cause harm, suffering and exploitation in this world, the idea of eating better, not smoking and not being a douchebag to those around us - even for just a month - is a silly thing to argue with.

"Islam is the fastest spreading religion in the west. Why in your opinion?"

From Wikipedia:

"Islam

Data for Islam reveal that the growing number of Muslims is due primarily to immigration (in the West) and higher birth rates (worldwide).[15]

In 2006, countries with a Muslim majority had an average population growth rate of 1.8% per year (when weighted by percentage Muslim and population size).[16]

This compares with a world population growth rate of 1.12% per year.[17]

By real growth in terms of new adherents per period Islam was classified as the fastest growing religion in the world.[18]
According to the "Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life"[19]

“ Islam is already the fastest-growing religion in Europe. Driven by immigration and high birthrates, the number of Muslims on the continent has tripled in the last 30 years. Most demographers forecast a similar or even higher rate of growth in the coming decades. ”

According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the World Christian Database as of 2007 estimated that the fastest growing of the five largest religions in the world by percentage to be Islam (1.84%). High birth rates were cited as the reason for the growth. The same study concluded that in terms of real growth Islam was not the fastest growing religion.[20]

There is considerable difficulty in ascertaining the number of Muslims and as a result most measurements are inflated.[

The issue of apostasy in Islam is a major factor in this discrepancy. Countries such as Islamic Republic of Pakistan, The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Saudi Arabia and Algeria disallow legal recognition of non-Islamic religions, Islamic apostates and or impose the death penalty as a punishment for apostasy."

[edit]

I am not impressed. The fasting described herin sounds like a normal work day for me. I used to fast once a year for 30 days on juice and water alone. So having an early breakfast, skipping lunch and waiting until after dark to eat is nothing to brag about. Get over yourselves.

Perhaps fasting can promote better physical and spiritual health.
Let's all do each other a favor and shut up about our religion.

When I was in high school, I had a teacher who were not drinking water when playing football, it has been said this is his spiritual practice, it seems very crazy to me that time, when I grow up, I found out that human beings face many lustfulness conditions in life (lust of dirty money, dirty position, dirty sex, ...) and on that time the person needs enough power to control himself, only the ones who have already practiced enough, can control theirselves at the time of need and Ramadan is the month of practicing.
In another view, when I fast during Ramadan, I feel that I get more friendly with my God as I am doing his request, being friend with a supper power really feels well, God is your freind, if you doubt, just count what God has given you while has not given to many others, Health, Money, Education, Good family, Good friend, Howmany times he has saved you? He only asked me a mere request to fast in Ramadan, why shouldn't I do!?

If you don't understand my words, don't argue! try to polish your heat, it is too rusty! Listen to your heart! Love your God!Practice once!

Let me tell all those who are ignorantly criticising Ramadan and Islam that their comments are full of hatred towards Muslims, based on stereotypes. The man who has written the article is a recognised scientist and is speaking scientifically. Then, why are your comments so emotional? Besides, just google the term “fasting” and you will find out its benefits, which are recognised by non-Muslim scientists. Islam is the fastest spreading religion in the west. Why in your opinion?

Hmmm, "please don't generalize".

OK, some specifics!!!

The USA's War on Terror and Aggression:

An update (or how we are spending or how we have spent the USA taxpayers’ money to eliminate global terror and aggression)
The terror and aggression via a Partial and Recent Body Count

1a) 179 killed in Mumbai/Bombay, 290 injured

1b) Assassination of Benazir Bhutto and Theo Van Gogh

2) 9/11, 3000 mostly US citizens, 1000’s injured

3) The 24/7 Sunni-Shiite centuries-old blood feud currently being carried out in Iraq, US Troops 3,394 combat and 815 non-combat) and 92,856 – 101,346
Iraqi civilians killed, http://www.iraqbodycount.org/ and
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/casualty.pdf

4) Kenya- In Nairobi, about 212 people were killed and an estimated 4000 injured; in Dar es Salaam, the attack killed at least 11 and wounded 85.[2]

5) Bali-in 2002-killing 202 people, 164 of whom were foreign nationals, and 38 Indonesian citizens. A further 209 people were injured.

6) Bali in 2005- Twenty people were killed, and 129 people were injured by three bombers who killed themselves in the attacks.

7) Spain in 2004- killing 191 people and wounding 2,050.

8) UK in 2005- The bombings killed 52 commuters and the four radical Islamic suicide bombers, injured 700.

9) the 24/7 Islamic blood bath in Somalia and Afghanistan

i enjoyed the article, and was happy to see that my family fasts and breaks fast in a healthy way.

those of you who made negative comments towards muslims and islam, i agree with a previous commentor who said we are fasting.. however, please don't generalize, yes there are bad people who happen to be muslim, there are also bad people in every other religion out ther.. also, if you don't understand something then you really don't have the right to make such hostile comments.. if you want to know ask.. if you don't want to know there is no reason to be offensive.

Please note what another poster said earlier in this thread.
Other than myself,no Muslim has risen(or sunk) to the bait the kufr has thrown out.
As for me,I am a revert,with much of the days of Ignorance still in me.
I still have trouble with simply letting a devil be a devil.
We have no desire to harm you,even if we had the means.
Most of us want to live,raise our families in peace and practice our
Religion.
We have no desire to force it on you.
When did you last have a Muslim Knock on your door and chirp:"I
would like to share the Quran with You!"?
If you became Muslims,I would be forced to see you as Brothers.
I am much more comfortable seeing you as devils.
As to cherry picking the Quran,please do not go there.
Your bible does not fair very well in that dept.
"Judas went and hung himself" "do thou likewise" Ect.
As far as sharing the joy of Ramadan with the Kufr,I thank the
words the Christians attribute to Prophet Jesus,Peace be upon him are best:

"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." Matthew 7:6

We all know how Americans love pork and dogs.

Fasting, if done properly, may be good for your physical health. It may even help to focus your thoughts on spiritual matters. However, there is more to Ramadan than that. In addition to the fasting, followed each day by a celebratory dinner (iftar), Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an during the month of Ramadan. Remember that for religious Muslims, the Qur'an is not the "inspired Word of God", but Allah's literal word -- perfect, complete, immutable and valid for all of eternity. Religious Muslims cannot deny the eternal sanctity of any part of the Qur'an.

The following is just a sampling of what Muslims will read in the Qur'an during Ramadan and throughout the rest of the year:

--“ the (only) religion (acceptable) before God is Islam." (3:19)
-- " If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him." (3: 85)
-- “You are the noblest community ever raised up for mankind.” (3:110)
-- The unbelievers among the people of the book and the pagans shall burn forever in the fire of Hell. They are the vilest of all creatures. (98.6).
-- Surely the vilest of animals in Allah’s sight are those who disbelieve. (8.55)
--The unbelievers are your inveterate enemy. (4:101)
-- Mohammed is God's apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the unbelievers but merciful to one another. (48:29).
-- It is unlawful for a believer to kill another believer, accidents excepted. (4:92)
-- Believers, take neither the Jews nor the Christians for your friends. (5:51)
-- Make war on them [i.e. non-Muslims] until idolatry shall cease and God's religion shall reign supreme. (8:40)
-- Fight against them until idolatry is no more and God's religion reigns supreme. (2:193)
-- The true believers fight for the cause of God, but the infidels fight for the devil. (4:76)
-- We will put terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. (3:151)
-- I shall cast terror into the hearts of the infidels. Strike off their heads, strike off the very tips of their fingers. (8:12)
-- Women are your fields: go, then, into your fields when and as you please. (2:223)
-- Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other... Good women are obedient. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them, forsake them in beds apart, and beat them.” (4:34)

Non-Moslems need to be aware of this!

Religion is the antonym of Science. Fasting LOL, scientific study, I can make some garbage about a health fad too, people have been doing it for years, dont believe what you read.

rcubedkc said:

"Glad you like that culture so much frazier.

Why don't you head on over to Afghanistan, say the tribal areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan, to enjoy their hospitality?

I'm sure they'd love to see you."

You know considering these are some of the most hospitable and sweet people on
earth,you are probably right.
That, and the fact Frazier seems to be a man.

You, on the other would run across the street if you met my black ass on the sidewalk at night in you beloved amerekee.
Either that, or fumble for that concealed handgun that gives you the balls to walk outside.
One, good, loud,
BOO!
and you would drop that,and go screaming for Mr Pig!

God is great....
Beer is good....
People are crazy.

I don't understand what all the hubbub is about. Anyway, if you can't fast, the least you can do is speed up a little bit.

rcubedkc:
USS Liberty 34 Americans killed and 171 wounded,all men at arms,and spooks/spies.

For that you hate the Israelis?

Your people kill and wound more than that with every drone attack on a wedding party
in Afghanistan,and most of them old people,women and children.

But Muslims have no Just Cause to fight back?

You are worse than the Zionists could ever be.
They really do not hate us,some individuals might,but their leaders do not.
we are simply in the way of Greater Israel.

You hate because you are so brainwashed you cant see who this war on Islam is
designed to benefit.

Hint:It is damn sure not Bubba and Rita!

Glad you like that culture so much frazier.

Why don't you head on over to Afghanistan, say the tribal areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan, to enjoy their hospitality?

I'm sure they'd love to see you.

It's been around 100 degrees in Cairo all week. Not drinking water must be incredibly difficult, especially for those that work in construction or other jobs where they are in the heat all day. This is terribly unhealthy to deprive yourself of water day after day for a whole month.

nooris, Yup, you're confused alright.

Fascinating information about another culture gleaned here...

great ideas for my own potential daily food habits...the part about vegetables
as workers.

Thoroughly interesting and worth the reading, told tenderly. Grateful for it.

And how stupid and sad that the usual
baying idiots can't refrain from taking
nasty shots. America the ugly.

This was a good time for Obama to take a vacation.

kindfrazier
Actually, I don't think that's ugly. But this is and it's factual.
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Pages/TheList.htm

And you're darn right I post when the subject is Israel. I know Israeli's and zionists hate it when the facts of Israel's treachery and duplicity regarding their barbaric, intentional, and repeated attacks against the USS Liberty in international waters which resulted in 34 Americans killed and 171 wounded is brought to light.

Google USS Liberty and pick any of the sub headings which include cover up, attack, truth, conspiracy, false flag to see what our "ally" is really all about.

And frazier, you can count on me posting about the USS Liberty and the Israel acts of cowardice by repeatedly attacking an unarmed US ship each and every time I see an article about Israel and how they suffer. Yawn

BOBSTERII:

Well...Yeah.
I may not have written very clearly,but I
thank we are on the same page here.

I should have said:
Anti-Muslim Hatred in America is not confined to the ignorant and redneck.
Years of sophisticated propaganda has made
hatred of Islam the only unifier of the far right and far left in this country.
That means both sides are going to do their damnedest to fuel the hate.
Capitalism must have an enemy to divert the people from seeing how screwed they are.
The Soviets are gone,now the Muslims
are "The Evil Empire".

Posted by: noorismail1
4.The Jews quite wisely took steps to set groups like the Jewish Defense League,to protect their people in this country.
We should do the same.

RESPOND
That Jewish Deffense League is fine with American government, but any Islamic or Muslim party or even non-profit organization is defined as terrorist organization. So, you go figure why so called terrorists are fighting openly in the name of religion and its people unlike American and British government lying and sending their kids to die attacking and taking over Muslim countries for oil and money and hiding behind some phony attacks and democracy.

Oneplanet, you worried that your co-workers may harbor secret anti-Muslim feelings toward you.

In my experience, they would not keep them secret for long, and you would know. If people treat you decently, they probably like you and respect your tradition.

Most Americans are kindly people; those who are not seem to be getting much more play via the internet than they used to.

Those terrorists happened to be mostly muslims, and they kill people for no damn reason!!! Yeah Right!

Really this proves:

1.The Washington Post attempted to write an article respectful of Islam.

2.This is not the spirit of the majority of Americans.
The hatred of Muslims is not confined to snuff dipping wife beating rednecks.
it pervades the society,and is used to whip up a larger agenda.

3.As Muslims we can not hide our heads and ignore what is happening,while
hoping the hate will go away.
That did not work for the Jews in Nazi Germany,and it will not work
for us.

4.The Jews quite wisely took steps to set groups like the Jewish Defense League,to protect their people in this country.
We should do the same.

5."If someone puts their hands on you make sure they never put their hands on anybody else again." — Malcolm X

That just about says it all.

See Rcubedkc...(at 6:14pm)

clearly offensive, clearly ugly.

He's the one who posted an earlier call for a bomb to be dropped on the
Scot's government official.

Often posts when the story is about Israel.

The Washington Post must love these
creeps. They have so many of them.

And never do a thing about their ugliness.

No argument about benefits of occasional fasting. But the better way would be to limit our intake of food and beverages crammed with calories....and fat. Obese Americans have become the norm rather than oddities.

Re: the Islamic practice of fasting during Ramadan, during a trip to Karachi in 1984 I was refused service at the hotel (The Hilton) when I ordered lunch. I am from the Indian sub-continent and, in appearance, could be taken for a Pakistani muslim. Shouldn't fasting be voluntary? That is what bothers me about Islam -- perhaps more than other religions it places strictures on the followers. Why must one pray five times a day! There are times when I get the feeling that fundamentalist Christians here in America would love to have the power the mullahs have. But that is another matter.

@oneplanet: Quoting you "I might have coworkers with such extreme ideas. I'm truly saddened to read these comments". When I saw this article, I said, here we go!. I am not saddened by the vile,crude and crass comments against Islam/Muslims. On the contrary, it affirms my faith even more. The Glorious Koran is consistently whole in it's teachings about total moral, socio-politcal normative values, it also admonishes believers to prefer for the worst. In it, God warned Muslims that what Jews,Christians and polytheist say about you (Muslims) is horrible but the they have in their hearts is even worst. All these overwhelming negative postings attest to that fact. And you wonder why groups like alQaeda sprung up all over the place. Oh, I forgot, Muslims just "hate".

Dear Prof Nomani: I found your comments very helpful and interesting.....Thank you for shariung this information..As a practicing Catholic I agree with your wise counsel...I alsoapologize for the rude and ignorant comments posted by some others Peace LCV

Fasting is especially effective for obese health insurance executives. I'd like them fast for an extended period, say, 6 weeks straight :)

The fasting thing is interesting and people like the late Dr Walford extolled it for YEARS. This is nothing new, and it is also called caloric restriction. Ironically Dr Walford passed too soon due to a totally unrelated disease which sadly killed him.

It just disturbs me when I read in an American newspaper the quoting of that religious book from the Arabian peninsula. Why do you call it the "Holy ..." and not just the "...". Afraid that some local Muslims will boycott and attack you, or perhaps CAIR will sue?

rksingh1987:
First page Siri Guru Granth Sahib:

"ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD.
THE NAME IS TRUTH.
CREATIVE BEING PERSONIFIED. NO FEAR. NO HATRED."

If this YOUR God,why so much Hate?

patriot30:
Why is it ironic that Muslims should kill those who
invade their land and murder their families?
In Ramadan or any other time?

homeland1:

Your medication is your friend.Don't be afraid.
take it.Mr Psychosis will go bye-bye for a few hours.

I don't know how long ramadam is, nor do I care but if you want to be a real good muzlum, fast for the duration.

Who knows, you might even go see allah.

It is ironic that during Ramadan, many "devout" Muslims ignore the requirement of sawm by continuing to bomb, torture and murder Americans and even Muslims of other sects. I am sure that Mohammad would prefer his followers refrain from violence rather than fast, if they can only attain one of the decreed restraints.

It is ironic that during Ramadan, many "devout" Muslims ignore the requirement of sawm by continuing to bomb, torture and murder Americans and even Muslims of other sects. I am sure that Mohammad would prefer his followers refrain from violence rather than fast, if they can only attain one of the decreed restraints.

Thank you for a knowledegable and timely article.

I don't mind seeing the negative reactions because I think it's a reflection of most societies: 10 percent evil, 10 percent saintly and 80 percent in between.

Correction again:

Starting at "IT's TiME; that Al islam & CO., start asking, WHY DOES THE WORLD on S.S. EARTH HATE US [JUDEO-ISLAMICS]. And

Ending therein at, " ALLAH + MUHAMAD & CO., is & are ANGRY at ISLAManiacs!

--- Note again:

On the JUDEO-JU holiday "YOM KIPPUR" [Atonement, aka Respect our "MEME"s] that they too 'MUST" starve for a Day. Yet

Those whom are Medically excused can & Also the KiNDA/kids from a certain young age threshold!

But 30 Days???

Well; We'll get to enjoy more 'Shishkabab' [Lambi, Chicki..] & less price.?

HOMDULLA! {praise god]!

Interesting that "devout" Muslims ignore sawm during Ramadan and continue bombing, torturing and killing Americans and even those of other Muslim sects. I am sure Mohammad would rather the faithful abstain from violence than food, if they have to choose only one.

It took 3000 dead Americans on Sept.11, it took atacking 2 Islamic countries, it took hundreds of thousands of dead muslims, it took atacking England, it took atacking Spain, it took opening two prisons for Muslims only, it took 6000 dead american soldiers and took 8 years;
FOR THIS ARTICLE TO BE PRINTED WITH SOME RESPECT TO ISLAM AND MUSLIMS. YET, IT IS NOT SO REVEALING, WHY MUSLIMS CAN FAST WITHOUT PROBLEMS AND MAKES THEM HEALTHIER AND BETTER PERSON. It is probably something that you have inside of you, thay you can't see or hear, only feal and only if you are true Muslim. If you don't care about it, then skip this blog and your dumb senseless comments and leave them for FOX NEWS.

Posted by: mcjohn
What I find offensive is people that category all America as holding the same opinions as a few morons that make judgments base on zero facts.

ANSWER:
I call em'......Dumb Rednecks. Islam and Muslims are evil to them, but their brains hurt when they try to figure out why some fight in the name of Islam and why some are hiding behind their religion with the country's flag on front.

What I find offensive is people that category all America as holding the same opinions as a few morons that make judgments base on zero facts.

Please note that the furious, frothing, hysterical remarks here nearly all contain anti-Muslim sentiment. Few or none contain anti-Western or anti-Christian remarks.

People, go get help! Life is short. Don’t waste it in mindless hate. And don’t imagine that you sound brave or righteous when you rant. It’s just embarrassing and hurtful. There will always be an Other to fear and despise. But that’s the easy path, and it runs downhill into darkness.

I think this is a great article, it's thoughtful, thought provoking and just plain interesting. I could definitely learn some positive things about myself through fasting - and I dare say that it would make me much more aware of wastefullness. Thank you for the intelligent and heart warming article, it's really nice to hear different perspectives and ideas.

I am saddened by the ragingly judgemental and ignorant comments being posted here, I sincerely apologize for them - I'm embarassed and ashamed that someone could write those things about a person let alone a whole culture. Perhaps the comments serve a good purpose though - to remind me that every culture has those who harbor hateful thoughts and whose actions I would hope not be used in the judgement of myself by other people and nations.

Peace be with all of you. Thank you for writing this article, it's lovely.

I often wonder why when religion enters the conversation so many respond with complete and utter nonsense or worse. It is interesting that something that is entirely based on an act of personal faith should result in so much blood shed and such rhetorical twisting of the will of others.

As an atheist, I found this article very interesting but I also found some of the comments offensive, inflammatory and evidence that there are deeply disturbed people among us.

--part 2 of 2
interesting note: The VEDIC + the JUDEO's Are both in FACT "POLY-THEO" Religions! Includes their Jealous wannabi-bi's 2ndary's, tertiary's ... Copy cat Religion [man-made] competing for a name for god(s) "INSTEAD OF G-D" [aka "IT", never a HE nor a SHE] SYSTEM

instead, HELLO: JUDEO-YUDULLA! [as in ADAM & EVE excusively] & VEDIC-HINDULLA! [as RAMA & SiTA excusively] Remember: two's (2's) a Company & Three's a crowd!

note: in a way; everybody goes 'DUTCH' [each pays/paves/prays/meditate] their own heavenly or hellish way to: or from: "IT"!. Theres No denial nor Escape: so, forget Death & Tax's!

-- HOPE, a complement of Innate Religion (not/No man made), is more Powerfull than man-made RELIGiON/Faith/Belief System(s)!

Remember the "H.{O.U.R." is Cometh already!

Where "H" means H.OLY & "O" means O.UR & "U" means U.NIVERSAL & "R" = R.ELIGION/Innate!

WE [i] "HUe{MATE"(s) Kinds; not HUMAN Unkinds anymore are Prophetically appearing, justly for a time; to

'REVERSE THE "DRUNKIN NOAH" [racist] CURSE" (aka WAR BLESSING) stories; and to reverse the "ARJUNA & KRISHNA [racist] CASTE" stories and other blasphamous & PRE-Apocalyptic Illusions/Dillusions, et al SUPERSTUPIDSTITIOUS Symptoms!!

Revelation: The Children of ALL iSLAM will rebel against their own Parents; especially SHARIA slavery sytems!

"SECULARISM" is the PROMISE! The INHERITANCE!

O' O' Ye foolish & Jealous Judeo-Islami's etal, whom suddenly hath [not authentic/unique] a (MY)RELIGION!! ALLAH has foresaken All of You! [No Exceptions]!

O' Creator of PHOTONS [LiFE, aka LOVE, not SEX] DO-NOT/NO forgive them; For they knowth what they DOeth! Repentance, Forgiveness etc.. Doth not help YE Jealous & gods fearing Selfish [man-made] Religion(s)!

HARK! The "RELiGION of everything, before the SCiENCE of everything" is here!

HALLALUYA! Praise the Holyi NO-MAN/WOMB! Praise "IT"!

@ ONEPLANET:

I am not a Muslim--we won't go into the adventure that is my own spiritual journey here--but I wanted to try and offer you strength and encouragement in the wake of reading the deeply foul and reactionary comments featured here today.

We are seldom given to know the deepest mind of those we live near or work with. But having a faith or a belief system, as you do, I'm sure you know you also have a powerful tool for sound, rich, and compassionate living and being in any environment you inhabit.

That tool allows you to pursue time-honored methods for self-cultivation, and for nurturing the link between you and the divine; and in this very way, your belief also prepares you to transcend--through prayer, contemplation, and study--the rampant savagery of spirit and deed that characterizes so many poor, restless souls in this world.

Take heart, for there are also people out there like the formidably-named FORTYCALIBERGLOCK, whom I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart for his (or her) service to our nation.

Even caught up in the hellish chaos of war, this person somehow considers baptism into the Body of Christ to constitute a sacred and enduring pact, one that calls for thoughtful action to be taken wherever one might be found.

Finally, to Professor Nomani: Thank you for your well-made case for responsible and informed fasting. It is obviously up to individuals, households, and communities to determine how they might like to approach this powerful discipline--and their God.

I'm with FORTYCALIBERGLOCK (may I call you "FORTY"?) concerning water intake during fasting days, regardless of the weather. My feeling is that such a step would be a necessary adaptation to 21st-century life that would in no way diminish the potential for spiritual communion and development associated with religious fasting.

My wish now is for a blessing upon all who read these words, and specifically for the coming of peace--the coming of holy silence--into the hearts of those consumed with enmity, and with pain.

Yes, I know that fasting is good for your through out the year not just on Ramadan months. Come on Its amazing how the muslims community specially the so-called experts tries hard the religious costoms to the "West" like US, Brazil and the rest of us to learn their fallible ways upon us. We are being inundated by these morons specially in Brazil with theirs religious ways. We don't need your religion we are a free christian country and live in peace. the washington post is promoting religion and soon the Brazilian media will follow suite with same garbage. Enough. if you try science into this don;t bring special month of the year to do this, this is simple religion from the east to the West.

Ramadan Mubarak, Y'All!
First, I would like to thank Zafar Nomani and the Washington Post for posting an article that can benefit everyone, especially in a world where obesity has reached epidemic proportions (according the World Health Organization).

It is also important to remember that Ramadan is time to develop new habits. 30 days to develop a new habit – stopping smoking, controlling anger, stopping backbiting, stopping bad language, or whatever good habit you want to develop. Steve Pavlina is popular and rich for the concept of 30 days to develop a new habit – proving that people want to make a change for better.

What makes this process special is as Muslims we are doing this together and some things in our daily routine change. As a Muslim community we are all focusing on when the moon is sighted for the start of Ramadan and the end of Ramadan for the Eid.

We fast in the day and pray at night with the hoping of getting spiritually closer to God.

It is also important to separate culture from Islam as well. Binge eating at the breaking of the fast is not what Islam advocates. It advocates balance and moderation.

And for all the haters, don’t knock until you’ve tried it. 30 days to a better mind, spirit and body.
Peace.

I can't help but to wonder if this article were dealing with some aspect of the Jewish faith, would there be this many offensive comments? I doubt it, because nobody would want to be labeled an Anti-Semite. And yet there is a lot of anti-semitism coming through in these comments (for those of you who don't know, Arabs are Semitic people, too).
As a muslim woman, I thank you for your support, but ask that you please leave us to fight our own Feminist battle, as women in the West were allowed.
As a secular muslim, I ask that you please stop shoving your own beliefs down other people's throats. You are more than welcome to doubt religion and doubt any connections it may or may not have to science, but please try to examine your spiteful language and think about whether you are not just resenting your own relationship to religion. Nobody is asking you to drop everything and become a Muslim. Is it at all possible in your minds that there are plenty of Muslims in this country who are about to start a month long practice and need to egg eachother on? And perhaps the author hoped that reading a little bit about the Muslim faith might be a good thing for outsiders?... Simply to better our understanding of eachother? Well the amount of negative comments sure has done a lot to better understand people's views in this country toward Islam.

Hmmm, it is good to see that the Homeland1's gibberish got lost in good commentaries. Maybe Homeland1 will finally get the message.

Sorry, if you're trying to convince me of the benefits taking in less calories based on research, that's one thing. If you're coming to me with some bullsh*t about the prophet Muhammad or Jesus or whatever God one believes in, that's a totally different story. There are probably lots of reasons why there are so many offensive comments on here but I have a feeling (like your prophet) that one major reason is this notion of injecting religious based thought/practices into discussions based on science. I am sorry, if you want to preach about the spiritual principles behind Ramadan, you may want to publish this article in various countries in the middle east and see if they can perhaps have the same sort of open mindedness towards allowing other religious thought and practices to be observed in countries are based on Islamic principles. Religion has no place in scientific though, any religion. But you also have to understand why there is a higher than normal amount of negative comments because of all the countries in the world, it's the ones that are Islamic based that tend to have the least amount of freedom for women and others who choose to follow a path different than that of Islam. I am not a Christian but I am a legal immigrant of this country and I am very thankful that it affords me the opportunity to follow whichever religion I choose and the ability to speak freely. That cannot be said of most Islamic countries....and that's a fact!

I really have to laugh at all the comments here from the religious. If the commentator were speaking of a Jewish or Christian fast, I would say the same thing: what a bunch of tripe. If fasting is so great for your health, then why don't you all live like that throughout the year? And is it only in Ramadan or at Easter or Christmas or at Passover that the religious are to be reminded of their own fundamental beliefs of charity, love and righteous living?

Why do we comment here about these lame articles? Why is it any of our business? I guess it's simply our convictions about humanity in general, a belief that we don't need your insights, suggestions and gentle prodding toward righteousness and superstition. And without religion and the ridiculous nonsense that it causes otherwise intelligent people to write or say it just gets to be a little much to have to be constantly confronted with the nonsense that pervades this hyper-cultic nation.

But then I must also understand that in most Islamic nations, writers have little chance of speaking their opinions without retribution from some sect of their own religion or their state. And yes, here in America, we are free to be as ignorant and stupid as we can be. (Our government prefers it that way actually; is it not obvious?). So yes, go ahead and write and talk about your wonderful lives with Yahweh, Christ or Allah. For myself, and maybe this is just my peculiarity, I think it's better for you all to just talk amongst yourselves and be giddy together. But if you put it all out there in public, we, the non-theists or atheists, or agnostics, the humanists and secularists will and should address you. So buck up and stop your whining.

Fasting is not confined to Islam.Other religions too practise it as an aid to devotion.For example,a good many Hindus fast regularly throughout the year.Faith appears to be as effective as the physical process of fasting in promoting good health.Naturally,this is ignored most of the time these days.

It's tome: al Islam should now ask the very sobering question: "WHY DOES THE WORLD HATE US" [Musloms/Mozlems/MoSLUMs..]?

Ssmmaa [Listen] O' Al Islam,; Hear Ye Hear O' ex-Idol Worshiping Pagans suddenly turned al JUDEO-[Abram] iSLAM & CO. [Kosher],

This RAMADAN (Fast & Pray & make Hajj) please al Islami's, please DO-NOT even mention the Word "ALLAH" 1-one Time during this Whole month of Ramadan. INSTEAD

Since Allah has 99 other names, then say 'god' [not our 'G-D'] or say 'lord' instead of allah.

i.e., Instead of blurting out "Allah Akbar' or allah karim" then replace the Word 'allah' with word 'god' or 'lord' or 'almighty' etc.

Can Islami's learn to NO-not to mention allah even 1-time this ramadan. So there are 98 names too other than 'allah'!

Interesting; the reason i [WE] art saying this is because; Like jelously "Stealing" from the JUDEO[Abram]-JEWISH their word 'Kosher' (turning it into islams 'Hallal' in Arabic; not original in either Malaysi or Indonesi et al tongues either) or 'stealing' the Judeo-Ju word 'Hallakah' (turning it into Arabous's Tribal Clansmans word 'Sharia' etc..)

Interestingly; the [ETYMOLOGY] word "YA ALLAH" [O' my Lord], or "YA HABiBi" is a name ORIGinally blurrted by Ancient Israeli's & Canaanites & Aegyptins et al used in Mid East Way Way Way before Mr. Mu-'Ham'-'Mad' & CO., hijacked (not only planes but ABRHAHMs rejected' HAGAR's (a Gazan Concubine) 1st son ISHMAEL story & rejected Jacobs son 1st born ESAU stories too) Both such stories & Practices with a Twist!
Note: Like Too Many People; This planet needs Less Religion! Only JUDEO-JEWISH Faith + VEDIC-[JUDEO] HINDU are the S-U-P-R-E-M-E "ORIGINAL" Religions.

Soo, 2's (two) of the most Original Religions SYSTEMS (man made) is a Company & 3 (three) is a Crowd! Even if there's 4th religions or 5th or 6th.. it's not Original. Soo

Christianity + Islam + Mormon + Buddhist + Confucius + Tao, Shinto et al are ALL fake Religions based on MONEY, JEALOUSY (i.e., as in competition; or my god is better/true'r than your gods attitude etc..), GREED & FEAR (Hellfire & Brimestone or Heaven where the Virgins are...!

G-D is an "IT" and "IT" is NO-not a "HE" nor a "SHE". So Islam, Learn to say "IT" instead of Allah also. "IT" has manymanymany names [infinite; nNO/not fixed [quranic/koranic] as in '99 names' anymore!

Then Islam will be 'a Religion of Peace' and thus Mr. Mu-Ham-Mad "WAR BLESSINGS" will be corrected drastically! And then the Quran will have to be changed to fit the Signs & Times of the Modern Future! Hint: Forward thinking & doing; not never backward doing & thinking.

O' LORD [in Liue of Allah] forgive Shiia & Sunni's for they too do not know what they reap & so; Doeth & doneth. ALLAH + MUHAMAD & CO., is/are at ISLAManiacs!

Hmmmmmmmm

"A study released earlier this year at the European Congress on Obesity concluded that increased energy intake was the most significant cause of the rise in obesity in the United States since the 1970s.
you mean eating more tends to make people fat? where do people come up with these studies?

I'm truly puzzled and shocked at the amount of hatred that's hidden under the surface. Being the only Muslim on my project, it really makes me worried to think for a minute that I might have coworkers w/ such extreme ideas.
I'm truly saddened to read these comments.

One last thing I forgot to add, these western atrocities were uncovered and exposed and debated and fought by westerners, but no such self-critical people seem to exist in muslim countries - nothing but propaganda on the glorious histories and such, typical of third world countries. Something like abu gharib or slavery also shows societies that can develop and improve themselves, whereas if anybody talked of similar things in muslim countries he'd have his head cut off. now for the record I don't mind this, I like nothing better than muslims staying backward.

Someone asks;
“Non-Muslims why do you care? Why is our fast
such a concern for you?”

We do not care if and how you fast. We are merely commenting on a long advertisement to us on the benefits of a certain type of fasting that supposedly have all the physical benefits. That is all!

This is a wonderful article and I must say that I'm horrified by the negativity in some of these posts. I was first introduced to the concept of Ramadan fasting by friends who are Muslims and working in the US. They invited us all to a wonderful buffet, full of healthy foods and good cheer for a special "break fast". Their practice inspired me to practice the traditions of my own religion in a more disciplined way and fast during Lent. It is always hard in the beginning, but found that it promoted a mindfulness my actions and connectedness to others that I do not have most of the time. Perhaps some of the people posting such hostile comments here would benefit from a little fasting... Thank you for sharing the insights from your research with us all.

A very well researched article which caries a faith based niceties. Fasting may be an auto adjusting phenomena around different geographic areas, gender and age where some nutritious values are concerned. Some geographic regions may require more liquid than solid food and a normal human can adjust to it within a couple of days. I have practiced fasting while living in Asia, Africa and in the USA and realised that I felt hungry quicker in Asian hot weather than feeling thirsty, while in tropical & humid Africa thirst was my biggest challenge and in USA fasting is a piece-a-cake, I don't feel much hardship after a couple of days and if someone controls as suggested by Professor Naumani, this is an excellent physical adjustment to your body for the rest of the year unless one goes in excess of anything.
Anyone can criticise any religion as we have imperfect-ed them, even if they may be near perfect, but this is an established fact that it is beneficial to refrain for a month from over eating/drinking, smoking, sexual activity and any other activity we love to do in access.

Terry Schiavo begs to disagree.

Word.

J Whack Z

"I am fasting today with my interpreter to show respect for his faith and culture."

This is the best response to the ignorant comments on this article, which is presented as the _best_ way to go about fasting. I have no doubt that some Muslims overeat before and after the fast. That is something we Christians would never do during the Christmas season, right? :)

I've been thru dozens of Ramadan periods during my 20 or so years in the Muslim world, and can say that the way it's done is not terribly healthful.

Generally speaking, those who actually fast [and there are many secret eater/drinkers] go without during the day, but when the evening canon is fired they quickly pray, then wildly gorge themselves. Just before sunrise they go at it again, cramming themselves to the maximum, then sleeping all day.

I fail to see how that's especially good for you.

Very disappointing article. What is the health benefit of dehydration? Kidney disease! What is the health benefit of eating a big chunk of meal after starving for more than 14 hours (if you are in Alaska, good luck over there)?
This article is hiding behind science to justify what Muslim do and make them feel good "hey Muslim, look, science is backing you up, maybe one day, science will say God is living over there, on that chair, up in the sky, I mean the 7th one"!
Muslim people, please, don't justify your non sense using science, it is an old trick that always fails. Science never says Fasting is good for you, in fact it is bad, period.
Ramadan Kareem...
Disclaimer, I was a Muslim long time ago.

Ramadan fasting as practiced by most Muslims is not only unhealthy but dangerous! All day starvation followed by ravenous gorging before bedtime is not recommended by any dietitian. Mr. Nomani's article demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of how Ramadan fasting occurs in reality. My experience with Ramadan fasting is based on my 10 years of living in Malaysia.

In Kuala Lumpur, Ramadan is the time of year when every hotel and restaurant try to outdo one another with competing "buka puasa" (breaking of the fast) buffets that dwarf even the most lavish Mother's Day buffet in the West.

My first experience 10 years ago with some Muslim friends was a truly moving experience. After not eating all day, patrons attacked the buffet like a pack of rats at a Hickory Farms store. All kidding aside, most Muslims in Malaysia actually gain weight as a result of the see-saw starving and gorging. No dietician would ever advise fasting followed by uncontrolled, ravenous gorging as a healthy way to "detoxify" or "cleanse" the body.

In closing, ritual without spirituality is meaningless. Like the once a year pious "Christmas Christians" who check the box "went to mass" on Christmas day, many Muslims similarly fast during the day only to gorge with embarrassing relish at the end of the day.

I've found Ramadan and the concluding "hari raya" open houses a time of great fellowship with my Muslim friends. However, similar to Christmas holiday events in the west, the focus is more on parties and food and other superficial elements rather than true introspection and spiritual development.

Salam alaikum. This is my first Ramadan and my first time fasting. Every bit of knowledge helps, thank you for the article. Ramadan kareem.

When the body shuts down the digestive tract by fasting, all of the enzymes that normally go into digesting food, go into repairing and maintaining the structures of the body. Fasting is an excellant way of clearing toxic elements out of the body and brain. Give your digestive tract a little vacation one day a week and take more vitamin C to repair your bodily tissue!!

Furthermore, today the west is more civilized and will be even more so as it learns and adapts whereas muslims seem to only go backwards every passing year. It's pathetic.

NOORISMAIL1,

What's funny (and tragic) about your rants is that slavery or cross burning or whatever western atrocities you cite are all considered stains on its history, and are studied and discussed as shameful episdes in history to learn from.

On the other hand, the barbaric crimes of islam are something part of the religion and something every muslim is proud of. Invading other countries and enforcing your beliefs and massacreing its people is part of what it means to be a muslim. Good thing you don't (and never will) have any real power. Oh, and notice the irony of this and the US invasion of iraq? if only the US subscribed to islamic standards of invasions, perhaps you'd get a taste of true terror.

I'm a US Army officer and a Christian currently serving in Afghanistan. I am fasting today with my interpreter to show respect for his faith and culture. I don't particularly agree that abstaining from water when it's 115 is beneficial. At 2PM, I'm rather thirsty and hungry with 5 hours to go. If he can survive a month doing this however, I can surely make it one day. The point is, as a Christian I am displaying respect for another faith, if even for a day. That in turn earns respect and trust from the people amongst whom we are living, fighting and dying. A little respect and humility goes a long way. Moreover, I think that is what Christ would want.

Its shocking to read the comments on here, especially after a very well written article on health and diet. Kudos to the author for such a well-written article that applies to all, regardless of the person's religion.

There is some wonderful advice in this article. I thank you for enlightening me.

Non-Muslims why do you care? Why is our fast
such a concern for you?
Blow up an Welfare office,set fire to a homeless person,buy a gun,or burn a cross on
someones lawn.
In other words do some thing Macho and american,and cowardly,in honor of your own religion and heritage.
Why are you concerned with ours?

Sure there are advocates for fasting. However, during Ramadan, the fact is many Muslims break fast by bingeing. Restaurants promote their break fast buffets heavily. The end result is too many end up putting on weight.

Sure there are advocates for fasting. However, during Ramadan, the fact is many Muslims break fast by bingeing. Restaurants promote their break fast buffets heavily. The end result is too many end up putting on weight.

Dr Nu'mani,

Is going without water for 15 hours medically beneficial?

Water does not contain calorific value as you know but it is vital. As a doctor wud you really advise peopl to refrain from drinking water - givn the length and severity of the day and heat in some lands?

No wundr Muslims stuff themselvs come dusk, become all rather grumpy and cantankrus, cravin fr that nicotine fix.

And I suppose the Qur'an's permission to marry babies (q65:4) is also nutritionally meritorious for the muslim male.

EcoAZ:
These are very interesting points.
perhaps you could enlighten me as to which
Christian/secular american fast was in swing on the day of Haditha? My Lai? Hiroshima?
A million other Jim Crow Lynchings and Ku-Klux murders throughout the blood splattered history of your Satanic Reich?
Just a well meaning Ecumenical Question,
Proud Muslim too rabid Devil.

I have talked to many Muslims about Ramadan. The results-

The ideal:

"A blessed month has arrived. Observing it in fasting is mandated on you. During this month, the gates of Paradise will be opened and the gates of Hellfire will be closed. (Abu Hureirah)"

The reality:

Party/eat/drink all night and sleep(fast) the rest of the day.

Thank you for your wonderful criticisms, but WE ARE FASTING, WE ARE FASTING. Peace be upon you all.

as many homeless people know, the lack of casual calories on a daily basis makes you much more self reliant and enduring.

Yes,ccnl1,it must be wonderful to be such a small minded,bigoted,bitter,hate-filled little kufr.

Dear Dr. OZ
Herbal tea or green tea has far less caffeine and tannin compared to black tea. Green tea has antioxidants, which according to some studies is helpful in prevention of certain cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes and some other health problems.

What a great contribution to people of all religions. Thanks, Dr. Nomani!

I have a question: In my house, we love to have a cup of tea when we break our fast. I see from your article that black tea isn't the best idea. Would herbal, non-caffeinated tea be a good choice, like chamomille tea? With honey?

Thanks so much, and I look forward to your "Ask Zaf" column. Great idea!

Dr. Oz, move over!

What a wonderful article. This is so interesting and helpful. Thanks to this article, my family and I will be observing a nutritious fast this year. Thank you for enlightening us Mr. Nomani.