It was a pleasure to read Mr. Mahdi's article, along with the comments left behind by other readers.

I find this very interesting. Most of the people start comparing religions and what hitler did and what catholics do. What Islam teaches and what christianity teaches. Why jews are hated and what not. Its brilliant on the part of most the reader to be so vain.

Arent we all HUMANS? What is it that differentiates us? the color of our skin or the continent we belong to or the religion we practice? But before all that, arent we all equal? Were we given a soul at an expense of another persons soul? Are we going die for another person? Am i going to be answerable for someone else? Will i be punished for someone else's wrong doings?

I think NOT! I came to this earth alone. I am going to die and go into my own grave, provided i go into a grave. I am going to answer to God for my deeds. I dont have the right to Point my finger and call another person false. Just because some wise guy thought it was be nice idea to start a world war, i should create a streotype?

My mission in life should be to make the life of my neighbours better. If i stop thinking about my selfish motives and think about my neighbour's wellbeing i dont think ill have any disagreement with him. We all look out for each other, accomodate each others needs, compromise and i am sure this world would be a MUCH better place to live in.

DONT FORGET, LOVE YOUR COUNTRY. YOU ARE WHAT YOU BECAUSE OF IT. ITs soil provided you with food, Its air kept you alive. These are things one can never ignore. Religion is something personal, let it be that way. We do not have the right to question any ones faith. Its that persons and his LORD's business. Be a human and think about what you are here for.

LOVE Your country,

LOVE FOR ALL HATRED FOR NONE

ISLAM TEACHES PEACE AND HARMONY? All of us muslims need to make an example out of ourself. Make it so that no one can ever relate a terrorist with a muslim, rather with any human being.

the best moto i have come across. try following it people. Tolerance only makes you a better person.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL

For AGAPN9 and others,

You are taking things out of context. Stop wasting your time looking for ways to attack other Americans, you are simply stripping America of its true values and beauty... instead embrace diversity, love all people, and learn to actually understand the religion (and ask its true followers) before falsely accusing/believing/assuming.
There are bad people in every religion... radicalism and extremism too...
just stop and think for a second.
Go find a Muslim with her/his family in the park and see how he is a human. Try to observe them in your community as neighbors and teachers.

UNDERSTAND THAT THE FIRST RESPONDER TO 9/11 WAS A MUSLIM SURGEON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND THAT THE HEAD OF CONSTRUCTION FOR 9/11 DAMAGES IN THE PENTAGON IS AS WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Sajeel Ahmad)

Look it up, it's true.
Whenever I remember this fact I want to tear myself apart. It is living proof of the opposite of what Americans are generally believing...

Muslims are out to kill or convert those who aren't Muslim. Simple as that.

uslims had it wrong, people would be sIf it were true that a small percentage of mpeaking out; as pointed out above, Mr. Mahdi and his form of Islam are considered apostates.

"3) The 24/7 Sunni-Shiite centuries-old blood feud currently being carried out in Iraq, US Troops 3,482 killed in action, 912
in non-comabat, 95,888 – 104,595 Iraqi civilians killed, "

Yes because they weren't killed by American troops and bombs, but rather, by themselves.

The fact is that this is people killing eachother, not Muslims killing Americans, etc. etc. We're all people, so don't try to compare the importance of people by listing events. You can delve into history and see that Germans have killed at many points in history, as have Americans, as have Christians, as have the Jewish, as have Muslims (especially today). Notice something? It's always people. A world without religion won't be a peaceful one, because no matter what, people will always have flaws- jealousy, anger, hatred, will always lead to wars. So don't pinpoint just one religion and force all of the bad points of humans on it, jackass.

"He never played up the Christian angle because he knew it made no sense."

Say what?

I guess those SS belt buckles that read "Gott Mit Uns" (God with us) weren't the "Christian angle". The Nazis also used the writings of Martin Luther to get the people on their side. Then there was the whole "Vatican looking the other way while the Nazis murdered Jews" thing. Hitler was a Catholic. Gerhard Engel, one of Hitler's generals, reported that Hitler had told him: "I am now as before a Catholic and will always remain so" (in an entry in Engel's diary during 1941).

Hitler had a mixed view about Christianity. He used Christian and Pagan imagery to unite the German people, but he felt that religion would go away and be replaced by nationalism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Nazi_Germany

I am very thankful to Imam Naseem Mahdi for coming forward and speaking against terrorism and reminding the Muslims about their allegiance to the country of residence. Those who think that the Ahmadis are not Muslims, I invite them to really meet some Ahmadis face to face and see what they do in their mosques, how they worship, and whether or not they follow the teachings of Islam and that of Prophet Muhammad. No matter how hard they may try they cannot see the hearts of these people. Maybe they should be reminded that the Holy Prophet of Islam has always taught that a Muslim should not call another Muslim an unbeliever. The Quran and the Prophet of Islam have clearly defined who is a Muslim. The Ahmadis believe in all the articles of faith and the pillars of Islam. They believe in the creed, "There is no god but God and Muhammad is His messenger".
Why are the Muslims so divided today? The founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, was appointed by God to restore Islam to its originality. He came to create unity not division. God told the Muslims explicitly to "Hold fast to the rope of God and do not be divided." But now the Muslims have divided into many sects. It is the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community which is repeatedly teaching the message of peace. We teach our children the peaceful message of Islam and the love of humanity.
We will continue to spread the message of peace.

From: ezinearticles.com/?Islamic-World-Domination&id=54337:

"An Imam in Vancouver was recently taken in for questioning regarding anti-Semitic remarks against Jews. Imams in Britain have been indicted for inflammatory remarks.

The same sentiments can be heard in Jerusalem, Iraq, Iran, and from many other Islamic locations around the world. The timing of these diatribes against Jews, and against the United States and Britain, are not coincidence, but rather the Islamic community honestly believes they are soon to take over the entire world."

To speak truth is great but to speak it first is heroism.
I fully agree with Nasim Mahdi. Who so ever tries to kill innocent people is not a Muslim.

These handful of extremists do not represent the vast majority of American Muslims who are peace loving and loyal to their home land America.

Comments here from all sides are further proof Abraham was the original Satan.

"Pro-American Muslims" is like saying "Pro-Iranian Christians"

Posted: "Hitler was a Christian and White"

Classic Muslim and atheist lying whenever confronted with the massive failure of their own religion to stop violence. There is nothing in the Christian New Testament that can be cited to support Hitler. He never played up the Christian angle because he knew it made no sense. And the other great citing of Christian failure is the Crusades. Again, they called themselves Christian. The were not, as any Christian will tell you today.

A "Pro-America Muslim" seems to be an oxymoron. I see little condemnation of terrorism from the muslim community. I see no condemnation of terrorism from muslim nations abroad. The european communities - likewise. Until the muslim religion as a whole takes action to stop the killing of innocents, I, and many like me, will continue to view them with suspicion and mistrust.

An influential Muslim leader, Sayyid Qutb, wrote, "Milestones." It states,

1.) Sharia law is to be the supreme law.

2.) There is to be no negotiating. Eliminate and destroy those that don't accept the supremacy of Islam.

3.) It is permissible to make treaties only with those that accept the supremacy of Islam.

When Muslims say they support the US, they mean what was just stated in 1-3.

Islam has always and will always believe in global domination, i.e., jihad. Since the mid-17th Century, the jihad was held in check. But in the 20th Century, due to the British collusion with the Arabs and the discovery of copious amounts of oil, Arab regimes have seen several trillion dollars of revenues transferred to them in the form of oil payments. So now they have revived the jihad.

They must be stopped.

Hitler was a Christian and White, a leader of White nations in Europe. He said in his book " I am doing God's work". How many Christians take responsibility for his actions? More than 50 million people died in World Wars fought by Christians mostly Whites. How many take that responsibility? Talk about Christian violence; no one can match that . American Muslim did not kill Martin Luther King or Kennedys; Unibomber was not a Muslim nor was Guy Fox. Muslims have some bad apples among them just like any other community. We need to address why and how to effectively deal with it rather than hatred guide us. There are millions of Muslims just like any other group, teachers, doctors , professors etc. Muslims do not have to defend themselves for the act of a few Timothy McVeighs, Jeffrey Dahmers and Booths.Afterall the current wave of violence started with a CIA turn-coat named Osama Bin Laden. He worked for money for Americans not Muslims before you made him angry.

Not a single Muslim country thinks Mr. Mahdi is a Muslim or Ahmadis are. He should not represent Muslims. He is not allowed to visit Mecca. Washington Post needs to be careful by injecting these fringe people to represent American Muslims. Ahmadis need to emulate the role being played by the Bahais of Iran who also like Ahmadis do not accept Muhammad as the last prophet and have one of their own. The Bahai movement plays a constructive role in communities.

An awful lot of the Muslims I've met has been because they were fleeing insane violence.

I hear the talk (and I didn't hear it much after 911) but it doesn't do much to change the fact muslims are involved in slaughters and massacres on a daily basis somewhere on this planet. Other religions -- once in a blue moon.
But when the muslims kill innocent people of other religions, it enrages those people enough to take revenge. And immediately the muslims say "they're killing us, they're the devil." The logic is never there. And they will never, ever admit it when presented with the facts.

Way to go Naseem Mahdi! God bless America!
See this video and applaud the bravery of the man:
http://video.foxnews.com/#/v/4181474/muslim-group-demands-loyalty-to-america/?playlist_id=87937

There are Muslims and there are Muslim extremists.

We all wish that the Muslim extremists will find their way home.

www.woundedmilitarydating.com

A lucid advance to restore the proper teaching of Islam. Such deliberation will pave way to curb the activities of the radicals from furthertarnishing theimage of muslims. Mr. Naseem Mahdi has spoken very similiar to the language of Prophet Muhammad if he would be amongst us.

Europe has embraced evolution and abandoned Christianity. After WW3, the continent won't be able to restore its former glory. The place will for so long be regarded as a wasteland. That's the prophecy.

Charles Darwin has done a great disservice to all Europeans. It will soon become a doomed continent.

If only the Pentagon knows the true value of the Bible and Christianity, they won't have a harder time in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Here's how South Korea became a great democratic nation as opposed to its dangerous neighbors.

"Many Korean Christians believe that their values have had a significant positive effect on various social relationships. Traditional Korean society was hierarchically arranged according to Confucian principles under the semi-divine emperor. Women had no social rights, children were totally subservient to their parents, and individuals had no rights except as defined by the overall social system. This structure was radically challenged by the Christian teaching that all men are created in the image of God and thus that every individual has implicit worth. Closely aligned to this concept is an emphasis on the right to own private property.

Christians regarded the emperor as a mere man who was as much under God's authority as were his subjects,and Christian values also favored the social emancipation of women and children.The church permitted the remarriage of widows (as taught by apostle Paul, not traditionally allowed in East Asian societies), prohibited concubinage and polygamy, and forbade cruelty to or desertion of wives. Christian parents were taught to regard their children as gifts from God, and were required to educate them. Arranged child marriages and the neglect of daughters (who were often regarded as less desirable than sons in Asian culture) were prohibited.[citation needed] These changes were judged as favourable by many Koreans, who associated them with Christianity, and many became Christians "as a result." (wikipedia)

Expect the worst to happen in the Middle East. The Pentagon has made itself a joke by discarding what is supposed to be the cure for the stupidity that abounds in the M.E.

Awesome!!! I have been anticipating such bold comments from an American Muslim Leader for a long time.

This article is a must read for all muslims in the world. Many are confused with their loyalty between state and mosque. They do not have leaders like you to clarify this ambiguity that is boiling in their hearts.

Mr. Naseem you clarified this important principle from the teachings of Islam's own prophet. I hope that muslims searching for answers got their answer today through you.

I hope muslim souls searching for truth and true and bold leadership find their answers with you and your community.

Sonny 53 pontificates thus:
"On the contrary, they all (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) promote treating your fellow human being with respect and dignity."

Sonny lumped Islam with other religions for cover, as if he is addressing morons. To see how much respect Muslims have for non-Muslims living among them review the Omar Pact that institutionalized the treatment of Christians and Jews living on lands the Muslims dominate.
http://www.islamreview.com/articles/islamschoolpact.shtml

"I am concerned for the security of our great Nation; not so much because of any threat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within." (Gen. Douglas McArthur)

This man is so smart.

Since Gen. Mike Mullen is a catholic, that explains why the top brass didn't have a hard time approving the burning.

For a true Christian, (Catholicsim is not Christianity), he can burn anything he owns but not the Bible.

In Catholicism, I think they treat the "holy" biscuit with much more respect than the true word of God , the Bible. Imagine the stupidity.

It seems that the ants have more common sense. They'll readily pick it up and eat them in their camp without much fanfare.

"I am an American muslim, and I love America precisely because it does not require me to choose my nation over my religion"

I'm glad you love it, and I don't care what religion you are, but at the point that your religion tells you to kill the unbeliever, or tells you that you are at war with the United States, then you'll have to choose.

to alex511,

"U.S army burns bibles in Afghanistan". You can google that and see for yourself the links.

MR Mahdi, Your sect (AHAMDIYA) has been declared to be "non-muslim" heretic by a Pakistan. You subscribe to a "second" prophet
It is good you preach non-violence and obedience to the State, but you need to be honest in describing you status with respect to the Muslim ideology (of pakistan, sausi arabia) etc.

"Gee, that's weird. I'm a Catholic and I've bought several Bibles."

Posted by: Robert_B1

------

That's because you live in the 21st century. You don't know the history of your church. They have killed lots of people for the crime of translating the Bible to be understood by the masses or even just by owning one. The Vulgate, written on a dead language called Latin is how your priests can read them, that is if they are lucky enough to know the dead language or have the special authority to touch one.

Martin Luther who was a Latin expert, understood what he was reading and the rest is history - bloodbath.

Catholicism is one of the devil's religion. It has burned thousands of Bibles, the writtten Word of God. It is only very recent that they print the Bible due to hypocricy and for profit.

the state department knows who went to countries with terrorist training camps...
seems to me they should be issuing search warrants on all of them...

if their were pro america muslims, they would be turning in the members of their families involved in jihad...

Spidermean2: "With Catholicism, for hundreds of years they kept the bible from their flock. They're not allowed to read them or own one."

Gee, that's weird. I'm a Catholic and I've bought several Bibles.

Of course, Spidermean is proof positive of what happens when you combine "sola Scriptura" with ignorance...

"The Bible also endorses much of the violence committed by Christians too??"

Passages in the NT that endorse violence are???

Kudos to Mr. Mahdi for his bold, forthright stand. In my lifetime I have never heard a Muslim leader in the United States before Mr. Mahdi stand up and say in essence : “Enough! Those who would do their country harm do not deserve to be called Muslims. Be loyal to this land, serve it to the best of your ability, but if you cannot, chew on this: America! Love it or leave it. ” To the Doubting Toms and the Muslim bashers out there, I suggest they adopt the pragmatic approach of the New York Post in reporting Mr. Mahdi’s stance “ US Muslims finally take right stand!” ( New York Post, Wednesday, May 5, 2010, www.nypost.com) I urge all Jews, Gentiles and others in this great land of ours to seize Mr. Mahdi’s historic pronouncement to join with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA in building an interfaith coalition against fanaticism, terrorism and bigotry. This Muslim community lives by its credo “Love for all, hatred for none”.

Kudos to Mr. Mahdi for his bold, forthright stand. In my lifetime I have never heard a Muslim leader in the United States before Mr. Mahdi stand up and say in essence : “Enough! Those who would do their country harm do not deserve to be called Muslims. Be loyal to this land, serve it to the best of your ability, but if you cannot, chew on this: America! Love it or leave it. ” To the Doubting Toms and the Muslim bashers out there, I suggest they adopt the pragmatic approach of the New York Post in reporting Mr. Mahdi’s stance “ US Muslims finally take right stand!” ( New York Post, Wednesday, May 5, 2010, www.nypost.com) I urge all Jews, Gentiles and others in this great land of ours to seize Mr. Mahdi’s historic pronouncement to join with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA in building an interfaith coalition against fanaticism, terrorism and bigotry. This Muslim community lives by its credo “Love for all, hatred for none”.

Uhh, please, please. point me to passages in the Quran or hadiths that say it is permissible to choose your nation over your religion.

Its not only not okay, its a form of the highest and most unforgiveable sin: shirka. To join partners to Allah.

Please, muslim brothers, dont lose your religion in your haste to mollify and befriend non-muslims.

Mansuraminhas, regarding your comment that "Quranic injuctions in this reagrd are clear. Loyalty to one's nation takes precedence if a conflict with faith ever arises." This is the most misguided, outright false claim I have ever read about Islam. I am stunned that a muslim would every speak such words. Have you ever even read the Quran? DO NOT JOIN PARTNERS TO ALLAH! This means, your religion ALWAYS takes precednce over your nation or anything else. Period. It is the fundmental belief of Islam, and if you do not understand this, I urge you to stop listening to whoever gave you this gross lie.

I am an American muslim, and I love America precisely because it does not require me to choose my nation over my religion -- I am free to practice my religion, making America a better place for muslims than say apostate countries such as Turkey, which took the shameful route of banning the hijab. Or even Saudi Arabia, whose strict wahabbist tendencies do not allow Muslims of other sects and fiqh's to practice their MUSLIM religion as they have interpreted it. If you grant me that a shia muslim is still a muslim, then there are many examples where shias are banned from practicing Islam in their own Muslim countries, but they are free to do so in America. So, I can say with clear conscience, Allah Bless America and save it from those who seek to deny all the freedom to practice whatever religion they choose. To you your religion, and to me mine -- Why is it America follows this quranic injunction, but not muslim countries???? And no, this phrase was not abrogated.

Why are Muslims discriminating and many time massacring Ahmadiyas, Shiites in most Muslim nations?

O Brothers, why these discordant, Tuesdane squabbles? Rather, let us take up something more pleasant, more joyful!

Today, it is the USA National Day of Prayer. A suitable prayer, can not each us look inside our Qur'ans, our Bibles, our Books of Mormon, our Science & Health (with Key to the Scriptures), and find a suitable prayer to pray today?

Even the Atheist, surely he has some Deity, such as the "Goddess of Gender Equality," that he can pray to on this National Day of Prayer.

Peace, Joy, let us pray for Justice, pray for Freedom, pray for Love between our brothers and our sisters, all over this world.

And speaking of Peace and Joy, tomorrow, it is Friday, Freya's Day, the word «Friday», it comes from the name of «Freya», who was regarded as the goddess of Peace, Joy and fertility by the ancient pagans.

The difference, Friday is the day the world can see the difference between «Western man» and «Eastern man».

Friday - Western man cashes his paycheck and drives straight to Happy Hour at the bar.
There, he drinks a glass of beer.
Then, a stein of beer.
Then, a whole pitcher of beer.
Why? Because he's Western man!
A drunkard he is, drink he must, because he's Western man.

Friday - Eastern man hears the call of the muezzin and hurries to the masjid.
There, he takes off his sandals, washes his hands and feet.
Then, he listens to verses chanted from the Holy Qur'an.
Then, he bows down low and prays.
Why? Because he's Eastern man!
Sober he is, pray he must, because he's Eastern man.

Friday - Western man comes out of the bar and drives home, drunk.
He misses the driveway and crashes into a lawn ornament and breaks it.
He growls at his children, slaps his wife when she burns the pork chops.
He rampages into the bedroom, tears open pillows, scatters feathers all over.
Why? Because he's Western man!
A drunkard he is, rampage he must, because he's Western man.

Friday - Eastern man comes out of the masjid and goes to his tent.
There, he greets his wives and children in peace.
He sits on his cushion in peace.
He drinks his coffee in peace.
Why? Because he's Eastern man!
Sober he is, peace he must seek, because he's Eastern man.

I can appreciate the author's post and am glad he repudiate's the actions of Muslims he disagrees with and condemns.

However, contrary to his interpretation the Koran DOES endorse much of the things radical Islamists do. Terrorism, honor killings and all.

The Bible also endorses much of the violence committed by Christians too.

The problem with secular or moderate factions of religions is that, like Sam Harris correctly points out, they indirectly help the radical, fundamentalist factions of their religious sects.

Once someone is brought into a faith by a moderate religionist he or she can potentially fall or be converted to become a radical by fundamentalist members of their faith.

It is the fundamentalists, not secularists, who represent the true nature of religions.

All religion is mythology and it deserves to be put in the dustbin of history like all religions of centuries past.

All religion is superstition. Grow up all you religionists. It does not me you any better and you will still have to die. Do not indulge in this wishful thinking.

Pro-American Muslims say Islam does not teach terrorism. Are there any Muslims who are Christians? Or, are Muslims synonymous with the Islam religion? A faith in God is defined by it’s believers. Pro-Americans recognize separation of church and state and freedom of religion. Read FDR’s personalized letter I received with my copy of the Bible’s New Testament.

THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON January 25, 1941 To the Armed Forces: As Commander-in-Chief I take pleasure in commending the reading of the Bible to all who serve in the armed forces of the United States. Throughout the centuries men of many faiths and diverse origins have found in the Sacred Book words of wisdom, counsel and inspiration. It is a fountain of strength and now, as always, an aid in attaining the highest aspiration of the human soul. Very sincerely yours. Franklin D. Roosevelt

fr spidermean2:

>...The U.S Army burning the bibles in Afghanistan is a sign that the Pentagon is on its way to self-destruction.

Please post reputable links as to when and where this happened, spider. REPUTABLE links do not include anything that is anti-gay, or newsmax, faux shmooze, or the enquirer.

I am muslim living in the US and my loyalty is to America and it's constitution. Period.

Excellent piece of writing. I wish more people, Muslims and Christians alike, religiously affiliated or not, could understand this. It's about love and respect. Hatred should not have a place in our world. But I suppose that is being a little too idealistic. Oh well, we can always dream of a better world.

Pro American Muslims? This is certainly a group that should be included in the Endangered Species Act. One that is threatened with extinction everyday as Israeli proxy bombs delivered by American aircraft continue to cause death and destruction in the Muslim lands.

To bad that Mr. Naseem Mahdi's comments and interpretations are not echoed by imams and ayatollahs across the Islamic world community. It may not be that the Islamic religion promotes violence...but the partnership of religion from the mosque, church, or synagogue with nationalist policies from civic governments does. That combination did it in various countries through world history and it is still used in the Islamic countries of the Middle East. There is not much that Americans following Islamic teachings can do about stemming that.

It is nice to hear things that we want to hear about good citizenship of minorities in world's countries, Muslims in the United States included, but their demands for cultural favoritism and downright violence to obtain them (notice Europe today) belays all that.

Mr Mahdi is a true representative of the majority of the peace-loving Muslims who outrightly reject the stance of the fanatics who tarnish the image of Islam. Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance and compassion. It has clear guidelines for its followers with regard to patriotism. Loyalty to one's nation is an integral part of a Muslim's faith. Quranic injuctions in this reagrd are clear. Loyalty to one's nation takes precedence if a conflict with faith ever arises. Fiasal Shahzad lacked this basic understanding and tried to hurt his fellow American citizens. He belongs to a group of radicalized youth within the Muslim community, who are misguided and lured by the likes of extremist groups like LeT and TTP. These terrorist groups have political ambitions/agenda, and use religion solely to further their political aspirations.

thecat7,

Thank you. I agree with all your statements except for part of the last comment.

I think some of the moderate Muslims living in the more Islamic extremist countries are trying to speak out. However, it is not going so well because anytime the Taliban find a secret school teaching women to read for example, they will kill all of them and their families. These extremists terrorize the moderates into being second class citizens. They continually inhibit moderate Muslims from speaking out because if they do, they will strike back at them by killing or kidnapping family members. The extremists will even pit brother against brother, by offering shelter and goods to the one who rats out his brother who is trying to teach REAL Islam. It is a sad state of affairs and has been going on far too long.

Anyway, thank you for speaking up against people with hateful minds and hateful hearts.

God bless you for representing true Islam. I am a Muslim, and I was born in the USA. I love my country for the religious and political freedom that everyone enjoys, regardless of their faith.

CharlesGriffith1,

Maybe I didn't make myself clear in my post. I don't believe moderate Muslims living in America today have fear of speaking out against radical Muslims and their attacks. In fact, I think they are starting to speak out after recent events with the Pakistani/American failed bomb attempt. I read what they are saying in the comments sections and they don't like it either. Not that this is the only example, but it is an example.

As for moderate Muslims living in radical Islamic countries, I believe we're kind of on the same page. However, you think that they only want our money and want us to stay out. I don't believe that and I'll tell you why: Because again, they live in fear. If they say, "yes Americans please come in and assist us", can you imagine the kind of terrorism they would experience from within, from these fundamentalists?
This is a problem that started a long time ago and unfortunately has gotten out of hand. The entire MiddleEast is watching their neighbors while watching their own backs because they don't know where or who the next attack will come from.

My good friend, who is originally from Afghanistan, told me that her father was on a plane, (coming back to Afghanistan before the Taliban took complete control)to try to fix the situation before it got worse. He was an ex-politian in Afghanistan and him and others were chased out in the 80s during the fight with Russia. Him and others were coming back to start things over and to make changes to the government. Unfortunately, the Taliban hijacked her father's plane and drove it into the ground, killing her father and the others who wanted to return and make peace in Afghanistan. This still pains her. She has been living in the United States since the 80s when her father moved his family out of Afghanistan to be safe.

She told me (and I believe her) that things like what happened to her father are why people are afraid of speaking up against the Taliban or other radical Muslims. They are absolutely afraid. It will never be as easy as standing up and fighting for your rights because they have become the second class citizens.

I know you're right when you say that our "allies" don't want us present, but that's the government talking. A government that will not protect their moderate civilians. The real people of the country, are not free to give their answer to that same question.

First of all, for all the people who seem to think Islam is the only religion with quotes about encouraging violence, WAKE UP. EVERY religion has passages in their major books with references to violence against non-believers, women, foreigners, etc. It's up to the believer to place those passages in context with the time period in which they were written. Moderate Christians and Moderate Jews have done this with the Old and New testaments, and Moderate Muslims have done the same. There are still, however, crazies within every religion. And don't bleat that all the crazies are Muslim. India's Hindu Nationalist Party and Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army (a Christian militant group) are perfect examples. And don't forget our own personal religious extremists, the Ku Klux Klan.

Second, all this hating on religion--getting rid of religions isn't going to stop all the world's ills or prevent wars from happening. It's naive and rather foolish to think so. As I recall, the two greatest wars this world has had the misfortune of seeing were a lot more about power than religion, though in the second, religious persecution (by secularists, may I add) was rampant.

I can name a few rather prominent secularists who spread their hatred with even more furor and terror than Muslims/Christians/Jews/Hindus, etc. Namely Stalin (unless Communism is a religion) and Hitler (who persecuted an entire religion, but wasn't particularly religious himself.)

How about the drug dealers in Mexico who have killed thousands upon thousands in their war of greed. Are they driven by religion? No. The Chechnya cause? It's well documented that nationalism has everything to do with it, and religion very little. The horrific genocide currently taking place in Sudan. Is it based on religion? No, it's based on ethnicity. The systematic destruction and annihilation of entire villages in the Congo--leaving tens of thousands dead and millions displaced? Based on greed--not religion. Apartheid in South Africa? Based on race, not religion. I can go on.

Last: A lot of hate on this page and a lot of ignorance. Specifically in reference to Muslims. If Muslims want to counteract such hate, they need to speak out against terrorism, against those who disgustingly perpetrate or attempt to perpetrate terrorist acts against our own country in the name of Islam. These terrorists ARE NOT MUSLIM. I don't care if they say they are, I don't care if they pretend to be--they are NOT Muslim. If Muslims stand up and start educating their OWN people about what Islam really is, then there would be a lot less ignorance.

Excuse me, the Muslim community has tradition of military service which is historically higher than average, and has been in the USA in large numbers for 100+ years. One family I saw profiled had served in every war starting with the Spanish American War. The very small number of American Muslim who have caused problems consists of relative newcomers or converts.

I am glad that you do not advocate terrorism just because some countries like Belgium, Switzerland,etc want to preserve their way of life. However, you do not seem to understand that the West has no use for the muslim way, period. This includes the so called non violent jihad you described. The muslim way of thinking is very backward and stupid and belongs in muslim countries, not in the West. Add to that, actions speak louder than words. It is the violent jihad is running amok in the muslim world and has spread to the West. Anyone who can read and count knows that the vast majority of terrorist attacks are carried out by muslims. In the past week alone, they not only blew up a bunch of muslims, but also gassed some little muslim school girls. Considering how many muslims kill muslims on a daily basis in muslim countries, it should be no surprise the infidel West is under siege after importing them.

Barferio wrote "you are living as a beneficiary of all the work done by secular and mostly atheistic scientists."
Like who? I can't remember one great atheist scientist who's done a great deal of work for science. Quack science, there's a lot.
You need to migrate to North Korea or Cuba.
Posted by: spidermean2
_____________________________________

Poor SPIDERMEANY----- once again you show your true character. You prove that there is LESS THAN INTELLIGENT LIFE ON EARTH.

Watson and Crick - discovered DNA (but I guess you don't have DNA)
Steven Hawking - one of the greatest minds of our generation
Issac Asimov

And probably the one you can most IDENTFY WITH

IVAN PAVLOV- because of your ever present and predictable PAVLOVIAN response (Reflex. A response may be produced with very high probability after a specific stimulus) to the slightest little provocation about your ideals of CHRISTIANITY.

See -- you just proved there are QUALITY ATHESIST SCIENTISTS.

You can go now little mind

Commentor5000:

....the need for overt, outspoken activity/assistance from Islamist/Muslims is right here, right now in the United States, against Islamist/Muslim terrorism right here and now in my America.

If you fear beheading and/or reprisal violence against you or your family from your co-religionists while here in America, then speak up and ask for protection. This emphasizes my point.

I appreciate and accept that such reprisal tactics against "moderates" in Islamist/Muslim controlled territories abroad are beyond American help...indeed, those very same territories who at the moment claim to be our "allies" are at the same time objecting to any American presence inside their borders. You can't have things both ways.

This is, of course, part of the overall Islamic/Muslim hypocrisy I mentioned in this vein. Apparently our cash is most welcome, but not our physical involvement.

We Americans would welcome overt assistance in fighting Islamist/Muslim terrorism from "moderate" Islamists/Muslims who are at present resident in our United States and seem to remain so passive while enjoying the relative security of residing in the United States.

I call this hypocrisy.

Talk about being brainwashed by Islam!!! Naseem Mahdi needs some real help and help is here with the Five Step Method to Deprogram/"Deflaw" Islam.

Are you ready?

Using "The 77 Branches of Islamic "faith" a collection compiled by Imam Bayhaqi as a starting point. In it, he explains the essential virtues that reflect true "faith" (iman) through related Qur’anic verses and Prophetic sayings." i.e. a nice summary of the Koran and Islamic beliefs.

"1. Belief in Allah"

"aka as God, Yahweh, Zeus, Jehovah, Mother Nature, etc." should be added to your cleansing neurons.

"2. To believe that everything other than Allah was non-existent. Thereafter, Allah Most High created these things and subsequently they came into existence."

Evolution and the Big Bang or the "Gib Gnab" (when the universe starts to recycle) are more plausible and the "akas" for Allah should be included if you continue to be a "creationist".

"3. To believe in the existence of angels."

A major item for neuron cleansing. Angels/devils are the mythical creations of ancient civilizations, e.g. Hittites, to explain/define natural events, contacts with their gods, big birds, sudden winds, protectors during the dark nights, etc. No angelic thingies ever visited or talked to Mohammed, Jesus, Mary or Joseph or Joe Smith.

Today we would classify angels as fairies and "tinker bells".

Modern devils are classified as the demons of the demented.

"4. To believe that all the heavenly books that were sent to the different prophets are true. However, apart from the Quran, all other books are not valid anymore."

Another major item to delete. There are no books written in the spirit state of Heaven (if there is one) just as there are no angels to write/publish/distribute them. The Koran, OT, NT etc. are simply books written by humans for humans.
Prophets were invented by ancient scribes typically to keep the uneducated masses in line. Today we call them fortune tellers.

Prophecies are also invalidated by the natural/God/Allah gifts of Free Will and Future.

"5. To believe that all the prophets are true. However, we are commanded to follow the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) alone."

Mohammed spent thirty days fasting in a hot cave before his first contact with Allah aka God etc. via a "pretty wingy thingy". Common sense demands a neuron deletion of #5. #5 is also the major source of Islamic violence i.e. turning Mohammed's "fast, hunger-driven" hallucinations into horrible reality for unbelievers.

Accept these five "cleansers" and we guarantee every Muslim a complete recovery from your Islamic ways!!!!

Pro-America Muslims? Unicorns are more real.

In the name of "allah"!!!

The terror and aggression of Islam 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 3,482 killed in action, 912
in non-comabat, 95,888 – 104,595 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 execution of an eloping couple in Afghanistan on 04/15/2009 by the Taliban.

10) Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan: US troops killed in action 745, 210 killed in non-combat situations as of 04/17/2010. en.wikipedia.org/.../Civilian_casualties_of_the_War_in_Afghanistan_(2001–present reported that 13,372 - 32,969 Afghan civilians have been killed by direct and indirect armed conflict through 2009.

11) The killing of 13 citizen soldiers at Ft. Hood by a follower of the koran.

12) 38 Russian citizens killed on March 29, 2010 by Muslim women suicide bombers.

SOS. return to ur holy land and practice the relgion of peace.

rlklawyer said: "THERE ARE NO PRO AMERICAN MUSLIMS. IN THERE HEARTS THEY WANT THE WEST DESTROYED."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I feel very sorry for you.

CharlesGriffith1,

I've heard this argument before a hundred times and this is what I ask you:

You and I both know there are moderate Muslims living in the extremist Muslim countries. Just like there are fundamental Christians living in this country. However, "living" in these kinds of countries is more like surviving. What happens when you fear of speaking out because if you do, your daughter could be kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery? Your wife too for that matter. Or your sons could be murdered if you tell the Taliban to stop their heinous crimes?

What can you do?

You can shut up, keep to yourself, and stay put until it becomes more safe to speak up and your government can protect you and your family.

The lesson you should learn: It's never that simple to stand up and speak up, especially when your own government is not going to protect you. This applies just to moderate Muslims living in extremist Muslim countries. As for moderate Muslims living in the U.S, they are speaking up. Naseem and others are speaking up, you just need to listen.

To those who insist on perpetuating the lies about Islam and Muslims: You refuse to accept Muslims, not because of some inherent evil in Islam, but because you are just plain old bigots! Look at the history of this great country. How many times have so-called good Christians committed acts of unspeakable evil? Do we just blame a whole religion then? What acts? Let's start start with French missionaries (if I'm not mistaken) burning Native Americans to death if they refused to accept Christianity. Or how about the massacres of Native Americans throughout our history because they were just heathens anyway according to these good Christian folks that killed them. Or maybe we could use slavery as an example of what good Christian people did here to Black people. In fact, the Bible was actually used as justification for such heinous atrocities. My point is this, it is not religion in and of itself that is evil, it is people who are sometimes evil. Judaism, Christianity and Islam are NOT evil and do NOT promote evil. On the contrary, they all promote treating your fellow human being with respect and dignity. Very few people actually follow the tenets laid down in these religions. They twist them into something unrecognizable. What is disturbing is all the people I see writing here that just refuse to look at truth. They only want to blame the "other" for every ill that afflicts the world.

MS Naseem Mahdi

I have empathy for you and I am sure you are a good loyal American.

Your article does not say anything about Ahmadiyya community is NOT considered Muslims by the state of Pakistan and they are discriminated, harassed and killed by Sunnis.

THERE ARE NO PRO AMERICAN MUSLIMS. IN THERE HEARTS THEY WANT THE WEST DESTROYED.

abrahamhab1,

I have an uncle who says the same things to me to try and change my mind against Islam. This is what I say to him afterwards:

In the Bible it says to gouge out the eyes of those with lust in their hearts. It also says that women should not be allowed to speak in church. It says to put to death anyone who goes to work on Sunday, who is gay, who cheats, who curses their father or mother. It also says that if you go into a land and offer peace, AND THEY ACCEPT, then to KILL everyone and everything living in that land.

The lesson is this: all quotes should not be taken out of context.

This particular and all "Pro-America-Islamists" spokesmen would begin to have a bit of credibility if they and their co-religionists weren't so remarkably passive and acquiescent in the terrorism/beheading/bombing so regularly perpetrated in the name of their Islam. Religion of peace, indeed.

It's not necessary here to recount the centuries of barbarism and aggression against any and all non Islamists/Muslims.

We need less hypocrisy and more overt, repeat...overt....assistance from Islam, or those purporting to speak for Islam, in order to combat the murderous activities of their co-religionists.

Too many Islamist sleepers remain to be eliminated prior to their awakening to perform more terrorism worldwide.

"I ask my fellow Americans to help the moderate Muslim voice to be heard within the US. Let us work together to overcome this fanatical minority element of Muslims."

Naseem: I would love to know how else to help moderate Muslims in the US and around the world. I have met a lot of wonderful and truly peaceful Muslims in my life. One in particular has shown me the greatest strength and compassion, more so than any other "Christian" I've met when I was in a very difficult period of my life. I am a young Atheist btw but I do enjoy learning about religions.

I have heard people talk about how all Muslims are terrible and wicked or how Islam is a hateful religion and I try my best to correct them. I also hear them say, "If they're so peaceful, why don't they do anything to stop the fundamentalists?"
I don't know what to say to this except to say that if they were a moderate Muslim living in an extremist Muslim country, wouldn't they be fearful of what would happen to them and their family if they spoke up?

I don't know what else to do or how else to help the situation. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if there's any way to help people like Spidermean2, KENK3, OR LILDG54. People like them will probably never learn because they do not want to learn with an open heart and mind.

The peaceful Muslim community in the US and around the world needs to wake up and start speaking out against such acts and SPEAK OUT LOUD, AGAIN AND AGAIN!

If you can't, or won't, speak out against these acts of terror you are doing nothing more than sending the signal that you either don't care, are afraid, or are with the terrorists. In any case the wrong message is being sent by your silence.

Our loyalty is to our country, not to our religion. It seems that isn't the case in times square. Your loyalty to our country is being hidden by your silence.

Mahdi declares:
“I am a Muslim leader and have dedicated over 40 years of my life to the study of Islam, and I emphatically declare that Islam does not condone any form of terrorism.”

How then you explain away the following sample of Quranic jewels?
• 3:151 "We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve."
4:74 "Fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward."
• 4:76 "Those who believe do battle for the cause of Allah; and those who disbelieve do battle for the cause of idols. So fight the minions of the devil."
• 4:91 "Take them and kill them wherever ye find them. Against such We have given you clear warrant."
• 8:12 "I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger."
• 21:97 "Behold them, staring wide (in terror), the eyes of those who disbelieve!"

Conversion in Afghanistan is still punishable by death.

Posted by: jameschirico

--------

Sadly, the Pentagon is complicit to the act. I don't think they have any business staying there at all if they have no clue about the seeds of true freedom.

If Gen. Douglas McArthur had not interfered in imposing his own Constitution to Japan, I think Japan would be a dangerous super power by now.

"And like the old soldier in that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the sight to see that duty." (Gen Douglas McArthur)

Im not sure if Naseem Mahdi can say the same thing if he goes to Saudi Arabia. You'd be arrested there if you bring a Bible.

With Catholicism, for hundreds of years they kept the bible from their flock. They're not allowed to read them or own one.

These are marks of a false religion. They are afraid of the Holy Word of God.

The U.S Army burning the bibles in Afghanistan is a sign that the Pentagon is on its way to self-destruction.

Posted by: spidermean2
=======================================================
The Quran, Islam's literal word of Allah, says Arabia shall be wholly Islamic. Qurans with leather binding or gilded pages are also not let into Saudi Arabia, only plain paper Qurans. To fundamentalist muslims receiving a Bible or listening someone try to convert them is apostasy. All Christian faiths spread their version of the word to expand the flock, possibly deadly in Afghanistan, hence the ban. Conversion in Afghanistan is still punishable by death.

Mr. Mahdi must be aware that if he expressed these views in any Muslim country, he would be murdered by his fellow Muslims. The Qur'an, like all the other holy books, contains anything that you want to read into it. If you want to pose as a good citizen of a non-believing country, you will find justification as he has done. If you want to murder infidels, it will instruct you to do so. Unfortunately, there seem to be far more of the latter than the former.

Barferio wrote "you are living as a beneficiary of all the work done by secular and mostly atheistic scientists."

Like who? I can't remember one great atheist scientist who's done a great deal of work for science. Quack science, there's a lot.

You need to migrate to North Korea or Cuba.

Thank you, Naseem.
I am an American by birth and a Muslim by faith. These bombers are no more "Muslim" than Timothy McVeigh, the Unabomber, or the Nazis were "Christian." As Americans and as Muslims, we need to lead by example.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,

that the blind will see,

that the oppressed will be set free,

and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

It has come, freed many nations around the word and in a few more years will stamp its exclamation mark against all who would challenge its righteous authority.

It's coming very soon. Not really a very pretty sight for those who think they can challenge it. Some nations may end up as dust.

Waht is Doomsday for if there are no challengers?

BTW the Koran is ahte filled piece of garbage if Muslims feel so strongly about their so called religion and weay of life why live in a western culture make so sense at all

Many in America point to the religion itself as the reason muslims are not more forthcoming with information on those with terrorist leanings. The people that could be harmed in the old country is the main reason for moderate non-cooperation. Things like you should never harm another muslim and don't make non-believers your friends are not offset with help your neighbor believer or not to make your life better. Actually the religion tells of false muhahideen and forced conversion as sinful (belief cannot be coerced). It also tells of righteous revenge by families of the innocents harmed which could be used to justify drone attacks for muslim sympathizers of terrorist families. Jihad is the advancement of Islam and terror does just the opposite turning the world's people away from Islam. The height of Islam's influence came with the Ottoman's, embracing art, science, other faiths (Janissarie jirtax), while the Taliban/Al Qaeda want a return to the 7th century. Islam's disdain for the West comes mainly from 2 flashpoints, Dome of the Rock/Palestine in Israeli hands and Kashmir in India's.

Muslims
What are they good for absolutely nothing
Like the song says war what is good for
absolutely nothing
Mulsims and Islam pose the greatest threat of a free and secular and democratic society around the world

America, hands down. And that is because majority of the population embrace the words of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are the most technologically advanced nation on earth, in history in fact, because our scientists aren't force to belive this primitive religious crap you always scream about spidey, you incredible putz.

You scream all day about evolutionists -well guess what, they made it possible for people not to die of all the diseases that used to kill so many.

And hardly any of them believe in your jay-sus, let alone you god.

you are living as a beneficiary of all the work done by secular and mostly atheistic scientists. If we actually were the foolish kind of religious country you imagine us to be, from your computer there in the Philippines, we would simply simply be another Iran.

Grow up already spidey, how can you be so blind?

Naseem,

You can take your religion and you can imagine where you can shove it.

Religion is a crutch for ignorant, gullible people.

Cheers

In a posting totally irrelevant to the subject of loyal Muslim Americans, Spidermean2 quotes from the Christian Bible:

«He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.»
«Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”»

Zat so? The blind, they still cannot see, even enough to call balls and strikes. Lori Berenson, she still sits in a cold prison cell in the Andes of Peru, and ¿where is the Redeemer to set her free, even by bribing her prison guards?

No, O Spidermean2, the Scripture, it was not fulfilled that day in the synagogue, it has not been fulfilled today, it will not be fulfilled until the True Redeemer comes and frees Lori. Then, and only then, will the Atheists and the Trinitarians admit that their ancestors, in the words of Prophet Jeremiah, caused them to inherit falsehood.

«The Pentagon has become a fool's tool when it burned the Bibles in Afghanistan.»
Burning Bibles, this is as bad as flushing Qur'ans at Guantánamo, as bad as shouting down Michael Oren at University of California, Irvine.

«Those people won't be freed from tyranny and poverty if they continue to abhor the Holy Book of God. »

Won't be freed until they accept the Trinity, ¿is that so? Won't be freed until they join the Jesus Christ Club, ¿is that so?

Who's the founder of the faith
With Grace for you and me?
J-E-S, U-S-C, H-R-I-S-T!
Hey there, hi there, ho there,
We're as saved as we can be,
J-E-S, U-S-C, H-R-I-S-T!

Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ,
Forever let us bear our crosses high!
Easter ham, and blood of the Lamb
And a Golden Christmas Tree,
J-E-S, U-S-C, H-R-I-S-T!

Join the parade, the Great Crusade
For Christianity,
J-E-S, U-S-C, H-R-I-S-T!
Come one, come all and heed the call
Of the Man from Galilee,
J-E-S, U-S-C, H-R-I-S-T!

Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ,
Forever let us bear our crosses high!
Follow the band led by the Man
Who died on Calvary,
J-E-S (nothin' but the best!),
U-S-C (see you at the Rapture!),
H-R-I-S-T!

OK, so what steps should Muslims take to prevent extremists and losers from using your faith to justify violence?

Posted by: WmarkW

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The Muslim-American community has been working very hard to root out incipient extremists within their midst. Young men who are in danger of falling under the sway of foreign extremists are monitored and counseled. In case of failure, the proper government authorities are called in.

American Muslims are fighting against foreign extremist influences at home and in their mosques. They have been full and willing partners in the fight against terror ever since the Bush Administration reached out to them and enlisted their help in the War on Terror.

The next step is of course spreading their moderating influence from America to foreign shores. It’s dangerous work, the work of generations, have patience.

schnauzer21,

Waht are you talking about? Im here to expose false religions like Catholicism and you're saying Im a Catholic? Isn't that dumb?

agapn9 - You assertions and accusations against Islam are filled with false propaganda advocated by the likes of Franklin Graham, Robert Spencer, and others who do not have a real understanding of Islam. Having read the entirety of the Quran in both Arabic and English several times in my life, I can genuinely say that it does NOT teach that it is the obligation of the Islamic community to attack and impose Sharia if and when they believe they can attack and win. That is a lie. And your accusations about women, slavery and prostitution are completely false as well. Go to www.alislam.org and learn more about this faith.

This is the moment that all Americans have been waiting for. The years and years for calling out to the moderate Muslims to speak up and speak out valiantly against terrorists or extremists have finally been met. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has stepped up in a big way to show that there is at least one group of moderate Muslims who are not afraid of speaking against these radical extremists. Their voice needs to be heard more and more.

America has room for religious sub-groups which keep to themselves and don't disturb the public peace. Some Orthodox Jews live that way (go to Brooklyn) and no one complains they are far from the mainstream. No reason serious Muslims can't do the same. The number of criminally deviant Muslims in this country is miniscule.

You forget Spidey that your religion has tried for centuries to keep the scriptures from the common man. Only telling him what they (men) wanted or deemed appropriate for him to know. Sounds pretty fishy. If your God loves all men and wants them all to (whatever it is god wants for them) them why would he want his supposed word kept from all men? Christianisty is the oldest corproation in history and the Cathiolic Church the first corrupt Global CEO.

"devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary "

Another sign of a false religion. Worshipping the creature more than the Creator.

Naseem - I hate to call an man a liar so I will just say you need to read the Koran:

the Koran states clearly that it is the absolute obligation of the Islamic community to attack and impose Sharia if and when they believe they can attack and win, Islam believes women are property, institutionalizes slavery - going into quite elaborate details of the right of the slaveholder over the slave, currently practices slavery - the camel jockey usually a boy between 3 and 15 - sleeps with the camels, frequently raped and beaten, tolerates prostitution - prime examples are Turkey and Iran, marries and descerates female child - the prophet had sex with a 9 year old, a 12 year married girl recently died after 3 days in labor - her husband was 24.

So Naseem unfortunately Islam is everything you said it isn't - it has one redeeming value - devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary - were it not for this one truth I would say it was the faith from hell - but in honor of her I will not say it.

As a former Muslim and a US Citizen I would argue that the fundamental values of the US and the fundamental values of the version of Islam I was raised with are not compatible.
If one looks at scripture that Muslims take as absolute the second class status of women in the public sphere is explicit. There are too many passages to quote but those who have read the Quran know that they are in there.

But I believe there is a more fundamental disconnect between American, western, enlightenment values and Islam. Islam is about submission to authority. Muslims are raised from a very young age to not question authority and to conform. Independent thinking and creativity are frowned upon.

As an American I value the right to make my life what I will and to not be oppressed by centuries old thinking. As an American I do not live in fear of eternal damnation if I don't follow some very specific prescription of how life should be led.

I believe that Islam crushes the human spirit. Of the top 400 research universities in the world not one is located in a Muslim dominated country. WHY?? There is plenty of money in the Middle East but the people are enslaved by an ideology.

Muslims need to look long and hard at the situation. Be honest about the status quo. You can argue western oppression but Japan was crushed after WWII and look what it has become.

As a group Muslims need to get real.

Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,

that the blind will see,

that the oppressed will be set free,

and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

The question is : Which country in the world today holds the distinction to have freed the world from colonialism, tyranny and poverty?

America, hands down. And that is because majority of the population embrace the words of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Pentagon has become a fool's tool when it burned the Bibles in Afghanistan. Those people won't be freed from tyranny and poverty if they continue to abhor the Holy Book of God. The Pentagon may pay dearly for its ignorance.

WMARKW raises a very good question and no doubt, is one that many Americans ask today. That said, the comment also assumes that Muslims are responsible for the conduct of other Muslims and have reacted in a hateful way towards their Muslim neighbors as a whole who pose no harm. The world is full of crazy people who do bad things in response to the voices they hear. They are not limited to Muslims.

On the issue of Belgium and the veil, while I respect the traditions of your religion, you in turn must respect the traditions of the country to which you have immigrated. Otherwise, why not stay right where you are? I say this with the deepest respect as I am an immigrant too. I view myself as guest of this country, not the other way around. While I respect and observe the traditions of my country, I don't impose it on anyone nor do I insist that they adapt to mine.

O Naseem, USA is a good place for Muslims, mosques can have minarets, women can dress modestly, Yale University Press refuses to reprint blasphemous Danish cartoons of the Prophet (PBUH!) even in a book about those cartoons, halal food is readily available.

This accused bomber, ¿where did he say he was trained to make bombs? Pakistan, it was not in USA that he was trained, it was in Pakistan. Pakistan, ¿is it a good place for Muslims? A wedding, what happens if Ahmadiyya Muslims, they want to get married in Pakistan, they try to hold a Muslim wedding? The police, ¿do they not break in, do they not break up the wedding, saying, «you Ahmadiyya have no right to hold a Muslim wedding, you Ahmadiyya are not real Muslims!»?

USA, of course American Muslims are loyal to USA, USA is a Christian country that allows all Muslims to hold Muslim weddings, ¿is this not ironic? Meanwhile, Pakistan is supposed to be a Muslim country, but Pakistan discriminates against some Muslims (Ahmadiyya), Pakistan, ¿how can they call themselves the land of the «pak», the clean? Discriminatiion, training impressionable young men to murder themselves and others with bombs, ¿are those not «najis», unclean, impure practices?

Pakistan, it was created so that Muslims could be free of Hindu rule, ¿when will Ahmadiyya Muslims be free in Pakistan, as they are in USA? American Muslims should tell Pakistan to end discrimination, to end bomb training, or else they must change their name to Najistan.

Thank you for this piece. I think this perspective has long been missing from the dialog, too much of it filled with hate and ignorance.

Im not sure if Naseem Mahdi can say the same thing if he goes to Saudi Arabia. You'd be arrested there if you bring a Bible.

With Catholicism, for hundreds of years they kept the bible from their flock. They're not allowed to read them or own one.

These are marks of a false religion. They are afraid of the Holy Word of God.

The U.S Army burning the bibles in Afghanistan is a sign that the Pentagon is on its way to self-destruction.

OK, so what steps should Muslims take to prevent extremists and losers from using your faith to justify violence?