Reconciling 9/11 and Ramadan

I think what would be nice to read about, rather than "aspects" of the religious side of Islam, is why every Islamic country on Earth does not allow religious freedom to other religions, and to allow other people of other religions to spread their ideas about their religions?

There are many wonderful things about Muslims and the way in which they live their lives. But, the five-billion of us that are not Muslims and will never embrace Islam and become Muslims for any reason, need to know why we cannot live "within" Islamic countries and communities in freedom to live our lives like Muslims get to live theirs?

Please blog on that.

Please.

Yes, it would certainly be nice to read about Muslim countries that allow other religions to flourish... if such countries do exist. RZ claims that they do, but does not cite examples.

I would also enjoy reading about Muslim saints or humanitarians.

ISLAM IS ABOUT PEACE, NOT ABOUT RACISM, BEING PROCASTINATING OR BEING SARCARSTIC.YOU NEED TO STUDY THE OTHER RELIGIONS WELL TO UNDERSTAND BEING A CHRISTIAN OR A MUSLIM. I WAS BEING ATTACKED PERSONALLY BY SNAKES AT NIGHT BY CHRISTIANS AS WELL AS SOME SO CALLED MUSLIMS AT NIGHT FOR THE PAST 16YRS SINCE MY PROCLAMATION OF FAITH AS AL-ISLAM

Malaysia, Dubai/UAE, and Morocco are just a few countries where Muslims, Jews and Christians live together peacefully.

"It may not be fair, given that ordinary Muslims did nothing to bring our non-Muslim neighbors a sense of unease. . .,"

Um, you may need to read some history. Islam started by the violent war to overthrow the Meccans and establish Mohammads revelation of "Islam."

Now, I know many non-violent Muslims, and my dentist is a Muslim (and is very non-violent towards my teeth, but the reason that non-Muslims have an "unease" about Muslims is that the long history of violence towards non-Muslims is down-played or utterly ignored by Muslims.

This time on earth is all about choices. Whether good ones or bad ones no one has to choose evil. My hope is that Muslims and Islamic countries open up to allow all people to choose for themselves what they will or will not believe. I'm sorry Shahed, Islam has an even worse history than European Christendom in not allowing people to freely choose what they want to believe and how they want to live. Today. 9-11-07 is a perfect example.

This is another excellent piece, offering a peaceful vision of Islam. I hope the concept and reality of the Muslem Peace Parade continues to meet your expectations.

Donny,
I am beginning to be concerned about your choices of reading in history. I think you might want to try some other sources. Perhaps you should ask your dentist for sme ideas. Islam has been mysterious for a long time, and from that mystery has come some dangerous fantasies. As we push through the mystery and learn more and more I think all of us will discover that just as Christianity has been guilty of great and horrible villainy, as well as grand and glorious success, the same is true for Islam in all its expressions. Expand your reading selections and don't trust only one set of sources or purported authorities.

I have read all of the articles about Ramadan and it sounds so spiritual. What I don't understand is why don't the muslims who condemn the terrorist speaking out and condemning the terrorist action in the media? Is it the media who chose not to cover the real muslims and their beliefs or are the muslims chosing to to remain silent? Since 9/11 the only media coverage about the muslims condemning terrorist was on Fox news. Yes, most Americans don't trust muslims with the feeling the terrorist act like our friends then try to destroy us. Can someone explain the virgins at death and what the true meaning of this? All religions have their extremist. Is it true this war is about the Muslims wanting everyone to turn to their faith only? Is it about our support of Israel? Why the bombings around the world and so much destruction and death? If you want us to be comfortable with you speak out and condemn the extremist with us.

I was very interested in the comments of Yusef Isa Cuevas and beg to disagree with some of his statements. Long before Islam clashed with western ideas, non-Muslims living within the Islamic state were subjected to a special tax which faithful Muslims did not have to pay. Non-Muslims were often persecuted when external problems arose and their testimony in legal questions was not afforded the same weight as was that of Muslims. How can that be viewed as fair and equal? And, no missionary work was permitted as is the case in most Muslim countries today. If it is illegal for non-Muslims to attempt to preach their religion in these countries why should Muslims be allowed the opportunity to spread their religion in our country or in any other predominantly Christian western nation? Mr. Cuevas felt that people should learn their history; he should take his own advice and not forget about these aspects of Muslim-non-Muslim relations. While the ideas of "people of the book" may have been respected, the people who held these beliefs were not always afforded the same respect.

Shahed I lived in NJ at the time of 9/11 and could see the smoke from the towers and know of people who lost their lives. I sat worrying about a close friends daughter who worked at the towers but was on another assignment that day, but we did not know that. I see how our politicans have taken all of this for their politcal gain with disregard for our safety. I hear silence from the muslim population condemning the action and seeing the sites put on your last response does no good unless people know it is there. The terrorist who attacked were neighbors to some and their children played with the children of the neighborhood. I see our politicans making everything politically correct for the Islamic worship and Christians scorned for their beliefs. I am getting frustrated with all of this. Do you have the right in our airports to to chant and pray and not expect us to react? This is what we are seeing and yes, making us frustrated and causing disharmony with the Muslims. I sat in an airport last month and saw 2 arab descend men with lap tops sitting in a corner observing, talking and then disappeared and I became very nervous. I am not alone with my thinking believe me so if the terrorist are the minority the majority better start being more vocal. Go on radio shows, TV shows and if not allowed find other ways of voicing the truth if that is what you believe in.