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Islam 101 - Page 6

Thank you Jennifer. You made my point.

Having read a good bit of Daniel Pipes' work, I can assure you he is not at all anti-Muslim or anti-Islam. In fact, he defends Islam more than anyone else I have read. He is against the terrorists and the oppressive governments that claim they are doing what they do in the name of Islam. He documents all of his information extremely well.

NightHawk

Islam

I happened to run across the above quote today. It is part of Daniel Pipes' latest column. This is the question that I would like to have answered by the Muslim community.

NightHawk

Islam 101 Islam Studies

Jennifer, you didn't really answer my question. I asked why you would give to charities if you know that the money is going to terrorists. I did not say if I knew or if the government knew. What I want to know is your position if you personally are aware that the money is going to go towards terrorist activities, what you would do and why?

If your answer is that you don't believe the money is going to terrorists, then why not say that? I didn't attack you or Islam in any way that I can see by my question. If you took it to mean I did, then I am sorry. It is my belief that there are Muslims who give money to organizations that they know contribute towards terrorism. Are you suggesting that this is not true?

I have read all of your posts and you seem to indicate that good Muslims don't do the horrific things we hear of in the news. You say these are extremists. Well, then I am asking if good Muslims give money to organizations that they know contribute to these extreme activities of violance and if so, why?

I ask this question in an honest attempt to understand from where you are coming. You seem to say we misunderstand the true Muslim, I am asking you a direct question about something I may be misunderstanding in an attempt to allow you to help me understand it from a Muslim view.

Edited: tenaheff on 29th Nov, 2003 - 1:13pm

Page 6 Islam

Tenaheff,

I know I can become a little defensive and thank you. I do not think I ever called a group of Muslims extremists, but I did say that there are some who are misguided and ignorant.

I don't know of any charities that support terrorism, but I do know that many charitites have been closed down and people in desparate need of help now suffer even more. Especially when it comes to Palestine. In the whole world this is the toughest place to get any food or medical supplies into, and volunteers have been killed trying. They have shut down charities and aid going in because they say it will help Hamas. Is this making better sense? I don't believe that a person sending money to Palestine is supporting terrorism.

To Nighthawk: There are no two forms of Islam as Daniel Pipes is trying to suggest. Islam is a whole and complete religion and all the rules you need for life, for war, for peace, for anything are spelled out very clearly.

Hope I clarified better this time,

Peace,
Jennifer

Islam

Jennifer, thank you for taking the time to clarify. I can understand you getting defensive, but I can also assure you I will not attack you personally for your beliefs. In fact, no one on this forum would be allowed to do that.

Now, I believe, personally that all money needs to be cut off from terrorist groups. At the same time, I believe it is just as important to ensure that money goes to those people in need. I think we all have a responsibility to be sure what money we choose to donate goes to the causes we intend for it to, as much as we are able to ensure it. What I am not willing to accept is an excuse that says it is o.k. to allow money to go to terrorists as long as some of it is also going to help poor people too. I am not saying you said that, I am just trying to clarify my position. I think we need to hold accountable any organizations to which we contribute time or money. If the ones we normally contribute to, don't uphold our standards, then we need to find others that do. I have personally taken this position with charities I contribute to so, I am not just speaking out of turn. I did, in fact, stop contributing to a very large, popular charity when I decided they weren't handling the donations they received properly.

As far as the money our government gives to Israel, I think we do not demand from Israel the same accountability we do other countries. I think this is wrong of our government, but I do not think refusing to pay my taxes is the answer. I think I need to work with my congressmen to make my position known. Also, I accept that there are some things out of my control. I simply try to be sure the ones within my control are handled in accordance with my personal beliefs.

Islam 101

Thanks tenaheff for sharing your ideas.

I have a couple of questions as to what is the purpose of this thread is though. The title is Islam 101. This implies to me that the thread was somehow meant to be used for the purpose of understanding Islam. This thread went on for three pages without any contribution from a Muslim. The reason I joined was because your very nice admin. asked on a Muslim board for people to join and help to understand the Muslim point of view. As I said, if I can help shed some light on some these things I will be happy to do so.

Now if this thread is in fact for the purpose of understanding Islam, I do not understand the reason for posts which I think are a bit off topic such as how a certain Christian thinks someone giving in charity should go about doing so. You have many other threads on this board that would perhaps be more appropriate, why not post it there?

In the short time I have been here, I have not seen any real attempts to better understand Islam. I come to this conclusion for many reasons: There is confusion over what Sharia law teaches, and when I present facts, and even offer to provide informational resources, I get a response that says. "no thanks I'll just stick to what the news tells me." And the real kicker suggested by more than one member that we as Muslims ought to throw people out, disassociate, excommunicate,or whatever term you wish to use like the Christians do (even if it is contradictory to the Bible) this somehow turns into being supportive of terrorism and an article from Daniel Pipes?!?!

I do not see that there is any intention or desire to better understand Islam, and if there is no real attempt to consider a view other than you own, I am sorry but I don't see much potential for mental or spiritual growth.

So I am asking the admin. who began this thread: What is the intended purpose of it? I appreciate your reply, and I do thank you for your invitation, and I hope you will not consider this post to be rude, it is not my intention. Thank you,

Peace
~Jennifer

Islam 101 - Page 6

The intention of this thread is to understand the truth of Islam, its fundamentals. It is not about its relationship to other religions, but the basics of what you believe. Like everything else, knowledge of something does not come from self but from others. So there will be various points of view of what is Islam. This can be done so long as no one is disrespectful.

I do not have time to monitor every topic here, if you feel that something is going grossly out of topic then please report it to a moderator and they will deal with it effectively.

Offtopic but, It may be helpful to spready your view to other related topics since no one thread is 'commanded' by anyone here, or in other words just because someone is of a religion does not mean that someone of another religion cannot have a view point. Thus let all take note, give your view and then suffice that it is enough, no one is trying to win an award here.

Islam 101 Studies Islam - Page 6

Thank you very much for your reply. If that is in fact the purpose of this thread that that is very nice. And no, I am not trying to win an award, just help to understand the fundementals as you pointed out, and this was my only intention upon joining.

Of course there will be different veiwpoints as to what Islam IS but I am the only Muslim making a contribution here. I can't very well tell you what being a LDS is because I really do not know much about it.

I think that if anyone here really desires to understand more about Islam, it may be more productive to visit an Islamic forum. I have done my best here. Thank you very much for having me as your guest. I apprieciate your kindness.

May peace be with you,
~Jennifer