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SOME PERILOUS MISCONCEPTIONS

By T. H. Shah
shah@pressforpeace.uk

Subsequent to inhumane attacks in 09/11 in USA and 07/07 in

London, the use of disgusting words Islamic terrorism, Islamic
militancy and Islamic fundamentalism make me crushed
inwardly. In Western society, the name of Islam and Muslims is
analysed within the prism of these heinous terms. Under
current scenario of suicidal attacks by the Muslim not only on
non-Muslims, but on different sects of Muslims like Shia and
Sunnis, comes to fore the bleak picture of Islam. The waves of
attacks on minorities groups in Pakistan which make five
percent of the total population including Christians, Sikhs,
Hindus, and Zoroastrians under the cover of Blasphemy Laws
more worsen the situation towards understanding of Islam by
the Westerns. Whereas the objective analysis of Islamic
teachings compels ones to dispel such misconceptions the
universal religion of Islam is plagued with. During my study at
the University of Nottingham, I was flabbergasted over the
opinion of not only mature students but teachers as well
concerning Islam. The beard of Sikhs is nothing to do with
terrorism; however, the same appearing on the Muslims’ face
starts breeding concerns invoking likely presence of some
extremists and terrorists. This distorted thinking of the West
poses major challenge to the followers of Islam that how to put
the actual friendly image of Islam before the world?

Being a Pakistani Muslim, I have the personal experience of my

people disgusting non-Muslims particularly the Americans,
British and Israelites. Many occasions, I have been hearing
Imams (Minister of Religion) in religious gathering like Nama-z-
e-Jumma (Religious conglomeration of Muslims in mosques on
the day of Friday) saying and imploring destruction and
annihilation of America, Britain and Israel. No doubt, there is
not even a single sermon devoid of such curses by the Imams
or religious preachers. Since I crossed the stage of
adolescence, I never ever heard in my life any Imams
presenting those lessons showing the areas of commonalities
between Islam and Christianity or Bible and Quran. Though
many other political factors may be involved for creating of
Jihadi organisations like fighting of (Mujahideen) freedom
fighters in Afghan War under military regime of Zia-ul-Haq with
the support of United States to defeat the communism against
the capital democracy. It is recognisable fact that at the hands
of some social factors emerged extremist forces in Pakistani
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society like the negative role of religious institutions. The
continuous hatred-oriented sermons by ordinary and not well-
educated religious leaders of the Muslims have given credence
to the emergence of extremist elements and causing an
atmosphere of hatred towards Western culture and people.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, only the Wahabi version of

Islam is acceptable; and under the strict monarchical political
control the publications, sermons and religious preaching of
other sects or the activities of missionaries are prohibited. In
Pakistan, the religious political parties advocating Wahabi
version of Islam are the major recipient of Saudi financial aid.
Jammate Islami Pakistan, one of the religious political parties
organised on Wahabi pattern, is always on the forefront of anti
American or anti Britain campaigns, but never bother to say
that the current political system in Saudi Arabia is entirely anti-
Islamic as there is no concept of monarchy in Islam. During my
talk with a Nigerian colleague in university, I have been told
that Saudi government has adopted the same policy in Nigeria
and such religious schools imparting Wahabi model of Islam
deserve large chunk of financial assistance. While the other
with different Islamic version remain deprived. The aim of this
exemplification is to indicate the state of unawareness by
layman Muslims and willing distortion of facts at the hands of
which peace and security of the world is in danger.

Not only the Muslim society is suffering from this social evil,
same sort of situation rather I will call it state of ignorance can
be observed in Western society. Once during a discussion on
religion with a British lady, she was surprised to know that
belief in Jesus Christ is part of Islamic faith without which one
cannot claim to be the real Muslim. To her utter surprise, along
with Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) we Muslim also believe in all
the prophets; but consider Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) to the
final source and medium of salvation-an uncompromising belief
to the Muslim.

In United Kingdom, the role of the most of the Imams (minister

of religions) is not praiseworthy. It is common observation that
majority of such Imams have their education base from
Madressas (Informal system of religious education in Pakistan)
where the concept of the study of modern subjects like civic
education, sociology, political science, comparative religious
studies and many other is entirely absent. Teaching of English
is totally ignored. Their mode of teachings and sermons, in
most cases, is tinge of teaching style adopted in Pakistan. Half
an hour sermons usually compose of recitation of some verses
of the Holy Quran and historical Islamic stories. As per my
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analysis of these ministers of religion, only two out of hundred
will be able to pass the IELTS if they sit in the examination. So
how they can convey the enlightened and liberal teaching of
Islam to the British Muslims generation? We can’t observe any
serious and concrete attempts aiming at creation of interfaith
harmony and social cohesion of other religious groups in
English society. It is not the cooperation among different
communities but the strict rule of law keeping the society
united and intact. For justification, some common examples
are religious festivals of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians,
Buddhists and many other in which intermixing is very scant.
Being a Muslim, I first time openly celebrated the festivals like
Xmas and Happy New Year in United Kingdom, because I was
told about these to be an anti-Islamic activities and that the
negatively implemented social pattern I was nurtured in;
prevented me from an open participation in Pakistan. The
celebration of Valentine Day, Bassant Festival (a social
gathering in which people fly kites together on the happy
arrival of spring), and Happy New Year are considered to be the
religious taboos by many religious parties especially the
Taliban-esque. There is a group of fanatics by the name of
Shabab-e-Milli Party who hinder and beat the people
celebrating or try to celebrate these days.

This whole mess is, unsuspectedly, the result of the lack of

interfaith cooperation and impervious response of the
communities, to put it precisely, of religious leaders towards
the teaching of each other religions. In Pakistan, I have
personally seen Imams and parents forbidding their children
not to study Bible or any other missionary literature lest they
religiously corrupt. On the basis of such socialisation, the gulf
between different religious communities widens and widens;
and in consequence; arise the incidents like 09/11, 07/07,
Gujrat and Ahmad Abad in India, Shia Sunni riots and current
waves of suicidal attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan by
religious zealots.

As per my observation, even in religious teaching of different

communities; there are many areas of common belief on
account of which interfaith harmony and mutual cooperation
can be brought about.

Concerning end of this world, Bible says;

There would be, as in the days of Noah, the activity and stir of
worldly business, and pleasures seeking-buying, selling,
planting, building, marrying, and giving in marriage-with
forgetfulness of God and future of life. For those living at this
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time, Christ admonition is: "Take heed to yourselves, lest at
any time your heart be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon
you unawares. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye
may accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall
come to pass, and stand before the Son of man". Luke 21:34,
36
In Holy Quran it is said;

And they say: "When will this promise (i.e. Resurrection) be

fulfilled, if you are truthful?" They await only but a single shout,
etc. which will seize them while they are disputing! Then they
will not be able to make bequest, nor will they return to their
family. (36) 48-50

Both verses of Quran and Bible convey the same concept with
different expression.

Commenting upon the existence of God, Bible Says;

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the
work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night
after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or
language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out
into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (Psalm
19:14)

Quran proves the existence of God/Al-Mighty Allah in these

words;

Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the
alternation of night and day, - there are indeed Signs for men
of understanding. (3) 190

Both Muslim and Christians believe in the second arrival of

Jesus Christ. The holy Quran say;

When Allah said, "'Isa (Jesus Christ), I will take you back and
raise you up to Me and purify you of those who are
disbelievers. And I will place the people who follow you above
those who are disbelievers until the Day of Rising. Then you
will all return to Me, and I will judge between you regarding the
things about which you differed. (3) 55

In Bible this phenomenon appears like this;

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth,
nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and
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tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of
what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be
shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a
cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to
take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your
redemption is drawing near.” 25-28

There are so many other verses both in Quran and Bible

showing common lessons but with in different expressions
having the same aim, but the need is to reason on the facts
beyond ethnocentrism. Here comes the duty of religious
scholars working at local communities particularly in Pakistan,
Saudi Arabia, Gulf States and United Kingdom as well to make
people aware of such common lessons of Quran and Bible. By
doing so, we can mover forward towards achieving the goal of
interfaith harmony.

(The Writer is associated with Press For Peace (PFP) as Director Research. He could
be reached at: shah@pressforpeace.uk )

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