VIOLENT TEXTS IMPLICIT WITHIN ISLAM

Ayyan Hirsi Ali, well-known author of the bestselling book, Infidel, wrote that violence is implicit within the sacred texts of Islam, in the Quran, in the Hadith (sayings and actions of Muhammad) and the Sunnah (traditions).

Writing in the Wall Street Journal (3/21/15) under the headline, “Islam’s Borders Are Bloody”, Ali says violent acts committed in the name of Islam cannot be divorced from the religion itself. Muslims cannot say their religion was hijacked by extremists.

For example, In Pakistan, any statement critical of the Prophet Muhammad is labeled a blasphemy and is punishable by death. Churches and synagogues are banned in Saudi Arabia. In Iran, stoning is acceptable as punishment and homosexuals are hanged for their “crime”. The killers of the Islamic State (ISIS – Islamic State in Syria, or ISIL – Islamic State in The Levant) cite sacred texts to legitimate their actions. And Boko Haram (which means “western education is sacrilege”) in Nigeria justify their kidnappings, enslavements and murders alluding to Muslim sacred texts to legitimize their horrendous actions.

Ms. Ali’s essay is based on her new book, Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now. In it she distinguishes between Mecca Muslims and Medina Muslims. After Muhammed and his followers migrated from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D. they began praying toward Mecca instead of toward Jerusalem. That event marks the formal beginning of Islam. But then Muhammad and his followers returned to Mecca to take it by force. It was then they implemented forcible conversions. In Ali’s terms, the Medina Muslims symbolize the violent oppressive branch of Islam. They are the ones who call Jews and Christians pigs and monkeys. They advocate death for apostasy, stoning for adultery and hanging for homosexuals. They insist on women being in burgas. The Mecca Muslims, clearly the majority, are more moderate and tolerant.

It is estimated that only 3% of Muslims belong to the Medina group. However, in a world population of 1.6 billion Muslims, 3% would be 48 million Muslims of the violent, oppressive type. Islam, says Ali, is in need of a reformation.

(to be continued)