Can We Talk? Otherwise We’re Not Solving The Problem

Answering Jihad: A Better Way Forward

Nabeel Qureshi, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 2016

 

I had read this author’s former bestseller Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus and was overwhelmed with the personal price he had to pay with respect to his own family when he left the ‘faith of his fathers’ and embraced new faith. When this book came out and he was coming to my city to speak about it I made sure I was there. I also bought this book and read it.

Nabeel Qureshi’s speaking engagement in Toronto had to be moved from its original venue at the University of Toronto (at one of their religious colleges, Anglican in fact) because the faculty had been warned by administration that there could be trouble as this converted, well-educated, medical doctor would likely annoy many Muslim students.  Fortunately, a nearby church welcomed the event. Qureshi was up to dealing with all comers in his usual soft-spoken, respectful, manner, affirming each member of the audience, regardless of their religious stripes – after all it was not too long ago that he would have died for Islam.

In this book, this former Muslim attempts to clarify “both the reality of violent jihad in Islam” and the response that we should have to that. He bravely calls for a “compassionate approach to our Muslim neighbors”. That alone was enough to make me think twice about writing a review recommending Answering Jihad even though, whether we like it or not, Islam has, and continues, to change our world. But as I read, I found that Qureshi succeeded in his hopes for the book, and in the process, radically changed my own mind on the subject.

He remembers hearing a slogan at his mosque that he shared with many: “The terrorists who hijacked the planes on September 11 also hijacked Islam.” And he proceeds to show us how that happened. But while he speaks highly of the millions of peaceful Muslims who have been deceived about what is or is not the true origin and circumstances of their faith, he extends no such excuses for Islam itself.  Much of the book is spent on exposing the recorded and known behavior of the religion’s founder, Muhammad.  He does so with excellent references, almost all Islamic in origin.

His conclusion is that “as long as Islam is practiced in a way that calls Muslims to return to its foundation, violence will follow.” To counteract that, he believes that “the Christian teaching of loving one’s enemies, even in the face of death, might perhaps be the most powerful answer to jihad at our disposal today.” And then he gives his reasons.

If I were to quote here every part of the book that I underlined as a key or unique thought, no publisher would allow me to share my review of Qureshi’s book.  Suffice it to say, that he deals with the origins of jihad and jihad today in a most interesting and complete fashion. In the third part of the book, he answers some very pressing questions many of us have wanted to ask, such as: Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God? How Does Jihad Compare with Old Testament Warfare and the Crusades? What Does Jesus Teach About Violence? What Does Jesus Have to Do with Jihad?

He concludes with a chapter entitled “Answering Jihad” and then follows all this up with some very valuable appendices on: Timeline of Jihad in Islam; Muhammad’s Words on Jihad; What is the Caliphate?; and more, as well as an excellent glossary of terms.

You owe it to yourself to hear from a former passionate lover of Islam to learn how best to address the challenge it presents to the world today.

Answering Jihad is dedicated to the author’s sister whom he misses very much and yearns for the day that they can worship the God of Truth together.

--  By Ken B. Godevenos, President, Accord Resolutions Services Inc., Toronto, Ontario, May 11, 2016. www.accordconsulting.com

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JIHAD VS. TERRORISM defined by Islamic Authorities.

Last night on our way home from spending an evening with my son and daughter-in-law, we somehow got into the discussion of the current American President and what I consider his obvious love for Muslims. I made a mistake. I probably, in hindsight, should have used the word "Islam" rather than Muslims. My bad.

It turns out some very good friends of theirs are peace-abiding, loving, Muslims who are not at all in favor of what Islamic Extremists are doing. I tried to explain that I do love and care about the individual person who happens to be a Muslim as much as I care for one who is not. That was not the issue. (They felt I was painting them all with a broad brush to say the least.)

The issue, at least as far as I was concerned, was what the Islam faith actually stands for. Me arguing that, if the Koran is followed accurately, Islam stands for the forcing of Islam on the whole world and the installing of Sharia Law globally. They were arguing that it does not and that there are other parts of the Koran (albeit written earlier in the life of Mohammed) that make it, in the words of both recent conservative and liberal American Presidents, a "religion of peace". Everyone, including Presidents, have the right to their own opinion. I was arguing that it is anything but in its purest sense since Islam scholars take the later writing of Mohammed to nullify any earlier writing where there is a contradiction.

My wise wife was able to bring a sense of closure to the discussion by re-crafting my words into something that was more palatable. She said, "What Dad is saying is that he believes there appears from circumstances we observe that Obama has an agenda to reduce America's power in a way that would facilitate the Islamic takeover of the world." Thank you darling.

This morning as I thought about the argument with my children, the article in the link below came to me on the Internet. It is a must read on the issue of "Jihad" vs. "Terrorism". I sent it to my son with these words:

"I did not go looking for this article. It came to me today because I was praying about how best to get the point I was trying to make across, at least to you. Please read it carefully throughout when you have time -- with a good drink (coffee will do just fine) in your hand. Don't get angry -- just read it. Especially the part at the end which addresses the very question of why moderate Muslims do not speak up.
Love, Dad.
p.s. is it possible that some of my concern (although you feel 'que sera sera' and I agree to a point spiritually speaking) -- but is it possible, that part of my concern has to do with my love for my children, their spouses, my grandchildren, those living and those still to come by God's will -- and what they may have to go through if we don't take a stand now?"

I share the article with you the reader and I hope you share it with others, especially your loved ones. And don't forget to comment on it.

p.s. And no one should get upset -- after all, the article is primarily a quote from Islam's own authorities.

Jihad vs. Terrorism

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Why Are Ex-Presidents Such Idiots?

First there was Carter. And now there's William Clinton. Two has beens that should stick to peanut-farming and golf, respectively.

Clinton is now blaming jihadist Islamic terrorism on "poverty". If the Muslims weren't so poor, they wouldn't be staging jihad he basically says. So, it's not their fault. It's everybody else's fault for all the inequality that they experience. Well, maybe Obama can come to their aid and take money away from Romney and Buffet and the rest of the 1%ers and spread it around the world to Muslims so that we can eliminate the threat or radical Islamic terrorists.

Yea, that will work Bill. Thanks so much. You're so smart. That's why Monica fell for you many years ago. (Wait, erase that, that's not fair.)

Man, these guys are really dumb, though, don't you think?

Take a look at the link.

In Nigeria, US ex-President Clinton warns poverty fueling religious violence tearing at nation - The Washington Post

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Afghan boy suicide bombers tell how they are brainwashed into believing they will survive.

Once in a while a story comes out about "man's inhumanity to children". This is one of them. And on top of it all is "denial". The Telegraph from the U.K. sees it a little different than that and I hope we do too.

The people that do this are not men -- they're not even mice. But they succeed because the WEST has encouraged them by taking a stance of being first and foremost "politically correct" and "tolerant". I don't care about political correctness, but I am concerned about being tolerant where tolerance is justified.

I refuse to be tolerant towards those that would use children to kill Americans and Jews.  I refuse to be tolerant to those who want to wipe out a whole race from the face of the earth.  I refuse to be tolerant to those that have these positions and hide behind the skirts of a so-called religion.  I refuse to be tolerant to a religion whose aim is to kill the infidels that don't accept it as the only religion.  (I never liked that from sects within Christendom and I don't like it from so-called faiths outside of it.)

And I refuse to be tolerant towards Western regimes such as Obama's (and unfortunately the Bush administration before him) which fail to see the folly of being tolerant to radical jihadist Islamists.  I refuse to accept administrations which fail to demand that true Islam denounce strongly and practically the tactics of jihadists and to fight with us to defeat them.

Americans have a chance to change that tide in 2012.  But are they politically astute enough to do so?

Here are the details of what gave rise to my thoughts.

Afghan boy suicide bombers tell how they are brainwashed into believing they will survive - Telegraph

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Ever Wonder Why U.S. Mosques Can Preach Jihad vs. America & Still Keep Their Tax-exempt Status?

This account spells it all out. And it ain't pretty. America's inaction is causing it to "dig it's own grave".

Analysts: IRS turns blind eye to mosques preaching jihad

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Iran, Egypt, and now Libya: Heading for Jihadic Islamist Statehood. How many more will we help become the same before we say enough?

Another one of my "here look at this, for I told you so" blogs. Now even the Washington Times sees proof of what's ahead. The writing is clearly on the wall. Color another country on the world map -- Jihadic Green.

Jihadists plot to take over Libya - Washington Times

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1.65 million Muslim deaths by Muslims

There is something fundamentally wrong here. This article clearly paints a good picture of the problem. But what's the solution? Surely to goodness, assuming these statistics are even slightly right, that given the fact that Islam is not just a religion, but also a political ideology -- then surely to goodness, these results are not the intended goal of any jihadic pursuits. But yet they are happening. The question is why? And once we know why are we prepared to discover what can be done about it? And finally, are we prepared to do what it takes to stop this? Tough questions.

But first, let's get a good handle of the problem. Surely, by now, whoever is providing the "beautiful virgins" that Muslim martyrs believe they'll get when they die in jihad, surely the supplier must be running out. I think that even their wisest Imams would know that, wouldn't they?  But maybe I have it all wrong.   Anyway, here's the article.

Why Golda Meir was right - Hurriyet Daily News: 1.65 million Muslim deaths by Muslims

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Appears Australia is Falling Prey To Jihadist Radicals -- Don't Move There Either

Surely Australia was safe, or so I thought.  Then I read this.  But that's okay, we can all deny its existence.  In fact, the government says we should not outlaw it in case we drive them or it underground and more people fall prey to it.  Oh my gosh.  Are these people crazy who run governments these days.  By that reasoning, let's legalize everything that is currently illegal and criminal and immoral and hateful and lo and behold, it will all go away.  Take a look at what's going on, or not, in Australia.  And think twice before you decide to get away from it all by moving there.

Muslim group active at Australian universities | thetelegraph.com.au

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One Cell Fails With a 9-year old; Another Uses an 8-year old and Succeeds. Horror.

I learned of this news just minutes after I had the privilege of watching my 8-year old granddaughter and her friends enjoy a Hawaiian theme birthday party out in the backyard.  The very thought of anyone using a mere child to tie a bomb to, and to blow other people up including her, makes my gut reel.  If this is done in the name of religion, then where is the outrage against that religion.

Can you imagine what would happen if Christians tried something like this.  All hell would literally break loose.  In fact, in North America it would be totally illegal (so far).

We need to get out of our comfort zone.  Pastors I'm not sure how you can stay silent and have your church sing "Jesus loves the little children of the world" and then totally ignore what is going on.  It's time to risk our privilege in giving charitable donation receipts for the sake of Christ and the children.  Stay silent and a few decades from now it may be your children being used like this in your own country.

There's no doubt since one terrorist cell had failed with this approach using a 9-year old girl last week in Pakistan, and now it was tried by Afghan jihadists, it will certainly make it's way into the standard playbook for terrorism and jihadists' actions.  Yet, we stay stunned and silent.  I can understand stunned, but I can't understand silent.

Can we at least hear some "Amens!" in the comments after you check this out?

BBC News - Afghanistan: Eight-year-old girl 'used in attack'

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Isn't It Amazing that We Are in A War Where the U.S. and Britain are fighting on the side of Al-Qaeda Jihadists?

Can things get any more complex or complicated than this? The U.S. and the British are helping rebels, some of which are Al-Qaeda fighters. How is that possible? Well, it happens very easily if a country like the U.S., Canada, Britain, France, acts with mediocrity on certain fronts and fails to act at all on other fronts. It happens when the leadership of these countries lose their moral compass.
And it's happening in Egypt, now Libya, and who knows where else next. Take a look.

Libyan rebel commander admits his fighters have al-Qaeda links - Telegraph

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Jihadist Opportunities in Libya | STRATFOR

A detailed analysis of what radical Islam or jihadists could be doing in Libya. For he serious Foreign Matters reader. Enjoy and pass it on to your contacts by sharing this blog.

"Jihadist Opportunities in Libya is republished with permission of STRATFOR."

Jihadist Opportunities in Libya | STRATFOR

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Napolitano: U.S. in highest threat since 9/11 But . . .

. . . no mention of jihad or radical Islam as the cause. And yes, she needs more money to do her job. Give me a break on both counts. Take a look, read, get angry if you wish, but pass it on to others that may find it of interest.

Napolitano: terror threat may be highest since 9/11 - CNN.com

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At least 31 Dead at Moscow Airport Blast

31 dead, over 100 injured. If this is not evidence enough that the Islamic radical jihadists are moving into a new and escalated phase of activity, then I don't know what is. It will be most interesting to see what the Russians now do with this. I can only imagine one other place for something like this to happen that may get more of a reaction and that is Iran itself. But God forbid that it happen there or anywhere else. This madness must be stopped. Where is the WEST?

Deadly blast at Moscow airport - Europe - Al Jazeera English

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11.6 Million Muslims In Just 3 European Countries

Here's a very informative article with data on the growth of Islam in Europe. With more Muslims there, it only follows that European anti-antisemitism is also growing. This article covers what plans the European Community has for this growth, for Israel, for Palestinians, even for jihad. Meanwhile, some Islamic groups in Europe do not want certain reports made public. Now, I wonder why.

I think it is important for Christians who are seeing what is happening to some fellow believers in other countries outside of Europe, to ask themselves how long it may be before such things start happening closer to home. I predict it will be a while yet. Islam does not operate that way. It first must get very strong foothold in a state by appearing by working within the existing laws of the land and only then pursue behaviors that radical Islamists seem to believe in. What's your take on this?

And while I'm on that question, I often wonder why North Americans who I know read these blogs (not who you are specifically, but the numbers) are ever so silent on them? Just wondering.

Islam Grows in Europe, Jihad Not Far Behind - Defense/Middle East -Israel News - Israel National News

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Clerics Call for Jihadists to Get Money From the West Using Any Means

Just noticed an interesting article whose links really need to be followed -- both to one about a story in Canada as well as to one about the details of the call for money to support radical jihad.

This should help you be fully informed of what is going on and wondering why no one in the west is stepping up to the plate and saying, enough is enough. I love that commercial on TV that says, "It's my money and I want it now!" Maybe Americans and others should be saying, "It's our money and we want to keep it now!"

Jihadi cleric Al-Awlaki to jihadis in West: Get money by any means possible - Jihad Watch

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Pakistan Continues to be Very Troubled

This is a gut wrenching article. I share it with you so you can be aware of the intensity of what is going on in Pakistan today. Pray for all involved -- no matter what their faith.

Reading this brings some hope, but it also comes at a great cost.

My jihad versus your jihad | Al Jazeera Blogs

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