Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Season's Greetings or Islamic Propaganda?

by Jacob Thomas
January 06, 2008

On Monday, 31 December, 2007, the Wall Street Journal published the following “Message” on page A9:

A Muslim Message of Thanks and of Christmas and New Year Greetings, December 2007

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
May God bless Muhammad and his kin and bless Abraham and his kin
Al-Salaam Aleikum; Peace be upon you; Pax Vobiscum

Peace be upon Jesus Christ who says: Peace is upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I am resurrected(Chapter of Mary; the Holy Qur’an, 19:33).

During these joyful holidays we write to you, our Christian neighbors all over the world, to express our thanks for the beautiful and gracious responses that we Muslims have been receiving from the very first day we issued our invitation to come together to ‘A Common Word’ based on ‘Love of God and love of Neighbor’ (see www.acommonword.com for the document and the responses).

We thank you and wish you all a joyous and peaceful Christmas Holiday Season commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, may peace be upon him.

We Muslims bear witness that: There is no god but God, without associate, and that Muhammad is Servant and Messenger, and that Jesus Christ is His Servant, His Messenger, His Word cast to Mary, and a Spirit from Him … (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab Ahadith al-Anbiya’)

The “Message” continued by referring to the coincidence this year, between Muslim and Christian feasts: (Hajj, Christmas and New Year), and referred to the patriarch Abraham who was not allowed by God to sacrifice his son, thus affirming and proclaiming the sanctity of human life.

Then in an attempt to assume a moral high ground by making Islam eminently “Pro Life,” it referred to those “Muslim scholars who issued a historic declaration affirming the sanctity of human life – of every human life – as an essential and foundational teaching in Islam upon which all Muslim scholars are in unanimous agreement (see details atwww.duaatalislam.com).”

The “Message” ended with these words:“May the coming year be one in which the sanctity and dignity of human life is upheld by all. May it be a year of humble repentance before God, and mutual forgiveness within and between communities.

“Praise be to God, the Lord of the world.”

I would like to analyze this “advertisement-message,” and add my comments.

Analysis
The WSJ “ad-message,” coming on the last day of 2007, purports to be a “Season’s Greetings” addressed to the Christian World. It was prompted by “the beautiful and gracious responses that we Muslims have been receiving from the very first day we issued our invitation to come together to ‘A Common Word’ based on ‘Love of God and love of Neighbor." It must be noted here, that a Christian response to the Muslim overture, “A Common Word,” was drafted by some members of the Faculty of the Divinity School of Yale University, with several signatures of well-known academics and ministers appended to it.

Comments
In our attempt to understand the true meaning of the Islamic greeting of 31 December, it is first necessary to reflect on the context of the initial “Common Word” message, taken from Surat Al-‘Imran. This Qur’anic passage sets forth what I would like to call “The Rules of Engagement” for Muslims when they dialogue with Christians. Dialogue with non-Muslims can only take place on the basis of the Islamic authoritative texts.

Here are some Ayat of Surat Al-‘Imran, in Arberry’s Translation of the Qur’an: Say: 'People of the Book! Come now to a word common between us and you, that we serve none but God, and that we associate not aught with Him, and do not some of us take others as Lords, apart from God.’ And if they turn their backs, say: 'Bear witness that we are Muslims.’ V. 64

No; Abraham in truth was not a Jew, neither a Christian; but he was a Muslim and one pure of faith; certainly he was never of the idolaters. V. 67

People of the Book! Why do you disbelieve in God’s signs, which you yourselves witness? People of the Book! Why do you confound the truth with vanity, and conceal the truth and that wittingly? V. 70,71

Whoso desires another religion than Islam, it shall not be accepted of him; in the next world he shall be among the losers. V.85
Verse 85 in the Arabic original reads as follows: “Waman yabtaghi ghayra’l Islami deenan, falan yuqbala minhu, wahua fil’akhirati min’al- khasereen.”

It is clear that those Muslims who issued the invitation to dialogue, and adopted the term, “A Common Word” (Kalimaten sawa’en baynana wa-baynakom,) from the Qur’an, wanted to declare their complete adherence to the teachings of their sacred book. Furthermore, it must be noted that the tone of these texts from Chapter III is decidedly polemical.

Christians are charged with the sin of shirk, i.e. in claiming that Allah had associates! Then they are exhorted to “serve none but God.” Thus, if Christians want to engage in dialogue with Muslims, they must first renounce their belief in the Trinity.

Another Islamic requirement is to accept the authenticity of the Qur’anic version of Sacred History. This implies the rejection, for example, of the Biblical accounts of Abraham’s life. Thus verse 67 of Chapter III, categorically states: “ma kana Ibraheemu Yahudiyyan wala Nasraniyyan, walaken kana Hanifan Musliman …” (Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Nazarene, but he was a Hanif and a Muslim…) [Translation mine]

Verses 70 and 71 address the Christians, as those who mix truth with vanity, and who refuse to believe in Allah’s signs. A pretty bad trait for those who are to dialogue with Muslims!

Finally, the exclusivist nature of Islam is seen in verse 85:“Waman yabtaghi ghayr’l Islami deenan, falan yuqbala minhu, wahua fil’akhirati min’al khasereen.”(He who seeks a religion other than Islam, that will not be acceptable of him, and at the Last Day, he will be among the Lost.) [Translation mine]

Having dealt with the Qur’anic context of “A Common Word,” I turn to the contents of the 31 December “Message.” I find it very difficult to receive it as a bona fide “Season’s Greetings.” While its title seems genuine, as one proceeds to analyze its contents, it reveals expressions and views that are thoroughly alien to the history of Christianity as recorded in the Bible, a book that antedates the Qur’an by several centuries.

For example, the reference to Jesus Christ is taken from the text of the Qur’an. It naively assumes that Christians would gladly accept it, rather than stick to the authentic accounts of the life of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament. These words from Surat Maryam 19:33, make Jesus say, “Peace is upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I am resurrected.” It is rather ludicrous to quote from this chapter regarding Jesus Christ. Among other things it recounts a Mary who was alone under a palm tree, about to give birth to Jesus; who after he was born, addressed the critics of his mother for her supposedly immoral conduct, while yet a baby!

Did those who drafted the “Message” really expect Christians to be that gullible and prefer that bizarre account, to the ones given in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke?!

The “Message” continued, “We Muslims bear witness that: There is no god but God, without associate, and that Muhammad is Servant and Messenger, and that Jesus Christ is His Servant, His Messenger, His Word cast to Mary, and a Spirit from Him …(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab Ahadith al-Anbiya’)

All Christians (Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant,) subscribe to the doctrine of the Trinity, and the deity of Jesus Christ. Arabic-speaking Christians begin their prayers by invoking the name of God in this way: “Bismil Aab, wal Ibn, wal Ruh al Qodos, Ilah Wahed, Amen.” (In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen.” They would not regard it as a compliment, or a basis for dialogue, that Muslims consider Jesus Christ merely as “Servant, or as Messenger.”

The “Muslim Message of Thanks and of Christmas and New Year Greetings,” was a genre of Islamic propaganda aimed at Western people. The drafters of the “Season’s Greetings” hoped that their attempt would bear fruit among Christians. After all, who should ignore at this time of the year, such a gesture of good will? Here are Muslims who publicly declare that they honor and recognize Jesus as a prophet, isn’t that great? But who is this Jesus they honor? He is certainly not the Jesus Christ whose birth Christians celebrated on the 25th day of December.

He is a pale shadow of the Biblical Christ; in fact he is a pseudo-Messiah. He is the Messiah of Surat Maryam (19) that contains an intensive polemic against the historical and real Messiah of the Bible.

I don’t know how many of the readers of the 31 December, 2007, Wall Street Journal, received at its face value the “Message of Thanks…” I guess some who have been impacted by political correctness, may have welcomed the message as an expression of good will, especially at this time when we are involved in wars within Islamic lands. But I certainly hope that other savvy readers, who have done their homework on the history and sacred texts of Islam, would have realized that the WSJ ad is contradicted by the concrete facts of history. Islam remains an imperialistic worldview, and has never surrendered its dream of world domination. This they keep on trying to accomplish, either by force, or by subterfuge!

63 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Quran contradicts itself a lot. People quote verses whenever it is convenient.

Muslims have quoted "Kill the unbeliever" during times when they were confronting me, the unbeliever. Or quoted "Kill the apostate" etc... But when they want to play the "Islam is a religion of peace / love" then they go with these compatibility verses.

Anonymous said...

Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!

Anonymous said...

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

Anonymous said...

Without prescription geodon Get aricept Cheap trecator-sc Buy zocor Sale coreg Pharmacy viagra professional

Anonymous said...

The writer of bassammadany.blogspot.com has written a superior article. I got your point and there is nothing to argue about. It is like the following universal truth that you can not disagree with: Despite the amount that you find, you or anybody else don?t recall taking off/losing their plasters at the swimming baths I will be back.

Anonymous said...

http://markonzo.edu http://blog.bakililar.az/orbitz/ http://aviary.com/artists/biofreezelo economics http://www.swishtalk.com/member.php?u=90813 http://aviary.com/artists/prilosecji vascular http://jguru.com/guru/viewbio.jsp?EID=1534481 http://aviary.com/artists/adjustable-bedp centrepiece penta http://aviary.com/artists/air-purifierso http://jonesprinc.com/members/Steam-Cleaners.aspx http://aviary.com/artists/dishnetworkh heri http://www.inthesetimes.com/community/profile/53571/ http://aviary.com/artists/adt-securityj sufferings http://www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/showthread.php?p=17358828 http://aviary.com/artists/air-purifierso barrow

Anonymous said...

Do you have copy writer for so good articles? If so please give me contacts, because this really rocks! :)

Anonymous said...

Do You interesting how to [b]Buy Viagra per pill[/b]? You can find below...
[size=10]>>>[url=http://listita.info/go.php?sid=1][b]Buy Viagra per pill[/b][/url]<<<[/size]

[URL=http://imgwebsearch.com/30269/link/viagra%2C%20tramadol%2C%20zithromax%2C%20carisoprodol%2C%20buy%20cialis/1_valentine3.html][IMG]http://imgwebsearch.com/30269/img0/viagra%2C%20tramadol%2C%20zithromax%2C%20carisoprodol%2C%20buy%20cialis/1_valentine3.png[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://imgwebsearch.com/30269/link/buy%20viagra/3_headsex1.html][IMG]http://imgwebsearch.com/30269/img0/buy%20viagra/3_headsex1.png[/IMG][/URL]
[b]Bonus Policy[/b]
Order 3 or more products and get free Regular Airmail shipping!
Free Regular Airmail shipping for orders starting with $200.00!

Free insurance (guaranteed reshipment if delivery failed) for orders starting with $300.00!
[b]Description[/b]

Generic Viagra (sildenafil citrate; brand names include: Aphrodil / Edegra / Erasmo / Penegra / Revatio / Supra / Zwagra) is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction regardless of the cause or duration of the problem or the age of the patient.
Sildenafil Citrate is the active ingredient used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. It can help men who have erectile dysfunction get and sustain an erection when they are sexually excited.
Generic Viagra is manufactured in accordance with World Health Organization standards and guidelines (WHO-GMP). Also you can find on our sites.
Generic [url=http://viagra.gertantis.ru]legal buy viagra online[/url] is made with thorough reverse engineering for the sildenafil citrate molecule - a totally different process of making sildenafil and its reaction. That is why it takes effect in 15 minutes compared to other drugs which take 30-40 minutes to take effect.
[b]clearence viagra
mexican viagra
Viagra Pills Canada
veeline viagra
blood pressure cuff with viagra logo
what does viagra do
Viagra Cena Srbija
[/b]
Even in the most sexually liberated and self-satisfied of nations, many people still yearn to burn more, to feel ready for bedding no matter what the clock says and to desire their partner of 23 years as much as they did when their love was brand new.
The market is saturated with books on how to revive a flagging libido or spice up monotonous sex, and sex therapists say “lack of desire” is one of the most common complaints they hear from patients, particularly women.

Kevin said...

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8

We must not be deceived with their jihad of deception. Jesus said in the last days false prophets would come and deceive if possible, even the elect!

Anonymous said...

hi every person,

I identified bassammadany.blogspot.com after previous months and I'm very excited much to commence participating. I are basically lurking for the last month but figured I would be joining and sign up.

I am from Spain so please forgave my speaking english[url=http://whatsnewtodayzi.info/forum].[/url][url=http://insportsnews.info/].[/url][url=http://smartthoughtser.info/forum].[/url]

Anonymous said...

quality assurance of pharmacies dapoxetine buy online premature ...
1 post - 1 author - Last post: 30 Aug
Buy Priligy 60mg without a prescription. Treatment of Premature Ejaculation with Dapoxetine Hydrochloride. Dosage and side effects of Dapoxetine 30mg.
Generic Priligy
11 posts - 1 author - Last post: 2 days ago
Dapoxetine is usually given as the hydrochloride, but doses are expressed in terms of the base. A usual oral dose equivalent to dapoxetine 30 or 60 mg is ...
VigaPlus has been helping men deal with their condition in a positive way. We invite you to use VigaPlus to get rid of your erection problems. ...
You dapoxetine generika uberrascht sein, wie du es noch schlimmer mit der feuchtigkeitsspendenden Wirkung. Zum Beispiel, wenn Schuler sie verhohnen, ...
There is a medication called Priligy® or generic version Dapoxetine that has been approved for men between the ages of 18-64 for the treatment of Premature ...
4 Nov 2010 ... They work by changing the quality of the womb lining and make it difficult .... Dapoxetine hydrochloride, marketed commercially as Priligy, ...

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I begin on internet with a directory

Anonymous said...

antique auto restoring calif blower honda motor 1999 gm goodwrench sign car 1969 plymouth satellites for sale car dealerships offering cash back in texas

sports betting software said...

been a very interesting thanks for writing

Anonymous said...

how long does clomid stay in your system | generic clomid online - purchase clomid online, cramping after ovulation on clomid

Anonymous said...

clomid fertility calendar | cheap clomid online no prescription - clomid buy, clomid bbt chart

Anonymous said...

clomid low sperm count | cost of clomid - clomid medicine, late period clomid

Anonymous said...

is clomid expensive | http://cheapclomidonline.jimdo.com/#81480 - buy clomid online no prescription uk, clomid hcg

Anonymous said...

clomid twins 50 mg | [url=http://buycheapclomid.webs.com/#2202]clomid 50mg[/url] - buy cheap clomid online, xhqa iui with clomid

Anonymous said...

fertility pill clomid | how much does clomid cost - buy generic clomid, clomid challenge test side effects

Anonymous said...

how much clomid | http://buy-clomid-in-usa.webs.com/#92848 - best place to buy clomid online, purpose of clomid

Anonymous said...

clomid spotting | [url=http://buycheapclomid.jimdo.com/#62424]buy clomid online canada[/url] - buy clomid 50mg, zwoa chances of getting pregnant with iui and clomid

Anonymous said...

instant payday loans online http://www.2applyforcash.com LiailmLidsCobia Payday Loans ignizemed [url=http://2applyforcash.com]payday loans online[/url] Fast Payday Loans Online Where am i not require expert internet power of benefits live in, be it work or home.It does not want you to make several efforts to sell won't effortlessly audience that we otherwise would have never come in contact with.Who would have predicted a decade ones about an internet marketing making methods to create a reliable and regular income.

Anonymous said...

how effective is clomid in conception | http://buyclomidonline.webs.com/#2273 - where to buy clomid online no prescription, clomid twin success stories

Anonymous said...

metformin clomid success rate | [url=http://orderclomid.jimdo.com/#81304]clomid discussions[/url] - clomid 50mg, bchw early pregnancy symptoms on clomid

Anonymous said...

viagra online without prescription viagra buy walgreens - viagra online legal

Anonymous said...

generic viagra buy viagra cheap us - does viagra for women work

Anonymous said...

generic viagra buy viagra online legally - buy cheap viagra online us

Anonymous said...

viagra cost buy viagra zurich - purchase generic viagra us

Anonymous said...

top [url=http://www.c-online-casino.co.uk/]online casinos[/url] coincide the latest [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com/]casino bonus[/url] autonomous no set aside perk at the best [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]no deposit reward
[/url].

Anonymous said...

what does clomid do if you already ovulate | http://buyclomidcheap.webs.com/#5886 - 50mg clomid, clomid cycle day 5 9

Anonymous said...

clomid short luteal phase | buy clomid online no prescription australia - buying clomid online safe, how effective is clomid

Anonymous said...

signs of ovulation while on clomid | [url=http://purchaseclomid.jimdo.com/#36304]buy clomid online canada[/url] - buy clomid online no prescription, umld clomid complications

Anonymous said...

buy soma online generic names for soma - soma online catalog

Anonymous said...

buy soma how to buy somatropin online - soma online no prescription overnight delivery

Anonymous said...

buy soma soma medication class - soma bras omaha

Anonymous said...

buy cialis online cialis 10mg online - buy cialis and viagra

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol for dogs 2 50 mg tramadol - tramadol for high blood pressure

Anonymous said...

generic xanax generic xanax pictures - xanax online legit

Anonymous said...

xanax online long will 2mg xanax stay urine - xanax overdose do

Anonymous said...

buy carisoprodol difference between soma carisoprodol - can you buy carisoprodol online

Anonymous said...

xanax antidepressant xanax side effects for dogs - xanax side effects sexually

Anonymous said...

simply stopping by to say hey

Anonymous said...

1 cymbalta for sale - cymbalta sale http://www.cymbaltabuyonline.net/#cymbalta-cost, [url=http://www.cymbaltabuyonline.net/#cymbalta-cost]cymbalta for sale[/url]

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol generic tramadol images - tramadol 50 mg street value

Anonymous said...

Cost-free Proxy Servers are used for anonymous browsing. Most typical usage of totally free proxy server is to bypass the school/business office or any other place's security constraints and accessibility unrestricted sites. But [url=http://scrapeboxmarketplace.com/scrapebox-proxies ]New IP Now [/url] servers ought to be used with caution. If utilised with no security actions, it can end result in massive reduction as when compared to advantage of browsing the net anonymously. There are two methods by way of which you can disguise your identity (your IP deal with) when surfing the internet. First and the most cheap way is to use cost-free proxy server. There are several windows and linux proxy websites available on the world wide web which lets you use their services cost-free of cost. The other alternative for hiding your id is to use compensated software. The IP hiding software program, modifications your IP deal with repeatedly to permit you browse world wide web anonymously.

There are couple of essential issues you need to maintain in mind when making use of free of charge proxy servers.

1.) Look at out for your safety

Do not give out any delicate data this kind of as your login specifics or credit score card data when making use of distinct proxy servers because when you use free of charge proxy server, all the details you offer on any web site is 1st sent to cost-free proxy server and then to the site server. So all the data go via the cost-free proxy server and most of the time it is unencrypted, exposing your delicate info for possible misuse.

Paid out software program are much greater in terms and conditions of protection. There systems are created to conceal your IP and then discard all your data with no any human involvement.

2.) Security and Availability

There are numerous cost-free proxy server sites but most of them are not stable and are not offered each time you visit them. This problem is not really substantial with compensated software.

three.) Velocity of Browsing

When you use any proxy server for hiding your IP, you can really feel the gradual velocity of searching instantaneously. Even though there are excellent web sites accessible for anonymous searching but they are quite hard to uncover. Also, velocity is not constant it is dependent largely on load on their servers. At occasions you do get great searching velocity but it is not constant. Yet again, paid software for hiding IP are significantly greater at browsing speed. As they charge for their companies, they make sure that the person encounter is better and you do not get gradual velocity whilst browsing the world wide web through their application.

They are also excellent when you discover a quality one particular that masks your nation of origin. When hunting for a On-line Proxy make positive it has Java set up so you can observe motion pictures. As you can occasionally have your country of origin cloaked but if java does not work it is not significantly use.

Anonymous said...

xanax online xanax dosage pictures - xanax bars in your system

Anonymous said...

20000 :) Generic Azithromycin - order azithromycin no prescription http://www.zithromaxhowtobuy.net/#azithromycin-no-prescription, [url=http://www.zithromaxhowtobuy.net/#azithromycin-no-prescription]Order Zithromax[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://landvoicelearning.com/#74967 tramadol overdose treat - tramadol hcl 50 mg mylan

Anonymous said...

learn how to buy tramdadol generic tramadol er - tramadol sandoz sr 100mg

Anonymous said...

http://landvoicelearning.com/#74967 buy tramadol cod overnight delivery - can you buy tramadol over the counter in usa

Anonymous said...

aaa!!! Generic Topiramate - buy topiramate online no prescription http://www.topamaxbestonline.net/#topamax-online, [url=http://www.topamaxbestonline.net/#topamax-online]Order Topamax[/url]

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin online will gain weight klonopin - buy klonopin online no prescription

Anonymous said...

03 buy bupropion - buy bupropion http://www.wellbutrinforsaleonline.net/#cheap-wellbutrin, [url=http://www.wellbutrinforsaleonline.net/#buy-bupropion]zyban sale[/url]

Anonymous said...

03 buy prednisolone online - buy cheap prednisone http://www.prednisoneonlinerx.net/index.html, [url=http://www.prednisoneonlinerx.net/index.html]buy generic prednisone [/url]

Anonymous said...

learn how to buy tramdadol tramadol for dogs itching - tramadol dosage human

Anonymous said...

4, lasix online - furosemide 40 mg http://www.lasixordernow.net/, [url=http://www.lasixordernow.net/]lasix cost [/url]

Anonymous said...

4, lasix online - generic for lasix http://www.lasixordernow.net/#order-lasix, [url=http://www.lasixordernow.net/#lasix-cost]lasix online[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://www.integrativeonc.org/adminsio/buyklonopinonline/#5508 klonopin side effects long term usage - klonopin medication

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin online effects of klonopin erowid - klonopin dosage in elderly

Anonymous said...

all, buy cheap plavix - cheap plavix pills http://www.plavixonlineorder.com/#cheap-plavix-pills , [url=http://www.plavixonlineorder.com/#where-to-buy-plavix ]where to buy plavix [/url]

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol for dogs information - tramadol interactions

Anonymous said...

ooo, imitrex online pharmacy - order imitrex online http://www.degordoagalan.com/, [url=http://www.degordoagalan.com/]cheap imitrex online [/url]