And, what IS the "mainstream US Community"? Do you characterize it as Christian evangelical? Catholic? Non-church going Americans of whatever heritage or religious background? Describe it because a lot of us are probably NOT in it.
I have friends who are not Christians and I do not consider them as somehow in a separate community from me.

Thanks Femmy, but it's well known that the Pakistani ISI is neck deep in what's going on in Islamist circles in Pakistan and the NWFP. They will only give up what is felt to be expendable.

My point was more to what is taking place here in the USA. Recent events over the past 2 months point to a massive disconnect. And that having been said, a very good portion of that is the result of any serious critique by the MSM in this country. We've seen the beginnings of that, but is a crime that it took the murder of 13 people and a unborn child to begin that discussion. My conclusion is that without credible outstide pressure, the US Muslim community seems unwilling or unable to confront the the issues that continue to put it at odds with mainstream US society. Am I wrong? I could be... please someone, anyone comment on that.

Not Bill, I think action is more important than words, don't you think? A couple of months ago, the Indonesian police raided a terrorist complex and one of the leaders behind several bombings in Indonesia (in Bali and Jakarta) was killed. Other people behind these bombings have also been captured and executed. So we do our own share. I wonder if things like this make the news over there.

Don't take the "silence" here the wrong way. Probably people just have other things in their lives that need their attention.

Yeah...how's that "peaceful verses" bullshit workin' out for ya? Nice eh?

Yer all a bunch of cowards. COWARDS. I call each and everyone of you out for not coming to terms with what is going on. I've given you all plenty of opportunity to engage thoughtfully but I get the same ol bullshit that the rest of the world does. SILENCE.

Well guess what... you'll go the way of silence, and noone will give a rat's ass. Happy? Didn't think so, so what ya gonna do to turn things around?

Yes...silence. This is the problem. It's always this way.

OK...so since the multiple arrests of homegrown Al-Qaeda terrosists in the US, and the uncovering of multiple terrorist plots with at least involving WMDs, where's the Muslim outrage? Where are the good, peace loving Muslims demanding that these soundrels be taken to the woodshed and justly punished for smearing the good name of Islam?

There's been a few outcris, but THAT IS THE PROBLEM! Other than that, there's silence. People, if you are not going to be part of the solution, then you will surely go down as part of the problem. Care to guess where you are now? We can all work together on this. We can do this, but you NEED TO STEP UP! Flush the platitudes and hopey/changey talk. Take action. DEMAND that your voice get heard. Don't let any media shape your argument because together WE ARE THE VOICE!. Many are waiting, time to own your share. Make no mistake. This time, an Imam has been directly implicated, though there are other cases that have gotten less attention. Those will resurface as the press suddenly awakens ands sees a chance to make some money. Now is the time to act. Step up!

Thanks Sina

Of course you don't have time. How convenient. On the other hand, there are Muslims around the world who do have time, and are putting their lives on the line.

It's not my ego. and it's sure as hell not my media. I make it a point to be engaged and informed. It's no small shame as an American that I get the majority of my news from foreign sources as our own are so politicized. But that's how it is. I'm sure we both can agree and praise the beauty of the internet. Neither of us need be enslaved to a state-run media.

i have no time to go research millions of specific events to a person who is such a cultural egoist, he can't even stand to hear the slightest thing about his own media. And that media is the same thing that made u that person...had it not been the media showing everyone ONLY the bad parts of Islam, u wouldn't be so stingy today.

Really Cecily? That was perhaps one of the biggest, steaming piles of crap passed as "logic" that I've seen in quite some time. However, let's explore your thesis that the media is biased against Islam in favor of other religions (namely Christianity and Judaism). Please provide specific examples of this bias, because after all - I just may have missed it.

Update: And now it is Tuesday, 9/1/09, the 5 year anniversary of Beslan.

and i have to say- majority of muslims are very good followers of what the Quran says. the few that aren't are publicized so much it seems to be a lot. But if u compare with the other religions, i'm sure there are just as much "bad" Christians/Jews who do stuff that is totally against their religion. Because everday when i watch the news, i see that people are murdered/harrassed/etc...and i'm almost 99% sure that all those people are Christians/Jewish/etc., just not very religious. (because obviously if they were Muslim it would be mentioned in the news report)

Not Bill wrote: "... The only reason the media picks up on it is that is practically unavoidable..."
the only reason the media picks up on it is because they want to show that Muslims are bad. There are so many things that are done for Christians/Catholics that are among the same line as what comes in the news for Muslims, but obviously if it's done for Christian reasons they don't publicize it. I wouldn't make a statement by just listening to what the media said. (and this is to everyone)

Agreed, it's a small minority. Unfortunately, they make up the power structure, most notably in Saudi. The only reason the media picks up on it is that is practically unavoidable - they can't ignore it. What needs to happen is an ezpansion of the internal dialogue within Islam. It is there, no doubt about it, I've spoken with many individuals who put themselves on the frontline but it needs to be cinched up. There are concerns that there simply isn't the stomach for such a confrontation.

Another fact is that the International media pick up the blacksheep of the community and portray them as Examplary muslims.

Well, the majority of Muslims are peaceful people, who live by these verses. The disconnect you mention applies only a very small minority, who resorts to violence to achieve their purpose. For example, in Indonesia alone, there are over 200 million Muslims. And how many of those are militants? A drop in the ocean. Unfortunately, some people stubbornly consider the acts of these militants as correctly representing Islam, instead of the acts of the 200 million Muslims.

It would seem there is a disconnect between the written word and its practice. A huge disconnect.

You are welcome.

Thank you Sina for sharing such wonderful verses from Holy Quran. Thnak you again.

The peaceful verses of the Quran outlaw the murder of innocent people, women,children

"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors. (The Noble Quran, 2:190)"

"But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in God: for He is One that heareth and knoweth (all things). (The Noble Quran, 8:61)"

"If thou dost stretch thy hand against me, to slay me, it is not for me to stretch my hand against thee to slay thee: for I do fear God, the cherisher of the worlds. (The Noble Quran, 5:28)"

"God does not forbid you from showing kindness and dealing justly with those who have not fought you about religion and have not driven you out of your homes. God loves just dealers. (The Noble Quran, 60:8)"

"And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for God. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrongdoers. (The Noble Quran 2:193)"

"Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things. (The Noble Quran, 2:256)"

"Again and again will those who disbelieve, wish that they had bowed (to God's will) in Islam. Leave them alone, to enjoy (the good things of this life) and to please themselves: let (false) hope amuse them: soon will knowledge (undeceive them). (The Noble Quran, 15:2-3)"

"Say, 'The truth is from your Lord': Let him who will believe, and let him who will, reject (it):......(The Noble Quran, 18:29)"

"If it had been thy Lord's will, they would all have believed,- all who are on earth! wilt thou then COMPEL mankind, against their will, to believe! (The Noble Quran, 10:99)"

"Say: 'Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger: but if ye turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and ye for that placed on you. If ye obey him, ye shall be on right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to preach the clear (Message). (The Noble Quran, 24:54)"

"Say : O ye that reject Faith! I worship not that which ye worship, Nor will ye worship that which I worship. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship, Nor will ye worship that which I worship. To you be your Way, and to me mine. (The Noble Quran, 109:1-6)"

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