NEW YEAR'S WISH

Nothing Personal

That Islamic authorities who publish the Qu'ran sincerely realize that a new twenty-first century edition is urgently required, and is edited to remove all forms of hatred and terrorism, becoming a book of peace and love ... published and taught only in the official language/s of the country of its' use.

أن السلطات الإسلامية الذي نشر القرآن يدرك بصدق ما هو مطلوب جديدة طبعة القرن الحادي والعشرين على وجه السرعة، أن يتم تحرير لإزالة كافة أشكال الكراهية والإرهاب، وأصبح كتاب السلام والمحبة ... نشرت وتدرس فقط في اللغة / ث الرسمي للبلاد من "استخدامه.

'ann alssulutat al'iislamiat aldhy nushir alquran yudrik bisidq ma hu matlub jadidat tbet alqarn alhadi waleishrin ealaa wajh alssareati, 'an yatimm tahrir li'iizalat kaft 'ashkal alkirahiat wal'iirhab , wa'asbah kitab alssalam walmahabba ... nasharat w tadrus faqat fi alllughat / th alrrasmi lilbilad min " aistikhdamih .

Immigration 4 - Assimilation

I’ve wanted to write this for some time.  Ever since I realized that my posts were becoming rants.

I’m a nice guy.  Really.  And I feel that I know something about fundamental Islam (I’ve lived and worked in Islamic countries).

Fortunately, I am an immigrant who became a citizen ... and I use the word ‘fortunately’, wisely.

It was easier for me to assimilate into Canadian culture, although I don’t usually like to get up on a Sunday morning and drive, half asleep, to a restaurant for ‘brunch’, eh.

But, now, I find myself frustrated by misunderstood Muslims who exacerbate the Islamic Problem.

This isn’t about hate.  Buddhism taught me that ... Christianity too.  It is about assimilation.

Let me conjure up a common scene for you:

A city center on a sunny weekend.  Any large city in Canada (This could also apply, for example, in the U.K. or the U.S.).

Imagine being able to stand in a prominent position overlooking the scene.

Now, scan the crowd and identify a French Canadian.  Possible?  No.

Ok, try to identify an Italian Canadian, a Korean Canadian, or a Mexican Canadian.  Impossible.  Right?

Now, try to identify a Muslim Canadian.  Oh, wow!  That’s easier than eating strawberry ice cream.

But it’s not about numbers.  It doesn’t matter if there are 25 or 25,000, they are identifiable, and it’s got nothing to do with religion.  The Qu’ran demands only that they should dress “modestly”.  Just like my mother, I suppose.

In my opinion, it’s about the Muslims misinterpreted belief that they are different.  That a world defined by Sharia law would be perfection.  Quiet, moderate, Muslims do not loudly decry the Islamic inspired atrocities because they are patiently ... waiting.

Actually, back in the city center, there are a few young Muslims who look like other Canadians but, unfortunately, they are too afraid to be identified by demanding that their imams teach assimilation and not contradistinction ... hopefully, in one of the two official languages.

Is it enough to just simply "hope"?

Religion 8 - Ancient Manuscript

I have just read an interesting article in the Toronto Star newspaper about two ancient fragments of the Qu’ran recently uncovered by the University of Birmingham in the UK.  My focus was attracted towards the words used by scholars who were captivated by the sudden discovery.

It seems that the pieces of manuscript, written in ink on goatskin, have been carbon-dated by Oxford University as “close to the time of the Prophet Mohammad”, who is believed to have lived between 570 and 632 AD.  “ The manuscript could well have been written just after he died,” said David Thomas, a professor of Christian and Islamic studies at the University of Birmingham.  Although, at the same time, it was stated that the goatskin was from the time of the Prophet’s life.

Muslim tradition says that the declarations of the Qu’ran were received between 610 and 632 AD, but were not written down immediately.  Nevertheless, the relationship to the Christian Commandments should not be dismissed.

The manuscript is to be displayed to the public in October and, already, there is some global hysteria developing.  Mohammed Ali, the administer of the Birmingham Mosque described his emotion as, “There were tears in my eyes,” he said, recalling his thrill at seeing something from the time of the Prophet.  “It is very much unique.  This is something from his life”.

I can’t help wondering how long it will be before these fragments will be demanded by the huge Muslim community in Birmingham (20% of the population) housed in a gold-framed glass case, becoming part of a future ceremony stating that they could be of the Prophet himself.

Religion 6 — Shawls and Scarves

As an occasional teacher of English to Muslim students but, now, resident in an English-speaking country (Equally, acknowledging the existence of our French-speaking cousins), I feel justified in making the following suggestion or request for, at least, two reasons.  Firstly, our language must not be ignored because of its essential effect on accurate communication in our multi-ethnic society and, secondly, there needs to be opposition to some misinterpretation in translation by extreme individuals of other cultures.

There is an increasing backlash against the wearing of certain clothing for (so-called) religious reasons.  From a language point of view, specifically, I shall focus upon shawls and scarves, known as a hijab in some foreign languages.  And, that, is my first point;  if the discussion was about the wearing of a scarf or shawl, either around the neck or over the head, would there be so much heated discussion?  I doubt it.  Therefore, let us start speaking English.

Of course, the real problem is hiding the face, but that is a completely separate matter from the point of view of identification and security ... and has nothing to do with religion.

Here, I should be pleased to quote from an authorized English language version (Wikipedia) of the Qu’ran.  I am sure that it will cause some surprise.

“And say that the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, etc. ...”

Sura 24 (An-Nur), ayat 30-31, Qur'an

“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them. That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not harassed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.”

Sura 33 (Al-Ahzab), ayah 59, Qur'an

However, there are many different interpretations of what "modesty" requires.  The Qu’ran admonishes Muslim women to dress modestly and cover their breasts and genitals.  The Qu’ran explicitly states that "O wives of the Prophet, you are not like anyone among women" (Qu’ran 33: 32) and as such has separate rules specifically for the wives of the Prophet.  However, many people often mistake it for rules for all Muslim women.  The Qu’ran has no requirement that women cover their faces with a veil, or cover their bodies with the full-body burqua or chador.  The Qur'an does not mandate or even mention the hijab (A scarf).

Comments are not only welcome but requested.