Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Which Islam Do Muslims Present To You?


Which Islam Do Muslims Present To You?

Part 1

[Studies on Islam]

Feel free to copy and distribute



Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15



Which Islam do Muslims present?

Is it true that Islam is a religion of peace?

Does Islam teach Muslims to behead non-Muslims?

Is Islam the tolerant teachings of Mohammed, the first militant commander of Muslims, while he was in Mecca or the violent teachings he gave after moving to Medina?



Muslims try to improve the image of Islam by claiming it is a religion of peace. They fail to share the whole truth about Islam, presenting only the tolerant teachings that Mohammed taught while in Mecca, not his violent teachings that he taught in Medina. In Medina, Mohammed instructed Muslims to kill non-Muslims. K 9:5, 29



In Mecca (610-623 AD), Mohammed shared Ebionism, a Christian heresy that he adopted after he married a Christian widow Khadija. Because he had no power, he took no action against those who did not accept his heretical Christian beliefs and was tolerant of Jews and Christians. He told them, "We believe in what has been revealed to you (the Bible). Our Allah and your God are the same." (K 29:45) When Mohammed failed to gain a following in Mecca, he moved to Medina where his mother's tribe offered him armed support.



In Medina (623-633 AD) Mohammed gained power and subsequently changed his tolerant stance. He instructed his followers to force Jews and Christians to convert to Islam, to extort money from them or to kill them. With the backing of his mother's tribe, he attacked tribes to force them to accept Islam by threatening death. In the Koran, one can clearly see the difference in Mohammed's tolerant teachings in Mecca and his violent teachings in Medina.



For example, Mohammed instructed Muslims to sign a peace treaty only if they are losing a battle. "If they (non-Muslims) want peace, sign a peace treaty with them and trust in Allah." (K 8:61) However, If Muslims are winning, Mohammed instructed them not to agree to peace. "Do not sign a peace treaty if you have the upper hand. Allah is with you." K 47:35



Today, Muslims, instructed by the Koran, continue to wage Jihad (terrorist) attacks wherever they have political power to force people into Islam. While we do not agree with the actions of Muslims, we hold Islam responsible because it instructs Muslims to kill non-Muslims. K 9:5, 29



Following are a few of the contradictions between Mohammed's tolerant teachings in Mecca and his violent teachings in Medina.



In Mecca, Mohammed said that Muslims and non-Muslims would get into paradise.

"The believers (Muslims), Jews, Christians, Sabians and whoever believes in Allah, the Judgment Day and does good works will receive their reward from their Lord." Koran 2:62; 5:69



In Medina, Mohammed said that ONLY Muslims would get into paradise.

"Fight those who do not believe in Allah and the Judgment Day, or who do not forbid what has been forbidden by Allah and his messenger (Mohammed), or who do not believe in the religion of truth (Islam) among the people of the Book (Jews and Christians) until they surrender, pay extortion and feel themselves subdued." K 9:29


In Mecca, Mohammed allowed freedom of religion.

"Religion is not forced." K 2:256

"I (Mohammed) can have my belief and you (Jews and Christians) can have your belief." K 109:6



In Medina, Mohammed forced people into Islam.

"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him." K 3:85

"Fight them (non-Muslims) until there is no apostasy and the only religion accepted is the religion of Allah (Islam)." K 2:193


In Mecca, Mohammed was tolerant of other faiths because he had no power to force them into his beliefs.

"Do not comply with the infidels and hypocrites (who claim they are Muslims). Disregard their hurt and trust in Allah." K 33:48


In Medina, Mohammed took revenge on his opposition.

"The punishment for those who wage war against Allah and his messenger (Mohammed) and commit crimes is to be killed, or crucified, or have one hand and one foot cut off on opposite sides or they should be exiled. This is their disgrace in this lifetime and a severe punishment is theirs in the hereafter." K 5:33


In Mecca, Mohammed taught Muslims not to force people into Islam.

"If they become Muslims they are guided rightly. If they do not accept Islam, you (Mohammed) are only to share the message." K 3:19

"You (Muslims) are not responsible to guide them (non-Muslims) to the right way (Islam) but Allah guides whom he pleases." K 2:272

"If it had been your Lord's will, all people on earth would have believed [in Islam]. Are you (Mohammed) forcing people to become believers (Muslims)! No one can believe except by the will of Allah." K 10:99-100

"[O Mohammed], your duty is to share the message. It is our part (Allah) to judge." K 13:40

"If it had been Allah's will, they would not have become infidels. We (Allah) did not send you (Mohammed) to monitor their actions or judge their affairs." K 6:107


In Medina, Mohammed instructed Muslims to kill anyone who does not accept Islam.

"If they do not accept Islam, seize them and kill them wherever you find them." K 4:89

"O prophet (Mohammed) incites the believers (Muslims) to fight." K 8:65

"Fight them until there will be no apostasy and the religion becomes Allah's religion (Islam)." K 8:39

"Kill the infidels (non-Muslims) wherever you find them, seize them and lie in wait to ambush them. If they repent (convert to Islam) and give alms let them go." K 9:5

"Fight the infidels (non-Muslims) and the hypocrites (who claim they are Muslims) and be aggressive to them. They are condemned to hell." K 9:73

"When you (Muslims) encounter infidels (non-Muslims), behead them." K 47:4

"I (Allah) will terrorize the hearts of the infidels (non-Muslims). Behead them and cut off their fingers because they did not believe in Allah and his apostle (Mohammed). If anyone does not believe in Allah and his apostle, Allah has severe torment." K 8:12-13


When early Muslims raised concerns regarding killing non-Muslims, Mohammed encouraged them to fight and carry out Jihad (terrorist) attacks for the sake of Allah. He claimed that Muslims who die for Allah would be rewarded in paradise with busty white virgins. K 78:33


Mohammed Beheaded 800 Jewish Men

Mohammed and his followers attacked the Jewish tribe of Quraiza in Arabia and beheaded eight hundred men, raped the women and made them concubines, enslaved the children, then divided their possessions among themselves. Mohammed took Rayhana as a concubine.


It was in revenge for attacking her Jewish tribe of Khaybar and for the deaths of her father, brother and husband that Zainab Bint El-Harith poisoned Mohammed, resulting in his death in 633 AD. [Biography of Mohammed by Bin Hesham]


Mawardi, a Muslim scholar, wrote regarding infidel captives of Jihad attacks, "The Prince (Jihad leader) can choose to behead them, enslave them, ransom them or pardon them." [Mawardi, The Laws of Islamic Government, translated by Dr. Assad Allah Yate, London, Taha Publishers Ltd., 1986, p. 192]


For fourteen centuries, from Morocco to India, Muslims have waged Jihad (terrorist) attacks against Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, Buddhists and Hindus. Muslims have massacred thousands of people by cutting their throat or beheading them. In Egypt, 15 million Christians face severe persecution daily. Muslims ask them to choose one of three choices: to convert to Islam, pay extortion or be killed.


The beheading and slaying of non-Muslims by Muslims has occurred worldwide; in Indonesia, Egypt, Sudan, the Philippines and Nigeria; Hindu priests and unveiled Hindu women in Kashmir. Daniel Pearl, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was beheaded in Pakistan in 2003. Nicholas Berg, a 26 year-old Jewish American, was beheaded in Iraq in 2004 while on business for his company and his decapitation by Zarqawi, a Jihad leader, was shown on a video on the Internet.


It should not be surprising that Jihad terrorism practices slaying and beheading of non-Muslims. In fact, these horrible acts are taught in the Koran (K 47:4; 8:12,13) and approved by Muslim scholars. This is the true face of Islam which Mohammed taught and practiced in Medina.


Glossary
* ISLAM is a combination of Paganism, worship of the moon god Allah and Ebionism, a Christian heresy, spread by Mohammed Bin Abd Allah in Arabia in the 7th century. The word “Islam” was not derived from the Arabic word “salam”, which means “peace” as Muslims claim. It was derived from “istislam” which means “surrender or die”. The word “sal’lem” was the word which Mohammed shouted while pursuing his opposition. His militant commands, terrorist attacks, pagan, and Ebionism’s beliefs are contained in the Koran, the book of Islam.
* MECCA is a town in Arabia where Mohammed shared his Christian heresy from 610-623 AD. Because he had no power, he took no action against those who chose not to follow him in Mecca.
* MEDINA is a city in Arabia where Mohammed moved after his mother=s tribe offered him armed support. In Medina (623-633 AD), he and his mother’s tribe waged wars to force people to follow him or be killed. In the Koran, one can clearly see the difference in Mohammed’s tolerant teachings in Mecca and his harsh teachings in Medina. Muslims, instructed by the Koran, continue Jihad attacks wherever they have political power, to force people into Islam.
* KORAN is the book of Islam that Mohammed claimed was revealed to him by Allah, the pagan moon god of Arabs.
(K 1:1) stands for (Koran chapter 1: verse 1)
* HADITH is Mohammed’s sayings collected by Bukhary.
(B 1:1) stands for (Bukhary volume 1: saying 1)
* JIHAD, holy war, is an Islamic term that means to spread Islam by force and kill whoever refuses to convert. It is the most sacred duty of Muslims and is carried out by Muslim extremists, politically known as terrorists. The Koran promotes the use of terrorist tactics (K 8:12) to spread Islam and promises that Muslims who die for Allah will enjoy big breasted white virgins in paradise. K 78:33


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The Great Commission

Islamists in Egypt Blame Christians for Voting

Islamists in Egypt Blame Christians for Voting







(AINA) -- The official results of the first round of the Egyptian presidential elections were announced today, the run-off will be between Mohamed Morsy, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, and Air Marshal Ahmad Shafik, Mubarak's last PM, who served for less than one month during the revolution and before Mubarak was ousted.
This results, which were expected since Friday, has enraged many Egyptians who feel that they are left with two options, each worst than the other, namely either going back to the Mubarak regime represented by Shafik or the Islamists who will drag Egypt into being another Afghanistan or Iran. Nasserist candidate Hamdeed Sabahy, favored by a great number of youth -- especially those who participated in the 25 January Revolution, came in third.
Many Islamists, fearing Shafik if he comes to power, especially after vowing to bring back order and security within one month of his election, are blaming Copts for voting for Shafik and bringing him to second place. Copts have been accused of being "traitors" and "anti-revolutionary" for voting to bring back the old regime.
Nearly 6,000,000 Christian Copts were eligible to vote, from a total Coptic population of 18,000,000 Copts (according to the Church's data).
These accusations against the Copts, which started last Friday after the preliminary elections results were released, are seen by many as a real threat to Copts. "These accusations are part of a terror and intimidation campaign to prevent them from voting again for Shafik," said Egyptian writer Saad Namnam, "or even boycotting the elections altogether, which would be the same as voting for Morsy."
Two days ago The Islamic group Gama'a al-Islamiyya issued a statement which said that the advance of Ahmed Shafik in the elections was due to several reasons. Firstly "sectarian voting, where the Copts gave their votes to Shafik at the direction of the church, which is unfortunate."
"We have been bombarded by the media by accusations from the revolutionary youths and prominent Islamist leaders," said Caroline Asaad, of Maspero Coptic Youths Federation. "Our friends at college, work and our neighbors all accuse the Egyptian Church of high treason by directing Copts to vote for Shafik." Caroline said she voted for Sabahi while her parents voted for Shafik.
"What did they want us to do?" said Coptic activist Mark Ebeid. "Whoever says that supporting Shafik is a crime against the '25 January Revolution', we ask him to advise us whom to vote for? The sea is in front of us and the Islamists are behind us."
Dr Emad Gad, MP and deputy director of Al-Ahram Centre for Strategic Studies, said this campaign against the Copts is a prepared strategy by the Muslim Brotherhood to increase the chances of their candidate in the run-off election, by promoting a lie that votes of the Copts helped Shafik to advance. "This is not true at all. The largest block of votes for Shafik was in the four provinces of the Delta, namely Sharkia, Gharbia, Menoufiah and Dakahila, where the Copts make up only 5% of the total population." He added that the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafists usually say the total number of the Copts does not exceed 6% of the population. "So does this ratio have the ability to turn the election results upside down?"
Christian politician George Ishaq, of the Dostor Party, said that it is not true that the Coptic vote was behind Shafik getting second place. "To accuse the Christians of all voting for Shafik is not true, as the Christians are not one voting block. Christian youths voted for Hamdeen Sabahi, those who are older voted for Shafik and Amr Moussa." He added that those who voted for Shafik were the "remnants" of the Mubarak regime and members of his dissolved NDP Party, some Christians who fear a religious state as well as all those who fear the Revolution.
This was confirmed by results of a Coptic voting trends survey carried out by Coptic website Christian Dogma. The results were divided between Shafik, Ex-Arab League Secretary Amr Moussa and Hamdeen Sabahi.
Dr. Gad believes the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups want to bring religion into the elections again, as votes for their candidate Morsy have declined, having received only half the votes the Muslim Brotherhood got in the parliamentary elections.
"There is no better way to reap votes like getting religion into elections; to do so you have to mobilize people through religion," says Dr. Gad. "You also deprive your opponent of his supporters or the largest number of them, and the easiest way to do this in Egypt is to speak to uneducated or simple Egyptians, and tell them that your rival is the candidate of the Church, and Copts support him." He said that the Muslim Brotherhood and Islamists tried it in the parliamentary elections and succeeded. "Certainly, the Muslim Brotherhood's plan to seize the post of President during the run-off is to 'religionalize' the run-off on the one hand and intensify talk about Coptic support for Shafik on the other."
Some TV programs and their guests defended the Copts. "Copts should not be blamed, but blame those who terrorized them," said ex-presidential candidate Khaled Ali. Most media guests said the dismal performance of Islamists in parliament was the reason why voters turned away from them to other candidates, especially those looking for stability.
Egyptians who voted for Shafik believe that they would not re-elect him after four years if he fails them, but with the Muslim Brotherhood, they believe they would never get rid of them once they have control of all the organs of government.
Bishop Anba Pachomius, the acting Patriarch of Coptic Church, denied that the Church had any role in Shafik reaching the run-off election, saying that the Coptic citizen has the right to choose the next president who represents his aspirations, and no one has any right to dictate to him any opinion. He added that the church did not decide so far on a particular candidate to support for the run-off election before considering his stance on Article II of the Constitution, which is vital for this decision, as it should also ensure that Copts resort to their laws and their holy books with regards to their personal status laws. Article II states "Islam is the Religion of the State. Arabic is its official language, and the principal source of legislation is Islamic Jurisprudence [Sharia]."
In an interview published in al-Dostor Daily on Sunday, Bishop Pachomius pointed the necessity to specify the criteria that must be met in the presidential candidate, "mainly believing in a secular state, the principle of citizenship, the adoption of the common law for building of houses of worship, and the personal laws for non-Muslims." The Coptic Orthodox Church had issued a statement before the elections saying that it is not endorsing any candidate.
Tarek el Zomor, a prominent figure of the Gama'a al-Islamiyya "demanded an apology from the Copts "for voting for Shafik, as "this was a fatal error." This has enraged Copts.
"What if most Christians agreed among themselves to have allegiance to the candidate with the least inclinations towards a religious State? Where is the offense in it and why wonder about it?" commented Coptic activist Wagih Yacoub. "Did they really expect a Christian to choose a president to represent him from those who cut off the ear of a Christian (AINA 3-26-2011), blocked the railways in objection to the appointment of a Christian governor in Qena (AINA 5-3-2011), burn down several churches and who are diligently working to write a Constitution which undermines the rights of Christians? Then I do not know what apology is demanded from us Christians by Zomor? And to whom? And why?"
Tarek El-Zomor was convicted in 1984 for his role in the assassination of Egypt's former President Anwar Sadat and for belonging to the Islamic Jihad group. He was released by the military council in March 2011.
On Saturday May 26, during a TV interview on Al Nahar TV with prominent presenter Mahmoud Saad, Dr. Morsy said that Egypt is for everyone and that Muslims and Christians are equal before the law. Addressing the Copts, Morsy said that he cannot imagine that there is any Copt who would contribute towards the return of the former regime.
Morsy wondered whether over the past 80 years (since the Muslim Brotherhood was founded) if anyone has heard of any attack by a member of the Muslim Brotherhood against any Copt. He said that Copts took part in the Revolution and the bullets of the former regime did not differentiate between a Muslim or Copt. He vowed to the Copts that they will be Egyptian citizens before the law, in their rights and duties (video).
Addressing Morsy, popular anchor Amr Adib said yesterday during his program Cairo Today, which is viewed by millions of Egyptians, it is no good making promises on TV. "If you want the votes of the Copts then give them a signed document that it is possible for a Copt to be president or vice-president of Egypt, or even that a Copt could be allowed to be head of the Gynecology Department at a hospital, of which they are deprived."
By Mary Abdelmassih
http://www.aina.org/news/20120528191505.


Muslim Brotherhood Attempting to Disenfranchise Egyptian Christian Voters

Muslim Brotherhood Attempting to Disenfranchise Egyptian Christian Voters







(AINA) -- The Egyptian presidential election campaigns are coming to an end, with voting slated for May 23 and 24. Ruthless smear tactics have been used by the different candidates to disqualify each other, most of these targeting candidates who advocate a civilian state. An intensive psychological war is being waged against the Christian voters to disenfranchise them by "spreading lies around their preferred candidates and using tricks to weaken their vote by dividing it," says Coptic activist Waguih Jacob.
Because of their considerable numbers, the Copts have been approached by nearly all candidates for their support, some even promising to make one of the presidential deputies a Copt. According to the Coptic Church's registry of births and deaths, its followers are between 15-17 million in a total Egyptian population of 82-85 millions. "They make a big voting block which can tip the scales towards a particular candidate," says Dr. Emad Gad, vice-director of the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies and an elected member of parliament. "Their vote would be particularly effective in a run-off, if no candidate scores more than 50 percent in the first round."
Coptic organizations conducted several polls which consistently showed that although Coptic votes are split, they are inclined to vote for Ahmed Shafik, Mubarak's civil aviation minister and his last prime minister, and Amr Moussa, former Egyptian foreign minister and former Arab League chief, as well as the Nasserist candidate Hamdeen Sabahi. These three candidates advocate a civilian state. Ahmad Shafik is favored with the Copts because of his long-standing friendship with the late Pope Shenouda, whom Shafik calls his "Big Brother."
Though Shafik and Moussa are from the previous regime, their supporters believe they have administration experience and would bring stability to the country.
The Coptic Church issued a statement saying "the Church stands at an equal distance from all candidates and does not support any candidate. It prays for Egypt to get a good president who supports the civilian state, the law and equal citizenship rights."
A poll conducted on May 19 showed 70% of Copts favor Shafik, 16% Amr Moussa and 13% Hamdeen Sabahi. "In other words, Copts will not vote for any Islamist presidential candidate," said Dr. Naguib Gabriel, president of the Egyptian Union of Human Rights Organization, which conducted the poll. The poll also showed that Copts were not concerned about candidates who were in the former Mubarak regime.
In an effort to sway the Coptic vote, the semi-official Al-Ahram daily published on May 18 a story saying a military court has acquitted the three soldiers charged with killing protesters during the Maspero Massacre of October 9, 2011, which claimed the lives of 26 and wounding 329 Copts. The Court emphasized in its ruling that the soldiers were in a legitimate case of self-defense, reported the newspaper. All other media copied this news.
This news was denied by Coptic attorney Nabil Gabriel, one of the lawyers for the Maspero victims. He said that it was a shame on Al-Ahram newspaper to publish false news and cause pain to the Copts for political purposes. "The reason behind publishing this completely false news, in my opinion, is to set Copts against the military and in the end sway the Copts away from voting for Shafik, who has a military background." Gabriel said the Maspero case has been postponed until May 31.
Activist Mark Ebeid believes that the newly founded General Coptic Organization, with its head Dr. Sherif Doss, who is a member of the election campaign of Abou el Fetouh, the former deputy counselor of the Muslim Brotherhood, was planted to recruit Coptic votes for el Fetouh. "Several disputes took place between him and other Coptic organizations, who suspected that by using the name of his Coptic organization he was misleading Copts to vote for Abou el Fetouh," said Ebeid.
Dr. William Wissa, a Coptic writer, said that many Copts believed at first that Abou el Fetouh was a liberal and were inclined to vote for him, until his role in creating the "Islamic Jamaa" groups, which carried out terror attacks against Egyptians in general and Copts in particular and killed over 1000 persons in the 1970s, was exposed. He said the Copts will definitely not give their votes to any Islamist candidate.
To alienate Copts from the former regime candidates, newspapers articles have published stories about the Copts who were murdered by the Mubarak regime and its former members, and SMS messages have been sent to Copts, saying "I hope that you choose to vote for Dr. Mohamed Morsi [Muslim Brotherhood candidate] but if you are not convinced then chose another one, but remember the martyrs if you are thinking of voting for Moussa or Shafik."
In another example, Waguih Jacob said the Muslim Brotherhood attempted to co-opt the Coptic vote by secretly supporting a completely unknown Coptic presidential candidate named Nageh Meligy. Mr, Meligy, a post office director, obtained as required 30 signatures of Members of Parliament, but none were Coptic members. He refused to disclose their names, so as not to "cause them embarrassment with the political parties they represent," reported the State news agency MENA. Meligy advocated a modern civilian state. "The Copts saw through this trick," said Jacob, "and Meligy disappeared suddenly from the scene."
By Mary Abdelmassih
http://www.aina.org/news/20120521100049.htm

Egypt's Christians Outraged By Court Ruling

Egypt's Christians Outraged By Court Ruling


(AINA) -- The verdict passed by the Minya Criminal Court on May 21 convicting 12 Copts to life imprisonment while acquitting eight accused Muslims in the same case, known as Abu Qurqas sedition, has caused widespread anger among the Copts. Georges Wahib of United Copts, who attended the court session, said that when judge Abdel Fattah Ahmed al-Sughayar pronounced the verdict at the court yesterday "there was complete silence, as it came as a shock to everyone, then cries of grief and wailing could be heard from the Coptic families with shouts of we are innocent, while the Muslim side broke out into jubilation and shouts of Allahu Akbar."
All prisoners were taken to the basement, and the court itself was surrounded by hundreds of military police. For security the court session was transferred to Beni Suef from Minya Criminal Court.
The events of the case started on April 18, 2011 over a speed hump built in front of the residence of a wealthy Coptic lawyer, Alaa Reda Roushdi, which a minibus driver claimed was damaging cars. The fight that broke out led to the death of 2 Muslims, injury to 4 Copts, and the destruction and looting of Coptic-owned homes and businesses (AINA 4-26-2011).
Many rights groups criticized the verdict as being "unbelievable" and "extremely harsh" towards the Copts. All the Muslims defendants, "who torched at least 56 Coptic homes, as well as businesses and barns, were acquitted," said Wagdi Halfa, defense attorney of the Coptic victims, in an interview aired yesterday by Coptic TV Channel. He expressed his incomprehension at how Coptic lawyer Alaa Reda Roushdi, who was not even in Abou Qorqas during the events, and then kept under house arrest by the police for another three days, could get life imprisonment.
Adel Roushdi, younger brother of Alaa Roushdi said during the same TV interview that the Islamists wanted to get rid of his brother because of the parliamentary elections, where his brother was sure to win. He accused the police chief in Abou Qorqas of planning the whole episode.
Dr. Naguib Gabriel, president of the Egyptian Union Human Rights Organization, said that one should not keep silent over the continuing harsh verdicts against the Copts. He called upon the military council to stop the implementation of this ruling and to order a re-trial of the case in an ordinary court in another district. He said "where is the conscience and faith of the judge in connection with the torching of Christian homes and shops by Muslims, as reported by the police?" He also questioned the reason for having the case in front of an Emergency State Security court, where no appeal is allowed, while the charges were murder, attempted murder, congregation and carrying of firearms.
Michael Monier, an American-Egyptian activist and head of Life Party, described the verdict as racist and unjust, adding that "it also shows that the Egyptian judiciary takes its orders from higher authorities."
The European Union of Coptic Organizations for Human Rights (EUCOHR) issued a statement yesterday that it will not keep silent about the injustice in this case, and that it is calling for an urgent meeting with members of the European Parliament in Brussels to explain the tragedy of Copts in Egypt . They called upon the governing Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to use its constitutional powers to nullify this verdict and present the defendants to another court, where the rule of law and human rights are honored.
Dozens of Coptic human rights organizations and hundreds of Copts staged a sit-in at midday on May 22 in front of the Cairo High Court, denouncing the court ruling. The protesters raised banners bearing the phrase "by the mercy of God, the Egyptian judiciary is dead" and "This is a Country governed by beards and not the law." They chanted "Down with the military," "Muslims and Christians -- one hand," and demanded the equal application of justice and non-discrimination between Egyptians.
Attorney Karam Gabriel, who was present at the sit-in, said that the deputy attorney general called the Coptic lawyers and they presented their grievances against the Court's ruling, "which is beyond belief." He said that the deputy attorney general promised to have a look at the verdict and could then present a grievance memo to the military commander. Karam also said that the president of the bar association will also send a grievance memorandum, because one of the twelve convicted Christians is Alaa Roushdi, a lawyer."
Pastor Boutros Anba Bola, who was at the sit-in today, explained that this unjust verdict is passed at this point in time before the presidential election by an Islamist judge in order to make the Christians feel low and depressed so as not to participate in the voting, besides penalizing them for not wishing to vote for Islamists. He told Coptic activist Mariam Ragy in an audio interview that although he is not supposed to recommend any candidate, still he recommends General Ahmad Shafik, "as he is the best one for the Copts."
In Alexandria, nearly two thousand Copts and Muslims have staged a protest in front of the high court denouncing the "unjust verdict of the Salafist judiciary, said activist Grace Iskandar from International Echo Organization. He said that their sit-in will remain until a just verdict is achieved. Another protest in scheduled in Alexandria for Saturday May 26.
By Mary Abdelmassih
http://www.aina.org/news/20120524134813.htm


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The Qu'ran Has No Power; the April 28th Terry Jones Koran Burn Event and Reactions

 

The Qu'ran Has No Power; the April 28th Terry Jones Koran Burn Event and Reactions (with Updates)

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Dr Terry Jones sets a Koran and Image of Muhammad alight at 5:50pm ET, April 28th, 2012, Dove World Outreach Center, Gainesville, FL.

The 'Holy' Qu'ran has no power. Muslims believe the Koran should be respected and obeyed because you will be cursed with sickness or death by God himself otherwise. Since our first Koran Burn event, the name "Terry Jones" has become a common part of the discussion across the world among Muslims and non-Muslims. If the Koran is so 'holy' and has the power to take revenge on those that disrespect it, why is Terry Jones alive and well?
This is one spiritual reason we were joined by Afghan ex-Muslims living in exile in Asia in the burning of a Koran. They want to share the same testimony with Muslims. They burned the Koran, they were not harmed, the Koran has no power. They also agreed with our protest as a political statement. In Afghanistan, as in Iran where Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani awaits possible execution, Christians are regularly jailed, tortured and killed, simply for their faith. Islam produces spiritual and political violence and oppression.
Our event, located on the familiar field to the west of Dove World Outreach Center was openly supported by 30 people. Several had driven from towns in Georgia and Florida to join our church. Across 37th Street, in the quiet Mile Run neighborhood many people, police and reporters stood or sat in cars and watched from a distance. There may have been 100 witnesses to the burn in all.
Soon after 5pm ET, Dr Terry Jones, Pastor Wayne Sapp and our friend Jim from Freedom Fighter Radio spoke briefly about the dangers we face because of the rise of Islam.
"We thank you for coming today to the World Wide Burning of Korans and Images of Mohammad because as of now Pastor Youcef has not been resleased," began Dr Jones.
"We have received word from all over the world, from throughout the United States, Europe, India. We have been in contact with pastors in Africa, as many as 2000 who are going to be participating today.
A Koran and an image of Mohammad will be burned as a form of demonstration and protest against the brutality, murder, rape, destruction of Islam that has taken place over a 1400 year history and has not stopped."

"Today is not a day of celebration, by no means. It is actually a very sad day. It is sad that something like this needs to take place. It is sad that this type of step has to be taken, because through the generations our government, the governments of the western world have not been able to protect Christians, minorities, women, believers and unbelievers in Muslim dominated countries. Because of this, this type of action, and today this type of world action is necessary to say that we are done waiting and listening to the government. We are calling for the people of the world and the people of the United States to stand up. We are calling for a peaceful revolution. "
Hundreds around the world were watching our Ustream of the event.
Dr Terry Jones:
"As we travel through America one of the things we encounter is that people somehow believe that it cannot happen here. We have the Constitution. The Constitution is indeed a great, great document. I have lived overseas. I have visited 30 countries, I lived in Europe for 30 years. I am also convinced that the Constitution, outside of the Bible, is the greatest document to ever be written. But the Constitution is also under attack.
"People all over say it cannot happen here because of our Constitution. Well I am sure that many, many years ago, that is exactly what Egypt thought, that’s exactly what the Middle East thought. In fact that is exactly what Europe thought after World War II as they began to bring Muslim workers into Europe, all through Europe. They never imagined it could happen there. But now we have a Europe we can lean from. Now we have a Europe with 50 million Muslims. We have a Europe where every single country is fighting right now to maintain its rights, its Constitution, its way of life. It is fighting radical Islam. It is fighting so called moderate Muslims who after a while are no longer moderate. It is fighting Sharia Law.
"Let us in the United States not be so foolish as to think it cannot happen here. It can happen here. It will happen here, unless we stand up, we speak out, and we call our government accountable."
"Islam is not as President Obama said. President Obama is a pro-Islam Muslim Brotherhood President. President Obama said Islam has a long history of tolerance. How can you, as the President of the United States, having taken an oath, how can you lie to such a degree? Islam has, indeed, a long history, and that history continues to repeat itself. It has a long history of burning homes, raping women, killing Christians. It has, indeed a long history of terrorism, but it has no history at all of tolerance and peace."
We have seen the evidence of Islam’s terrorist attacks. Here, Dr Jones read a list of the major terror attacks against US targets from the hostage taking in Iran in 1979 through the attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon on September 11th, 2001.
He continued, "100% of the terrorist attacks on US Airlines have been committed by Muslims. When you have 100% you no longer have racial profiling, you have the description of a suspect."
"Pastor Youcef has spent over 900 days in jail because of his religious beliefs, because he dared to share those religious beliefs. We must, as the American people, we must stand up. We cannot trust our government, we cannot trust Hussein Obama who has ordered the FBI offices to be searched and 1000 documents were confiscated and destroyed because they brought Islam and terrorism together."
"It is time for the people, it is time for us, it is time for us to take our government and take our lives back. The government cannot be trusted. That is why Thomas Jefferson said, Thomas Jefferson knew this, the people, the people of the United States, “the people have two enemies, criminals and government. So let us tie down the second with the chains of the Constitution so the second does not become the legalized version of the first.”
"That is why today we are calling for a United States wide, a world wide peaceful revolution. We must take our freedoms back. We must no longer allow ourselves to be silenced, and our freedom of speech, our First Amendment, our Second Amendment rights to be taken from us. It is time to stand up."
"That is why today we will, as an act of protest, as an act of standing up, as an act of saying you can push us no longer, we will no longer be silent, we will no longer sit down, we will no longer be appeased, and we will no longer appease Islam, Sharia and the Muslim community.
We will today, all across this globe, we will today burn the unholy, ungodly, perverted book of Islam, and the unholy, evil, so-called Prophet Mohammad."

The Koran and image of Mohammad were solemnly lit. Some had already burned Korans or images in other places, but our Afgan exiles waited until they saw Dr Jones light his fire. While it was burning they lit their fire and filmed it burning.
We watched the Koran burn in silence for some minutes, and then Dr Jones spoke again with the fire still burning. "As we said earlier, we take no joy or pleasure in this particular act. We pray that the Muslim community, perhaps through this act, perhaps through the many evangelistic aspects of Christianity and the reaching out to the Muslim community, they will somehow be set free from the deception of Islam, from the deception of Mohammad, from the death and destruction hat Islam has caused since its very beginning.”
"Let us continue to pray that God will protect our Constitution, that God will protect our country, because the United States of America is the last beacon of hope. We are the last country with true freedom of speech."
We were led in the pledge of allegiance to Flag of the United States, which still represents, for now, ‘liberty and justice for all.’
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Dr Jones concluded with prayer. "Father, we ask that you would reach down and touch America again with a spirit of revival and a spirit of repentance. Father God, appear supernaturally to the Muslim community, that they might awake out of their deception and realize that there is one true God, that is the Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name we pray.”

As the speaking was concluded, and the fire was still burning, two police cars drove onto our property, and a group of policemen walked over to escort a Fire Department official who cited us with a small fine for violating a City Fire Code.
You can see the video of our event HERE, and the video of the Afghan Christians’ event HERE
This is a translation of the statements the Afghan Pastor made on the video:
The First Segment
“You are well aware, that because of Mohammad curse of God be upon him, and his satanic book Koran our country is destroyed, ruined and is under the slavery of Arabs from the past 1400 years. Our 4 million people were martyred, 3 million people are disabled, and 7 million people are forcible immigrated (taken asylum) to other countries. Our country is completely destroyed, we are called terrorist by the world, and it all happened and is happening to us because of this dirty Koran, and today we want to judge and punish Koran, today we want to burn Koran, because Koran and Mohammad are from Satan and the punishment for them is only and only the flame of hell. Lets burn Koran.”
Second part
“This is the power of Koran, Koran has no power, this is satanic book, and today the house of Satan got fire.”
Other videos and images of world wide participation in the event are being posted on our YouTube channel, standupamericanow



More images from the event can be seen HERE at our FACEBOOK PAGE.

REACTIONS
Support from around the world both before and after the event has been overwhelming. Hundreds of calls, mails and comments on the videos have been positive. Egyptian and Pakistani Christian leaders personally have expressed their thanks to Dr Jones for dramatically increasing global awareness of the persecution of Christians and minorities in Muslim lands, and for warning the West of the dangers of Islamization.
It appears that the first news report of the event was released by the Gainesville Sun a few hours after the event. This was then repeated by Agencie-France Press and picked up from there by other news agencies.
Others have created news reports based on the Ustream itself and the YouTube copied from the Ustream which we uploaded the next morning.
Aaron Klein of WABC and WND interviewed Dr Jones on April 29th. And The Blaze now has two articles posted on the event, both including the Youtube. The comments under these articles are overwhelmingly supportive. Here and here.
Iran was quick to speak against the event and to condemn the US and Saudi governments for their silence. The US State Department commented on Monday,
WASHINGTON — The US State Department on Monday denounced the burning of copies of the Koran and a depiction of the prophet Mohammed by a Florida pastor, saying the acts did not reflect American values.
“We find such action deplorable. We find it disrespectful. I, frankly, don’t want to give this issue or that individual any more air time here,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters.
“This is the act of one individual and in no way reflects the values of the American people or of the US government,” Nuland said.
That article here

May 1st, 2012
"Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned Mr Jones' actions on Monday, calling for the United States to prevent such incidents. One member of parliament, Hossein Ibrahim, a Shiite cleric, called Mr Jones "evil and an apostate" and said he must be executed, the semi-official Fars news agency reported."
May 2nd, 2012
"LAHORE, Pakistan – Condemning burning of the Holy Quran by a Florida pastor Terry Jones, the participants of International Mushaikh, Ameer-e-Millat Convention have demanded raising the issue from the OIC platform."
Hezbollah Denounces Burning Of Quran by US Pastor and holds "the US authorities fully accountable," while calling on the Arab and Muslim world to condemn the "crime." Read more here
In addition to a dozen death threats we have received against Dr Jones recently, a militant group in Pakistan, the Quraishi, held a press conference and announced Rs 1.5 million "Head Money" for the killing of Terry Jones today. http://pakistan.onepakistan.com/news/city/peshawar/82242-quraishi-announces-head-money-of-terry-jones.html
We have seen a call for protests in Pakistan on Friday.
The Pakistan Senate has passed a resolution condemning our protest. The text is here: http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?id=192110
Hypocritically, the Pakistan Senate is concerned about the UN Charter eroding and the need for "sanity and rationality," while human rights violations and the violence and oppression of Islam especially against women and Christians goes unchecked in their own country. Much of our support comes from Pakistani Christians.

The Truth TV
This week Dr Terry Jones is in California to contribute to the live broadcasts on The Truth TV truthsat.tv The shows are broadcast live on satellite and streamed on the internet with 52 million viewers. you can call in and talk with him during the shows on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons (PT).
 Pastor Terry Jones Burns quran again! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuXe_cFSnH4