Muslim Unity

The report “Haj: Symbol of Muslim Unity” (Dec. 15) surely evoked the spiritual dimension among all Muslims and the divine words spoken by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The ending of violence in our confused world is basic in Islam, and is also basic to the People of the Book in Christianity and Judaism, as is reaffirmed in Surah 49:13 of the Qur’an: “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you and Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”

It is incumbent on righteous Christians and Jews as well as Muslims to become fully open to this message in the spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect for all the Semitic prophets — from Abraham and Moses through Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them).

Devout Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians can, and must, despite the diversities in their historical continuities, applaud the holy words in Surah 49:13, as should the devout in the branches of Judaism, whether of Sephardic or Ashkenazic communities, and, of course, they all should pray for unity among all Muslims in Islam despite the diversities of various historical communities.

Americans, in view of their historical roots, in the opinion of this patriotic Christian-rooted American of three score and ten years, must always give thanks to God for His revelations in the Bible, Torah and, not least of all, in the Qur’an and seek the righteousness called for by Him.

Jon Speller, New York published 19 December 2007

Muslim Unity [2]

The report “Hamas Arrests Fayyad’s Political Adviser in Gaza” (Dec. 15) was just one more testimony to the hollowness of the claim we keep making about our unity. What Muslim unity are we talking about when, all over the world, Muslims are killing Muslims? Your editors must have been aware of the irony of the claim. That must have been why you published the report “Haj a Symbol of Muslim Unity” on the same page, just above the report quoted. It was a study in contrast.

The reports were published just days before Haj. On Arafat Day, the Prophet (peace be upon him) addressed his followers, reminded them of the sacredness of the month, day and place, and said, “The life, honor and property of anyone of you are as sacred and inviolable as this month, day and place are.” No one is to take another’s life, honor or property. This is the principle of Islam, as enunciated by the Prophet himself in his farewell sermon.

And today, not only in Palestine but wherever Muslims are, we take lives. In all cases, the ones who are guilty of murder of innocent people, with their bombs and knives, are those who claim to be fighting for Islam. When are our leaders who speak of Muslim unity, going to do something more than talk? When are they going to stop Muslims from killing each other?

Abdul Hameed Musli, Riyadh published 19 December 2007

Sanctity of Womanhood

The article “Blackmail by Bluetooth” (Dec. 4) discussed everything about the Qatif case, except the main issue. Let’s keep track of it: A girl was abducted and gang-raped by seven men. She should have been protected by the law of the land. When that failed her, at the very least, her attackers should have faced the full wrath of Islamic justice which is supposed to protect women when attacked by men behaving like animals. If the attackers had been migrant workers, they would have lost their heads.

So why was justice denied to this young lady? Why should a young woman be subjected to punishment for being a rape victim? Why isn’t the sanctity of womanhood respected by Saudi Muslims as taught by the Prophet (peace be upon him)? The answer is evident: Because the sexism and bigotry of Saudi Arabia’s male-dominated society has decided the rights of women granted and guaranteed by Islam are subservient to the cultural excuse that is known as the “Saudi way of life.”

Abuse by Saudi males is not restricted to domestic maids, They can abuse any women and the justice system will look the other way. Let us pray for justice for all women in the Kingdom. Let us also pray for the souls of those who abuse them — they are bound to be tortured, sooner or later, by a higher justice.

Sandy Mitchell, United Kingdom published 19 December 2007

Christians and Israel

Kindly allow me to comment on Norman Hue’s letter “Bad News” (Dec. 11). He wrote: “Christians in the US are strong supporters of Israel.” My understanding of Christianity is that no true Christian will ever support the true replica of Pontius Pilate’s fascist regime that exists in the Middle East today. Calling that fascist regime “Israel” is as bogus as calling Bush’s campaign of bloodshed and terror a “war on terror. “

Harry West, New York published 19 December 2007

Neocon Plans

It is true that the new National Intelligence Estimate released by the CIA, which said that Iran had halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003, has made President Bush lose even more credibility. However, it may have deeper implications. The report itself may have been an effort to cover up the failure of the Bush-Zionist-neocon policy on all fronts, including the most important of them — the economy.

The subprime debacle is in itself the symptom of a chronic disease. Subprime lending was created in the aftermath of the collapse of the “dot-com” bubble of 1999-2000, which itself was created to solve the external debt problem that had reached alarming proportions by 1990, brought on by Reagan’s policy of militarization at suicidal expense. Try to solve one problem, and dig yourself deeper into a bigger hole.

The neocons tried to conquer Iraq in order to control oil. They failed. So Vice President Dick Cheney suggested that they go after Iran. Realizing that it would prove to be harder than Iraq, they sought a way out. The NIE report provided that. After all these failures, they are trying to show “success” in the matter of Palestine. So they ordered Israel to cut some slack. As a Hindu, I believe in the Law of Karma: “If you do evil things you will suffer the consequences of your acts — without exception!” The neocons cannot understand this simple rule. Moreover, they seem to calculate that if they can get President Abbas to sign something, they can, at a later date, attack the new Palestinian state for not “adhering” to the agreement upon which the Palestinian state was “granted” to them. Of course, Abbas is not going to accede to neocon wishes. The fundamental problem is the creation of a Jewish state on a land where the Palestinian people lived. May God grant the Palestinians the fulfillment of all their aspirations.

V.R. Sonti, Jeddah published 19 December 2007

Sharif on Judiciary

I am with Nawaz Sharif in the current battle he is waging against President Musharraf. We cannot afford to let Musharraf win because that will legitimize, once again, military forays into civil administration, The reward for coup leaders should not be the presidency but a hangman’s noose for treason. However, when Sharif speaks of the supremacy of the judiciary, he is testing our patience too much. One of his first acts after becoming prime minister for the second time was to send his goons to the Supreme Court to chase justices out of the building. Military rule has proven catastrophic for the nation. Civilian rule was not, however, any better.

Rahmatullah, Dammam published 19 December 2007