Columnists and readers have rightly highlighted the manner in which the forces, which are fearful of the growing influence of Islam, are using the present incitement and resentment among the Muslim communities to kindle hatred against Islam in the minds of the West. Most of the Muslim intellectuals and writers have condemned the violence and killings in protest against the loathsome anti-Islam movie clip without mincing any words. However, they have not condoned the tacit silence of the US administration in dealing with the blasphemy and malignant behavior of those bigots. The only way to defeat the evil design of the Zionist and anti-Islamic forces is by bidding adieu to the mercurial behavior and inculcating total tolerance. It is time to understand the attitude of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) in dealing with Jews and pagans in Madinah when he was in total command after inflicting heavy defeats upon them.
Dr. Mohammed Hamidullah, a renowned Muslim scholar, argued with all evidences that the Madinah Charter was not only the first written constitution of the world in all senses, but it was truly secular in nature. It gave equal political and economic rights to all the citizens of the city and guaranteed them equity and justice. Very hard it may be for the Western societies to believe now, the Charter gave complete freedom to all non-Muslim communities to practice their own religions.
It is now the duty and responsibility of the Muslim preachers, leaders and scholars to highlight this level of tolerance and liberty not only to the non-Muslim audience but also make the Muslim masses understand the true kindness of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the need to emulate him. — Safi H. Jannaty, Dammam
Muslims need to educate the world
