i wish i knew how to defend my religion properly
By sheralqadri
@sheralqadri (153)
Singapore
April 21, 2009 8:11pm CST
to whoever that may be readin' this..
i just read a discussion that didn't make my religion sound very nice. i'm sure you can guess right away that i am a muslim and islam is my religion. in that discussion, i have given my 2 cents which i hope and pray will be able to soothe some of the hatred that is thrown towards islam.
i wish i knew how to be more articulate and be able to defend my religion with facts and figures. however, all i know that is islam is not the religion most people think of it as. we are not people who loves violence and bloodshed. many of us muslims, condone and do NOT support even a tiny bit the violence that has been put forth "in the name of islam". those who are doin' that are wrong. sure islam said to defend the religion, should we be attacked, but not to start a war on our own accord. i remember bein' told of a story for when Prophet Muhammad just kept quiet and did nothin' when non-muslims would hurl abuse and rocks and stones at him. coz' to him, violence will not solve the problem.
i am a muslim and i have many, many non-muslim friends. we get along well despite our views on religion. i even have a best friend who is jewish. its funny how we ended up bein' best friends really but i'm so glad to have him in my life, even though he lives in the united states and me, in little island called singapore.
i just hope that someday, i would be able to be more knowledgable in this area and be able to convince, if not just calm down some of the people whose views are that islam = violence, when really and truly, it is the opposite.
best regards,
me
7 people like this
22 responses
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
22 Apr 09
First and foremost let me tell you that from a non-muslim’s point of view, any muslim coming here on mylot and condemning the violence perpetrated in the name of Islam, does not hold any good for us. What we, the non-Muslim world, want to see is loud and clear action from people like you who want to portray the true non-violent face of Islam, if that does exist at all. We want to see you out on streets and in parliaments and on every visible platforms with placards and banners clearly stating your views against the fundamental radicals who (as you say) are spreading such lies against your religion. That sadly is never seen and mylot is a virtual world so what you say here has no impact on the outside world.
Secondly, your religion is sacrosanct to you…weak and insecure things need defence. So no need to defend your religion…people have every freedom to talk and you should read more about your religion in order to rebut them.
Thirdly, most people have friends outside their own religion…that is nothing exemplary. The real test comes in times of strife and violence…(God forbid) but if such time comes, will you be able to willingly defend your Jewish friend in front of all your Imams and clerics?
2 people like this
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
23 Apr 09
Dear Ms. Alqadri,
Let me narrate an incident.
Quite sometime back, an Indian muslim doctor practicing in Australia was falsely implicated and imprisoned on terror charges by the Australian authorities. Apart from what diplomatic maneuvers the Indian govt did, I was amazed by the public protests by local Australians on the streets in support of that muslim doctor which played a big part in his eventual release. This is what I am talking about…do people in Islamic countries ever bother about what is happening outside their own religion? There are so many atrocities against minorities in so many Islamic nations, supported and perpetrated by the govt…I never see any protest against them by the ordinary citizens.
Regarding you Jewish friend, who judges whom? We all know that Islam and Judaism are at loggerheads…so naturally if any conflict arises, your friend would always be in the wrong as per Islamic viewpoint. So can you defend him irrespective of his religious beliefs?
1 person likes this
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
22 Apr 09
so you're sayin' that puttin' up banners and placards in public to condemn the violence is THE way to change people's view on islam? interestin'...
and i have said that i wish i knew more so that i am able to defend and discuss this issue we have. i'm not intendin' to use mylot as the platform. it is a discussion forum after all, no?
and i will willingly defend my jewish friend or anyone for that matter IF he is not in the wrong. isn't that what anyone would do? God forbid if both our religions were against each other, i pray and hope that our friendship will still survive. now i have to talk bout this. thanxs! :)
God bless...
2 people like this
@meandmy3 (2227)
• United States
22 Apr 09
You wrote this very well. I am Christian, however I was taught by my family and by my church to respect others religions and their believes. Just because we do not believe the same thing does not mean we can not be friends.
And just like there are people out there that claim to be Christians who give it bad name, likewise there are Muslims whom do the same.
it is not my place to judge you. I respect your believes and applaud you for standing up for what you believe. So many Christians would not do that.
2 people like this
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
22 Apr 09
thank you very much for your response.
just like you, i have also been taught to be acceptin' of other people's beliefs and religions. which is why it saddens me when i read bout people hatin' on my religion. actually, for any religion for that matter. God made us all different and with a brain to think and rationalise and make decisions. i just wish that all of us make good use of those options. but alas, we are not perfect and we do, as i mentioned before, make mistakes.
take care and God bless. :)
2 people like this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
22 Apr 09
I was interested to read your post. Of course, it is not just Islam that suffers a bad press here, and truth be told, Muslims here do at least their own share of giving Christianity a bad press.
Many of us know, however, that there are many reasonable and peaceful Muslims but are grieved that they will not stand up and be counted. If only those Muslims like yourself would cry out against the men of violence; silence here is guilt by association.
Recently a Muslim came to this board and posted a discussion that was so abhorrent, I reposted it and asked if any Muslim would come forward and condemn it, to date none has.
This was the post;
On another post a Muslim girl has quoted the following in her discussion;
"Hiler once says in one of his books that he could murder all Jewish people but he said that he left some of them for us to know why he was killing them."
Another Muslim agreed with her and added.
"I agree with you and believe that the mission which was left incomplete by Hitler, will be done by Prophet Jesus(pbuh)"
So, would you condemn this statement?
all the best urban
@urbandekay (18278)
•
23 Apr 09
Actually, although his opponents tried to say he was part Jewish there is no good evidence to support that idea.
Ok, of course the Son of God will not wish to exterminate a people but what of the first statement? Will you condemn that as abhorrent?
"Hiler once says in one of his books that he could murder all Jewish people but he said that he left some of them for us to know why he was killing them."
all the best urban
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
hey urban...thanxs for your interestin' question... :)
hitler is someone dear to my heart. why?? hehe back in junior college, my english teacher would drill into us the life of hitler, to prepare us for the final exams. so his story has never been forgotten to me. however, i don't think we got covered the part why he left some jewish people alive. although, did you guys know hitler was part jewish, himself??
anyhoos, back to your question.
unfortunately i am unable to answer this. this is where i wish i knew my religion better in order to discuss such questions. however i will let you know on my opinions on this matter.
i don't think it sounds even right for Prophet Jesus (pbuh) or any of the other Prophets to return and kill whoever. God, of whichever religion, wouldn't want his people to kill. it don't make sense at all. i believe, and this is what has been taught to me, that everyone will have their say on Judgement Day. God will look at you and your life and see what you have done and from there send you to either heaven or hell. everyone eventually ends up in heaven but the question is, how long in hell will you spend before you go to heaven?? i know i got some time to be done, unfortunately. :(
i cannot 100% say i condemn the statement coz my knowledge is limited but i definitely do NOT agree with it. does this make sense??
God bless...
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
this is what i know bout hitler's jewish heritage.
his grandmother worked as a maid in a jewish household. one of the sons in the household raped his grandmother and she became pregnant with hitler's father i think, if i got the right parent. :p
i don't agree with what hitler did and i condemn what he did to those innocent people. however, in a way, it is a good thin' he didn't kill all of them coz we will now be able to find out why he did what he did. if he killed all, we'll be left just makin' guesses or assumptions and how can we learn bout history but from people who lived it.
yes? no??
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
22 Apr 09
Please believe there is absolutely no need for anyone to defend their religion. Religion is a Personal thing. Its private, and you own it, so why get upset if someone does not like it. If someone does not like your Car and they said bad things about it, would you rush to get the facts and figures to prove them wrong? Of course you would not be bothered- let them buy a different car- who Cares? Its just the same with religion, if they don't like yours- who cares? Let them say what they like cause it won't hurt you at all.
1 person likes this
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
22 Apr 09
i understand where you're comin from but i guess it's a need to wanna defend somethin' that is a part of me (religion). if someone said your car is runnin' on the wrong tyres, but you believe it is, then you'd tell them why you have those tyres instead of somethin' else. am i makin' sense?? sorry...930am and my brain is till not awake.
i'm not tryin' to push down everyone's throats that islam is THE religion. it would be nice to at least make those who hate islam sit back and think that maybe, just maybe, not everythin' that has been potrayed of islam is right after all. *shrugs*
@modstar (9605)
• Philippines
26 Apr 09
I live in a city where there are islam people too. I think we're pretty much peaceful here though there are times when troubles are usually associated with muslim people. I still don't generalize and i open a blind eye everytime there's an issue about it. I just got tired it. There are even larger Christian bashers around the world and i felt like it's useless to defend my religion. I even wish Christian has fanatics like islam do.
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
26 Apr 09
i'm sorry to hear that there are trouble associated with the muslims.
i hope the peace is there and i wish for no religions to have any fanatics..
@foisgras (205)
• Sweden
22 Apr 09
Please you do not have to defend your belief. Everyone is entitled to have his/her own religion. Religion & politics are two subjects that should be avoided to discuss, if possible.
Islam as a religion is not bad at all. But the extremists are the ones who are making Islam bad as a religion. Two different entities.
You need more information and know-how to be able to discuss a religion. For those who just see the terrorists as the basis of Islam, is not much to pay attention to.
So please do not excuse yourself for your religion. We should respect each other with our choices in life. This is your right!
1 person likes this
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
rise and shine? you got that right. 922am in the office and i'm so darn sleepy!! :p
hope you had a good day!
God bless..
1 person likes this
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
22 Apr 09
i agree that i need more more know-how in order to discuss this on a more serious level. i guess i'm just airin' my view and feelings on how i wish i could be able to handle this better. again, my apologies for not makin much sense.
i respect other people's choices in life. at the end of the day, it's their call, not mine. i can only give my views and they can either take it or leave it.
why can't the world be happy and rosy?? :p
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
23 Apr 09
Don't defend your religion. If you strongly beleive it in your heart then there is no need. Just accept that others have different beliefs other than yours. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. As you pointed out...violence is not the answer. Your religion is as valid as any other. You don't need to justify it to anyone. There will always those that judge an entire group based on some incidences of others. Look at the catholics and all the incidences of child molestation. Not all Catholic priests are guilty but some will judge the religion itself based on these reports.
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
it is a shame that the catholic churches had to deal with those reports...
let's just hope and pray that people won't judge the entire religion just coz of some toads who did things wrong. :)
God bless..
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
23 Apr 09
Hi sheralqadri, I respect all religious beliefs and know that many people have the wrong opinion about Islam. I believe that many Christians especially, forget all the terrible acts that have been committed in the name of Christ. There are those in all religions that give that faith a bad name. Remember that your religion is a very personal thing, live it's true teachings and condemn no one. Blessings.
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
hiyya..
yes, people forget that there are many bad people from all walks of lives and religions. unfortunately islam is the hot topic these days. religion is a very personal thin'. it is between you and God. so will remember your words and that of many others here, to be true to myself, to my religion and hope the world gets better. :)
God bless..
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
22 Apr 09
Don't you think that our loving and ever merciful God has a plan for all of us? why do people limit our God and His love for His people? I am a Christian and I firmly believe that the one thing that our God requires no matter how we worship is that we love one another. Our God must sometimes be in despair at seeing us kill each other in the name of religion. YOu want to defend your religion? Then learn more about the way you worship but always respect the way that other people worship the one same and true God. Many blessings
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
i agree with everythin' you said. live in peace...no matter what religion. God will be proud of us. :)
God bless...
@bing28 (3795)
• Philippines
22 Apr 09
Defend your religion by continuously supporting and embracing it. Show them you know your religion well than others. Show and do what is right until they realize they have to respect other religions. You don't have to argue with them.
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
there were a lot of good responses but yours came first. :)
thanx you..
1 person likes this
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
27 Apr 09
As far as I can see and read, I find that you are very articulate and judging by how you made it sound, I realize that muslims are not what I think they are. I do admit of being scared to visit muslim-inhabited places because of the impression that they always have war-like attitudes. But you showed how wrong I am.
In my religion, we call ourselves Christian but you can see that we too are very much capable of doing things contradicting to what we are being taught. Some acts are outright violations of the Ten Commandments and yet we have the guts to call ourselves Christian. I said, WE because I am a sinner and am one of them and am not trying to come off clean.
Just to give ourselves, comfort Sheral..., we do not have to defend our religion or our beliefs with words but by acts for God is a merciful God and he expects us to show the same mercy towards everyone, Christian or Muslim. 
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
29 Apr 09
If only people are this understanding towards each other, World Peace would be very attainable. :-)
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
28 Apr 09
oh wow...what a start to a sleepy tuesday mornin'. :)
thank you so much for your kind words and i am glad to hear that your perception of muslims have changes a little. we all judge people according to what we hear in the media and friends. i, do the same sometimes. it's just that it's frustratin' to see how idiots who claim to be muslims are doin' all these bad things when in fact, islam taught us nothin' of the sort.
as i've mentioned before, no one is perfect and so we learn from our mistakes. i just pray that people don't get condemned for the mistakes made by others...
take care and God bless. :)
@derry123 (610)
•
22 Apr 09
Hi Sheralqadri, I think you spoke for Islam very well , there will always be ecentric people . Im a christian and I just want us all to live in peace together .
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
me too! i want the world to be ridden of wars, hunger, and everythin' mean!!
God bless...
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
there were so many things i wanted to say to mr vipul but decided to just shut my mouth before he gets upset again and writes everythin' in CAPS! hehe
but i agree...indonesia is a good example. i believe he's puttin' the social issues onto a religion when alas, it is the government's problem to sort out. but that's just me...
God bless..
@txgrl21 (819)
• United States
22 Apr 09
Hi sheralwadri! Well this is just my opinion but should'nt your pastor, or whatever you call him at your meetings, be teaching you on how to talk about your faith. I dont know anything about muslims or islam but I do beleive that a very importan part of the bible or faith is preaching or teaching people about the true God so that many people can be saved. Actually its something that God commands we do if we are tue diciples. Well I dont know if that's youre scenario or maybe you're just shy or need some practice. Happy MyLotting!
By the way, shame on those people who were talking trash on your religion, they probably dont even go to church or they would know that they should'nt do that.
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
hello... :)
yes, they do teach us on how to talk bout our faith, especially in these rough times. however, i am ashamed to say that i have not been good in learnin'. but after this discussion...i am definitely gonna get my sorry booty to those classes and learn and learn properly!
thank you for your kinds words as well...God bless. :)
@cet1987 (209)
• Malaysia
22 Apr 09
it is good to know someone who are brave to defend his/her religion. i'm proud of you. i agree with you that islam doesn't support violence. Islam teach us how to be a good person and very fair. I think the best way, be a good muslim!! always pray and explore al-quran.
iluvislam.com
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
22 Apr 09
thanx you for your kind words..it's nice to know that there are others who share similar views. :) and yes, i will have to read and learn more to be better.
1 person likes this
@tashanda (58)
• United States
22 Apr 09
you wont be able to convince anyone who doesn't want to listen about the virtues of islam. There are many people who cannot move beyond 9/11 so to them islam is the epitome of evil. The media doesn't help either. My advice to you would be to remind them that it takes all different kinds to make up this world that we live in and every religion has its zealots.
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
you are absolutely right. we have idiots in the religion who use the religion as an excuse for their own agenda. and it don't help that the media plays it up even more. media is an evil evil thin'. hehe i'm sayin' this and i work WITH the media! not IN media but with them so i know how ruthless and how kind they can be. :) every religion has their own issues, unfortunately media has not been kind to islam.
1 person likes this
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
who me?
well i doubt i would make it a career. thought i would love to know more! :)
God bless..
@Tahminaxx (69)
•
22 Apr 09
Hi
Dont be saddened by other peoples comment on your religion. This is what you belief and have done all your life and no one other than you can change that. We all come across discussions we dont agree with or it upsets us yet everyone is entitled to their opinions and it doesnt automatically make it a true statement.
You shouldnt have to feel the need to defend your religion. Because of all the terrorism going on these days muslim are more known and probably hated, but just because someone is a muslim does'nt make them a black blooded person. Love your religion, ignore what others say you have nothing to prove to them. Although Allah will be proud of you for being affected by discussions on muslims as not everyone cares or bothers.
People just have to learn not to believe everything they see and read on t.v, newspaper and so on. Stereotyping is easily done but never understood.
You Take Care :-)
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
hello....thanxs for your comment. i understand what you're tryin' to say and i agree. it's hard to be a muslim these days with so many judgements bein' made against islam and its followers. however, one thin' i have learnt is to always have faith in God and that i always will have. God willin', people will start to see that not all muslims are the same. :)
take care and God bless..
@MasonL (97)
• Trinidad And Tobago
22 Apr 09
I think that the non-violent muslims should sent out a bulletin letting their violent brothers and sisters know that what they are doing is wrong. Some muslim think that parts of the world are against them, but this is not ture, Some muslims want to control the world, they even control their women and even want to control people on their religion. One muslim man once told me that people who are of other religion are fighting against them, which means that once a persons are not muslim they are against them. I had to let him know that they cannot be controling what religion people should choose. IF muslims intent is to control people lives they are not ready to lead or Govern a nation they will only enslave that nation and have that nation in distress.
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
many a times when an attack is made by the terrorists, in the name of islam they say, you will see, at least where i live, on the news, muslim clerics, citizens, world leaders, condemning those acts. not only are we sending a msg out to the non-muslim world...it is also to those supposed "muslims".
i agree with you that we cannot control the religion of others. even the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) didn't do it in his time. so who are we to control?? being able to live in peave and harmony is one of the things that are strongly encouraged. sure each of us prolly think that each of our religion is THE right one. but to say, "you're not of my religion, you're wrong!" then well, THAT is wrong. our brain is in our head for a reason. we should make good use of it to learn bout other people..their life, their religion, their beliefs and take what is good and leave the wrong. that's my opinion anyways.
God bless.
@jayrene (2708)
• Philippines
22 Apr 09
well first off if you really want to defend your religion, you got to start reading, your holy book (Quran), study it. do some research about it (your religion), so next time you can have facts and figures to back up your statement.
i believe in respecting other people's belief and their faith. i cannot force down my beliefs on them.
you cannot blame a lot of people though, why they have that kind of feelings towards your religion. look for example here in my country, those in the south, muslim rebels kidnapping a lot of people the latest are red cross workers, to think that these workers are there to help their people... and those same muslim rebels beheading hostages, terrorizing innocent civilians, bombings public places... they have created the hate that those of other religions have for the muslims.
@sheralqadri (153)
• Singapore
23 Apr 09
that's what i've said previously. i need to learn more. i need to know more. so i can share more.
i am sorry to hear bout the bad things goin' on in your country. it puzzles me greatly why some "muslims" think that killin' other people are permissable by God just coz they say it's in the name of Islam. coz i'm sure that's not the case. not in Islam or any other religion. I pray that those idiots will come to their senses and not inflict any more hurt on anyone.
God bless..
