Negative image of Muslims due to extremists

WE greet our Muslim brethren for the celebration of their revered feast of Eid’l Adha or feast of Sacrifice last September 1.

The feast commemorates prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s order which however did not happen after God saw the unswerving faith of Abraham.

* * * Our Muslim brethren are ordinarily peace-loving, kind, and prayerful but they get a negative image as a violent and bellicose people because of their extremist members’ acts of terrorism.

What’s worse is that they carry their terror activities in the name of Allah. They consider their mission as jihad (holy war) and claim themselves as Allah’s “missionaries.”

* * * Well-meaning orthodox Muslims slam the religious teachings of their extremist brothers. The secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Iyad Madani, has called on Muslims, including those in the Philippines, to reject militants who portray their struggle as jihad.

* * * Madani said the misuse of the name of Allah by extremists is misleading and unacceptable and that he disagrees with their point of view, which includes the killing of innocent women and children.

* * * Madani said being “a good person” and a true Muslim is the real jihad. “This (use of the term jihad by extremists) is misleading and we have to face a world which sees Islam in a negative way,” he was further quoted as saying.

The OIC, which is made up of 57 countries, had been rallying against Islamic extremism.

*** Madani also batted for the promotion of Islamic values to combat extremism. “Islamic values such as justice, kindness, fairness, freedom of faith, and coexistence through education were highly important to combat extremism and intolerance spearheaded by terror groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State militants,” he said.

** * The secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is saying that there is a need for RE-EDUCATION that would counter the wrong and distorted teachings of the extremists.

** * What needs inculcating is the most basic and important teaching that Islam is a religion of peace promoting submission to the will of God.

Also, there should be a continuing interfaith dialogue with friendly churches and engage in productive collaborations.

*** THE LIGHTER SIDE. Two Christians, George and Michael, were lost in the Sahara desert.

They were dying of hunger and thirst when they suddenly came upon a mosque.

Michael said to George: “Look let’s pretend we are Muslim, otherwise these Arabs will kill us. I’m going to call myself Mohammed.” But George refused to change his name.

*** The Immam (priest) of the mosque received both well and asked about their names. Michael said: “My name is Mohammed.” George said: “My name is George.” The Immam turned to the helpers of the mosque and said: “Bring some food and water for George only.”

Then he turned to the other and said: “Well Mohammed, I hope you are aware that we are in the holy month of Ramhadan. We’re fasting from food and drink.” (LESSON: Do not lie).