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ALL RELIGIONS PREACH PEACE

30/09/2016 09:39:00 The editor

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Sir,

Peace is a precious gem; those who experienced both war and peace will sacrifice everything for peace. It is those who have not experienced war, suffering and violence who do not appreciate the peace that they enjoy and therefore, take things for granted.

All religions preach peace and condemn war, violence and aggression. Islam is peaceful and teaches peaceful coexistence with fellow human beings. Islam preaches that if mankind, despite our differences; ethnical, racial and religious persuasions, agree to submit ourselves to the commandments of the Almighty, the originator and sustainer of life, peace will indeed prevail everywhere.
The early Muslims suffered terribly at the hands of the Meccan pagans. Some were tortured, some murdered and most of them became refugees.

Finally, the holy Prophet of Islam himself had to migrate under divine guidance when the Meccans planned to kill him. Even after migration the pagans did not leave the Muslims alone to worship in a manner they wished. The pagans on their part were not satisfied with driving Muslims out of their homes. They followed them in refuge, to destroy them with war.
At this point, Allah (God Almighty) gave the Muslims permission to fight back.

“Permission to fight is given to those against whom war is made because they have been wrong- and God indeed has the power to help them,” (Holy Quran 2:191-193).
Those who have been driven out from their homes unjustly only because they said,

‘Our Lord is Allah’ – and if Allah did not repel some men by means of others, there would surely have been pulled down cloisters, churches, synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of God is remembered. And God will surely help one who helps Him. God is indeed powerful and mighty (Holy Quran 22:40-41).
It is interesting to note that Muslims are commanded to fight intolerance and fight to establish the freedom of religion for all; Christians, Jews and other non-Muslims. These were terrible and trying moments for the Muslims and facts of history, which is not denied by enemies of Islam. War was forced on the Muslims; it was never the Muslims who waged war to win converts as preached by the ‘so-called concerned citizens’ and the ignorant.

Since some of our Christian friends are telling people about Islamic terrorism and violence, it is only reasonable also to examine the Christian attitude, teachings and recorded history of war. The biblical teachings on war and conduct of war, I am sure will shock modern Christians. Nevertheless, Christians cannot reject these biblical teachings and remain true Christians. The greatest personality in the Holy Bible for Jews and the second greatest for Christians, is Moses, and in his books he teaches the total extermination of nations which did not agree to be slaves of ‘God’s chosen people’ (Deut. 20:10-20).

‘When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it....And it shall be...., And if it will make no peace, but will make war against thee, then thou shall besiege it... But thou shall utterly destroy them’. Also refer to Josh 8:26-29.
Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones....so the saying goes.

Abbas Bin Suleman
(76122614 or absule41@gmail.com)