My Letter to International Herald Tribune (the New York Times in Asia):
Peter Alkalay and Larry Mollot call for “moderate Muslims” to stand up and forcefully condemn those who have “hijacked their faith” (Letters, NYT, 13 Jan).Problem is:while there are no doubt many moderate and peaceable Muslims, there is no “moderate Islam”. Terrorism against the infidel unbeliever is not only permitted, it is mandated in Islam. (1).Even suicide bombings are allowed: the influential Islamic scholar Sheikh Yusaf al-Qaradawi said that Koranic prohibitions against suicide do not apply to suicide bombers, because their intention is not to kill themselves, but to kill the enemies of Allah: “It’s not suicide, it is martyrdom in the name of God. Islamic theologians and jurisprudents [sic] have debated this issue….. It is allowed to jeopardize your soul and cross the path of the enemy and be killed.” (2).Facing such truths may be difficult and uncomfortable. But failure to do so means the calls such as those of Alkalay and Mollot are just whistling in the wind.Yours, etc
References:(1) Islam is unique among the religions of the world in having a developed doctrine, theology and legal system that mandates warfare against unbelievers(2) BBC News, July 8 2004.
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Letters below:Published: January 12, 2010
No one can quarrel with Thomas Friedman’s argument (“Father knows best,” Views, Jan. 7) that moderate Muslims need to publicly and loudly denounce suicide bombings. But it’s the “how” that’s missing from Mr. Friedman’s column.
I assume that many moderate Muslims are hopelessly frightened to express their views publicly. As far as I know, there is no current Muslim leader who has forcefully condemned suicide bombing and the slaughter of innocent people.
How do we encourage more family members and community leaders to step up? Until we answer this question the obvious conclusions drawn by Mr. Friedman are purely academic.
Peter Alkalay, Scarsdale, New York
Making airports safer is necessary but merely fights the symptoms of the disease. The cure would be for the true believers of Islam to forcefully stand up and condemn those who have hijacked their faith. Terrorists who deliberately kill innocent people, an act forbidden by the Koran, must be shamed. Fill the mosques with sermons condemning the false Muslims, organize rallies celebrating the true spirit of Islam. Let the terrorists know: There is no place in heaven for them.
Larry Mollot, Chestnut Ridge, New York
