Why is my muslim world so silent?
Syrian author Afra Jalabi on the religious and moral problems of muslims, in Dutch newspaper Trouw
http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/4324/Nieu...Waarom-is-het-stil-in-mijn-moslimwereld.dhtml
Translation
(....)
In an age when all mankind has embraced the freedom of expression and religion, the official teachings of Islam are still an obstacle to that freedom.
And that is all the more tragic when you consider that the freedom of belief is central in the Qur'an. Indeed, the Qur'an says very clearly: "There is no compulsion in religion."
Contemporary Muslim scholars claim that Islam is at ease with the modern world. But the truth is that they conceal their hostility towards the modern world.
Despite libraries full spasmodic attempts at reconciliation, Muslims have never faced their real religious and moral problems. And here I am referring to more than just religion.
I'm talking about the whole cultural situation in the Arab world, a world that remains committed to its tribal mentality and to fighting and killing as means to resolve disagreements or conflicts.
The whole world has unconditionally put their signature under international human rights treaties. But in the Arab world, we did it with hypocrisy and a false smile.
Arab rulers signed the treaties while unscrupulously keeping their whip and tanks on hand. The religious authorities endorsed them, while they hid their sword and burqa behind piles of yellowed books.
Not far from there stood the citizens, men and women. They did nothing and no one asked for their opinion. The rulers and religious authorities were united in their intention to continue depriving the people of their freedom.
As they fled, the perpetrators of the attack in Paris called out "We have avenged the Prophet Mohammad!"
Our love for the Prophet Muhammad we should express by behaving behave morally in the times we live in now. Not to injure others or to murder.
Europe is not beaten yet. It has seen worse. I have hope.
