RE: Stoning of Somali Woman

I agree that this situation is quite disheartening but there should be no judgement put on Islam. People act out in the name of religion because they find it a way out or a way of justifying their actions. With that said, there is nothing in the Quran that allows this behavior. But just because extremists or fundamentalists say that it is the Quran that states this should be done  way doesn’t make it factual. These are people that seem to interpret the holy words in their own way and make up their own rules in their heads to make their behaviors acceptable. These are people that lack knowledge which is why they act of in ways and then place it on the Quran to justify their doings.  In my opinion it is simply ignorance and denial to take responsibility for their actions. And i can almost guarantee that if this was a man in place of this woman nothing would have happened to him.

2012

ok so i just watched 2012 and i personally thought it was amazing. i wont ruin it for the rest but i think from the previews of the film that we all know it is about the predictions the mayans had about the world coming to an end on dec. 21st 2012. I was reading some reviews about the film and came across a pretty interesting yet controversial one where the director of the film, Roland Emmerich was considering to destruct the Kaaba, which is a religious site for Muslims in Mecca, but decided not to in fear of having a fatwa on his head. He instead decided to destruct the Rio’s Christ the Redeemer Statue and St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican along with the white house and other landmarks. But due to the fear of being “attacked” by fundamentalist he did not destruct the holy site in Mecca.

What do you guys think??

http://www.kaskus.us/showthread.php?t=2704403

Re: rumsfeld

I think for some they are just reading and practicing religious doctrines because they are told they have to. In the article itself when Israr Ahmed states that people who simply recite their daily prayers without knowing the true meaning behind what they are reciting are doing it to fulfill the 5 daily paryers required of a Muslim. This is not only selfish but they are doing so for the reward they will receive in the long run from God… he reward of the after life or on the Day of Judgment. But people who do this are not taking the true essence of what the Qur’an is teaching. The Holy Book should be used as guidance and direction for lead righteous lives, not for reasons not to be sent to hell. I think Israr Ahmed’s target audience were Muslims and he is trying to convey the idea of not taking the Qur’an for granted, but simply appreciating its teachings and applying them to daily life will bring happiness to them.

You say that there is no purpose of reading and understanding religious scriptures if one does not apply it to daily life, but then you say how difficult it is to apply it. I agree with you on the fact that it is quite difficult to implement religious teachings into our daily lives with all the distractions that surround us. But is one not a true believers if they don’t apply ever aspect of it?

The complaint/ The Answer

ok so i know this is quite the delayed response, but i thought i had enough to say about the poem we read in class last week. I was actually confused on the fact that he wrote the complaint and then wrote the answer himself also. It makes me wonder what his actual thoughts/ beliefs are. If however he was a true muslim, isn’t it all about the end result anyway? the day of judgement. Doesn’t it all matter about the ending, when you are ultimately judged for your good/pure behavior? To me it sounds like he is preoccupied with the present and achieving material goods for his present state of mind. But not looking to the future. The complaint is emphasizing that other (non-muslims) have not worked at achieving their status and wealth. But the main focus as a muslim should be for internal happiness, which is achieved through justice and good deeds. Instead of living the life of a selfless being, there is a need for wanted wealth, which in my opinion will bring about more obstacles to the complainer.