August 21, 2001

Death by violent means is a tragedy that moves every human being. Minds go numb when gory scenes of strewn bodies with blood splattered all over are shown on TV. It was no different when the bomb in Tel Aviv took its toll.

But it seems the world media was only awaiting such a misfortune to let loose it’s venom against Islam and the Muslims. The BBC and CNN went into full gear with their bombastic propaganda against Islam, which they love to project as a menace to the ‘peace loving secular world’.

Occupied Jerusalem: 21 August, 2001

Palestinians today observed the lapse of 32 years since a Zionist terrorist set Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque on fire, burning down much of the interior of the magnificent Islamic shrine.

Thirty two years today, an Australian Zionist named Dennis Michael Rohan, using highly flammable substance provided by the Israeli intelligence, started the fire inside the Mosque, which soon gutted the famous Minbar of Sallahuddin as well as much of the mosque's interior.

The Israeli occupation army then seriously impeded efforts to extinguish the fire, thus maximizing the damage.

Nothing to do with us, say US manufacturers of weapons inflicting random death on Palestinians

By Robert Fisk in Bethlehem

By Ramzy Baroud

Although its stated purpose is "to enhance mutual understanding and reduce mutual ignorance and suspicion" between Muslims and Jews, a controversial book about Islam has so far ignited further animosity and deepened mistrust.

A book tilted "Children of Abraham: An Introduction to Islam for Jews" was recently released at an American Jewish Committee's (AJC) annual convention in Washington.

AJC's initiative to present a fair narration of Islam to Jews initially seemed to be a positive gesture, despite the group's record of being one of the most dedicated backers of Israel in the United States.

Jonathan Schell

Few things are harder than an honest, voluntary accounting by a nation of its own crimes. When the crimes are committed by other nations, people know well how to respond.

The pictures--those of, say, Serbia's recent atrocities in Kosovo shown in the Western media--are abundant. Investigations are energetic, coverage prompt.

The outrage is spontaneous, and the indignation flows easily. Perhaps judicial proceedings will begin, or "humanitarian intervention" will be contemplated, accompanied by a gratifying debate on the limits of decent outsiders' moral obligations.

By Ramzy Baroud

Although its stated purpose is "to enhance mutual understanding and reduce mutual ignorance and suspicion" between Muslims and Jews, a controversial book about Islam has so far ignited further animosity and deepened mistrust.

A book tilted "Children of Abraham: An Introduction to Islam for Jews" was recently released at an American Jewish Committee's (AJC) annual convention in Washington.

AJC's initiative to present a fair narration of Islam to Jews initially seemed to be a positive gesture, despite the group's record of being one of the most dedicated backers of Israel in the United States.

You know Allah, Yet you do not obey Him.

You recite the Qur'an, Yet you do not act according to it.

You know shaytaan, Yet you have agreed with him.

You proclaim that you love the Messenger of Allah, Yet you abandon his Sunnah.

You proclaim your love for Paradise, Yet you do not act to gain it.

You proclaim your fear for the fire, Yet you do not prevent yourself from sins.

You say, 'Indeed death is true', Yet you have not prepared for it.

You busy yourselves with finding faults in others, Yet you do not look at your own faults.

You eat that which Allah has provided for you, Yet you do not thank Him.

I saw you yesterday as you began your daily chores. You awoke without stopping to pray.

As a matter of fact, you didn't even bless your meals, or pray before going to bed last night. You are so unthankful, I like that about you. I cannot tell you how glad I am that you have not changed your way of living, Fool, you are mine.

Why a nun can be covered from head to toe and she's respected for devoting herself to God, but when a Muslimah does that, she's "oppressed"?

Why a jew can grow a beard and he's just practicing his faith, and when a Muslim does that, he's an extremist?

When a western woman stays at home to look after the house and kids she's sacrificing herself and doing good for the household, but when a Muslim woman does so, she "needs to be liberated"?

When a jew practises his religion he is called "orthodox", when a christian practices his he's called "devout" - when a Muslim practises his he's called a "fundamentalist"

The Sanctity Of Life

The sanctity of human life is a basic value as decreed by God even before the times of Moses, Jesus and Mohammad.

Commenting on the killing of Abel by his brother Caine (the two sons of Adam), God says in theQuran:

"On that account We ordained for the children of Israel that if anyone slay a person -unless it be for murder or spreading mischief in the land- it would be as if he slew the whole people. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people" (Quran 5:32).