Samson
Póg Mo Thóin
We started this discussion in another thread, and before it became too far off topic, I thought I'd move it here:
Let's just take your first example first:
This is NOT an example of Islamic leaders who have condemned violence.
It IS an example that appears quite typical, of Islamic leaders qualifying not just violence, but savagery.
Could we possibly imagine the Pope, or the President of the USA declaring that, although they interpret the Christian Bible as clearly saying that BEHEADING MUSLIM PRISONERS is a BAD THING, blame is to be placed on the initial actions of Islam?
I don't think it would prove anything.I agree with your third point. But Islam doesn't offer much in defence (or better, prevention) when it is accused of being a religion that encourages death threats. Maybe I'm wrong? Please show me how ignorant I am: Quote Islamic leaders who have condemned violence.
Here are a few fataawa from various Sunni scholars anyway:
Slaying American Civilians in Iraq - IslamonLine.net - Ask The Scholar
Fight Ethics Between Islam and Zionism - IslamonLine.net - Ask The Scholar
War Ethics in Islam - IslamonLine.net - Ask The Scholar
What Does Islam Say about Terrorism? - IslamonLine.net - Ask The Scholar
Jihad and Peace in Islam - IslamonLine.net - Ask The Scholar
Let's just take your first example first:
a prominent Azharite scholar, Sheikh `Abdul-Majeed Subh, states:
I condemn in the name of Islam and its laws that any captive be beheaded or humiliated in any way. I do not justify the reaction of the Iraqi individuals concerning beheading the American civilians. If this can be substantiated beyond all doubt, they would be quite wrong,
but I want to say that worse than what they allegedly did is what the Americans have done (and are still doing) in Iraq.
...... considering the motives that led those Iraqi individuals to react in this way, blame is to be placed on the initial actions of the Americans.
Read more: Slaying American Civilians in Iraq - IslamonLine.net - Ask The Scholar
This is NOT an example of Islamic leaders who have condemned violence.
It IS an example that appears quite typical, of Islamic leaders qualifying not just violence, but savagery.
Could we possibly imagine the Pope, or the President of the USA declaring that, although they interpret the Christian Bible as clearly saying that BEHEADING MUSLIM PRISONERS is a BAD THING, blame is to be placed on the initial actions of Islam?