Quantum Windbag
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- May 9, 2010
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altmuslim - The haj: From Mecca, a promising speechThe haj sermon this year one of the highlights of the three-day pilgrimage that millions of Muslims make to Mecca every year has received special attention in the media all over the Muslim world. Excerpts from the sermon, which condemns terrorism and extremism and advocates moderation, have been reproduced in hundreds of newspapers. Videos of the sermon with English subtitles are circulating widely by email and have been posted on websites like YouTube. It seems that the Muslim world has embraced the message enthusiastically.
The haj is a transformative experience for most Muslims. The African American civil rights leader Malcolm X abandoned his anti-white views after participating in the haj and had a huge impact on Muslim youth throughout the United States.
This year the haj sermon was given by the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh.
He spoke about the consequences when human security is absent: the suffering of women and children, chaos and an absence of peace and prosperity. Islam is a religion of mercy and moderation. Spreading violence, hatred and extremism, Sheikh Abdul Aziz said, is against the ethics of Islam. Islams goal is to spread peace and security in all its forms, and he called on Muslim communities to uphold the ethics and teachings of Islam.
This is an invitation to open your mind, and take in that Islam is not coextensive with violence. Not an invitation to bash Muslim Americans.
Discuss.
If he is still alive, and not hiding, or being escorted everywhere by bodyguards, this time next year, I might conclude that I am wrong about Islam. I wouldn't hold my breathe though.