Dec. 31, p. 8
Friday, Dec. 18, 2009 will be noted as a sad day in the history of Indonesia. On that day, a group of people on their way home from attending an Islamic New Year parade attacked the Santo Albertus Church under construction in Bekasi.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, but the church was severely damaged, just a week before Christmas. We, the Muslims from around the world, appeal to the Indonesian Muslims, who follow the word of God and example of the Prophet to help those few who are momentarily lost, and bring them back on the path of justice and fairness that the Prophet taught us. The Koran asserts in 49:13, “The noblest of you in sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Allah knows and is aware.” Had God willed, he would have made all of us the same.
We look up to you, the Indonesian Muslims, for following Islam as taught by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). You are proud owners of the Pancasila document which re-affirms the freedom of all faiths. Indeed, it is this model of freedom that builds trust, respect and goodwill among all of God’s creations. (By Mike Ghouse, Carrollton, US)
Your comments:
Across the world, Muslims are stereotyped as intolerant fanatics. Our Umma’s security depends on our biggest representative, Indonesia, to prove such stereotypes are wrong.
SBY must be firmer with Islamic fundamentalists, so that Muslims in the West do not suffer from the reaction of Islamophobes.
Hashim Fatahillah
London, England
Hey Mike, can you tell me what kind of justice and peace for the Indonesian people there is other than Islam faith (the minority believer). Can you tell me the definition of the words (justice and peace?).
Where did you get that quotation from Prophet Muhammad about not returning violence with violence?
Bento
Washington
Judging from his posting, Bento just seems to fit exactly the type of vandal described as roaming about causing destruction and sorrow, in this case to a would be place of worship. His comment is obviously below any standard of a civilized exchange of opinion.
I would like to advise him to take a course in the art of showing respect.
One of the principles of this art is that by showing respect one is more likely to be respected in turn.
So it seems that apart from being “gentle” you can consider yourself a lucky man as well Bento!
You were just instructed in one of the basics of the art of showing respect without any charges.
Cheers!
A.R.Tauran
Jakarta
Bento, I cannot seem to grasp what you are trying to say. However, the writer seems to be saying that all men should live in peace, which as far as I am concerned is a pretty good idea.
Do you believe this Bento? John Lennon famously said, I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Muhammad and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It’s just that the translations have gone wrong. Oh how right he was.
Denni Hooping
Jakarta
Did Muhammad really respect Christianity and other religions? And you said that Islam teaches its followers not to return violence with violence?
Well, based on what happened, the Christians and their churches in Indonesia never started violence against Muslims, but they were still attacked.
If Muslims really do respect other religions, what about jihad? And what about the bombings that have happened worldwide?
What about the Islamic doctrine that makes Islam the only religion on this earth?
I know that every religion in this world claims they’re the true religion, but I think only Muslims have been taking serious action to make their religion the only religion. I don’t think this appeal letter will make any difference anyway.
Rensy
Salatiga, Central Java
Mike, a mosque in Azusa, Masjid Al-Fatiha, 210 N. Citrus Ave. Azusa, CA 91702 got severely vandalized this week.
We are still puzzled about the doers, but we, the Muslim community in the Los Angeles area, heard that the police and FBI are investigating the case. This sort of crime happens to all minority religions across the world. This case in Azusa is just one of a series of incidents on mosques in US, but the US news media doesn’t cover it as much as the Indonesian has covered the church incident.
Tony Atamimi
Los Angeles
Dec. 31, p. 8
Friday, Dec. 18, 2009 will be noted as a sad day in the history of Indonesia. On that day, a group of people on their way home from attending an Islamic New Year parade attacked the Santo Albertus Church under construction in Bekasi.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, but the church was severely damaged, just a week before Christmas. We, the Muslims from around the world, appeal to the Indonesian Muslims, who follow the word of God and example of the Prophet to help those few who are momentarily lost, and bring them back on the path of justice and fairness that the Prophet taught us. The Koran asserts in 49:13, “The noblest of you in sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Allah knows and is aware.” Had God willed, he would have made all of us the same.
We look up to you, the Indonesian Muslims, for following Islam as taught by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). You are proud owners of the Pancasila document which re-affirms the freedom of all faiths. Indeed, it is this model of freedom that builds trust, respect and goodwill among all of God’s creations. (By Mike Ghouse, Carrollton, US)
Your comments:
Across the world, Muslims are stereotyped as intolerant fanatics. Our Umma’s security depends on our biggest representative, Indonesia, to prove such stereotypes are wrong.
SBY must be firmer with Islamic fundamentalists, so that Muslims in the West do not suffer from the reaction of Islamophobes.
Hashim Fatahillah
London, England
Hey Mike, can you tell me what kind of justice and peace for the Indonesian people there is other than Islam faith (the minority believer). Can you tell me the definition of the words (justice and peace?).
Where did you get that quotation from Prophet Muhammad about not returning violence with violence?
Bento
Washington
Judging from his posting, Bento just seems to fit exactly the type of vandal described as roaming about causing destruction and sorrow, in this case to a would be place of worship. His comment is obviously below any standard of a civilized exchange of opinion.
I would like to advise him to take a course in the art of showing respect.
One of the principles of this art is that by showing respect one is more likely to be respected in turn.
So it seems that apart from being “gentle” you can consider yourself a lucky man as well Bento!
You were just instructed in one of the basics of the art of showing respect without any charges.
Cheers!
A.R.Tauran
Jakarta
Bento, I cannot seem to grasp what you are trying to say. However, the writer seems to be saying that all men should live in peace, which as far as I am concerned is a pretty good idea.
Do you believe this Bento? John Lennon famously said, I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Muhammad and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It’s just that the translations have gone wrong. Oh how right he was.
Denni Hooping
Jakarta
Did Muhammad really respect Christianity and other religions? And you said that Islam teaches its followers not to return violence with violence?
Well, based on what happened, the Christians and their churches in Indonesia never started violence against Muslims, but they were still attacked.
If Muslims really do respect other religions, what about jihad? And what about the bombings that have happened worldwide?
What about the Islamic doctrine that makes Islam the only religion on this earth?
I know that every religion in this world claims they’re the true religion, but I think only Muslims have been taking serious action to make their religion the only religion. I don’t think this appeal letter will make any difference anyway.
Rensy
Salatiga, Central Java
Mike, a mosque in Azusa, Masjid Al-Fatiha, 210 N. Citrus Ave. Azusa, CA 91702 got severely vandalized this week.
We are still puzzled about the doers, but we, the Muslim community in the Los Angeles area, heard that the police and FBI are investigating the case. This sort of crime happens to all minority religions across the world. This case in Azusa is just one of a series of incidents on mosques in US, but the US news media doesn’t cover it as much as the Indonesian has covered the church incident.
Tony Atamimi
Los Angeles
