A plea for peace, understanding: Islam not of the Devil

Guest writer - Khurshid Khan, Muslim chaplain, teacher, and retired U.S. military  - Pastor Terry Jones of Gainesville, Florida has put a sign in front of his Church saying: Islam is of the Devil, indicating total disrespect for a religion that has its basis in the Judaeo-Christian culture, the anti-thesis of the Devil.                                           

Those of good will ask this man to understand the religion of Islam did not commit the act on 9/11 of the burning of the World Trade Towers.  It was an act of lunacy, and Jones response is one of lunacy, the prospect of burning the Holy Quran as a warning to radical Islamists.  

What would so-called  “International  Burning  Quran Day”  accomplish?  The best example I can give is that long time ago when the Catholic Christians burnt TALMUD, the Jewish Holy Book in large numbers …. What did they accomplish?  Nothing.   Did it stop Judaism from Growing?  It did not.    

Such irresponsible  and ignorance acts do not mend fences or burn the bridges  of Intolerance but instead they intensely promote hatred, intolerance and fan the fire. Islam is a very peaceful religion and Quran promotes love, understanding, justice, mercy, tolerance and  brotherhood among all mankind.

 As the representative of a major Islamic community in Shreveport, Louisiana,  I ask Pastor Terry Jones to read the Holy Quran intelligently and with open mind and I guarantee he will see Islam and its books has similar beliefs to those of Christianity and is a religion with a belief in Jesus and in God, with reverence for good acts, kindness and tolerance as well.   

If Pastor Jones is a man of God then he should hesitate in showing such a blatant  disrespect  for God’s great Religion Islam.  Islam teaches respect for other religion just as Christianity teaches respect for other religions.   Moreover, it the United States of America, the land of peace, tolerance, equality, love, freedom and justice for all.  There  is no place for intolerance, discrimination and hate-mongering Behavior by anybody let alone by a church pastor. 

I would like to ask Pastor Jones if the terroristic act of Timothy McVeigh made Christianity the religion that incites terrorism?   Did anyone call Timothy McVeigh a Terrorist?    Did  anybody call David Koresh a Terrorist?    Any reasonable and educated person would answer  they did evil things but did not represent either the religions they professed or the former military men McVeigh represented.

Bad people exist in all religions and countries, but the actions of a few do not represent the majority.  Islamic terrorists do not make Islam the Religion of the Devil any more than the acts of David Koresh or Timothy McVeigh make all men evil and their culture evil as well.