Muslim speakers talk about similarities between Islam and Christianity

By Matt Bewley | The Daily Journal

Published Thursday, April 19, 2007

Surveys indicate that nearly half of all Americans believe that Islam condones terrorism, is anti-American, poses a security threat and oppresses women. The Friends of Pelican Rapids Library, in an effort to bridge this chasm of understanding, will host a speaking engagement with two Muslim Minnesotans.

Taking the podium will be software engineer Zafar Siddiqui, director of the Islamic Resource Group, and systems analyst Kashif Saroya, president of the Advisory Council of the Muslim Youth of Minnesota.

“The Sept. 11 tragedy was a crime against humanity,” Siddiqui said. “You must remember that more than 500 of the victims in the World Trade Center were Muslims. Some of the police and firefighters who died were Muslim.”

The Islamic Resource Group, which was organized to educate Minnesotans about Islam, has received more than 90 requests from schools, civic groups, and churches who are concerned about a backlash against Muslims in Minnesota, Siddiqui said.

Siddiqui will present an overview of Islam — how it is similar to Christianity and how it is different. For example,

Muslims believe in one God, Allah. They believe in angels and prophets. Jesus is mentioned 25 times in the Qur’an, the Muslim holy book.

He stresses that Islam and culture are different things. Islam, for example, gives women equal status — his sister is a doctor — while the Taliban government, a culture, strictly limits the rights of women.

“Muslims do not drink alcohol, eat pork or smoke,” he said. “They do not believe in harming their bodies in any way. Muslims believe in modest attire for both men and women.”

Finally, Islam does not support terrorism.

“Osama Bin Laden may say he is fighting a holy war, but there is no basis in the Qur’an for his actions,” Siddiqui said. “There are specific guidelines for war. It is allowed to defend one’s homeland against aggression. But Islam has no concept of ‘collateral damage.’ Islam strictly prohibits attacks on the innocent — women, children and the elderly.”

The event, open to the public, is at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at the Pelican Rapids Library.

For more information call 218-863-5904.