In our politically correct world, Islam is known as a peaceful religion – this is how it is represented by the media, by the Administration, and by the adherents. But I am wondering if this is the reality.
In Peshawar, Pakistan, an imam by the name of Mohammed Yousaf Qureshi announced that the Mohabat Khan mosque and the Jamia Ashrafia religious school would give a $25,000 reward and a car for killing the cartoonist who drew the prophet Mohammed’s caricatures.
Qureshi said, “This is a unanimous decision of by all imams of Islam that whoever insults the prophet deserves to be killed and whoever will take this insulting man to his end, will get this prize.” (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,185202,00.html)
Hmmm… that sounds pretty peaceful, huh?
Something that we have to keep in mind is that when people’s deeply held beliefs and values are challenged or even blasphemed then it gets personal. I think the apology by the Danish government was appropriate. But where is the outcry when various art museums defame or blaspheme the person of Christ in the name of “art.”
A challenge to Christians: It seems as if the Muslims are more passionate and more committed to what they believe in than the Christians. Why don’t we, as Christians, have this kind of reverence for the holiness and greatness of God?
We need a wake up call.