ISLAM

The fastest growing religion in the world today is Islam. Although there are many Islamic sub-groups, the two largest and best known are Shiite (or Shia) and Sunni. There are also further divisions within each of these two groups. The majority of Muslims are Sunni, about eighty-five percent world-wide, from North Africa to Asia. There are rather large populations of Shiite Muslims, however, in Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India.

The Prophet Muhammad was the founder of Islam. When he died in 632 AD, there was disagreement over who should succeed him as both the political and religious leader of the Muslims. One group elected Abu Bakr, a close companion of Muhammad. This is the group now known as the Sunni. Another, smaller group believed that Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, Ali Ibn Abu Talib, should be his successor. They are now known as the Shiite.

Both groups support and teach the five pillars of Islam: the testimony of faith, prayer, giving to charity, fasting, and the pilgrimage to Mecca. But they disagree on the identity of the coming Islamic messiah and on the interpretation of many key passages of the Quran and the Hadith. They both believe that the Quran (or Koran) is the holy and divinely inspired work of Allah. The Hadith are the teachings and traditions that they believe were passed down from Muhammad. These are very significant although not divinely inspired.

It is very politically correct today to teach and believe in tolerance. We try to respect the religious beliefs of others. Islamic children, however, are taught that we are the enemy. Muslim fundamentalists herald Islamic terrorists as martyrs and heroes. The families of suicide bombers are given monetary pensions.

There are, to be fair, many peace-loving Muslims. True Islam, however, demands the complete destruction of anyone who does not convert. Jews and Christians are especially targeted. The Muslim code is a warrior one. Muslims are to live and die by the sword.

Our God and the god of the Muslims are NOT the same. The Islam god is NOT the god of the Bible. He is derived from the ancient pagan moon god. Believing and/or teaching that we all worship the same god is just simply incorrect. Let us keep this all in proper perspective. Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God. He taught that He is the way, the truth, and the life. There is no other way to His Father, YWHW, except through him. L. Urbaniak