Islam stands for tolerance

by Letters Editor · January 24, 2012

From Razia Amod, Cape Town

I could never understand why Muslims are not understood, liked or recognised by many non-Muslims. Islam means to stand for tolerance, peace, nobility and caring for all God’s creations on earth.

I usually blame the media for the misconceptions and false propaganda that they display about Islam.

However, when I read the article �Fear has silenced Pakistan�s Christians� (November 30), I was disappointed when I discovered what the Christians in Pakistan are going through due to the actions of my �Muslim� brothers.

I now ask myself how can I expect non-Muslims to hear the cry for my Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine when my brothers in Pakistan are causing corruption and suffering on the land.

Islam teaches that there is no compulsion in religion and that to prevent others from practising their faith freely is completely un-Islamic!

This clearly shows that many of the Muslim Pakistanis are no longer holding onto the true teachings of Islam and are going astray.

The Qur�an holds Christians and Jews highly by referring to them as �People of the Book� and not �non-believers�.

We are thus meant to live in peace with one another. I wonder then why there are so many tornadoes and earthquakes occurring, is it not because we are deviating from the truth and going astray?

Corruption on earth is caused by the hands of man, thus God brings about climate change and even shakes the earth to show man who is greater and who is in control. Yet still we are blinded by evil and deception.

When harm was done to Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) his cry was, �Oh Lord forgive them for they no not…� When unjustice was done to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), what was his cry? He begged for mercy and for God to grant forgiveness on their behalf.

All of the prophets were precious human beings that were sent to earth as a mercy to mankind as an entire nation in order for us to establish and prosper on earth.

We call ourselves believers yet how can we say this when we do not think twice or fear God’s punishment as we destroy or hurt another human being? How can we expect God to bestow his mercy on us when we cannot show mercy to each other?

Man wants to change the climate, I then suggest that we change our conception of thinking and acting, then will we succeed.� Not only by our actions but by our intentions carried in our hearts and minds.