Misinformed?

This is a forum meant to clear many of the stereotypes that are distributed

due to ignorance or to intentionally damage intercultural understanding and future dialogue.

The rebuttals are directed at incorrect media-distributed information. We are guided by

our ethics and the right to free speech to accomplish our mission. We leave the intellectual

reader to judge for him/herself the reason(s) behind this information

CONGRESSMAN MARK MISGUIDED REMARK

November 5th, at a Northwestern University symposium on nanotechnology.
Congressman Mark Kirk (IL-10)has confirmed the media reports about

his published statement, “I’m OK with discrimination against young Arab males

from terrorist-producing states." Kirk was responding to a question regarding difficulty

in getting visas for foreign students.

DR YOUSSEF:

November 9th, Dear Mr. Kirk: We have met before on occasions. The most recent of them was prior to the Iraq war at a house of one

of your supporters in Northbrook. I am writing to ask you to retract your remarks regarding your approval of profiling of

Arab young men that come from certain countries.An apology will be important to prove good intension towards a segment

of your constituency that you have declared previously that it can be valuable to the "CIA".

I am not sure which countries you meant in your remarks and I am ashamed of hearing this of the congressman of my district.

I recall Mr. Porter's balanced non-bigoted and helpful approach. As an Arab man from Egypt, Mr. Proter helped me personally,

as my congressman, with my immigration papers. As a congressman, I think you know that Arab and Muslim men

between 18 and 50 from more than 40 countries are already profiled. So, what was the purpose of your remarks?

Are you trying to extend this profiling to Arab second generation? Your remarks added to the stereotype and hatred

that has been hearting this country's image around the world. Your previous remarks in our meeting in 2003 when I asked you

about the backlash against Arabs and Muslims in this country which would be expected after the start of the war in Iraq were

more hurtful. Your answer was that the Arabs and Muslims "that speaks Arabic or Persian, without an accent, should be valued

and used by the CIA". NEWS & Statistics. This answer was insensitive and bigoted, however, I thought it was a response

in private and I gave you the benefit of the doubt. Your new remarks, however, fits in the same vein.

It made it obvious that your personal and official attitude is more insensitive and irresponsible since it can fuel that backlash.

I am so ashamed of your attitude and so upset because official opinions like yours endanger my safety and that of my family

and friends. It also spreads bigotry and support ignorance and stereotypes. Your attitude endangers ongoing efforts of

interfaith and community cooperation.

To understand how insensitive your remarks are, please try to profile every Jew and prevent them from joining any government

office in the US, for fear of spying (since Jonathan Pollard and the recent official in the Pentagon belonged to the religion).

I am sure that this will not be fair and will take you a lot of thinking prior to whispering such remarks.

That is what is saddening that you and the new cons think that it is in fashion to bash Arabs and Muslims without a second

thought regarding their safety or feelings.

I am a proud citizen of this country and I know that if I do not correct your insulting remarks I will be giving up on my right

to free speech and will not deserve my freedoms under the Constitution. Please gracefully apologize and understand that

I am expressing my disappointment in you as a elected official that is supposed to represent me and not stereotype me.

THE EAGLE AND SEPTEMBER 11

This fabricated and fake verse has been circulating on the internet with an unknown source.

Here is how it goes:

"This is something to think about! Since America is typically represented by

an eagle. Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages...

The following verse is from the Quran, (the Islamic Bible) Quran (9:11) -- For it is written that

a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout

the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced;

for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; and there was peace. (Note the verse number!!!!!)"

DR YOUSSEF:

 1. While Allah revealed in the Quran information about many of the

creations, that we are familiar with, including the animal kingdom (e.g.,

dog, craw, whale, spider), there is absolutely no mention of "The Eagle".

2. Please note that the term "land of Allah" is perceived and understood

as all the earth and not only certain lands (e.g., Arabia or the Middle

East).

Here are interpretations of the Arabic meaning to the verse that happened

to be verse 9:11 in the Quran.

Q9:11

But if they repent [the disbelievers], establish regular prayers, and

practice regular charity,- they are your brethren in Faith. We explain the

Signs [evidence, revelation, etc ] to those who understand/comprehend.

And, here is verse 11: 9  (for those who prefer the European format for

predications).

Q11:9

"If We give the human being a taste of Mercy from Ourselves, and then

withdraw it from him, Verily! he is despairing, ungrateful."

Here is also a website that may help any person that would like to

"understand",  as per verse 9:11,  to review the text,  and search to

verify any future nonsense.

www.islamicfinder.org

All ARABS AND MUSLIMS ARE SCORPIONS

MR. Zev Chafets, wrote in his column in New York Daily News- 8/19/03

BAGHDAD BOMBING: IT'S WHAT ARABS WANT

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/col/story/110377p-99696c.html

DR YOUSSEF: THE SCORPION AND THE FROG (A BETTER ANALOGY)

Dear Mr. Chafets: Your published article did not add any depth to provide better understanding of the

latest news. It basically smeared all Arabs in the Middle East (Islamists and non-Islamists) as scorpions

and as barbaric enemies of the US and the UN. This is neither objective nor historically accurate.

Arabs were allies of the West in WWI and  WWII, and many of their nations were founders of the UN.

Here is how the analogy should go:

Today, the scorpion convinced the frog to personally jump into the swamp, using slogans like

"The road to Jerusalem passes through Baghdad".  Even though, the scorpion has been already

carried on the back of the taxpayer of the frog for the last 50 years.  I am sure that the scorpion will not

stop until he gets the frog to attack Hezbeo-Allah and others that the scorpion tried but failed to poison.

I liked your quotation

"As Bush confronts the scorpions of the Middle East, he needs to do two things: remember their nature and keep them

off his back." I would like to make minor corrections "As Bush [carries] the scorpion of the Middle East,

he needs to do two things: remember its nature and keep it off his back-which I am not sure is possible.

Let us try to reduce the rhetoric of hate and confusion to help the scorpion to live on other food than poisoning of its enemies as well as its friends.

MR. CHAFETS: The Arabs were allies of the US in World War II?  Excuse me, but you need to tell that one to someone else, who doesn't know modern Arab history.

And here's a tip. Much as you may not like Israel, it's not responsible for the collapse and decline of Arab civilization in the past one thousand years.  You want to argue, use Israel.

You want to change something, try thinking about and dealing with real problems.

DR. YOUSSEF: Dear Mr. Chafets:  Here we go again, the hate of Israel!! You chose an example that makes a whole race and religion

made of scorpions, then you cry foul if the same analogy is used to clarify things for you. I guess that because it is a more accurate analogy.

If you know the modern Arab history, please try to be fair. By the way Muslims and Arabs support the US in Afghanistan

and helped bringing down the “Evil Empire”. There is nothing that is called Arab civilization. It was an Islamic civilization

with people that spoke Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew, etc.. and with Christians, Jews, Hindus, etc.. as part of its progress.

The decline of this civilization has nothing to do with Israel. Israel and Ben Laden are the symptoms, not the cause.

The real problem today is that zealots are in charge. Sharon, Christine rights Zionists and Ben Laden thoughts

are pushing the world to extension. Sharon believes in "the Jews and Gentiles" classification, the right wing thinks

that Armageddon has to come and Ben Laden is looking for revenge through scaring all the “Jews and the Christians”.

The real problem today is that journalists, like you, thinks in the same way. You stated it is all the Muslims,

all the Arabs.

This exactly what Falwell, Graham and Robertson said! Demonizing a whole group of people was Hitler’s choice and you know the rest.

In the Islamic tradition as prophet Muhammad said  “support your friend if he is right or wrong.

If he is right applaud him, and if he is wrong you help him to realize what is wrong and help him

to fix it.”  Try to think about helping Israel in the same way. Fueling more fires of hate and bigotry

will only hurt Israel and the world.

The following viewpoints, commentary and rebuttal provide an interesting and educational perspective on frequently

held misconceptions and prejudices by Westerners on Islam and Muslim ideas about the west.

The initial comments are from an article by Anis Shorrosh, formerly a Muslim from Nazareth, who converted to Christianity.
Mr. Shorrosh now lives in Alabama. Unfortunately, his comments have been circulating through the Internet via email, spreading unnecessary ignorance
and prejudice.

AMERICAN MUSLIM: AN OXYMORON

MR. SHORROSH: As a Colonel in the Saudi Arabian Army once told me,

"We can be friendly, but we will never be friends."

DR. YOUSSEF: This is a misinterpretation of the Quran.

The Quran forbids you to have a relationship with those who are your enemies and against your faith.

But the Quran specifically refers to perfectly normal relationships with unrelated non-Muslim friends.

"Allah forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith nor drive you out of your

homes [nor] From *dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.

Allah only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for (your) faith, and drive you out of your

homes, and support (others) in driving you out. [Allah forbids you] from turning to them for friendship

and protection.” (Quran 60:7,8) *(tabarohom) - the Arabic origin has been used in the Quran to describe

the relationship to ones parents as well as non-Muslim friends.

MR. SHORROSH: Can a devout Muslim be an American patriot and a loyal citizen?

THEOLOGICALLY NO. Because his allegiance is to Allah, the moon god of Arabia.

DR. YOUSSEF: Any Arabic-speaking person uses the word Allah to refer to GOD.

Check Arab Christian Lebanese mass every Sunday Morning on LBC (the Lebanese channel on Satellite

broadcast). Any Arabic- speaking person, if he lived enough around Arabs, understands that Allah is not

the moon god of Arabia. The Bedouin pagan Arabs prior to Islam, recognized Allah as the almighty creator

and never described him as moon god. The use of the crescent as a recent symbol for Islam (similar to the

cross for Christianity) has confused some superficial orientalists.   I am sure that Mr. Shrorrosh lived

 long enough in the Middle East, but I am afraid that he still does not get it. This is a misleading statement

to a naive reader.

MR. SHORROSH:Can a devout Muslim be an American patriot and a loyal citizen?

GEOGRAPHICALLY NO. Because his allegiance is to Mecca, which he turns [to] in prayers

five times a day.

DR. YOUSSEF: If you read Muslim theology, you will learn that there is no allegiance to a place.

Egyptian and Indonesian Muslims as well as American Muslims pray towards Mecca as a uniting

direction. Patriotism has nothing to do with where your prayers direction. I have no patriotic attachments

to Saudi Arabia. Muslims from the time of Mohammed shared praying with Jews to the direction of

Jerusalem, until they were directed to pray to Mecca. "We see the turning of thy face [Mohammed for

guidance] to the heavens. Now, shall we turn thee to Qiblah (direction) that shall please you. Turn they

your face in the direction of the sacred mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction.

The people of the book know well that the truth from their lord. Nor Allah is unmindful of what they

do (Quran 2:144) "Say: to Allah belong the East and the West; he guides whom he will to a way that is

straight" (Quran 2:142).

MR. SHORROSH: Can a devout Muslim be an American patriot and a loyal citizen?

SOCIALLY NO. Because his allegiance to Islam demands that he make no friends of

Christians and Jews. (Quran 5: 51)

DR. YOUSSEF: An unfortunate stereotype. Muslims befriended and protected Jews when Christians fought

against them. Saladin’s victory was followed by the return of the Jews to Jerusalem after more than

a century of being banned by the crusaders from entering it. Arab Muslims and Christians fought the

aggression of the Crusaders together. Muslims can marry Christians and Jews without demanding

that they change their religions.

MR. SHORROSH: Can a devout Muslim be an American patriot and a loyal

citizen? POLITICALLY NO. Because he must submit to the mullah, who teaches annihilation of Israel

 and the destruction of America, the great Satan.

DR. YOUSSEF: Nonsense! There is no basis in the Quran or in any other Islamic texts for this insane idea.

And the USA was not even an idea in the history of Islam. Nor does history support this idea.

The year 1492 was the year when both Jews and Muslims were kicked out of Christian Spain

by King Ferdinand and the inquisition started by Queen Isabella. Hitler and his followers - certainly

not followers of Islam, conducted the German “final solution” for Jews in World War II. There are

pathologically angry Islamic factions advocating the annihilation of Israel and America, but this is

promulgated by the senseless abuse and deaths of innocent Palestinians and Muslim bystanders

in the undeclared wars of the Middle East – undoubtedly provoked by these same factions. If you

support the SAVAK (the secret police of Shah Bahlavi in Iran), you sure will be called "The great Satan",

no matter what nationality or religious belief you adhere to.

MR. SHORROSH: Can a devout Muslim be an American patriot and a loyal citizen

citizen? DOMESTICALLY NO. Because he is instructed to marry four women and beat and scourge

his wife when she disobeys him. (Q.4: 34)

DR. YOUSSEF: Nice twist of facts. A Muslim is instructed and advised to marry one woman. And he is not instructed

to conduct domestic violence. Quran.4: 34 is about wives who are on the brink of being not faithful to

their husbands to be (admonished first), then refused to share bed with them (second) then last to beat

them. "Beating": is a qualified term that needs better interpretive research.  It is a fact that Islam is the

fastest growing religion in the world and that the second highest % of converts comes from Western

females and I doubt they are masochists.

MR. SHORROSH: Can a devout Muslim be an American patriot and a loyal citizen?

RELIGIOUSLY NO. Because no other religion is accepted by [followers of] his Allah except Islam-Intolerance. (Q.2: 256)

DR. YOUSSEF: You can be a patriot and believe in any religion you wish to. Islam, like every other religion, has its

own set of beliefs. This is the same stereotype that was used against Jews. How often do we hear

that Christianity and Judaism do not recognize Islam, its holy book, the Quran, nor acknowledge its

prophet, Mohammed. Yet the prophet, Abraham, is acknowledged and revered by all three religions,

and is thought to be the founder of Islam through his son, Ishmael. Moses is mentioned in the Quran 176 times

Jesus 29 times, and Mary (the mother of Jesus) 35 times. Mohammed is mentioned less than 5 times. Quran 2:256 says the following:

"No compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error, whoever rejects materialistic distractions

and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that never breaks". "…the messenger

believth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do men of faith. Each one (of them) believth

 in Allah, His angels, His Messengers. We make no distinction (they say) between one and another." (Quran 2:285).

MR. SHORROSH: Can a devout Muslim be an American patriot and a loyal citizen?

INTELLECTUALLY NO. Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is established on Biblical

principles and he [Muslims] believes the Bible to be corrupt.

DR. YOUSSEF: The tenants of the Torah, Bible, and Quran are similar and Muslims believe that they were all

revealed by the same God at different times. Islam is the only religion that opposes a single theocracy. Individual freedoms and human rights were advocated by Mohammed of Arabia. This prophet of Islam declared acceptance of the prophets before him and their messages. He stated (as a metaphor) that he came to complete the final stone of the ethics for humanity in a house that was built by all other prophets.

MR. SHORROSH: PHILOSOPHICALLY NO. Because Islam, Mohammed and the Quran

do not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist.

DR. YOUSSEF: Freedom of religion is a pivotal part of Islamic faith. Mohammed on his deathbed said "I ask you to

watch over the Zemmees (non-Muslims people of the book under covenants) - whoever harms them as

if he harmed me." Historically, Islam at its apex (similar to the current USA status) did not discriminate based on religion between his citizens.

MR. SHORROSH: Can a devout Muslim be an American patriot and a loyal citizen? SPIRITUALLY NO. Because when we declare "one nation under God", the Christian's God is a triune God while the Muslim's is one entity called "Allah", who is never a heavenly father, nor is he ever called "Love" in the 99 excellent names.

DR. YOUSSEF: This is confusing the ideas of the Christian Trinity

of God, the Son and Holy Ghost vs. the single Islamic conception of Allah or God,

and the idea that a nation state can be conceived by humans who believe in God.

Another non sequiter here. Allah is not a fatherly figure, and this is similar to the Jewish

conception of God. Allah is only one with nothing similar to his nature. Yes, Allah

has 99 attributes that do not have “Love”, but is “merciful, protectant, provider, and

compassionate”.

MR. SHORROSH: Every Muslim government is dictatorial except Turkey.

DR. YOUSSEF: Wrong. Free elections and different degrees of democracy are present in Iran, Indonesia (the largest Muslim

country), Pakistan and Bangladesh. Females, current or ex-prime ministers, ruled in Pakistan, Indonesia

and Bangladesh. Islam does not discourage democracy and it encourages sharing of power. Islam does

not advocate any specific system but stands very firmly with justice and human rights. Forms of government

are related to the economic, historical and geographical location and the state of development in each

country, and are not dictated by Islam.

Mr. Shorrosh needs to review his Arabic (for reading and interpreting the Quran), the history

of his people, who stood with their fellow Muslims to defend their land against the crusaders and

current events through which his people are suffering due to lack of sincerity, and the twisting of

truth and history. In the 80’s, Mr. Shorrosh debated the South African Muslim Scholar, Ahmed Deddat.

 And as I recall, he never claimed that he used to be a Muslim during that debate.

Dr. Ashraf Youssef commentary and rebuttal are based on
the Quran, cultural practices in the Middle East, and his own experience growing up
in Egypt, is a naturalized American citizen, and is the president of Higher Grounds Publishing, Inc.
He lives and works in the USA. Dr. Youssef is an objective advocate of America and is available for public speaking (e.g., “Why Islam is Good for America”).

TEN REASONS FOR WHY ISLAM IS GOOD FOR AMERICA

1.Islam recognizes and respects all other religions particularly Christianity and Judaism, and their major figures (biblical prophets, same God, books).

2. Islam is a Western religion with the same shared believe of monotheism like Judaism and Christianity (this what all Muslims believe, by the way).

3. Islam is a diverse religion that crosses all race and ethnicity barriers (it happens every year in Hajj).

4. Islam is historically proven to adopt diversity, protect minorities and promote cross-cultural interaction.

5. Islam is very intolerant to social injustice and establishes the individual responsibility and accountability only to GOD.

6. Islam is the youngest religion, the fastest growing, it captures the imagination of more than 20% of the world's population, while promoting believe in the same God of all monotheistic believers.

7. Islam has universal perceptions and ideology with unique and practical answers to many of the society ills (e.g., alcohol, gambling).

8. Islam has a preserved source and a reference of revelation (Quran), and its language that is understood by more than 300 million today.

9. Islam has no hierarchy or religious theocracy. Any lay Muslim is empowered to perform duties if he/she has the knowledge.

10. Islam is not hindered by a specific authority that resides in a certain location (no control from SA to Muslim beliefs).

· The 10 Most Common Misconceptions About Islam