Islam Holy Book

Noted Pakistani Author on 'Radicalization Everywhere' in Pakistani Society ...

Burqa-clad women enforcing Islamic Sharia code in Islamabad in 2007

In a recent article, Pakistani author and commentator Naeem Tahir argued that Islamic radicalization has seeped into in the Pakistani society on a mass scale. He noted how Islamic symbols such as Koranic ringtones on cell phones are used to influence public mind and further commercial interests, despite causing disrespect to the holy book of Islam.

In the article titled "Radicalization Everywhere," Naeem Tahir noted:"By propagating this misplaced religiosity, the person [who uses the ringtones] prepares the bed of a radical nursery. Both purchasing and playing the tune have negative connotations. There is a strong chance of disrespect for the recitation [of the Koranic verse used in the ringtone]."

Commenting on mass-scale radicalization in Pakistani society, the Pakistani writer also cited a recent case of Muslim legislators belonging to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N) party who objected to their fellow member Kamran Michael presenting the provincial budget for 2011, because he is not a Muslim. [1]

Following are excerpts from his article: [2]

"The Only Purpose… [the Koranic Ringtones] Can Serve is the Strengthening of a Radicalized Mindset"

"You call the mobile number of an acquaintance and what you may hear is recitation from the Holy Koran or a naat (hymn). The first impression is that this person, having the recitation of the Holy Koran as his 'call tune,' is very pious or religious because he/she is reminding us of the virtues of listening to the Koran. However, one wonders about the location of the phone when the bell rings. Could it be in a bathroom? Could the person be sitting on the toilet throne? Could the phone be lying at a place not suitable for the recitation of the Koran?

"Such ringtones – recitations from the Holy Koran – are an exploitation of public sentiments that hold Islam in reverence, and are commercially beneficial to the seller of the recording as a phone 'tune.'

"The person who buys it perhaps feels that he is doing a service to the religion by reminding others. In fact, he promotes commercial exploitation. By propagating this misplaced religiosity, the person prepares the bed of a radical nursery.

"Both purchasing and playing the tune have negative connotations. There is a strong chance of disrespect to the recitation. Even when the phone is answered, the recitation is abruptly cut off – not a mark of respect. The person who opted to adopt such a tune is falsely relieved of his duty to religion. His primary duty is clear personal understanding and actions according to the message of the Koran, and not just making others listen to a tune. The only purpose it can serve is the strengthening of a radicalized mindset.

I read the Holy Quran everyday: Tony Blair

In the interview, he said “I read the Bible every day. I read the Quran every day, partly to understand some of the things happening in the world, but mainly just because it is immensely instructive.”

Reading Islam’s holy book ensured he remained ‘faith-literate’ said Blair, adding that he believes being faith-literate is crucial in today’s globalised world.

Blair believes that knowledge of Islam informs his current role as Middle East envoy for the Quartet of the United Nations, United States, European Union and Russia.

This isn’t the first time that the former British Premier had spoken so highly of the religion. In 2006 he said the Quran was a ‘reforming book, it is inclusive. It extols science and knowledge and abhors superstition. It is practical and way ahead of its time in attitudes to marriage, women and governance’.

MORTON GROVE, Ill. — “As-Salamu Alaikum! Good morning!” booms Habeeb Quadri, looking out over a sea of kids gathered in the gymnasium of the Muslim Community Center Full Time School. “As-Salamu Alaikum!” the students shout in reply, echoing the traditional Arabic greeting, “Peace be upon you.” It is a scene played out in countless variations each weekday at the estimated 240 to 250 private Islamic schools in the U.S. offering instruction to K-12 students. The increasing enrollment in these schools reflects the religion’s growing number of American followers and the desire of parents to shelter young Muslims from discrimination and discomfort they might encounter at public schools.

On the same day reports emerged of a new al Qaeda video that praised the revolutions sweeping the Arab world, one the U.S.’s top counter-terror officials warned the terror organization “thrives” in the political unrest that follows. “The governments of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen have drastically changed in the last six months,” FBI Assistant Director of Counter-Terrorism Mark Giuliano said Thursday. “They are now led by transitional or interim governments, military regimes, or democratic alliances with no established track record on counterterrorism efforts. Al Qaeda thrives in such conditions and countries of weak governance and political instability — countries in which governments may be sympathetic to their campaign of violence.”

The bible calls him the Antichrist, the son of perdition. But in Islamic culture, he is their messiah, they call him the Mahdi. And according to Islamic scholars in Iran, they say the time for his appearing is right around the corner. New evidence has emerged that the Iranian government sees the current unrest in the Middle East as a signal that the Mahdi–or Islamic messiah–is about to appear. CBN News has obtained a never-before-seen video produced by the Iranian regime that says all the signs are moving into place — and that Iran will soon help usher in the end times.

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