Dear honorable Clive Kessler,
The Muslims on the authority of Prophet Muhammad (pbh) alone has accepted:-
(1) The miraculous birth of Jesus,
(2) that Jesus is the Messiah,
(3) that he gave life to the dead by God’s permission, and that he healed those born blind and the lepers by God’s permission.
The Koran attributed:-
(1) One chapter for Jesus
(2) One chapter for Mother Mary
Surely this book (the Bible) must have something to say about this great Leader of men who spoke so well of Jesus and his mother Mary?” (Peace be upon them both).
But I am not syn with your statement on “while Muhammad in not mentioned in the Christian gospels, and this fact accordingly disqualifies Christians from commenting upon Islam”.
Correct me if i am wrong.
(HOLY BIBLE) Deuteronomy 18:18.
“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and I will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”
1. Prophet from among their brethren (why the Bible did not mention as brother instead brethren?)
2. like unto thee (Like Moses ?) Is Jesus like Moses
3. I will put my words in his mouth (Peace be upon them both).
4. he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him No need to elaborate in details on this
Very interesting but completely overlooks the impact of Western intervention in the so called “war on terror” in the Middle East as the other part of the explanation for religious extremism. If the situation was reversed and some foreign power had invaded Australia for whatever reason, would we instead be writing the historical basis of Christian extremism? Human Rights Watch’s annual report blames the rise in extremism on human rights abuses in the war on terror.
The only reason the Yellow Shirts can take over the airport is that the Military supports it. Try getting a “rent-a-crowd” to take over Kennedy airport or any other “democratic” country airport and see what happens?
Au contraire, the US probably understand Thai coup very well. This is not the 1st, nor the 10th coup, but the 19th. All claim same old reason, using same old pretext.
The one not understanding the coup is, unsurprisingly, the Thai themselves.
The phrase “The road to hell is paved with good intentions” fly right overhead. To do the same thing the 19th time and expecting different results.
Given that Raymond Ibrahim, an Egyptian-American Coptic Christian, suffered persecution (along with his family) at the hands of the Muslim Brotherhood, prior to leaving Egypt, I should think he does indeed have a rather accurate perspective on extremist Islam of the Wahhabi and Salafi varieties.
If people are interested in a divergent view from that espoused by Timothy Daniels then I would highly recommend the following article by Raymond Ibrahim.
Not so fast. Let us recognize the 50 % of the Kurdish Peshmerga that are female, Kurdish and Muslim, and are fighting on the CORRECT side of the equation. Let us recognize that there are no Sufi, Ahmadi and Ismaili terrorists; let us recognize that Pakistani-Canadian Irshad Manji, banned in Malaysia for merely being an iconoclast (the same reason Dr Kassim Ahmad is being persecuted), for speaking out against Islamic violence and the risks she undertakes in doing so. The brave Malala Yousafzai, Tareq Fatah and Ayaan Hirsi Ali. YES, not all Muslims are terrorists. It does not need to be repeated 10,000 times for non-Muslims to believe it. The larger question is WHY the primary (almost sole) resistance to Daesh is from Kurdish fighters, and so many Muslim jihadists fight WITH Daesh, instead of against Daesh. There is no honour in beheading an innocent man or woman or raping a poor Yazidi girl. It is evil, repulsive and against any known concept of humanity. The obvious fact that the Kurdish people and the Ahmadi Muslims, who know something about persecution, GET THIS FACT, and most of the rest of the Ummmah, DO NOT, is why Muslims better look long and hard at themselves in the mirror, and decide whether their “quality of mercy” is REALLY what Islam stands for, in their heads and in their hearts. If THEY are not sure, then they should not blame non-Muslims for being unsure as well.
You and I and most commentators here are in agreement of Muslims of authorities speak out against current doom_ish scenarios led by the groups you described above.
Demographically: ~50% of the 1.6 billion Muslim are women (making most without a say) and the ratio of major Muslim sects of Sunni and Shia assunming at 50% each make it at all time only at best 25% of Muslim can be POSSIBLY convinced.
That make it at best only 25% will accept co supremacy among religions. An almost futile attempt.
In the past these idiotic concepts unacceptable behaviors and dissensions are controlled and contained by brutal dictators.
Dictatorship that the west all directly or indirectly eliminated. Indirectly by promoting HR at every turn and directly by eliminating minor dictators everywhere for the sake of Democracy.
The west decisions will ultimately make the rise of the Caliphate a reality.
The lady has seen her destiny as a ‘catalyst’ for changes.
When she was the opposing catalyst, the changes were all around negative except for those who profess to love or hate her. The citizenry were in neither groups.
Now she is again a catalyst for change sans champagne and self serving fund raisers.
The fact that present and the immediate future of change within is ‘top down’ should remind all to the that she may be manipulated but she can never be sidelined.
Her basic aim of “Freedom From Fear” is and still intact.
Show me any act of her do not reflect overall above quality and I shall show a person who IS out of touch with real Myanmar Citizenry.
“The basic challenge facing Muslims, and the Muslim world, today is not religious and spiritual but historical, even historiographic”. Histrionic would be an even better description. In the final analysis, the very respect and demand for non-stereotyping of Islam that Muslims so ardently and persistently demand, they are themselves unwilling to afford others. With each new beheading, immolation, rape and total destruction of both Muslims and non-Muslims by Islamic terrorists like Daesh, al-Qaeda and Abu Sayyaf, at what point, I wonder, will some Muslims finally stand up, look at themselves closely in the mirror, and say, “I have had enough”.
These are interesting questions, and I don’t think anyone really has the answers. In recent years my strong impression has been that ethnic voters are inclined to put their faith in “ethnic” parties (as many did in 2010).
That means the NLD will likely struggle in specific corners of the country — there is, to my eye, and just for example, little NLD presence or affection in Rakhine State.
Elsewhere, the NLD has put a lot of effort into establishing (or revitalising) its local footprint. Plenty of main roads in ethnic areas have had prominent township level NLD headquarters for a few years now. These are ready to spring into action for the 2015 poll. The only comparable network of local facilities belongs to the USDP.
But how will votes in ethnic areas ultimately shake out? My guess is that many voters will, where they can, look for affinity with an ethno-nationalist party, of some sort or another. That appears particularly likely in Mon and Kachin States, and in plenty of places across the Shan State. But there are also plenty of Bamar voters in these places, who I’d expect will vote NLD and USDP in varying ratios.
Given the structure of the voting system (no preferences, FPTP, etc), the ways that the vote fractures could be key to results in many, many constituencies. Reasonable support for the NLD from among different ethnic groups could, in such cases, mean that they keep their nose in front of ethnic and USDP competitors.
But if we assume that the NLD struggles to win a fair number of seats in ethnic areas (which seems like a reasonable assumption) then the overall NLD tally could be a bit lower than Daw Suu’s strategists would like (especially given the military handbrake in the legislatures). That would be when the deal-making begins. Just my idle, early 2015 speculation. Very happy to hear other views.
At the Golden Triangle border, Laos Bokeo casino is another so-called “development” project led by Chinese businessman and Lao government would say to local people. But this gambling business is endangering local livelihoods, dispossessing farmers of land and inviting armed crime into previously quiet rural areas. Here is the recent article. Laos Vegas: Rolling the dice on rural development http://www.mekongcommons.org/laos-vegas-rolling-dice-rural-development/
Speaking of cold hard math, what are the percentages by ethnicity in potential voters in 2015? A big chunk of Aung San Suu Kyi’s political capital was that she had the support of the ethnic minorities. Because of her continued inaction with regard to the war in the Kachin State, the anti-Muslim violence in all its forms and locations, the rejection of the 2nd Panlong Agreement etc. , I can’t see that any longer being much of a factor. So if the minority vote is suppressed due to lack buy in to the system, how does the ethnic Burman vote split? Does she still have overwhelming support there, or would the potential lack of widespread ethnic support seriously damage her potential as a candidate?
Two non-lethal IEDs explode in a shopping mall and it is the junta, rather than any of its critics, which immediately goes into defensive overdrive and issues vehement denials. Regardless of who was responsible, this reaction tells us a lot about just how insecure the current regime
actually is. It mirrors the ludicrous over-reaction to Daniel Russel’s comments last week. Are the self-styled “Eastern Tigers” only paper tigers after all?
She’s certainly been accused of having an autocratic mindset which perhaps goes with the lack of a second in command or even a dearth of younger second line leaders, worse than the old stereotypical politbureau.
Talk about sitting on the fence, she’s also been accused of being the proverbial hare with a cold. After having backed the NNER (National Network for Education Reform), when push comes to shove look at the unseemly haste with which she distanced herself from it just as she has done with the second Panlong conference proposal dropping it like a hot potato as soon as the ruling generals gave her the evil eye. That’s middle class opportunism, wavering and cowardice in a crisis. It does not auger well for her leadership and the country’s future. Putting all their eggs in one basket is what hero worshipping people have done.
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Soldiers with democratic hearts?
Indeed. That is why any criticism from that source – Russel’s for instance – hurts and is therefore all the more effective.
On “supersessionism”: Abrahamic faiths in history
Dear honorable Clive Kessler,
The Muslims on the authority of Prophet Muhammad (pbh) alone has accepted:-
(1) The miraculous birth of Jesus,
(2) that Jesus is the Messiah,
(3) that he gave life to the dead by God’s permission, and that he healed those born blind and the lepers by God’s permission.
The Koran attributed:-
(1) One chapter for Jesus
(2) One chapter for Mother Mary
Surely this book (the Bible) must have something to say about this great Leader of men who spoke so well of Jesus and his mother Mary?” (Peace be upon them both).
But I am not syn with your statement on “while Muhammad in not mentioned in the Christian gospels, and this fact accordingly disqualifies Christians from commenting upon Islam”.
Correct me if i am wrong.
(HOLY BIBLE) Deuteronomy 18:18.
“I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and I will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.”
1. Prophet from among their brethren (why the Bible did not mention as brother instead brethren?)
2. like unto thee (Like Moses ?) Is Jesus like Moses
3. I will put my words in his mouth (Peace be upon them both).
4. he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him No need to elaborate in details on this
A rage against history
Very interesting but completely overlooks the impact of Western intervention in the so called “war on terror” in the Middle East as the other part of the explanation for religious extremism. If the situation was reversed and some foreign power had invaded Australia for whatever reason, would we instead be writing the historical basis of Christian extremism? Human Rights Watch’s annual report blames the rise in extremism on human rights abuses in the war on terror.
Soldiers with democratic hearts?
Not forgetting, the Thai Military is very “pro US”
Soldiers with democratic hearts?
The only reason the Yellow Shirts can take over the airport is that the Military supports it. Try getting a “rent-a-crowd” to take over Kennedy airport or any other “democratic” country airport and see what happens?
Massive robust response and mass arrests…
Soldiers with democratic hearts?
Au contraire, the US probably understand Thai coup very well. This is not the 1st, nor the 10th coup, but the 19th. All claim same old reason, using same old pretext.
The one not understanding the coup is, unsurprisingly, the Thai themselves.
The phrase “The road to hell is paved with good intentions” fly right overhead. To do the same thing the 19th time and expecting different results.
Islam, a religion of peace
Given that Raymond Ibrahim, an Egyptian-American Coptic Christian, suffered persecution (along with his family) at the hands of the Muslim Brotherhood, prior to leaving Egypt, I should think he does indeed have a rather accurate perspective on extremist Islam of the Wahhabi and Salafi varieties.
Islam, a religion of peace
If people are interested in a divergent view from that espoused by Timothy Daniels then I would highly recommend the following article by Raymond Ibrahim.
http://www.meforum.org/2159/are-judaism-and-christianity-as-violent-as-islam
On “supersessionism”: Abrahamic faiths in history
Plan B,
Not so fast. Let us recognize the 50 % of the Kurdish Peshmerga that are female, Kurdish and Muslim, and are fighting on the CORRECT side of the equation. Let us recognize that there are no Sufi, Ahmadi and Ismaili terrorists; let us recognize that Pakistani-Canadian Irshad Manji, banned in Malaysia for merely being an iconoclast (the same reason Dr Kassim Ahmad is being persecuted), for speaking out against Islamic violence and the risks she undertakes in doing so. The brave Malala Yousafzai, Tareq Fatah and Ayaan Hirsi Ali. YES, not all Muslims are terrorists. It does not need to be repeated 10,000 times for non-Muslims to believe it. The larger question is WHY the primary (almost sole) resistance to Daesh is from Kurdish fighters, and so many Muslim jihadists fight WITH Daesh, instead of against Daesh. There is no honour in beheading an innocent man or woman or raping a poor Yazidi girl. It is evil, repulsive and against any known concept of humanity. The obvious fact that the Kurdish people and the Ahmadi Muslims, who know something about persecution, GET THIS FACT, and most of the rest of the Ummmah, DO NOT, is why Muslims better look long and hard at themselves in the mirror, and decide whether their “quality of mercy” is REALLY what Islam stands for, in their heads and in their hearts. If THEY are not sure, then they should not blame non-Muslims for being unsure as well.
On “supersessionism”: Abrahamic faiths in history
Peter
You and I and most commentators here are in agreement of Muslims of authorities speak out against current doom_ish scenarios led by the groups you described above.
Demographically: ~50% of the 1.6 billion Muslim are women (making most without a say) and the ratio of major Muslim sects of Sunni and Shia assunming at 50% each make it at all time only at best 25% of Muslim can be POSSIBLY convinced.
That make it at best only 25% will accept co supremacy among religions. An almost futile attempt.
In the past these idiotic concepts unacceptable behaviors and dissensions are controlled and contained by brutal dictators.
Dictatorship that the west all directly or indirectly eliminated. Indirectly by promoting HR at every turn and directly by eliminating minor dictators everywhere for the sake of Democracy.
The west decisions will ultimately make the rise of the Caliphate a reality.
Aung San Suu Kyi in 2015
The lady has seen her destiny as a ‘catalyst’ for changes.
When she was the opposing catalyst, the changes were all around negative except for those who profess to love or hate her. The citizenry were in neither groups.
Now she is again a catalyst for change sans champagne and self serving fund raisers.
The fact that present and the immediate future of change within is ‘top down’ should remind all to the that she may be manipulated but she can never be sidelined.
Her basic aim of “Freedom From Fear” is and still intact.
Show me any act of her do not reflect overall above quality and I shall show a person who IS out of touch with real Myanmar Citizenry.
On “supersessionism”: Abrahamic faiths in history
“The basic challenge facing Muslims, and the Muslim world, today is not religious and spiritual but historical, even historiographic”. Histrionic would be an even better description. In the final analysis, the very respect and demand for non-stereotyping of Islam that Muslims so ardently and persistently demand, they are themselves unwilling to afford others. With each new beheading, immolation, rape and total destruction of both Muslims and non-Muslims by Islamic terrorists like Daesh, al-Qaeda and Abu Sayyaf, at what point, I wonder, will some Muslims finally stand up, look at themselves closely in the mirror, and say, “I have had enough”.
Aung San Suu Kyi in 2015
Contrary to what I said, Suu Kyi is still in the news in the West, occasionally! Here is a rather banal (journos are not what they used to be!) article about her in a recent issue of the Financial Times:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/86683b54-ab72-11e4-8070-00144feab7de.html#axzz3Qj0NGBYh
Aung San Suu Kyi in 2015
Thanks aiontay,
These are interesting questions, and I don’t think anyone really has the answers. In recent years my strong impression has been that ethnic voters are inclined to put their faith in “ethnic” parties (as many did in 2010).
That means the NLD will likely struggle in specific corners of the country — there is, to my eye, and just for example, little NLD presence or affection in Rakhine State.
Elsewhere, the NLD has put a lot of effort into establishing (or revitalising) its local footprint. Plenty of main roads in ethnic areas have had prominent township level NLD headquarters for a few years now. These are ready to spring into action for the 2015 poll. The only comparable network of local facilities belongs to the USDP.
But how will votes in ethnic areas ultimately shake out? My guess is that many voters will, where they can, look for affinity with an ethno-nationalist party, of some sort or another. That appears particularly likely in Mon and Kachin States, and in plenty of places across the Shan State. But there are also plenty of Bamar voters in these places, who I’d expect will vote NLD and USDP in varying ratios.
Given the structure of the voting system (no preferences, FPTP, etc), the ways that the vote fractures could be key to results in many, many constituencies. Reasonable support for the NLD from among different ethnic groups could, in such cases, mean that they keep their nose in front of ethnic and USDP competitors.
But if we assume that the NLD struggles to win a fair number of seats in ethnic areas (which seems like a reasonable assumption) then the overall NLD tally could be a bit lower than Daw Suu’s strategists would like (especially given the military handbrake in the legislatures). That would be when the deal-making begins. Just my idle, early 2015 speculation. Very happy to hear other views.
Best wishes to all,
Nich
Press coverage reaches new heights in Naypyitaw
I don’t know. Do you like to be smacked by shoes ?
Mekong bridge at Chiang Khong
At the Golden Triangle border, Laos Bokeo casino is another so-called “development” project led by Chinese businessman and Lao government would say to local people. But this gambling business is endangering local livelihoods, dispossessing farmers of land and inviting armed crime into previously quiet rural areas. Here is the recent article. Laos Vegas: Rolling the dice on rural development http://www.mekongcommons.org/laos-vegas-rolling-dice-rural-development/
Press coverage reaches new heights in Naypyitaw
Is it just me or does this begin to smack of a shoe fetish?
Aung San Suu Kyi in 2015
Speaking of cold hard math, what are the percentages by ethnicity in potential voters in 2015? A big chunk of Aung San Suu Kyi’s political capital was that she had the support of the ethnic minorities. Because of her continued inaction with regard to the war in the Kachin State, the anti-Muslim violence in all its forms and locations, the rejection of the 2nd Panlong Agreement etc. , I can’t see that any longer being much of a factor. So if the minority vote is suppressed due to lack buy in to the system, how does the ethnic Burman vote split? Does she still have overwhelming support there, or would the potential lack of widespread ethnic support seriously damage her potential as a candidate?
Soldiers with democratic hearts?
Two non-lethal IEDs explode in a shopping mall and it is the junta, rather than any of its critics, which immediately goes into defensive overdrive and issues vehement denials. Regardless of who was responsible, this reaction tells us a lot about just how insecure the current regime
actually is. It mirrors the ludicrous over-reaction to Daniel Russel’s comments last week. Are the self-styled “Eastern Tigers” only paper tigers after all?
Aung San Suu Kyi in 2015
She’s certainly been accused of having an autocratic mindset which perhaps goes with the lack of a second in command or even a dearth of younger second line leaders, worse than the old stereotypical politbureau.
Talk about sitting on the fence, she’s also been accused of being the proverbial hare with a cold. After having backed the NNER (National Network for Education Reform), when push comes to shove look at the unseemly haste with which she distanced herself from it just as she has done with the second Panlong conference proposal dropping it like a hot potato as soon as the ruling generals gave her the evil eye. That’s middle class opportunism, wavering and cowardice in a crisis. It does not auger well for her leadership and the country’s future. Putting all their eggs in one basket is what hero worshipping people have done.