Imam Anjem Choudary accused Sean Hannity of maligning Islam. I bear witness that Sean Hannity did not malign Islam or Muslims. He called on Anjem Choudary for twisting Islam to his sick understanding. It was not Islam, but Anjem Choudary that Sean Hannity had questioned. Sean is respectful of other people’s faith including Islam, which is my faith. The language may not be perfect, but the intent is.
Anjem accused Sean of getting a paid person (infering me) to speak for Islam. Neither do I get paid, nor do I agree with Sean on many things. Sean has been a great conservative and an honest American to present different pointsof view and that is what we need in America. Many thanks to my fans and friends who have chosen to see Hannity from that perspective, who had never tuned into Hannity before.
Any time anyone talks about any religion in the form of imposing ideas on others, and forcing others to obedience, they are not talking about religion, in this case Anjem Choudary does not know much about Islam, he knows the oppressive kings, monarchs and dictators - which is not Islam.
In behalf of American Muslims, I want to thank Hannity for insiting that the twisted thing was not Islam, but Anjem Choudary's sick version.
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APOSTASYBy the way there is no punishment for apostasy in Quraan or Islam – one is free to become and un-become a Muslim.
" ... Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error ..." [2:256]
This is Islam's unambiguous affirmation of freedom of faith, which also applies to changing of faith. The Qur'an illuminates before the humanity the two highways [90:10], one of which leads to salvation. Islam is an invitation to the highway toward salvation, but it is based on FREEDOM OF CHOICE.
"Those who believe, and those who are Jews, Sabians and Christians - (in fact) anyone who believes in God and the Last Day, and does good deeds - they have nothing to fear, nor will they regret" (5:69).
"If your Lord so willed, everyone on earth would have believed, all together. Will you then compel people until they become believers" (10:99)?
"We know best what they say; but you (O Muhammad,) are not to force them. So remind with the Qur'an those who fear My warning" (50:45).
Many Muslims along with me, have stood up in defense of Abdul Rahman of Afghanistan, Lena Joy of Malaysia and Paster Naderkhani of Iran. It is a shame that Iran is punishing the man for his conscience, it goes against the grain of Islam.
There are only two or three states that do not follow Islam, but use it as their label.
"If your Lord so willed, everyone on earth would have believed, all together. Will you then compel people until they become believers" (10:99)?
"We know best what they say; but you (O Muhammad,) are not to force them. So remind with the Qur'an those who fear My warning" (50:45).
Many Muslims along with me, have stood up in defense of Abdul Rahman of Afghanistan, Lena Joy of Malaysia and Paster Naderkhani of Iran. It is a shame that Iran is punishing the man for his conscience, it goes against the grain of Islam.
There are only two or three states that do not follow Islam, but use it as their label.
Mike Ghouse
www.WorldMuslimCongress.org
www.WorldMuslimCongress.org
