The ISIS Genocide of Yazidi, Christians and Shia

Marking the Anniversary of the US Government’s recognition of this ISIS Genocide in Iraq and Syria.

March 16, 2017 – Washington, DC at Capitol Hill.  The Genocide Coalition is partnerships of organizations and advocates for the religious minorities in Iraq and Syria targeted by ISIS for genocide.  ISIS has been pushed back, the but the Genocide continues. Many of the indigenous religious and ethnic communities targeted by ISIS are still unable to return to their homes – and many, nearly three years later, are still not receiving US aid. Before peace and reconciliation efforts can begin, the victims of genocide must be able to return to their homes safely.

Sitting through listening to over a dozen speakers, I hear the same words again and again, I was stuck when Zina Kiryakos, Christian Human Rights council stated that, “7000 years of civilization was destroyed, millions of Chaldean Christians were forced to leave….” I was thinking about the Genocides of the Native Americans as we had commemorated it along with other Genocides. I was picturing the whole list of Genocides through out the human history. Is any nation, any social, political, religious, ethnic or racial group free from being perpetrators?   I need to study these attitudes in terms of majoritarian arrogance rather than their religious or political affiliations. The stinky attitudes towards the others who are weak, powerless and numerical minorities. After 12 years of commemorating Holocaust and many genocides, I feel the pain of all people and I am thankful to God that every one’s pain is my pain too.

Call to Action: The Genocide Coalition calls on the Trump Administration and the international community to take a swift action to stabilize Iraq; to identify and punish those who aided and abetted ISIS in its campaign of genocide and terror; and to appoint to key positions qualified persons who will pursue these and related humanitarian and national security priorities.

There is no doubt Muslims are a maligned lot as some of them have been on the perpetrator’s side at least in the last few decades. As a society, we need to keep our focus on the individuals and cults instead of groups, we should not buy into stereotyping of any kind. If we buy one, we might as well buy justify crimes against each one of us.

I attended the Genocide Coalition at Capitol Hill yesterday sponsored by IDC in defense of Christians.  It was about the Genocide of Christians, Yazidi and Shia Muslims. It was very difficult to understand how minorities are being harassed in every nation and community. Over a dozen Speakers spoke. Nadia Murad, the Yazidi woman spoke, she was raped multiple times by terrorists in the name of Islam, it was not easy, but she was graceful and did not show any bitterness and instead was seeking solutions to end the genocides of not only her people but others too.

I was tensed up for a few moments and quickly recovered. Who will speak for Muslims that condemn these cults. How do we communicate, why did I not seek to speak?  Then the big relief came when I saw Zainab Al-Suwaij’ name on the list and she spoke, Muslims need to be a part of the society in good times and sad times.

Since there was no room for others to speak or comment, I was hesitant, but doing the right thing is the right thing to do. I asked Prof Robert Destro to speak for a minute and he granted and I kept it to the minute. I said, “I just want to share that the American Muslims have dedicated a Friday Sermon and prayed for Yazidis, Christians and Shia and Muslims are constantly standing up for human rights of others”. Here are the two article in Huffington post.

1. Muslims to Dedicate Friday Sermons for the Safety of Christians, Yazidis, Shia and   – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/muslims-to-dedicate-frida_b_5679118.html 

2. President Obama, Go Ahead ‘Degrade and Destroy’ ISIS – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/president-obama-go-ahead-_b_5765264.html

3. Standing up for others – www.StandingupforOthers.com 

Destro concluded some thing to this effect, “More Muslims are victimized and slaughtered by ISIS than the others, and we are all in this together against the ISIS.” The event was orderly and no one took more than the allotted time.

A good line up of speakers: Nadia Murad, a survivor of Yazidi rapes and torture, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Congressman Fortenberry (R-NE), Zina Kiryakos – Christian Human rights council, Phillipe Nassif – In Defense of Christians, Andrew Walther – Knights of Columbus, Robert Nicholson – Philos Project, Naomi Kikoler – USHMM, Adlay Kejjan – Yazidi American Women Organization, Zainab Al Suwaijj – American Islamic Congress, Faith McDonnel – IRD,  Steve Colecchi – USCCB, Kristina Arriaga – USCRIF, Stephen Hollighshead – Iraq Haven, Professor Robert Destro, and Ninia Shea – Hudson Institute.

This is a weekly or a daily story for me, and I am sure you are the only Muslim in some events and felt relieved. Now, why don’t you attend these events? You don’t get paid for this, neither do I…? If you believe you have to serve the community, getting out there is better than talking non-stop in social gatherings.

Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. All about him in 65 links at www.MikeGhouse.net

    

Obama's opportunity in Charm City

Doug Burton wrote this piece at the Philo's project. The writings in the blog are all mine, except when some one write about me, it will be included here.  I don't have to agree with Mr. Burton, but he has quoted me and I agree with some of the material.

Mike Ghouse
Courtesy of Philo's project. 

Obama's opportunity in Charm City 
Doug Burton

The president’s upcoming visit to the Islamic Society of Baltimore will give him the opportunity to tell us all to take a breath before sounding the alarm about new waves of non-vetted Muslim masses crashing our gates. Expect a legacy statement to showcase American religious freedom, tolerance, pluralism and inclusiveness to audiences overseas.

Hopefully this visit will be more than a photo-op guaranteed to underscore the politically correct myth that Islamism isn’t Islam and that the religion of Islam has no causal link to terrorism. Americans know this plank is a nonsequiter: the Obama Administration says that no terrorists are Muslims, whereas virtually all Jihadi terrorists say they are Muslims.

Perhaps conservatives can give Muslim believers a break here. True, many American imams will not acknowledge that the Islamic State, Al-Qaeda or any form of violent Jihadism is Islam. But anguish could be hear in one imam’s voice as he spoke up during an interview to say, “Let me stop you right there. ISIS has nothing to do with Islam, which is a religion of peace – only peace. That’s like saying the crusaders who raped, murdered or tortured Muslims for centuries were really Christians.” While his constraint on language is his hapless dilemma, it reminds us that in the hearts of the vast majority of devout practitioners, Islam is a divine encounter, leading to a higher plane of compassion, self-transformation, lawfulness and justice.

More importantly, on Feb. 3, President Barack Obama has an opportunity to educate Americans about the great potential of American Muslims in the war of ideas within the Islamic world. As many an analyst has pointed out, Islam as a civilization has had neither a renaissance nor enlightenment, and is due. Fundamentalist Islam rooted in the Arabian Peninsula is actually at war with modernity. We aren’t dealing with “a clash of civilizations” as much as a crisis within one civilization – Islam.

American Muslims could make a big difference because they are different. The fact is, Islam has contextualized in North America’s democratic environment. Just as Christianity adapted to new cultures and ethical traditions as it moved from ancient Israel to Greece, to Rome to the heart of German Europe, and finally to North America, so has Islam.

The Muslims who murdered their colleagues in San Bernardino were in America, but notof it. American Muslims are inured to modernity: well educated and rooted in America. By one count, 5 percent of America’s doctors are Muslims, and many have served in the armed forces. Muslims are voters and public servants. At least two American Muslims serve in Congress. A week after the Paris attacks, the American Muslim Institution held an anti-ISIS protest on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. After the San Bernardino massacre, several Islamic societies held a candlelight vigil and memorial service at the Islamic Center of Silver Springs.

American Muslims who are passionate about Islam flourishing under the protection of a secular government have champions such as Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser M.D., the founder and president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy and the author of “A Battle for the Soul of Islam: An American Muslim Patriot’s Fight to Save His Faith.” Jasser currently serves as a commissioner on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

As Dr. Michael Ghouse, executive director of American Muslim Institution, said, “America is unquestionably the land of the free and the brave. The American Muslims love it, and once here, have unmoored Islam from its cultural chains. Yet American Muslims have retained the true spirit of Islam; a beautiful system devised to restore sanity and common sense in a given society through simple basics like being truthful, trustworthy, standing up for justice, humility and kindness as their life style.”

Dr. Walid Phares, an advisor to members of Congress and the author of “The War of Ideas,” said, “The problem in President Obama’s approach to diffuse the so-called Islamophobia is that his administration marginalizes the groups within the Muslim community that promote liberal views and anti-jihadi activities, while the more Islamist factions close to the Muslim Brotherhood have been elevated by the White House to the status of sole representatives of the community.

“Like any other community, the Muslim American community is not monolithic,” Phares argued. “American Muslims include the more fundamentalist and the more secular. To fight the ideology of the Jihadi terrorists, you need NGOs who would respond to the latter’s ideology not cover up for it.”

He went on to point out that, as seen in both Egypt and Tunisia, for example, the silent majority is strongly opposed to the Islamists. “But the advisors of the Obama Administration may have convinced the president of the opposite. Hence the repetitive failures of Washington in the campaign against the extremists. For the Islamists won’t challenge the jihadists – only secular Muslims will. Obama should have asked Zuhdi Jasser and his reformers to walk with him to that mosque. That would have created balance and neutralized Islamophobia among Americans.”

Muslim American patriots will be sitting in the pews Wednesday, yet it’s not clear yet if a president looking for opportunity will see America’s best assets looking back at him.

Is Brigitte Gabrielle wrong?

Most people don't like her rants and hatred she spews about Muslims, Islam, Quran and the Prophet, however, she does make a point, and what is that point?

She speaks the language of ISIS and the Radicals among Muslims, both of them have hung on to the wrong sources of information. It is a shame that Muslims have not looked into the sources of Islamophobia; one is obviously hereditary with a handful of Christians and Jews,  and the other we need to focus on is unquestioned, bamboozled and shameful Muslim (not Islamic or Quranic) literature against Jews and Christians.

It is my responsibility to at least make the world aware of it, and at least make Brigitte aware of it. If someone funds, I can communicate to the sinners of ISIS, Al-Qaeda and their likes,  and hope through a short documentary we can decimate their venomous ideology from spreading and blocking future recruitments, and possible redemption of a majority of them from that hateful rotten mess they are in.

Full article will be submitted to newspaper for publication, and once published, the link will be provided here.

Reference and video:
Brigitte Gabriel, founder of the American Congress For Truth and ACT! for America, said those terrorist groups were following Islam the way it was intended. “ISIS is Islamic in its purist form,” she said. It’s called the Islamic State. It operates following exactly the commandments of Muhammad. ISIS is not doing anything that Muhammad himself did not do. Whether it is beheading, cutting off ears, cutting off tongues, killing traitors. Muhammad himself was a military leader. In the Islamic world he is considered Al-Insan al-Kamil, the perfect man. ISIS is following the Koran to the letter. "

Read more: http://www.bizpacreview.com/2015/12/30/brigitte-gabriel-isis-not-doing-anything-that-mohammed-himself-did-not-do-289239?hvid=3zEhJJ#ixzz3wDaZMtZY
Mike Ghouse, 
(214) 325-1916

Washington, DC 

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, newsmaker and a professional speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam,  politics, human rights, and foreign policy.  Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at TheGhousediary.com

 

American Muslims are proud of taking the right steps towards integration

American Muslims are proud of taking the right steps towards integration. www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org  

On Friday, November 20, 2015, the American Muslims took a bold step in their journey towards being-one with fellow Americans.  

The American Muslim Institution (AMI) led the demonstrations against Terrorism and Daesh on the steps of Lincoln Memorial;  this historic location was chosen to mirror the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who brought a positive change to the American civil society with his immortal, “I have a dream speech" on the very same steps.

It was indeed a symbolic event for American Muslims, and the foundation for a positive change was laid.The next event was held within hours across the White House by ADAMS Center and another one by APPNA at Dupont Circle the very next day. Now, it is gathering momentum.  

The apprehensions and the conflicts Muslims feel is a result of actions and reactions feeding each other. The Media is blamed for amplifying the negative portrayal of Muslims, while our own attitudes have also contributed towards to the feeding frenzy. It is time to change the equation.  

Mother Teresa had said if you want to make peace with your enemies, go talk with them. Praise the Lord, we have begun the process.  Media is not our enemy; they are merely reflecting the fears of a few, some of them have not taken the time to differentiate between religion and its followers, and have mistaken us with the Daesh, Talibans, Al-Qaeda and their ilk. It is our duty to correct these gross errors on a continual basis. God willing, we hope to conduct seminars and workshops with the media to rectify some of the false perceptions about us. Good and healthy communications can always pave the way for better understanding.

We hear, "the proof is in the pudding", indeed it is. In the following links (four videos), listen to the tone of Sean Hannity, Stuart Varney, and Richard Ray of Fox News. They have responded to positive engagement. There is a new emerging language of understanding and support. What has not worked is disengagement; I would rather engage and fail than cause us to dig in our heels.
This week’s output;    

1. A small step for Muslims, but a giant leap for America - Link

1. Thanksgiving (Interfaith), an  unforgettable story of Appaiah - Link

1. Stuart Varney on Fox -Lincoln Memorial – Link

1. Richard Ray on Fox Dallas -Pastor Jeffress – Link

1. Sean Hannity on Fox about Syrian Refugees – Link

1. Stuart Varney of Fox complains  - Link

1. American Muslims Demonstrate against ISIS - Link

1. War on Terror is the dumbest idea ever floated - Link

1. Islamic way of dealing Terrorism – Link

1. American Muslims Condemn ISIS - Link

1. Rabbi Jonathan Sachs Hugs Mike on the stage. Link

1. Moderate Muslims Speak out? Link

1. What has Sean Hannity done for us? Link (last 9 of the 15 minutes)

The American Muslim Institution is formed with three specific goals - work with the media, mitigate Islamophobia and speed up the process of integration. We hope to get to the point where fellow Americans will see Muslims as their neighbors and fellow citizens, committed to fight against violent extremism and to protect the homeland. No more them against us, it will be all of us working together for a prosperous, secure and cohesive America. . 

Since August 4th, we have been written up in nearly 300 media outlets, this event at Lincoln Memorial has produced nearly 60 Media reports-videos and write ups.  You can Google "American Muslim Institution." Insha Allah, we will upload all of them including our own video and pictures on this site www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org  within a few weeks.

An integrated society functions effectively when we are all on the same page with our uniqueness.  When we demonstrated against Terrorism and Daesh on the steps of Lincoln Memorial, it resonated with fellow Americans; both of us were against the monsters.  When we celebrate 4th of July in the biggest possible way, it will resonate with fellow Americans; both of us become fellow patriots.  When armed protesters head towards Mosques with a confused intent, we can greet them with kindness and caring hospitality, hoist American flags on our mosques grounds, serve grilled hot dogs and water, the hostility will dissipate and they will view us as fellow Americans instead of perceived hostility. We must connect with them instead alienating them. 

Of course, I suggest our Friday Sermons to teach us in dealing with conflicts in the most simple way.

Islamophobia? Right now 63% of Americans don't see Muslims favorably; we can bring this number down to 32% in 3 years. If you are willing to do certain basic things. I will be happy to give a talk and present practical action plan to your group,  listing seven little and seven big things we can do to shape our future with fellow Americans. We cannot postpone this and live in misery for another decade.  

Mike Ghouse,Executive DirectorAmerican Muslim InstitutionA proactive voice for American MuslimsWashington, DC(214) 325-1916 

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam,politics, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine,foreign policy and building cohesive societies. Mike offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at TheGhousediary.com.

Mike Ghouse on Voice of America about Iran deal, Turkey and Ferguson

My talking points for Voice of America Radio, Washington, D.C 

Turkey

Turkey has allowed 6 F-16 Falcon fighters to operate from their Incirlik air base to do the sorties over ISIS territory.  We had enough of the evil acts from the ISIS, it is time to stop them from killing people, destroying the heritage of the nations and forcing women to be sex slaves.

Way back in September 2014, in an Op-ed at Huffington Post, I had urged President Obama to use the Quranic method, to give them warning, if they don’t stop killing, drone them and save the innocent lives of Christians, Yazidis, Shias and others.   However, if they retrieve, we have to stop. 

I would rather round them up and question them, and demand them to show where Quran tells them to do such evil things. I hope that will put an end to the false propaganda against Islam, and let the world focus on evil in men. Religion is never the problem; it is the evilness in men.

We have the world with us, and it is time to stop them and that is the right thing to do.

2    Iran Deal

a.     This is the best thing that has happened – It is good for Israel, America, Iran and the world. I am writing a full article on this topic.

b.    Netanyahu is possibly the worst enemy of Israel – he is isolating the nation from the rest of the world. Six Powerful nations Russia, China, UK, France, Germany and US are in this together to ensure Iran does not go nuclear behind everyone’s back. They have made this deal in good faith for the protection of Israel.  

c.     It is good for Israel and what does Netanyahu do? He slaps them in their face! 

d.     Why should they like this man?

e.     We have to guide the world’s anger towards Netanyahu, the pied piper of Israel, instead of the people of Israel.

f.       The Republicans want to double down on this, shame on them, if they do not pass this bill, I would question their loyalty? Are they allowing a foreign leader to be disrespectful of our president? Shame on them.

g.     I am sure there a few good Republicans out there who want to do the right thing for America, Israel, Iran and others, but will they do the monkey see, monkey do? That is obedient conformists and jump like sheep instead of exercising their minds?

h.    Mother Teresa said – if you want peace, go talk with the enemy

i.       Chinese Quote – if you want to get rid of the enemy for good, make friends with them.

j.       Obama has precisely done that, and this is a major paradigm shift in our foreign policy – it is sensible and the righteous one

k.     Obama said, super powers don’t response to talks – he is right, we cannot be yelling at each other, one has to be an adult. I hope the Republicans act like adults as well.

l.       Obama is right again, it is the best way for Iran not to get nuclear weapons.

m. Reagan had that wisdom, and he dealt with Russians while they had their missiles pointed at us. Of course every Republican is eager to claim to be a follower of Reagan – but very few of them are

n.    Negotiate with enemies

o.     Hardliner on the Iran side are as ugly as ours are.

p.    Netanyahu does not get it, he is not comfortable with peace, he has got to be on the edge and keep the Israelis and Americans on the edge.  

3

Behjat Gilani and Mike Ghouse on VOA

      

Ferguson after one year
The police chief says, "They were criminals, they weren't protesters," Belmar said – aren’t they innocent until proven guilty? We should demand an apology from this officer.  Instead of mitigating the bad race relations, this guy aggravates by killing.  Aren’t they not trained to hold the trigger?

I question the police training to produce these men who are too eager to pull the trigger.

Mike Ghouse, speaking for America Together Foundation.

Thank you,

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916

Mike is a speaker, thinker, writer, pluralist,  TV-Radio commentator and a human rights activist committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His info in 63 links at MikeGhouse.net and writings at TheGhouseDiary.com 

Iraq and Syria genocide in waiting - what should we do?

SYRIA-IRAQ  WHAT SHOULD WE DO
VIDEO https://www.facebook.com/RudawEnglish/videos/797437973697441/

I feel her anguish and pain.  No human has to live in insecurity and non-stop threats, we the Americas screwed up big time and must own it up.

We have to do the following:

Secure the Christians, Yazidis and others who are being targeted. Muslims are praying for them. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/muslims-to-dedicate-frida_b_5679118.html

Gas the entire ISIS territory or 50 Square Miles area at one time, and knock out the ISIS terrorists for 24 hours, pick them up and put them on trial. Do not kill them, we have chance to uproot terrorism.  

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/president-obama-go-ahead-_b_5765264.html

http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2015/05/press-release-muslims-challenge-al.html


Dick Cheney and George Bush need to be put on Trial, if they are not guilty, spare them or ask the nation what we need to do to them for destroying the world.

Mike Ghouse

13 Doctrines of Radical Islam ISIS.

13 Doctrines of Radical Islam and ISIS |
Published at  www.QuraanToday.com - www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
............................................

I am responding to the following surreal claims by an unknown, but well circulated piece called “13 Doctrines of Radical Islam ISIS “ with a singular purpose; To provide the moderate majority (of all faiths) with facts, and to help them  not entertain any doubts about the word of God. God loves us all and has given us the free will to manage peace and harmony in the world, so all of us can live without fear of the other. 

False propaganda

Finding the truth is your own responsibility, if you are curios about these propaganda verses,  please buy at least three different translations of Quran and figure it out yourselves for your peace of mind is your business.

However, if you want to counter any one of those guys who either innocently or deliberatly circulate false material, here is a ready made response for you to forward. Always go towww.WorldMuslimCongress.com or www.Quraantoday.com and search up for Maligned verses.

I will tear this propaganda apart, and present the right quotes to  each one of these 13 misquotes. These guys write whatever they want and pass it out as the verses from Quran. I have responded to many of these men and women including Noni Derwish and others. The one that made  the biggest mess was Geert Widlers, the hate filled man from Sweden who duped the US Congress and Senate members with his falsities and sold them the 14 minute film called Fitna.
 

In the Middle Ages, European leaders commissioned a hostile Quran translation to foster warfare against Muslim invaders. Later, Muslim leaders produced another translation to inflame Muslims against Christians and Jews. The European Kings commissioned the monastery of Abbey to deliberately mistranslate Quran to paint as a cult that wil threaten their lives – and coined the word “Muhammadan” for the first time in 1142 AD.  It was all for politics, and we need to reject these false translation, the other one was by an Muslim man “Hilali Khan”  who has deliberately mistranslated nearly 60 verses to cause ill-will towards Jews, Chrsitians and others. Please reject those.

The most popular and authenitc translations are by Muhammad Asad, Yusuf Ali and Picktal, however there are a few verses not dealt well in their translations and Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar has righted the wrong understanding in verse 4:34 for example.

http://mikeghouse.net/MuslimSpeaker.MikeGhouse.asp#sthash.5esiRB9S.dpuf

 # # #

Many of the following verses are not in Quran, and where additional explanation is needed, I have added two or three translations to give little more clarity. To get the full understanding, the simple formula is read three verses before and after the give verses, and you simply cannot go wrong.

Mike Ghouse , Muslim Speaker, thinker and a writer. World Muslim Congress, Dallas, Texas  Link

American way and Quran Formula

When it comes to law and order, Quran formula is similar to American laws, here is how it works.

1. If bad guys stop in front of your property and march in to throw you out

2. You tell them to back off

3. If they still come towards you, you warn them to back off

4. If they make an attempt to attack you

5. You attack and chase them

6. If they run and hide behind the bushes 

7. You  hunt them down wherever you can find them and kill them on your property   

Click on the image to get the larger readable version

Every one of those verses that advocate, “ Hunt them down where ever you can find and  kill them” verse,  the same formula is adopted and in addition Quran advocates the following – Stop the pursuit, if they repent, surrender and retreat from attacking you”

I am sick of these guys who present only half truth.  Finding the truth is your own responsibility, go buy three different translations and figure it out yourselves.  Your peace of mind is your business.

Now, here are those 13 propaganda verses and my response directly from Quran.I hope no one is gullible enough to buy this propaganda. In the future if you see these, please visit the Quran, read three verse before and three verses after the verse,  and you will appreciate the wisdom of all loving merciful and just God.     

     1. You can rape, marry and divorce pre-Pubescent girls; Qur’an 65:4

Real Verse: 65:4 (Asad) Now as for such of your women as are beyond, the age of monthly courses, as well as for such as do not have any courses, ^[10]their waiting-period - if you have any doubt [about it] - shall be three [calendar] months; and as for those who are with child, the end of their waiting-term shall come when they deliver their burden. And for everyone who is conscious of God, He makes it easy to obey His commandment:

This is goofy and there is nothing to discuss, next?

2.  You can enslave for Sex and work; Qur’an 4:3, 4:24, 5:89, 33:50, 58:3, 70:30

I will pick first and the last of the 6 verses.

4:3 (Asad) And if you have reason to fear that you might not act equitably towards orphans, then marry from among [other] women such as are lawful to you ^[3] - [even] two, or three, or four: but if you have reason to fear that you might not be able to treat them with equal fairness, then [only] one - or [from among] those whom you rightfully possess. ^[4] This will make it more likely that you will not deviate from the right course.

70:30 (Asad) [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock] - : ^[13] for then, behold, they are free of all blame,

Self-Explanatory and the verse quote in the propaganda is completely false

3. You can beat sex slaves, work slaves, and wives  Qur’an 4:34 

4:34 (L.Bakhtiar) Men are supporters of wives because God gave some of them an advantage over others and because they spent of their wealth. So the females, ones in accord with morality are the females, ones who are morally obligated and the females, ones who guard the unseen of what God kept safe. And those females whose resistance you fear, then admonish them (f) and abandon them (f) in their sleeping places and go away from them (f). Then if they (f) obeyed you, then look not for any way against them (f). Truly, God had been Lofty, Great.

Comment:  “beat them” was the interpretation that was produced for its full history, however, a scholar by the name Laleh Bakhtiar, had done thorough research in 2012 and has rectified the error. The Arabic word for beat is Daraba, which was used 21 other times in Quran to mean “separation” and sorry to say, men have always interpreted what suits them, and this is one of the few instances. Quite a lot is written about it including my own presentation at World Muslim Congress:http://www.worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/05/wife-beating-is-culture-of-men-and-not.html
4:34 (Asad) MEN SHALL take full care of women with the bounties which God has bestowed more abundantly on the former than on the latter, ^[42] and with what they may spend out of their possessions. And the right­eous women are the truly devout ones, who guard the intimacy which God has [ordained to be] guar­ded. ^[43] And as for those women whose ill-will ^[44] you have reason to fear, admonish them [first]; then leave them alone in bed; then beat them; ^[45] and if thereupon they pay you heed, do not seek to harm them. Behold, God is indeed most high, great!

4. You will need 4 Muslim male witnesses to prove a rape; Qur’an 24-4

24:4 (Asad) And as for those who accuse chaste women [of adultery],^[6] and then are unable to produce four witnesses [in support of their accusation], flog them with eighty stripes ^[7] and ever after refuse to accept from them any testimony - since it is they, they that are truly depraved!
^[6]  The term rnuhsanat denotes literally ‘‘women who are fortified [against unchastity]", i.e., by marriage and/or faith and self-respect, implying that, from a legal point of view, every woman must he considered chaste unless a conclusive proof to the contrary is produced. (The passage relates to women other than the accusers own wife, for in the latter case - as shown in verses 6-9 - the law of evidence and the consequences are different.(Quran Ref: 24:4 )

^[7] By obvious implication, this injunction applies also to cases where a woman accuses a man of illicit sexual intercourse, and is subsequently unable to prove her accusation legally. The severity of the punishment to be meted out in such cases, as well as the requirement of four witnesses - instead of the two that Islamic Law regards as sufficient in all other criminal and civil suits - is based on the imperative necessity of preventing slander and off-hand accusations. As laid down in several authentic sayings of the Prophet, the evidence of the four witnesses must be direct, and not merely circumstantial: in other words, it is not sufficient for them to have witnessed a situation which made it evident that sexual intercourse was taking or had taken place: they must have witnessed the sexual act as such, and must be able to prove this to the entire satisfaction of the judicial authority (Razi, summing up the views of the greatest exponents of Islamic Law). Since such a complete evidence is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to obtain, it is obvious that the purpose of the above Quranic injunction is to preclude, in practice, all third-party accusations relating to illicit sexual intercourse - for, "man has been created weak’’ (4:28) - and to make a proof of adultery dependent on a voluntary, faith-inspired confession of the guilty parties themselves.(Quran Ref: 24:4 )

Self-explanatory – everything in Quran is a two way street, if a woman is suggested to wear modest clothing, invariably, men are told to lower their gaze.

5. Kill Jews and Christians if they do not convert or pay Jiziya Tax; Qur’an 9:29

9:29 (Asad) [And] fight against those who - despite having been vouchsafed revelation [aforetime] [40] -do not [truly] believe either in God or the Last Day, and do not consider forbidden that which God and His Apostle have forbidden, [41] and do not follow the religion of truth [which God has enjoined upon them] [42] till they [agree to] pay the exemption tax with a willing hand, after having been humbled [in war]. [43]

There is no mention of Jews and Christians, the propaganda masters have made it up.

“pay the exemption tax with a willing hand, after having been humbled” . Humbled- meaning acceptance of their wrong, not necessarily subduing. It is a common practice in the US if the suing party is silly and outrageous, the attorney fee incurred is granted to the wrong doer. It is a penalty for the unwanted aggression.

Full discourse is at: http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2010/03/quraan-2256-free-will-v-929-compulsion.html

6. Crucify and amputate Non-Muslims; Qur’an 8:12 and 47:4

8:12 (Asad) Lo! Thy Sustainer inspired the angels [to convey this His message to the believers]: "I am with you !" ^[13] [And He commanded the angels:] "And, give firmness unto those who have attained to faith [with these words from Me]: ^[14] `I shall cast terror into the hearts of those who are bent on denying the truth; strike, then, their necks, [O believers,] and strike off every one of their finger-tips!" ^[15]
8:13 (Asad) This, because they have cut themselves off from ^[16] God and His Apostle: and as for him who cuts himself off from God and His Apostle - verily, God is severe in retribution

47:4 (Asad) NOW WHEN you meet [in war] those who are bent on denying the truth, ^[4] smite their necks until you overcome them fully, and then tighten their bonds; ^[5] but thereafter [set them free,] either by an act of grace or against ransom, so that the burden of war may be lifted: ^[6] thus [shall it be]. And [know that] had God so willed, He could indeed punish them [Himself]; but [He wills you to struggle] so as to test you [all] by means of one another. ^[7] And as for those who are slain in God’s cause, never will He let their deeds go to waste

7. You will kill non-Muslims to receive 72 Virgins in heaven: Qur’an 9:111

9:111 (Asad) BEHOLD, God has bought of the believers their lives and their possessions, promising them paradise in return, ,[and so] they fight in God's cause, and slay, and are slain: a promise which in truth He has willed upon Himself in [the words of] the Torah, and the Gospel, and the Qur'an. And who could be more faithful to his covenant than God? Rejoice, then, in the bargain which you have made with Him: for this, this is the triumph supreme!

9:111 (Y. Ali) Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah. Then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme.

Two translations have been checked, and there is no mention about Virgins. Some men have interpreted Supreme Achievement to getting girls, but that is not in Quran. Wrong people always resort to propaganda to malign religion,  or recruit guys with girl greed. 

8. You will kill anyone who leaves Islam; Qur’an 2:217, 4:89

I will be presenting three translations for you to see the difference in expression.

2:217 ( L. Bakhtiar) They ask thee about the Sacred Month and fighting in it. Say: Fighting in it is deplorable and barring from the way of God and ingratitude to Him. And to bar from the Masjid al-Haram, and expelling people from it are more deplorable with God. And persecution is more deplorable than killing. And they cease not to fight you until they repel you from your way of life, if they are able. And whoever of you goes back on his way of life, then, dies while he is one who is ungrateful, those, their actions were fruitless in the present and in the world to come. And those will be the Companions of the Fire. They are ones who will dwell in it forever.
2:217 (Y. Ali) They ask thee concerning fighting in the Prohibited Month. Say: "Fighting therein is a grave (offence); but graver is it in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah, to deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, and drive out its members." Tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith if they can. And if any of you Turn back from their faith and die in unbelief, their works will bear no fruit in this life and in the Hereafter; they will be companions of the Fire and will abide therein.

2:217 (Asad) They will ask thee about fighting in the sacred month.^[202] Say: "Fighting in it is an awesome thing (grave transgression); but turning men away from the path of God and denying Him, and [turning them away from] the Inviolable House of Worship and expelling its people there from - [all this] is yet more awesome (greater transgression) in the sight of God, since oppression is more awesome (greater transgression) than killing." [Your enemies] will not cease to fight against you till they have turned you away from your faith, if they can. But if any of you should turn away from his faith and die as a denier of the truth - these it is whose works will go for nought in this world and in the life to come; and these it is who are destined for the fire, therein to abide.  (please note I have used the world Awful in place of Awesome)

Please read the Quran formula above.  

9.  You will behead non-Muslims,  Quran 8:12 and 47:4 ( 8:12 was covered earlier)

47:4 (Y. Ali) Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been Allah's Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of Allah,- He will never let their deeds be lost.

47:4 (Asad) NOW WHEN you meet [in war] those who are bent on denying the truth, ^[4] smite their necks until you overcome them fully, and then tighten their bonds; ^[5] but thereafter [set them free,] either by an act of grace or against ransom, so that the burden of war may be lifted: ^[6] thus [shall it be]. And [know that] had God so willed, He could indeed punish them [Himself]; but [He wills you to struggle] so as to test you [all] by means of one another. ^[7] And as for those who are slain in God’s cause, never will He let their deeds go to waste:

47:4 (L.Bakhtiar) So when you met those who were ungrateful, then, strike their thick necks until you gave them a sound thrashing. Then, tie them fast with restraints. And afterwards either have good will towards them or take ransom for them until the war ends, laying down its heavy load. Thus, it is so! But if God willed, He Himself would have, certainly, avenged you. But it is to try some of you with some others. As for those who were slain in the way of God, He will never cause their actions to go astray.

Please read the Quran formula above.  

10. You will kill and be killed for Allah; Quran 9:5 

M.Asad, “And so, when the sacred months are over, slay those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God wherever you may come upon them, and take them captive, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every conceivable place! Yet if they repent, and take to prayer, and render the purifying dues, let them go their way: for, behold, God is much forgiving, a dispenser of grace.”

Y.Ali “But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. “

Personally, as a pluralist, I have a problem with the translations. Glad to see Asad explain “ascribe divinity to aught beside God” versus the world “Pagan” used by Yusuf Ali, and “Polytheists by many others”. I would not use the word Pagan, as God does not mean all Pagans, but those who are in war with you , forcing you to disbelieve. Asad is much closer to the meaning of Quran. Someday, I will write, to make it communicate the meaning to a Hindu, Jews, Christian or a Pagan.
 
Please read the Quran formula above. 

11.  You will terrorize non-Muslims, Quran 8:12 , 8:60

8:60 (Asad) Hence, make ready against them whatever force and war mounts ^[64] you are able to muster, so that you might deter thereby the enemies of God, who are your enemies as well, ^[65] and others besides them of whom you may be unaware, [but] of whom God is aware; and whatever you may expend ^[66] in God's cause shall be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.

^[64] Lit., "tethering of horses" (ribat al-khavl): an expression which signifies "holding in readiness mounted troupes at all points open to enemy invasion (thughur)"; hence, tropically, the over-all maintenance of military preparedness.(Quran Ref: 8:60 )

^[65] Lit., "God's enemy and your enemy" - implying that every "enemy of God" (i.e., everyone who deliberately opposes and seeks to undermine the moral laws laid down by God) is, eo ipso, an enemy of those who believe in Him.(Quran Ref: 8:60 )
Please read the Quran formula above.  

12. Steal from Non-Muslims; Quran Chapter 8The chapter has 75 verses… unless one is pointed out 

13.  Lie to Strengthen Islam: Quran 3:26, 3:54, 9:3, 16:106, 40:28

3:26 (Asad) SAY: "O God, Lord of all dominion! Thou grantest dominion unto whom Thou willest, and takest away dominion from whom Thou willest; and Thou exaltest whom Thou willest, and abasest whom Thou willest. In Thy hand is all good. Verily, Thou hast the power to will anything. 

3:54 (Asad) And the unbelievers schemed [against Jesus]; ^[44] but God brought their scheming to nought: for God is above all schemers.

16:106 (Asad) As for anyone who denies God after having once attained to faith-and this, to be sure, does not apply to ^[133] one who does it under duress, the while his heart remains true to his faith, ^[134] but [only, to] him who willingly opens up his heart to a denial of the truth-: upon all such [falls] God's condemnation, and tremendous suffering awaits them:
^[134] Lit., "one who is coerced, the while his heart is at rest in [his] faith". This relates to believers who, under torture or threat of death, ostensibly "recant" in order to save themselves. Although the Qur'an makes it clear in several places that martyrdom in the cause of faith is highly meritorious, "God does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear" (cf. 2:233 and 286, 6:152, 7:42, 23:62, and many other Qur'anic statements to the same effect).(Quran Ref: 16:106 )

40:28 (Asad) At that, a believing man of Pharaoh’s family, who [until then] had concealed his faith, exclaimed: ^[19] “Would you slay a man because he says, ‘God is my Sustainer’ - seeing, withal, that he has brought you all evidence of this truth from your Sustainer? Now if he be a liar, his lie will fall back on him; but if he is a man of truth, something [of the punishment] whereof he warns you is bound to befall you: for, verily, God would not grace with His guidance one who has wasted his own self by lying [about Him]. ^[20] 

If you cannot put your name to what you believe,
then it is not worth sharing it.

 Thank you

mike
Mike Ghouse, President
America Together Foundation
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
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Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator onPluralism, Islam, India, Israel-Palestine, Politics and other issues of the day. He is a human rights activist, and his book standing up for others will be out soon | He is producing a full feature film " Sacred" to be released on 9/11 and a documentary "Americans together" for a July 4 release.  He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com - Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.