Sigordo

Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, under the leadership of pastor Terry Jones, will be observing an ‘International Burn a Quran Day’ in honour of victims of the Sep 11, 2001 attack. The church has invited all to join the quran burning.

“We believe that Islam is of the devil, that it’s causing billions of people to go to hell, it is a deceptive religion, it is a violent religion and that is proven many, many times,” church pastor Terry Jones had told CNN.

What are we supposed to do when our religion is being attacked? When I heard the news, the first thing that came to mind was, how would the Christians react if they found out that there’s a “Burn Bible Day”? Well, to be honest, we all wouldn’t know.

Unfortunately, over the years, there are Muslims who have reacted horrendously when Islam is being attacked. There have been numerous occasions when some Muslims would riot, organise street demonstrations and burn flags all in response to the attack on Islam such as the cartoon drawings of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w and so on.

But of course these are only some Muslims, not all Muslims. Not all Muslims would go out and burn flags and riot in retaliation whenever Islam is attacked.

However, bear in mind, not all Christians are agreeable with pastor Terry Jones. Not all Christians want to burn the Quran. So with hope and faith, there wouldn’t be any horrific aftermath from this idiotic calling from pastor Terry Jones.

Speaking of idiotic, another thing to bear in mind is that if we have tolerant Muslims, I’m sure we have tolerant Christians, right? Hence, if there’s an idiotic Christian pastor, I’m sure there will be a similar idiotic Muslim cleric who would make a statement or support something disrespectful and disgraceful proposed an act similar to the burning of the holy Quran. I’m just saying this just in case it happens.

I just hope the outcome from all this madness is that people agree that the Burn Quran Day is over the line, distasteful, disgraceful and most importantly, disrespectful.

(AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Although I’m not a Muslim scholar and with my limited knowledge of the Quran, here are some verses I would like to share especially with the Muslims in response to the Burn Quran Day:

• CALL THOU (all mankind] unto thy Sustainer’s path with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and argue with them in the most kindly manner-  for, behold, thy Sustainer knows best as to who strays from His path, and best knows He as to who are the right-guided. (Translated by Muhammad Asad)

• Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance. (Translated by Yusuf Ali)

• Serulah (manusia) kepada jalan Tuhanmu dengan hikmah dan pelajaran yang baik dan bantahlah mereka dengan cara yang baik. Sesungguhnya Tuhanmu Dialah yang lebih mengetahui tentang siapa yang tersesat dari jalan-Nya dan Dialah yang lebih mengetahui orang-orang yang mendapat petunjuk. (Malay translation)

(Surah An-Nahl, verse 125. 16:125)

And to pastor Terry Jones, here’s something for you too.

• “Unto you, your moral law, and unto me, mine !” (Asad)

• “To you be your Way, and to me mine” (Y. Ali)

• “Untukmulah agamamu dan untukkulah agamaku”".”  (Malay)

(Surah Al-Kafiroon, verse 6. 109:6)

Therefore, let’s just agree to disagree and respect one another. With hope and love, let’s not burn any holy books. If Terry Jones and his followers still go ahead with their plan to burn the Quran, then I guess, we just have to pray to God deal with them accordingly. That’s the essence of having a religion, you know there’s a superior being, so if we can’t do anything about it, I’m sure God will. Whatever it is, whether you are preaching Islam or Christianity, I hope we all do it with respect.

Since September 11 this year will be in the month of Syawal, I apologise for any wrongdoings and may everyone have a blessed Syawal. Eid Mubarak! Minal ‘Aidin wal-Faizin.