THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, May 8, 1995 TAG: 9505050039
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
As a Muslim, I am chagrined by the tendency of the media and the entertainment industry to portray Islam as the domain of screaming madmen bent on the savaging of women and children. Muslims - particularly Arabs - are constantly lampooned on film and reduced to caricature in the press.
For the benefit of the unschooled, Allah (God) commanded Muhammad (Peace be unto him) to observe these restrictions when forced into war: Do not harm noncombatants; do not harm the tillers of the soil or cripples; do not even cut down trees.
We deplore the violence committed around the globe by members of our faith. Although they invariably claim that their acts are done in the name of Islam, the truth is that they are done soley to achieve political ends, in direct contravention of the dictates of the Qur'an. How many times throughout history have men invoked religion to justify their atrocities?
Le us come together in a spirit of tolerance and conciliation, disperse with histrionics and dedicate ourselves to prayer and mourning for the victims and survivors of Oklahoma City and everywhere.
SALAHUDDIN IBN YAQUB
Norfolk, May 1, 1995 by CNB