"Islam is the religion of peace" - archaeology of a trope - The 4 Freedoms Library2024-03-28T16:47:24Zhttp://4freedoms.com/forum/topics/islam-is-the-religion-of-peace-archaeology-of-a-trope?groupUrl=theology&commentId=3766518%3AComment%3A176079&groupId=3766518%3AGroup%3A7416&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI wasn't sure where to put th…tag:4freedoms.com,2016-03-12:3766518:Comment:1760792016-03-12T11:36:58.778ZJoehttp://4freedoms.com/profile/38DD
<p>I wasn't sure where to put this. It had to be somewhere to do with Islam and war.</p>
<blockquote><p>This letter marked a turning point in the history of Oman. Omanis willingly accepted the Prophet’s call to Islam and after they became Muslims, they participated actively in strengthening the pillars of the developing Islamic state and in spreading Islam to new regions.</p>
<p>The Prophet’s companion, ‘Amr bin Al ‘Aas, carried the letter to the two brothers, Jaifar and Abd, sons of Al…</p>
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<p>I wasn't sure where to put this. It had to be somewhere to do with Islam and war.</p>
<blockquote><p>This letter marked a turning point in the history of Oman. Omanis willingly accepted the Prophet’s call to Islam and after they became Muslims, they participated actively in strengthening the pillars of the developing Islamic state and in spreading Islam to new regions.</p>
<p>The Prophet’s companion, ‘Amr bin Al ‘Aas, carried the letter to the two brothers, Jaifar and Abd, sons of Al Julanda, the joint rulers of Oman at that time. Sources do not agree, however, on the exact year in which the letter was sent. According to one historical source, the letter was sent after the Peace Treaty of Hudaybiyyah in year 6 of the Hijra. Another source suggests that the letter was sent after Hajjat-al-Wada’ (the Farewell Pilgrimage). Despite the debate over the precise dating of the letter, most sources agree that it was sent after Fat’h Mecca (the Opening of Mecca) in the year 8 of the Hijra.</p>
<p><strong>The letter reads as follows:</strong></p>
<p><strong>“In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. From Mohammed, the messenger of Allah, to Jaifar and Abd, sons of Al Julanda. Peace is upon him who follows the guidance. I am calling both of you, in the name of Islam. You will be safe if you submit to Islam.</strong></p>
<p><strong>I am the Messenger of Allah to all people warn all living that Islam will prevail. I hope you will accept Islam, but if you do not, then you will lose your country, and my horsemen will invade your territory and my prophecy will dominate your country”.</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://foroneislam.wordpress.com/2009/03/29/prophet-mohammeds-letter-to-the-people-of-oman/" target="_blank">https://foroneislam.wordpress.com/2009/03/29/prophet-mohammeds-letter-to-the-people-of-oman/</a></p>
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<p>The above article was written in 2009. Note it talks of "Islamic State", as do many other texts predating the rise of ISIS.</p>
<p><br/>Here's a copy of the letter.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/54806818?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/54806818?profile=original" width="367" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>Here is a screenshot of that text + image on a museum website of the Omani government.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/54806820?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/54806820?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p>archive.org has no record of that URL (blocked perhaps by Omani govt for some reason).</p>
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<p></p> From the end of paragraph 4:…tag:4freedoms.com,2016-02-11:3766518:Comment:1747142016-02-11T03:10:55.755ZAlan Lakehttp://4freedoms.com/profile/AlanLake
<p>From the end of paragraph 4:</p>
<blockquote><p>We are about to give a succinct view of this code, which, after having flourished for so many years, is gradually losing influence, and, from two cause, appears doomed to disappear altogether. These causes are the increasing apathy of Islamism, and the ascendancy of a new and higher civilisation.</p>
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<p>I think that is one reason why Western governments did not identify the fundamental threat of Islam, destroy Mecca and revert…</p>
<p>From the end of paragraph 4:</p>
<blockquote><p>We are about to give a succinct view of this code, which, after having flourished for so many years, is gradually losing influence, and, from two cause, appears doomed to disappear altogether. These causes are the increasing apathy of Islamism, and the ascendancy of a new and higher civilisation.</p>
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<p>I think that is one reason why Western governments did not identify the fundamental threat of Islam, destroy Mecca and revert Turkey, Syria, Egypt, etc, back to their original Christian state. The idea was that even in 1840, Islam was on the way out, and like a sick dog, it would be shameful to kick it when it's down. There was a total confidence in the new, democratic and industrial organisation of the West, and its ability to defeat all comers.</p>
<p>How wrong they were! Western civilisation was doomed to eat itself from within, and Islam, thanks to oil money, and the ideological inspiration of Sayyid Qutb, Hassan al Banna and Maulana Maududi, was destined to go from strength to strength. It is well said that pride comes before a fall.</p> What follows is an extract fr…tag:4freedoms.com,2016-02-10:3766518:Comment:1744712016-02-10T12:45:34.234ZJoehttp://4freedoms.com/profile/38DD
<p>What follows is an extract from the French Ministry of War. A more accurate account of islam than any that has appeared in the British media for probably 50 years.</p>
<p><span>"Holy War Of The Mussulmans." </span><i>Times</i><span> [London, England] 16 Oct. <strong>1840</strong>: 3</span></p>
<p><span>Note also: islam is here referred to as "islamism". That is probably a direct transliteration from the French. And there is no indication that "islamism" is anything other than islam. You will…</span></p>
<p>What follows is an extract from the French Ministry of War. A more accurate account of islam than any that has appeared in the British media for probably 50 years.</p>
<p><span>"Holy War Of The Mussulmans." </span><i>Times</i><span> [London, England] 16 Oct. <strong>1840</strong>: 3</span></p>
<p><span>Note also: islam is here referred to as "islamism". That is probably a direct transliteration from the French. And there is no indication that "islamism" is anything other than islam. You will probably need to open the image in another tab or download it, and then choose to increase the size in order to read it (press ctrl and "+" key at the same time; ctrl and the "minus" key to reduce the size of the image.)</span></p>
<p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/54806701?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/54806701?profile=original" width="546" class="align-full"/></a></span></p> in a letter on pan-islamism a…tag:4freedoms.com,2016-02-10:3766518:Comment:1747132016-02-10T12:28:59.331ZJoehttp://4freedoms.com/profile/38DD
<p>in a letter on pan-islamism and the Caliphate</p>
<blockquote><p>the consolidation of islam under one theocratic head, it is devoutly to be welcomed by all who recognize in "the Religion of Peace" a protest alike against Asiatic idolatry, on the one hand, and European atheism on the other. The truly devout Mahomedan is the grandest gentleman I kno; he fears God, and he truly fears none else! GEORGE BIRDWOOD. "'Pan-Islamism And The Khalifate.'." <i>Times</i> [London, England] 7 Aug.…</p>
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<p>in a letter on pan-islamism and the Caliphate</p>
<blockquote><p>the consolidation of islam under one theocratic head, it is devoutly to be welcomed by all who recognize in "the Religion of Peace" a protest alike against Asiatic idolatry, on the one hand, and European atheism on the other. The truly devout Mahomedan is the grandest gentleman I kno; he fears God, and he truly fears none else! GEORGE BIRDWOOD. "'Pan-Islamism And The Khalifate.'." <i>Times</i> [London, England] 7 Aug. 1908</p>
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<p>So, this guy is basically a totalitarian theocrat - opposed to atheism and opposed to any religion which has more than 1 god. It seems the treachery in England begins earlier than we might have thought.</p>
<p>This would appear to be the earliest use of the phrase in The Times, and is not found at all from 1800 onwards. Birdwood was Anglo-Indian. So, I'm guessing that this lie was being generated in India even earlier than 1908.</p> The Times, 1935.
Imam of Lond…tag:4freedoms.com,2016-02-10:3766518:Comment:1745632016-02-10T12:14:57.706ZJoehttp://4freedoms.com/profile/38DD
<p>The Times, 1935.</p>
<p>Imam of London Mosque objects to comparison of islam and bolshevism. Imam says "islam is the religion of peace".</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/54806744?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/54806744?profile=original" width="541"></img></a></p>
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<p>This lie was then repeated again in 1936, in the context of violence between jews and arabs in Palestine.</p>
<p><span>ISRAEL M. SIEFF. "The Impasse In Palestine." </span><i>Times</i><span> [London, England] 26 Sept.…</span></p>
<p>The Times, 1935.</p>
<p>Imam of London Mosque objects to comparison of islam and bolshevism. Imam says "islam is the religion of peace".</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/54806744?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/54806744?profile=original" width="541" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>This lie was then repeated again in 1936, in the context of violence between jews and arabs in Palestine.</p>
<p><span>ISRAEL M. SIEFF. "The Impasse In Palestine." </span><i>Times</i><span> [London, England] 26 Sept. 1936:</span></p>
<p><span>Also claimed in 1989, in relation to Rushdie Affair.</span></p>
<p><span><span>Jefrey Littman, et al. "Legal, moral and religious issues on 'Satanic Verses'." </span><i>Times</i><span> [London, England] 22 Feb. 1989</span></span></p>
<p></p>
<p>Again, right after 9/11.</p>
<p><span>Greg Hurst and David Charter. "Blair wins muted support for military action against terror." </span><i>Times</i><span> [London, England] 3 Oct. 2001. This time stated by a journalist, with no critical comment whatsoever.</span></p>
<p><span>Gove was critical of Blair calling Islam the religion of peace in 2002. <span>Michael Gove. "The New Left inherits a tradition of hatred." </span><i>Times</i><span> [London, England] 19 Feb. 2002. He was silent in 2015 when Cameron & May also made this claim.</span></span></p> So the claim that "Islam is t…tag:4freedoms.com,2014-02-06:3766518:Comment:1444602014-02-06T23:24:23.716ZJoehttp://4freedoms.com/profile/38DD
<p><span>So the claim that "Islam is the Religion of Peace" originated in India in the 1930s. It looks like it was the "communal violence" and assassinations there in the 1920s which led to islam being considered "a religon of violence".</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span> In 1925 a young Muslim activist assassinated the Hindu revivalist leader Swami Shradhanand. The swami, who had advocated reconverting low-caste converts to Islam back to Hinduism, had publicly slighted Muslim beliefs. The…</span></p>
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<p><span>So the claim that "Islam is the Religion of Peace" originated in India in the 1930s. It looks like it was the "communal violence" and assassinations there in the 1920s which led to islam being considered "a religon of violence".</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span> In 1925 a young Muslim activist assassinated the Hindu revivalist leader Swami Shradhanand. The swami, who had advocated reconverting low-caste converts to Islam back to Hinduism, had publicly slighted Muslim beliefs. The assassination led to widespread criticism of Islam as a religion of violence by the Indian press.</span></p>
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<p><span>Thus, the lie that it is the religion of peace goes hand in hand with muslim violence. It is a tried and tested formula. When muslims resident in the west started to threaten assassinations and initiate riots (1989 to 2001) as they had in India in the 1920s, the "Religion of Peace" trope is trotted out to deceive the kuffar.<br/><br/>Next time someone uses that expression we should respond "islam is to peace what national socialism is to socialism".</span></p>
<p></p> Indian Muslim leader says, "R…tag:4freedoms.com,2012-12-29:3766518:Comment:1171652012-12-29T15:25:07.003ZJoehttp://4freedoms.com/profile/38DD
<div class="asset-header"><h1 class="asset-name entry-title" id="page-title">Indian Muslim leader says, "Remove police for 15 minutes, we will finish off one billion Hindus"</h1>
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<p><a href="http://www.jihadwatch.org/2012/12/indian-muslim-leader-says-remove-police-for-15-minutes-we-will-finish-off-one-billion-hindus.html" target="_blank">http://www.jihadwatch.org/2012/12/indian-muslim-leader-says-remove-police-for-15-minutes-we-will-finish-off-one-billion-hindus.html</a></p>
<p>A crore…</p>
<div class="asset-header"><h1 id="page-title" class="asset-name entry-title">Indian Muslim leader says, "Remove police for 15 minutes, we will finish off one billion Hindus"</h1>
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<p><a href="http://www.jihadwatch.org/2012/12/indian-muslim-leader-says-remove-police-for-15-minutes-we-will-finish-off-one-billion-hindus.html" target="_blank">http://www.jihadwatch.org/2012/12/indian-muslim-leader-says-remove-police-for-15-minutes-we-will-finish-off-one-billion-hindus.html</a></p>
<p>A crore equals ten million, so 100 crore Hindus would be a billion. He is boasting that the Muslims could essentially wipe the Hindus from the face of the earth in fifteen minutes, if the police look the other way.</p>
<p>This joins the Iranian leadership's many genocidal statements against Israel in being ignored by a world "human rights" community that is consumed with working out a remedy to "Islamophobia."</p>
<p>"Akbaruddin in trouble for hate speech," from <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Akbaruddin-in-trouble-for-hate-speech/articleshow/17803821.cms" target="_blank">TNN</a>, December 29 (thanks to Lookmann):</p>
<blockquote>HYDERABAD: Akbaruddin Owaisi, the firebrand leader of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), was on Friday taken to court over his disparaging remarks against Hindus in a hate speech, the main content of which was that Muslims would need just 15 minutes without the police to show 100 crore Hindus who is more powerful.<p>In a complaint filed against the MIM legislator, an advocate said he had stumbled upon YouTube uploaded hate speech made at a public meeting at Adilabad on December 24, about 300 km from the city.</p>
<p>The VII additional chief metropolitan magistrate after admitting the petition said the matter will be heard on December 31.</p>
<p>Akbaruddin, who is the younger brother of MIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, said Hindus have so many gods and goddesses, and every eight days, there are new gods coming up. "We knew about Lakshmi, but who is Bhagyalakshmi, we are not aware," Akbar said referring to the Bhagyalakshmi temple abutting the historic Charminar....</p>
<p>"Inflammatory speech by MLA Akbaruddin - Remove police for 15 mins, We will finish off 100 crore Hindus," tweeted television commentator and interviewer Karan Thapar, which was re-tweeted by journalist and columnist Swapan Dasgupta.</p>
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<p></p> Pakistani Taliban make ceasef…tag:4freedoms.com,2012-12-29:3766518:Comment:1169702012-12-29T15:24:30.447ZJoehttp://4freedoms.com/profile/38DD
<div class="asset-header"><h1 class="asset-name entry-title" id="page-title">Pakistani Taliban make ceasefire offer to Pakistani Government: Adopt Sharia and go to war with India…</h1>
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<div class="asset-header"><h1 id="page-title" class="asset-name entry-title">Pakistani Taliban make ceasefire offer to Pakistani Government: Adopt Sharia and go to war with India</h1>
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<p><a href="http://www.jihadwatch.org/2012/12/pakistani-taliban-makes-ceasefire-offer-to-pakistani-government-adopt-sharia-and-go-to-war-with-indi.html" target="_blank">http://www.jihadwatch.org/2012/12/pakistani-taliban-makes-ceasefire-offer-to-pakistani-government-adopt-sharia-and-go-to-war-with-indi.html</a></p>
<p>"It also said that any religious scholar will confirm that the defence of dignity, self-respect, life, property and faith was the right of every Muslim and fighting for this right is called Jihad, according to the report." Jihad? The Taliban, a brutal and bloody force for oppression, call what they are doing "jihad"? But...but...I thought "jihad" was just <a href="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2012/12/afdis-launches-myjihad-bus-campaign-in-chicago-to-counter-hamas-cair-cloakingjihad-ads.html" target="_blank">getting in your exercise</a> and <a href="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2012/11/chicago-pro-israel-ads-spark-outrage-from-wgns-dan-ponce-who-shills-for-hamas-cair-.html" target="_blank">taking the kids to school</a>. Surely Hamas-linked CAIR's Ahmed Rehab is jetting over to Pakistan as we speak, so as to disabuse Ehsanullah Ehsan and other Taliban members of their misunderstandings of jihad.</p>
<p>"Taliban wants Sharia in Pakistan, war with India," from <a href="http://www.niticentral.com/2012/12/taliban-wants-sharia-in-pakistan-war-with-india.html" target="_blank">NitiCentral</a>, December 27:</p>
<blockquote>The Pakistani Taliban has made a conditional ceasefire offer to the Pakistan Government which calls for an end to Pakistan’s participation in the Afghan war, the imposition of Sharia law in the country, and to avenge the embarrassing defeat of Pakistan in the 1971 War, a GEO News report said.<p>The offer was made by Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) Pakistan spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan in a telephonic call from an unknown place, the report said.</p>
<p><strong>The letter calls for repeal of all laws in Pakistan which are repugnant to Islam and says the Constitution should be re-written in the light of the Quran and Sunnah, the report said.</strong></p>
<p>The letter says the Taliban was dragged into a war with Pakistan and the Government and the army were responsible for this, the report said.</p>
<p>The war with the Taliban was started by the army and it was their religious right to defend themselves, the letter said.</p>
<p>It also said that any religious scholar will confirm that the defence of dignity, self-respect, life, property and faith was the right of every Muslim and fighting for this right is called Jihad, according to the report.</p>
<p>The Taliban condemned the Pakistan Army’s actions, calling them mercenaries for America. The Taliban said Pakistan should have a “Pure Islamic Army”, the report said.</p>
<p>“Instead of taking out guns against Muslims (Ahle Islam), the Pakistan Army should prepare to take revenge for the 1971 war (with India). This will also add the potential of Kashmiri mujahideen to our forces,” the Taliban said, according to the report.</p>
<p>The Taliban letter said Pakistan was its country and they “love its streets and plains and deserts, but we cannot sacrifice our faith for this love,” according to the report.</p>
<p>“If we are attacked even those who are now away from the fighting will take up arms and many more fronts will open,” it said. The Taliban said now the Government of Pakistan should decide what it wanted to do.</p>
<p>The letter asked this correspondent to convey the Taliban message to the Pakistani nation, according to the report.</p>
</blockquote> These are the earliest works…tag:4freedoms.com,2012-04-01:3766518:Comment:982622012-04-01T10:06:08.326ZJoehttp://4freedoms.com/profile/38DD
<p>These are the earliest works I've found calling islam "the religion of peace":</p>
<p>Maulavi Abdul Karim, <strong>Islam: a Universal Religion of Peace and Progress</strong>, India, 1938</p>
<p>Ishtiaq Hussain Quereshi, <strong>The Religion of Peace</strong>, India, 1930</p>
<p>They both make for very interesting reading (as they are clearly works of propaganda, which omit to talk about Surah 9).</p>
<p>Of course, what is really interesting is why they should feel the need to write such…</p>
<p>These are the earliest works I've found calling islam "the religion of peace":</p>
<p>Maulavi Abdul Karim, <strong>Islam: a Universal Religion of Peace and Progress</strong>, India, 1938</p>
<p>Ishtiaq Hussain Quereshi, <strong>The Religion of Peace</strong>, India, 1930</p>
<p>They both make for very interesting reading (as they are clearly works of propaganda, which omit to talk about Surah 9).</p>
<p>Of course, what is really interesting is why they should feel the need to write such works of propaganda at such a time. It also means that for almost 100 years, muslims have been lying to westerners about islam.</p> After searching through the c…tag:4freedoms.com,2012-01-12:3766518:Comment:934082012-01-12T01:37:58.670ZJoehttp://4freedoms.com/profile/38DD
<p>After searching through the catalogues of the British Library and the University of London, I can't find any trace of this trope before 1930. The trope seems to have arisen in India in the 1930s. In fact, from 1930 to the end of the century, it seems that Indian/Pakistani writers are the ones who have pushed this trope most (this is judging from the place of publication of the books; it could well be that many of those publishing the books via western publishers are also Pakistanis or of…</p>
<p>After searching through the catalogues of the British Library and the University of London, I can't find any trace of this trope before 1930. The trope seems to have arisen in India in the 1930s. In fact, from 1930 to the end of the century, it seems that Indian/Pakistani writers are the ones who have pushed this trope most (this is judging from the place of publication of the books; it could well be that many of those publishing the books via western publishers are also Pakistanis or of Pakistani descent).</p>
<p>Here are a few more. </p>
<p>Abdul Karim Maulavi, Islam : a universal religion of peace & progress, 1938</p>
<p>SM Shawkat Ali, Islam, the religion of unity and peace, 1999. </p>
<p>K G Saiyidain, Islam, the religion of peace, 1976. Asghar Ali,The Prophet of non-violence : spirit of peace, compassion & universality in Islam, 2011.</p>
<hr/><p> </p>
<p>I found some dissenting views emerging shortly after 2001. </p>
<p>Scruton, RReligion of Peace? Islam, without the comforting cliches, National review. VOL 54; PART 25, ; 2002, 31-32 </p>
<p>Bukay, D., Peace or Jihad? Abrogation in Islam Islam was a religion of peace, but only for the first twenty years, Middle East quarterly. VOL 14; NUMB 4, ; 2007, 3-12</p>
<p> </p>