Unfortunately narrow-minded evangelists like Terry Jones are giving vent to their hatred of Islam by burning the Holy Qur’ān. In spite of worldwide condemnation of this provocative hate crime there is no sign of any remorse on part of him or his supporters.
Mr. Jones needs to read the Qur’ān and at least ponder over how the Qur’ān presents Jesus Christ (on whom be peace) and his revered mother Maryam (may Allah be pleased with her). The Holy Qur’ān confirms that Jesus (on whom be peace) was a divinely inspired and respected Messenger of Allah who preached monotheism, performed miracles and was born of Virgin Mary. Maryam (may Allah be pleased with her) has been mentioned in the Holy Qur’ān more often than any other woman, and in very respectable words. Denial of Jesus (on whom be peace) as a Messenger of Allah violates Islamic belief, and anything insulting to Jesus is condemned by Muslims as blasphemous. The Qur’ān refers to Jesus (on whom be peace) as Kalimatullah (Word of God), Roohullah (Spirit of God) and as a Sign of God. Muslims must give more attention to introducing the Qur’ān and the Prophet to Christians and others.
The Muslims are advised by the Qur’ān never to lose their patience in the face of the worst possible attacks on their beliefs and their venerated personalities. In the light of these instructions any sane Muslim will severely condemn the dastardly attacks and murders of United Nations and other foreign workers in Afghanistan. Up to now more than 25 persons have lost their lives in these murderous attacks on innocent and unconnected people. One factor which prompts such killings is the extreme frustration of Afghans who are being battered continuously by bombardment of their villages and killings of innocent citizens by US-led NATO forces. Protest they must make and their demands for exemplary punishment to perpetrators of hate crimes are right but Islam never allows anybody taking law in the hands much less the killings.
Those who are killing innocent persons are tarnishing the fare name of Islam and their acts are most condemnable and atrocious. These acts are like cutting one’s nose to avenge spitting by someone. The Muslim world condemns all such atrocities in clear words. Islam stands for respect, cooperation and serious debate, and never allows violence in response to hatred. Those who resort to violence and murder to avenge disrespect are doing a huge disservice to Islam and undoing what Islam stands for.